Search - Bryan Ferry :: Bride Stripped Bare

Coulda been a classic

steve french | cougar country | 07/07/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a fan of Bryan Ferry and R.M. since the 70's.. "The Bride Stripped Bare" is another high quality solo effort released in 1978.The "back story"-Ferry went into "self exile" in L.A., removing himself from the lingering unpleasentness of his recent break-up with model Jerry Hall. Not a happy period for the man, as the somber looking cover photo suggest.Ferry goes back to having a mixed assortment of originals and other artist's songs- mostly R&B, with an Irish folk song"Carrickfergus" and Lou Reed penned number"What Goes On"

. For once Ferry seems not to be hiding behind his "world weary lover" character, as songs written by him are more personal and less detatched."When She walks Into The Room", "Can't Let Go" and my fave "This Island Earth"- are all some of his best he's done. What I think detracts from this album is the use of the L.A. studio musicians. Waddy Wachtel is fine for Linda Rondstadt,, Warren Zevon and the like, but his playing here is dry and sadly inferior to say the creative flourish of Phil Manzanara or Chris Spedding. There is a sterile quality(?) to the whole album except "This Island Earth" which retains a Roxyish layered dream-like way to it and is indeed, somewhat ruined by Waddy's pedestrian playing. This is a good CD. Every time I hear these songs I think "Too bad he moved to LA.". PS.-Not an LA basher- I grew up and was living in So Cal when this album came out.

"

Revenge served hot 'n' Steamy.

Phillip Thomas Powell | Eastern USA | 08/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Supposedly his response to getting jilted by his then-gf Jerri Hall (for Mr. Jagger, no less!), this album reaches well beyond any personal issues to encompass anguish and uncertainty in more universal terms. While a return of sorts to the hybrid covers/originals formula of earlier records, this is also a step forward stylistically. Simultaneously painful and uplifting, Ferry once again shows others how to express complicated emotions and still be immensely entertaining. Essential."

Gifted crooner sings interesting covers

Carsten Knoch | Toronto, ON Canada | 09/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bryan Ferry is a classic crooner in the same sense that Frank Sinatra was - he can sing anything and imbue it with his own style, interpreting it meaningfully and casting it in a new light. Starting in the 70s, Ferry established a long tradition of occasionally releasing solo albums that featured cover versions. The Bride Stripped Bare is, in my opinion, the best example of this: filled with `The Same Old Blues,' `Carrickfergus' and `Take Me to the River,' it can't fail. The arrangements are tasteful and accomplished, and Ferry's own compositions (almost) keep up with the covers. His version of `That's How Strong My Love Is' has to be heard to be believed - it's completely over the top to the point of being camp, and emotionally touching and sincere at the same time... quite an accomplishment. Most people would think of this as a `minor' record at best, a footnote made by someone who was famous for something else; I think it deserves to be loved for being fearless and really showcasing Bryan Ferry's unique and sensuous voice. (Reviewed at my blog http://teabowl.net)"