Sonic Reducers: 5-minute video. 2 music geeks. 1 big story you need to know.
Join us as we discuss the legacy of Joni Mitchell’s Blue and explain why she truly is Canada’s greatest songwriter.
Metallica Announce Remastered Edition Of The Black Album And Tribute Featuring 50 Artists
Metallica marks the 30th anniversary of its self-titled fifth album — a/k/a The Black Album — with two landmark releases, both out September 10th on the band’s own Blackened Recordings: The Black Album is one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed records of all time. Its 1991 release not only gave Metallica its first #1 album in no fewer than 10 countries, including a 4-week run at #1 in the U.S., its unrelenting series of singles — “Enter Sandman”, “The Unforgiven”, “Nothing Else Matters”, “Wherever I May Roam”, and “Sad But True” — fueled the band’s rise to stadium headlining, radio and MTV dominating household name status. The album’s reception from the press was similarly charged, building over the years from the top 10 of the 1991 Village Voice Pazz & Jop national critics poll to becoming a constant presence in the likes of Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time. The album’s impact and relevance continue to grow—as proven by one indisputable fact: The Black Album remains unchallenged as the best-selling album in the history of Nielsen Soundscan, outselling every release in every genre over the past 30 years.
To commemorate its 30th anniversary, the GRAMMY-winning, 16x platinum-certified Black Album is receiving its definitive re-release. Remastered for ultimate sound quality, The Black Album remaster will be available in multiple configurations including 180 gram Double Vinyl LP, Standard CD and 3 CD Expanded Edition, digital, and Limited Edition Deluxe Box Set (containing the album remastered on 180G 2LP, a picture disc, three live LPs, 14 CDs (containing rough mixes, demos, interviews, live shows), 6 DVDs (containing outtakes, behind the scenes, official videos, live shows), a 120-page hardcover book, four tour laminates, three lithos, three guitar picks, a Metallica lanyard, a folder with lyric sheets, and a download card).
Much more than a mere tribute album, The Metallica Blacklist celebrates the enduring influence of this musical milestone with one of the most ambitious projects ever conceived by the Metallica team: An unprecedented 50+ artists spanning an unbelievably vast range of genres, generations, cultures, continents and more, each contributing a unique interpretation of their favorite Black Album cut.
The Metallica Blacklist offers up new dimensions of the record whose gravitational pull first drew the mainstream to Metallica—and provides new insights into the universal and timeless appeal that kept it there: the boundary-smashing influence these 12 songs have had on fans and musicians of all stripes. The Metallica Blacklist’s 53 tracks find singer songwriters, country artists, electronic and hip hop artists sharing their love of these songs alongside punk rockers, indie darlings, icons of rock, metal, world music and many, many more… and for 50+ good causes: Profits will be divided evenly between charities of the artist’s choice and Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation.
The Metallica Blacklist is a fitting and limitless homage, one that features bands who’ve shared stages with Metallica alongside artists who are younger than the original album. It’s a truly staggering, at times mystifying assemblage of musicians, dozens of whom have little to nothing in common other than the shared passion for the music that’s united them for this album: 1 Album. 12 Songs. 53 Artists. Unlimited Possibilities.
The Metallica Blacklist will be available digitally September 10th, with physical formats to follow on October 1st including 4 CD and a limited edition 7 LP vinyl pressing. Pre-orders will instantly receive multi-platinum selling recording artist, songwriter, philanthropist and trailblazer Miley Cyrus’ version of “Nothing Else Matters” featuring WATT, Elton John, Yo-Yo Ma, Robert Trujillo and Chad Smith, and Latin music superstar Juanes’ interpretation of “Enter Sandman.”
All profits from The Metallica Blacklist will be split evenly between the All Within My Hands Foundation and 50+ charities chosen by the artists who play on the album. All Within My Hands was founded by the band in 2017 as a way for the entire Metallica family to give back to communities that have supported the band by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services.
Netflix, Disney, 2m Streams: AMIR BRANDON Intoxicates with Debut Single, “champagne”
Extraordinary vox and melodic sensibilities combine for Ottawa-born, Toronto-based pop singer/songwriter Amir Brandon and his debut single, “champagne” — available now.
Having gained early accolades from chart-topping Billboard singer/songwriter JoJo, Amir Brandon has performed headlining showcases at Canadian Music Week, shared the stage with Black Eyed Peas’ Taboo, and amassed more than 2+ Million streams on YouTube for his stunning takes of R&B greats.
