On The Road to Avalon, 4 out of 5 Stars
Bryan Ferry's evolutionary molding of Roxy Music hit a creative path that started with Manifesto
and peaked with Avalon
, and "Flesh and Blood
" was the bridge between the two. He maintained the artiness of the music and removed the quirks, allowing the sound to become as smooth as silk. By now, Roxy was essentially a vehicle for Ferry, who had reduced the band to himself, Phil Manzanera and Andy Mackay.There's a show of slick soul/disco/lounge here, bridging the poppier "Manifesto" to the sophisticated arrangements of "Avalon." Ferry's old lounge instincts appear via F+B's two covers, "Eight Miles High" and "In The Midnight Hour." I have often thought these were included as a last stab at an American hit, while in England, both the soulful "Over You" and "Same Old Scene" became hits. ("Same Old Scene" also found its way onto the cult movie Times Square Soundtrack.)
While not as brilliant as their "Avalon" swan song, "Flesh and Blood" at least compare to such later Ferry solo albums as Bête Noire
or Mamouna
. If that's the Bryan Ferry you prefer, "Flesh + Blood" will suit you fine.
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