While others seem to be enamored of Dylanesque, Bryan Ferry’s brand new CD of Bob Dylan covers, I can’t say the same. After hearing him do Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues on last night’s Letterman and another song (maybe Positively 4th Street?) on the radio last week my question is why?
I’m hard-pressed to pick a good rock and roll singer less suited to Dylan’s music than Ferry. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of both. I love listening to Ferry singing Jealous Guy, Slave to Love or Avalon and his work with Roxy Music was great too. There aren’t words enough to cover Robert Zimmerman’s immense achievements.
But really, Dylan is all about rough edges, contrasts and keeping the music barely this edge of chaos while Ferry is smooth and polished, more at home in a tuxedo than just about any other rock star. There’s almost enough stinging lead and slide guitar to push Ferry’s interpretations into a good place, but I still come down on the side of the question asked in the post title.
BillSaysThis 