Heard across CBC, Netflix’s Cobra Kai, Disney’s PJ Masks, The Young & The Restless, Spotify’s New Music Friday, and more, he has also headlined the “We’re Funny That Way” LGTBQ Festival, Youth Day at Yonge & Dundas Square — as well as being featured as a singer/songwriter at the Toronto Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, and performer, songwriter, and co-producer for ‘Rapid-Eye Movement’ at Nuit Blanche and Summerworks Festival.
Enduring years of closed doors, homophobia, and fighting for artistic integrity only fuelled Amir Brandon’s creative fire, inspiring a striking sense of vulnerability and confidence in his songwriting. After much experimentation, self-discovery, and reinvention, his music stands as a testament to his resilience in the industry.
“As a first-generation Canadian born to immigrant parents from the Middle-East, I understand the challenges of building upon dreams from scratch,” he shares. “I also understand the valuable opportunity I’ve been granted to pursue music in Canada, where it comparatively would not have been possible if my parents had not immigrated.
“My drive for success is a testament to Canada’s culturally diverse music landscape, and my music is an inspirational platform for young artists walking a similar path.”
As first preview for the Toronto-based artist and multi-instrumentalist’s forthcoming debut album, Lonely Club, ‘champagne’ achingly peels away Amir’s desire to ditch the bubbly in favour of dancing alone with his broken, pained heart. His authenticity as a melancholic man of sadness comes to life on the track, giving us a one-way ticket into uncharted loneliness.
On “champagne,” Amir takes creative licence, carving his own unique place in the rhythm and blues world. Dripping with charisma and eloquence from every note, his falsetto pierces your heart, while breathless runs solidify his dedication to drawing in the listener and holding them captive.
“champagne” is available now. Lonely Club is available Summer 2021.
Joseph Brooks Organ Promises to “Make Sure You Know” on New Single
Remember when James Taylor hummed that we’ve “got a friend”? And all we’d have to do is call out, and a friend would be delivered? Welcome Joseph Brooks Organ — a singer/songwriter, troubadour, and softly sweeping lyrical mastermind who could readily be James Taylor making-good on that 70’s promise.
Originally hailing from London, Ontario, but calling Toronto home for nearly the past two decades, this multi-instrumentalist’s charming indie-acoustic vibe is a quaint canvass of love and all its wonderment on his latest offering, Lovelorn.
The sophomore album is a follow-up to Organ’s debut EP Tape from 2013. As he recalls, “[This album was] recorded by nine different musicians all in their own apartments due to self-isolation protocol,” adding, “Lovelorn is a product of the pandemic, and a testament to the will to go on creating whatever the impediments to that process may be.”
A collection of love songs, chronicling the protagonist’s struggles, triumphs, steadiness and readiness, Lovelorn qualifies the notion of love and why it’s worth falling into at all. “The album has a narrative arc which describes the loss of love in its many stages,” explains Organ. “The title track ‘Lovelorn’ depicts the subject now completely removed from love, watching other couples feel it, but unable to access the feeling himself.
“The final track ‘Nosong’ has our narrator reconciled to his loss of love, albeit in a complicated sort of way. Zooming out, he becomes philosophical in his asceticism, pondering the abstract and illusory nature of concepts like love and life.”
Lovelorn leads off with “Make Sure You Know,” a simply sophisticated ode of honesty. Our hero acknowledges that “love can sometimes slip away,” despite not understanding why.
But armed with this awareness, he promises his lover that she will be the first one to be made aware so they can walk away peacefully and without anger, resentment, or hurt. Organ’s finds magic in delivering a song so rich in beautiful, seemingly happy melodies, but yet, so alarmingly sad in its sorrowful lyrics. This fair weather approach to the reality of potential heartbreak is equally blunt as it is subtle in its hope that circumventing hurt is at all possible.
Organ’s folk-crafted acoustic record comes complete with a whistled bridge that ties the entire track together. It offers a semblance of acceptance – our narrator willfully, if not dutifully reminds us that there is a darker side of love we all prefer to ignore, but he refuses. And he’s going to accept the risk of falling out of love with grace and dignity.
