Is Bryan Ferry Losing It?

Bryan Ferry the frontman for the band Roxy Music have begun a tour which started in the singer’s hometown of Newcastle. The bands gig was a mixed affair and critics asked questions of Ferry’s ability to sing given his advanced years, and the set list itself which held off the more popular songs until over an hour into the gig.

Of Ferry himself, the man’s ability to croon and his cool swagger are very much apparent at 65. He can still move and still carry a tune. His whistling in some tracks is by all accounts not what it used to be, and as one report noted, this type of solo could easily have been replaced with an instrument.

It was perhaps the set list itself which conjured the most disappointment. The better known and loved tracks never appeared until an hour of lesser known material and less popular material had been performed. This left the crowd tetchy and frustrated.

Whistling live is a brave thing to do, perhaps as one critic suggested it was time to do another brave thing and change the order of the set list so that the pumping popular tracks are performed sooner to the appreciation of the audience.

Overall, Roxy Music and Bryan Ferry have still got it where it counts, and can put on a great show full of swagger and musicianship. The solos though long were flawless, and were supported with videos that set the mood.

However, with whistling that is past its best and set lists that do not inspire, the question has to be asked is Bryan Ferry losing it?