As Time Goes By

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Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Suzanne McElfresh
Though perhaps unexpected, an album of '30s standards in the hands of Roxy Music raconteur Bryan Ferry should really come as no surprise. Ferry distinguished himself as a master interpreter more than 25 years ago with his first solo album, THESE FOOLISH THINGS, a refined extension of the singer's glam-rock persona that featured coolly dramatic versions of Dylan, Stones, and Beatles hits. Here, Ferry turns the clock all the way back to the '30s, setting his suave demeanor and quivering croon to the passions of a long ago, more elegant time. Rendered with subtly swinging, cabaret-style arrangements, such classics as Rodgers & Hart's "Where or When," Kurt Weill's ...
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Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Suzanne McElfresh
Though perhaps unexpected, an album of '30s standards in the hands of Roxy Music raconteur Bryan Ferry should really come as no surprise. Ferry distinguished himself as a master interpreter more than 25 years ago with his first solo album, THESE FOOLISH THINGS, a refined extension of the singer's glam-rock persona that featured coolly dramatic versions of Dylan, Stones, and Beatles hits. Here, Ferry turns the clock all the way back to the '30s, setting his suave demeanor and quivering croon to the passions of a long ago, more elegant time. Rendered with subtly swinging, cabaret-style arrangements, such classics as Rodgers & Hart's "Where or When," Kurt Weill's "September Song," Cole Porter's "Just One of Those Things," and Jerome Kern's "The Way You Look Tonight" indeed prove to be the perfect vehicle for Ferry's detached lounge-lizard cool. And while anyone hoping for an update of Roxy Music's sensuous AVALON masterpiece would be looking in the wrong place, others will find this to be an equally intimate, agreeably artful collection of retro gems.
All Music Guide - Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Bryan Ferry invests considerable time and energy in cover albums he should, considering that they compose a good portion of his solo catalog, treating them with as much care as a record of original material. He's always found ways to radically reinvent the songs he sings, so it's easy to expect that his collection of pop standards, As Time Goes By, would re-imagine the familiar. Instead, As Time Goes By is his first classicist album, containing non-ironic, neo-traditionalist arrangements of songs associated with the '30s. That doesn't mean it's a lavish affair, dripping with lush orchestras -- it's considerably more intimate than that. Even when strings surface, they're understated, part of a small live combo that supports Ferry throughout the record. He's made the music as faithful to its era as possible, yet instead of rigidly replicating the sounds of the '30s, he's blended Billie Holiday, cabaret pop, and movie musicals into an evocative pastiche. Ferry is at his best when he's exploring the possibilities within a specific theory or concept; with As Time Goes By, he eases into these standards and old-fashioned settings like an actor adopting a new persona. Since Ferry has always been a crooner, the transition is smooth and suave. He makes no attempt to alter his tremulous style, yet it rarely sounds incongruous -- he may sound a little vampirish on "You Do Something to Me," but that's the rare case where he doesn't seamlessly mesh with his romantic, sepia-toned surroundings. On the surface, it may seem like a departure for Ferry, but in the end, it's entirely of a piece with his body of work. True, it may not be a major album in the scheme of things, but it's easy to be seduced by its casual elegance.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 10/19/1999
  • Label: Virgin Records Us
  • UPC: 724384827021
  • Catalog Number: 48270
  • Sales rank: 56,958

Album Credits

Performance Credits
Bryan Ferry Primary Artist, Primary Artist, Synthesizer
Phil Manzanera Guitar
Alan Barnes Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone
Nicholas Bucknail Clarinet
Wilfred Gibson Violin
Bob Hunt Trombone
Chris Laurence Bass
Andy Newmark Drums
Anthony Pleeth Cello
Frank Ricotti Percussion
John Sutton Drums
Enrico Tomasso Trumpet
Hugh Webb Harp
Gavyn Wright Violin
Peter Lale Viola
Boguslaw Kostecki Violin
Jose Libertella Bandoneon
Cynthia Millar Ondes Martenot
Luis Stazo Bandoneon
Paul Clarvis Drums
Philip Dukes Viola
Colin Good Piano
Anthony Pike Bass Clarinet
Jim Tomlinson Clarinet, Alto Saxophone
Richard Jeffries Bass
Malcolm Earle Smith Trombone
Abraham Leborovich Violin
Tobias Tak Tape
Robert Fowler Clarinet
Martin Wheatley Banjo
Timothy Lines Clarinet
David White Clarinet
Nils Solberg Guitar
David Woodcock Violin
Technical Credits
Bryan Ferry Arranger, Producer, Art Direction
Rhett Davies Producer
Bob Ludwig Mastering
Mark Tucker Engineer
Colin Good Arranger, Musical Director
Nicholas Deville Art Direction
James Sanger Programming
Alice Retif Poetry
Bogdan Zarkowski Artwork
Herman Hupfeld Composer
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Customer Reviews

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Sort by: Showing 1 Customer Review

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Refreshing the Old Standards

    His voice is smooth and lends itself beautifully to these selections. I've always been a fan of Roxy Music for their poetic lyrics and unusally appealling music. Forever tasteful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Sort by: Showing 1 Customer Review