Lovelorn is a journey through the lens of a lover’s emotional highs, and desperate lows. His fears, and his losses. Candidly sung truths that pepper the story with authenticity and ability to connect with listeners. Through experience and emotion, Joseph Brooks Organ makes sure to know how to reach into the depth of your soul and display it endearingly through song.
Singer/Songwriter FRANK PATRICK Proposes Unity in George Floyd-Inspired “The Almighty We”
With a mission and message towards celebrating unity, Canadian adult contemporary musician Frank Patrick has released a touching single and music video for the titular track of his new studio album, The Almighty We — available now.
While it’s an upbeat dance song, filled with a joyous and undeniable explosion of musical goodness and variety, “The Almighty We” came pouring out of Frank’s head after witnessing the horrific and unjust murder of George Floyd last year. “Watching and feeling (that video) catalyzed a massive call to action,” the veteran singer notes. A close friend of Frank’s even called “The Almighty We” a “planetary anti-racism and COVID dance song,” he adds.
‘I still sing along, it reminds me I belong with The Almighty We, The Almighty We, c’est fait accompli, c’est fait accompli,’ Frank sings at the tail-end of the earworm’s second verse.
And with the ideology of “oneness” in mind, Frank enlisted musicians Ed Michael Roth, Ian de Souza, Rebecca Campbell, and producer brilliantfish to help record the release. Roth’s unparalleled accordion-playing skills are matched beautifully by the snaky groove of de Souza’s bass and brilliantfish’s infectious rhythm arrangements; the cherry on top is the beautiful voice of Campbell, who helps carry the message throughout the song, including a street party chant that is sure to get you on your feet and shaking those hips.
brilliantfish also produced and mixed the smile-inducing music video. On working with his longtime friend, Frank says: “I am more than ‘the artist he is producing.’ We are collaborators, and that’s how we prefer to work. We arrange and fine tune the songs together from the ground up.
“Everyone on this album is a collaborator,” he continues. “For me, that’s how music is made — be it working remotely or in the same room.”
Not only has Frank toured Canada, the U.S. (including Hawaii) and Europe in the last decade, but he’s shared the performing stage with countless renowned artists — including Buffy St. Marie, Cyril Neville (Neville Brothers), Jonathan Best (David Byrne), Kevin Breit (Norah Jones, Cassandra Wilson), and Dr. Timothy Leary. Before his solo career kicked off, he was the former lyricist, co-writer and lead vocalist of the band Zombo Zombo, and toured as part of the music ensemble in the Dora Award-winning ‘Sable/Sand’ with Dancemakers.
Frank Patrick spent years away from the music scene as a result of an unfortunate car accident in 1999; forced to stop playing, he spent the following seven years recovering from the incident. In that time, however, he continued to write music, until he was properly able to record it. The work he put in during that period was what would become his debut solo album, 2006’s Worlds in Transition (which was also produced by Brilliantfish).
Since then, Frank has released one more studio album, Soul Medicine (2019) — which includes the fan-favourite singles “Spectruma” and “Soul Medicine” — as well as “Mercy,” the lead single, from his latest album.
Kirk Hammett tells the BEST story on how he met Michael Jackson
Kirk Hammett from Metallica remembers the time he met Michael Jackson.
Erasure Announce North American Tour
ERASURE (Andy Bell and Vince Clarke) today announce a North American tour produced by Live Nation set to launch January 14, 2022 in Miami before wrapping up in late February at The Venetian in Las Vegas. Pre-sales begin tomorrow with tickets available to the general public beginning Friday, June 25 at 12pm local time. Bag Raiders will open each date with a DJ set.
News of the North American tour follows the 2020 release of Erasure’s rapturously received eighteenth studio album, The Neon. Featuring jubilant songs such as “Nerves of Steel,” “Hey Now (Think I Got A Feeling),” and “Fallen Angel,” The Neon was met with widespread critical acclaim with critics and fans alike praising Andy and Vince’s euphoric reemergence at a time when the world needed them most.
This summer, the duo will release The Neon Remixed, a collection of reimaginings of songs from The Neon by artists such as Kim Ann Foxman, Hifi Sean, Octo Octa, Paul Humphreys (OMD), Andy Bell & Gareth Jones, Brixxtone, Theo Kottis, and more. Also included is the brand new single “Secrets.”
