Platinum Collection Bryan Ferry [IMPORT]

Roxy Music

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 24, 2004)
• Original Release Date: August 24, 2004
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Import
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B00022LZYQ
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #67,300 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Originally conceived for the British market, where Roxy Music and its debonair frontman Bryan Ferry were much more popular than in the States, The Platinum Collection gathers every band and Ferry single, along with some popular album tracks, on three chronologically arranged discs. As an overview of both acts' extensive and connected careers, from 1973 through Ferry's 2002 Frantic album, this is a far more comprehensive overview than the many single compilations already released. Initially, there was a substantial musical dissimilarity between lead vocalist Ferry's solo work, much of it less artsy and aggressive than early Roxy songs such as "Do the Strand" and "Virginia Plain." Eventually, by the late 70s the two became less distinct. The primary difference being Ferry's tendency to radically rearrange musty pop, folk, and R&B covers between his more sensually lush, dance oriented music. Roxy Music disbanded in 1983 leaving Ferry, whose solo work comprises almost half of this package and the entire third disc, to carry the torch. Short but pertinent notes about each song, along with small reproductions of the original British picture sleeves, provide some historical background. And although all three CDs include 15 tracks, there is plenty of unused room on each for more music. Regardless, this is an essential addition to any British rock fan's collection. The compilation is nearly as classy and sophisticated as the stylish band, and its suave singer, deserves. -- Hal Horowitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At last - the definitive collection, June 14, 2004

By	Peter Durward Harris "Pete the music fan" (Leicester England) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I know what some people are thinking - we've had plenty of compilations of Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music as well as re-issues of the original albums. However, the single CD compilations always missed out some hits because there were too many to include them all. This British compilation, covering Bryan's career to date, contains all their UK hits (including their minor hits) except for a re-mix of Let's stick together. You also get a nice selection of their other tracks.

Bryan Ferry, either solo or as lead singer with Roxy music, made the top ten of the British charts in the seventies and eighties with fifteen singles, all included here, and an extended play EP, the first track of which - a cover of Price of love, the Everly Brothers classic from 1965 - is included here.

Bryan wrote a lot of his own material but he also recorded some distinctive covers including Smoke gets in your eyes, These foolish things, The in crowd, He'll have to go, Will you love me tomorrow, As time goes by, Jealous guy (which provided Bryan with his only UK number one hit), and A hard rain's a gonna fall.

All of the essentials are here including all the songs already mentioned plus Let's stick together, Virginia plain, Love is the drug, Dance away, Angel eyes, Oh yeah and More than this.

If you enjoy the best of British rock from the seventies, you will be pleased that you can finally get all Bryan's hits in one handy package.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Roxy Musicology, October 1, 2004

By	T-Ro (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

This 3-disc collection of Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry hits, "The Platinum Collection," focuses on Ferry's unerring pop sense. The set is heavy on Ferry's solo work, from his caberet-style cover songs to his dance hall originals, and is by far the best collection of his solo work yet released. The core Roxy hits provide context for the lead singer's career, but this is really not the place to be introduced to Roxy. That box set is called "The Thrill of It All," and, at 4 discs, is recommended ahead of this collection. After all, the early contributions of a young keyboardist named Brian Eno are an essential part of this band's story. "The Platinum Collection" would have served us best as 2-disc solo Ferry set, as his hits have previously only been available as part of skimpy Roxy Music best-ofs. "The Platinum Collection" does manage to present the least experimental, most accessible side of Ferry's catalog(s), which might be appropriate for the uninitiated. This collection might be too much for the casual listener, while those who really wish to delve into Roxy should seek out "The Thrill of It All," or purchase the individual albums. In spite of considerable overlap, I chose to add "The Platinum Collection" to a CD collection which already contains "The Thrill of It All."

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Compilation, December 29, 2004

By	William J. Wierenga "dwdrummer" (Crete, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love the early Roxy Stuff, and the Later Bryan Ferry Stuff. It hardly seems like the same perosn when you hear the full progression of Ferry from Glam rockin Eno-Ite to the mellow crooner he has become. I will say he is still cool and fun to listen to in any era of his music. The only oddity is the glaring ommision of "Out of the Blue" and "In Every Dream Home a Heartache". Oh well, I have those in other form as well. It's a great Bryan Ferry/Roxy Music starter kit.