Stylish cover versions
Pieter | Johannesburg | 04/11/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
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Bryan Ferry does his equivalent of Bowie's Pin Ups on this interesting album. I Put A Spell On You and Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow get the ultra smooth treatment with ghostly keyboards lending an eerie feel to the arrangements. Answer Me has similar atmospheric synth flashes, whilst the guitar and organ on Just One Look make it special.
The song Rescue Me has muffled vocal samples, swirling keyboards and an infectious rhythm track with Ferry's vocal wrapping itself around every musical turn and twist; this is a highlight of the album. His version of All Tomorrow's Parties has an unexpected arrangement, not lilting and flowing but jagged and halting.
Old style rock 'n roll guitar opens Girl Of My Best Friend and Ferry sings a bit like that too, with more emotion and passion. The up-tempo Amazing Grace is another unusual interpretation, restrained vocals with impressive organ embellishments and a lively rhythm.
The title track is introduced by the sound of rain and car horns and turns into quite a soulful tale of lost love, whilst the short last track Because You're Mine (the only Ferry original) is like a rock symphony with obscure but dramatic voices in the brooding instrumental mix.
Taxi is Bryan Ferry at his smoothest, but with some surprises in his unusual takes on All Tomorrow's Parties and Amazing Grace. It is a very stylish album but do not expect anything like his version of Hard Rain's Gonna Fall (my favourite Ferry number) or the driving pop-rock of early Roxy Music.
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Track Listings (10) - Disc #1