The Neon Remixed is set for release July 30 on limited edition (first pressing only) double colored vinyl and gatefold CD, both packaged in a mirror board sleeve. Pre-orders via MuteBank and Lexer Music will be entered into a draw to win a bespoke neon sign designed by Yellowpop.
Written and produced by Erasure, the album’s initial sessions saw Vince and Andy reunite to work on the follow up to 2017’s World Be Gone with a fresh optimism and energy, in part born from their own recent personal projects. Vince goes on to explain, “Our music is always a reflection of how we’re feeling. Andy was in a good place spiritually, and so was I – really good places in our minds. You can hear that.”
Taking inspiration from pop music through the decades, from bands Andy loved as a child through to the present day, he explains, “It was about refreshing my love – hopefully our love – of great pop. I want kids now to hear these songs! I wanted to recharge that feeling that pop can come from anyone.”
The Neon vocals were recorded in Atlanta, Georgia, with Vince joining Andy at the studio sessions, and the mixing was done by the band in London earlier this year. Photographs were shot at that time in the unique environs of Gods Own Junkyard, a gallery housing a huge collection of vintage neon. Andy enthuses, “I felt like it was being inside a virtual reality game. I loved that it felt like being in a different world. That’s what I want our new album to convey.”
Erasure The Neon Tour 2021-2022
October 1 – Glasgow, Scotland – Armadillo SOLD OUT
October 2 – Glasgow, Scotland – Armadillo SOLD OUT
October 4 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena
October 6 – Edinburgh, Scotland – Usher Hall SOLD OUT
October 7 – Edinburgh, Scotland – Usher Hall SOLD OUT
October 9 – Manchester, England – O2 Apollo SOLD OUT
October 10 – Manchester, England – O2 Apollo SOLD OUT
October 12 – Cardiff, Wales – Motorpoint Arena
October 14 – Bournemouth, England – International Centre
October 16 – Birmingham, England – Utilita Arena
October 17 – London, England – The O2
October 18 – Brighton, England – Centre
October 21 – Frankfurt, Germany – Jahrhunderthalle
October 22 – Berlin, Germany – Max-Schmeling-Halle
October 24 – Cologne, Germany – Palladium
October 26 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena
October 27 – Hamburg, Germany – Barclaycard Arena
October 28 – Leipzig, Germany – Immobilien Arena
January 14 – Miami Beach, FL – The Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater
January 15 – Orlando, FL – Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center
January 16 – St. Petersburg, FL – The Mahaffey Theater
January 18 – Durham, NC – DPAC – Durham Performing Arts Center
January 20 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall
January 25 – Toronto, ON – Meridian Hall
January 27 – Pittsburgh, PA – The Byham Theater
January 28 – Chicago, IL – Credit Union 1 Arena at UIC
January 29 – Cincinnati, OH – The Andrew J Brady ICON Music Center
February 1 – Asbury Park, NJ – Paramount Theatre
February 3 – Washington, DC – The Anthem
February 4 – Atlantic City, NJ – Caesars *
February 5 – Boston, MA – Orpheum Theatre presented by Citizens Bank
February 8 – Atlanta, GA – Symphony Hall
February 11 – Houston, TX – TBA (venue & on sale to be announced)
February 12 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
February 13 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at the Moody Theater *
February 15 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
February 18 – Denver, CO – Bellco Theatre
February 19 – Salt Lake City, UT – Maverik Center
February 23 – Portland, OR – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
February 25 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center
February 26 – Los Angeles, CA – Performance Venue @ Hollywood Park
February 27 – Las Vegas, NV – Venetian Theatre
Bahamas Announces Long-Awaited North American Tour
Juno Award-winning artist Bahamas (aka Afie Jurvanen) has announced a long-awaited North American tour in support of his latest album Sad Hunk (Brushfire Records). Upon release, Sad Hunk was very well-received by fans and the press, with positive coverage running in The New York Times, MOJO, American Songwriter, Glide, Atwood Magazine and Uncut, who called the album “arrestingly original”. Bahamas performed songs from the album on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, CBS Saturday Morning and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s #PlayAtHome series. Bahamas recently won the 2021 Juno Award for Best Adult Alternative Album for Sad Hunk.
The headlining tour kicks off on October 2nd in Louisville, KY immediately following dates supporting Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. Stops will include Boston, Philadelphia, New York City, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Chicago and Detroit before heading back to Canada for a coast-to-coast tour of his home country. A Bahamas show is an immersive experience, and fans have been anxiously waiting for the return of Jurvanen and company’s live signature blend of music, musicianship, artist/audience connection and even humor. See full list of dates below.
