We went to see Bryan Ferry on Thursday at the Portsmouth Guildhall. One of our favourite venues. Show was preceded by Judith Owen and her band complete with a Dumbledoor lookalike bass player called Lelant who apparently cranked out a good rhythm for Joni Mitchell and others back in the day. Interesting American lady, based out of New Orleans, cocksure and quite funny - whilst her own tunes were good the covers (age of Aquarius in particular) were crap. Also plagiarised "Walking in Memphis" and turned it into something about seeing green grass in Texas. Wanted £15 for a CD. Nuff said.
Bryan Ferry wrote and writes some great tunes. He has a fantastic backing band of ten. Boy does he need it now, his voice is shot in the upper register, and he has to rely on the two lady backing singers and Fonzie (Luther VD backing singer). It was an enjoyable listen if disappointing that the artist known as Bryan Ferry clearly left the building a while ago. He did however feature a number of Roxy Music songs, much to the delight of a full house. On stage less than 90 minutes, show over by just after 10, home by 11.15
Setlist
Avonmore Driving Me Wild Slave to Love Ladytron (Roxy Music song) Bob Dylan's Dream (Bob Dylan cover) Don't Think Twice, It's All Right (Bob Dylan cover) Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (Jerome Kern cover) Bête Noire Zamba Stronger Through the Years (Roxy Music song) Tara (Roxy Music song) Take a Chance with Me (Roxy Music song) One Night Stand If There Is Something (Roxy Music song) More Than This (Roxy Music song) Avalon (Roxy Music song) Love Is the Drug (Roxy Music song) Virginia Plain (Roxy Music song) Do the Strand (Roxy Music song) Encore: Let's Stick Together (Wilbert Harrison cover) Editions of You (Roxy Music song) Jealous Guy (John Lennon cover)
Mike
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