This past weekend, the finale of Bahamas’ beloved Live To Tape online video performance series debuted. The session featured drummer Steve Ferrone (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), bassist Nathan East (Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder) and guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Madison Cunningham.
The Live To Tape series featured Jurvanen performing from Halifax, Nova Scotia with an eclectic group of celebrated artists playing with him remotely live from various locations. Artists included Lucius, The Secret Sisters, The 400 Unit, members of Dawes, Australia’s Teskey Brothers, Greensky Bluegrass, Gus Seyffert (Beck, Adele) and Joey Waronker (REM, Atoms for Peace), Bob Glaub (Jackson Browne, Rod Stewart) and Russ Kunkle (Jackson Browne, Lyle Lovett), legendary Nashville session players Gene Chrisman, Russ Pahl, Dave Roe and a host of others.
BAHAMAS 2021/2022 TOUR DATES
September 28 – Richmond, VA – Virginia Credit Union Live! at Richmond Raceway#
September 29 – Asheville, NC – Rabbit Rabbit#
October 1 – Franklin, TN – First Bank Amphitheater#
October 2 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom*
October 5 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Smalls*
October 6 – Holyoke, MA – Gateway City Arts*
October 7 – Boston, MA – House of Blues*+
October 8 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer*
October 9 – New York, NY – Webster Hall*
October 10 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
October 12 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club*
October 13 – Raleigh, NC – Cat’s Cradle*
October 14 – Charlotte, NC – The Visulite Theatre*
October 15 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse*
October 16 – Ponte Vedra, FL – Ponte Vedra Music Hall*
October 17 – Orlando, FL – The Social*
October 18 – Birmingham, AL – The Saturn*
October 20 – St. Louis, MO – Delmar Hall*
October 21 – Kansas City, MO – The Truman*
October 22 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue*
October 23 – Chicago, IL – The Vic Theatre*
October 24 – Detroit, MI – Majestic Theatre*
November 17 – Victoria, BC – Royal Theatre^
November 18 – Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre^
November 21 – Kelowna, BC – Kelowna Community Theatre^
November 23 – Edmonton, AB – Winspear Centre^
November 24 – Red Deer, AB – Red Deer Memorial Centre^
November 25 – Calgary, AB – Jack Singer Concert Hall^
November 26 – Saskatoon, SK – Coors Event Centre^
November 27 – Winnipeg, MB – Burton Cummings Theatre^
December 1 – Toronto, ON – Meridian Hall~
December 4 – London, ON – London Music Hall~
December 7 – Ottawa, ON – National Arts Centre – Southam Hall~
December 8 – Kingston, ON – Sydenham Street United Church~
December 9 – Québec City, QC – L’Impérial Bell~
December 10 – Montreal, QC – Corona Theatre~
January 10 – St. John’s, NFLD – Arts & Culture Centre
January 13 – Halifax, NS – Rebecca Cohn Auditorium
January 14 – Halifax, NS – Rebecca Cohn Auditorium
January 16 – Moncton, NB – Capitol Theatre
January 17 – Saint John, NB – Imperial Theatre
January 18 – Fredericton, NB – Playhouse Theatre
#Supporting Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
*Sam Weber supporting
+Langhorne Slim Supporting
^Madison Cunningham supporting
~Ariel Posen supporting
Beatles, Bob Dylan, Prince, and Kurt Cobain featured in Marvels of Modern Music Auction
“Summertime, and the bidding is easy”—with over 400 items spanning the history of popular music, RR Auction’s summer installment of our Marvels of Modern Music series is sure to be a hit. From the Beatles and Bob Dylan to Prince, Kurt Cobain, and Lady Gaga, icons of the past and present are represented in this sale.
Among the many chart-topping items is a fully signed Meet the Beatles promo album. The album is signed and inscribed on the back cover to George Harrison’s older sister Louise. Beatle’s albums inscribed to one of their family members are virtually nonexistent and hugely desirable.
Prince’s stage-worn lace shirt from the Purple Rain Tour. The long-sleeve shirt from the blockbuster 1984-85 Purple Rain Tour, gorgeously constructed entirely of sheer lace with a vine-and-leaf pattern, featuring a high-neck collar, three layers of ruffles on the chest, pearloid buttons down the front placket, and ruffled faux-French cuffs with stunning sewn-on blue jeweled cufflinks.
Also up are the handwritten lyrics for Prince’s ‘Nothing Compares 2 U.’ From the collection of Prince’s assistant Therese Stoulil and is accompanied by a letter of provenance, stating that months which reads, in part: “After 10 years of working for Prince, I resigned in May of 1996. And it was months after that there was a knock on my door, and I looked out the bedroom window and saw a black BMW in my driveway and immediately recognized it as Duane’s, Prince’s half-brother. I went downstairs opened the door, and he only said ‘this is from Prince’ then he got in his car and left. Once I realized what Duane delivered, I was both stunned and humbled. Prince would use white console marking tape to adhere the lyrics to his vocal microphone; that tape is still on both pages.” ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ was featured as the sixth track on The Family’s 1985 self-titled debut album. Five years later, the song became a best-selling hit when Irish singer Sinead O’Connor covered the song for her second studio album.
Among other Prince, lots included: An exquisite beaded jacket worn on-screen by Prince in Under the Cherry Moon, Prince studio-played Fender Acoustic Guitar for the Diamonds and Pearls album, Prince stage-worn Gold’ Jam of the Year Tour’ Outfit.
Autograph lyrics for ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ by Bob Dylan. The immensely desirable one-page handwritten lyrics for Dylan’s breakthrough single, “Like a Rolling Stone,” on The Dorchester of London letterhead, signed neatly at the conclusion, “Bob Dylan, 2010.” Accompanied by a 2013 letter of authenticity from Jeff Rosen, president of the Bob Dylan Music Company, which states that to the best of his knowledge, there are only five of the manuscripts known to exist for the song as of the date of this letter.
And an Eddie Van Halen’s stage-used Charvel guitar. The EVH Art Series electric guitar with yellow and black stripe pattern played during a Van Halen concert at the Scottrade Center by Eddie Van Halen, who has personally hand-striped the body and signed in silver ink.
Among other fan favorites; Kurt Cobain & Courtney Love’s personally-worn dresses, Lady Gaga’s personally-worn black satin dress by Alexa Chapman, Rihanna’s personally-worn Paris Fashion Week ‘Fear’ shawl, and a Beret worn by Harry Styles for his Variety ‘Hitmaker of the Year’ photo shoot.
Bidding for the Marvels of Modern Music Auction from RR Auction began on June 17 and will conclude on June 24, 2021. For more information, go to www.rrauction.com.
Bryan Ferry Announces First Six Solo Albums Back On Vinyl, Out July 30
In 1973, while Roxy Music – one of the most unique, influential, and important bands of their generation – were still riding the cusp of a wave, frontman Bryan Ferry launched an audacious solo career that went on to cement him as one of the greatest and unique performers and songwriters the U.K. has ever produced.
His first six solo albums, These Foolish Things (1973), Another Time, Another Place (1974), Let’s Stick Together (1976), In Your Mind (1977), The Bride Stripped Bare (1978) and Boys and Girls (1985) have been remastered from original tapes at Abbey Road Studios and cut by Frank Arkwright. All six releases are pressed on 180g black vinyl and feature enhanced versions of the original artwork overseen by Bryan Ferry.
Bryan Ferry’s solo work has shaped the course of contemporary rock and pop music. Through classic love songs such as “Don’t Stop The Dance” and “Slave To Love,” from 1985’s Boys and Girls, and his work across a range of musical styles from filmic electronic soundscapes to recreations of New Orleans and Weimar jazz bands, Ferry has continually affirmed his position as a musical icon.
Aside from his own compositions, an equally important aspect of Ferry’s work has been his re-styling of numerous songs from different genres. The first of these was the ground-breaking and critically acclaimed (and to be reissued album) These Foolish Things. From unique renditions of Lesley Gore’s “It’s My Party” and The Miracles’ “The Tracks of My Tears,” to astounding versions of Bob Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” and The Beach Boys’ “Don’t Worry Baby,” These Foolish Things has (The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide giving it five out of five stars and describing it as a “conceptual and musical tour de force.”
With the rare distinction of being regarded as both classic and contemporary, Bryan Ferry is acknowledged as the writer and singer of some of the most loved modern pop songs, and a driving force in the avant-garde.