Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Roxy Music
Label: E.G. Records
Released: 1980
Length: 41:56
Rating: 4.5/5
No other cult art rock band ever strolled through its career with as much glamorous elegance as the legendary Roxy Music, who, at the start of the eighties, found themselves in the middle of a genuine artistic rebirth and an unexpected commercial triumph. By 1980, when they released »Flesh And Blood«, only three members of the original lineup were left: the incorrigible vocal charmer Bryan Ferry, the versatile guitar virtuoso Phil Manzanera and the superb saxophonist/oboist Andy Mackay.
Drummer Paul Thompson left the band right before recording of the new album began, unofficially because of a thumb injury from a motorcycle crash, officially because of “differing musical views”. On that album Roxy Music kept going with the new wave sound they’d already sketched out on their disco- and soul-flavored predecessor »Manifesto« (1979). The ‘holy trinity’ got company on »Flesh And Blood« from a whole crew of respected session players: drummers Simon Phillips, Andy Newmark and Allan Schwartzberg, bassists Alan Spenner, Gary Tibbs and Neil Jason, guitarist Neil Hubbard, and the famous singer/keyboardist/songwriter Paul Carrack, who helped shape the symphonic arrangements.
On »Flesh And Blood« Roxy Music got even more refined, thanks to silky-smooth new wave arrangements that fit Ferry’s satin vocals like a glove. Besides singing, he also played most of the synth and piano parts, and on the title track he joined Manzanera on rhythm guitar. At this stage of their career Roxy Music had far more in common with new wave and pop rock than with prog rock and glam rock, which brought them a nice slice of commercial success. That success was, as expected, a byproduct of three big radio hits, which are still far from the main ‘attraction’ of this wonderful, often overlooked album.
The opening new wave/glam rock hybrid »In The Midnight Hour«, a great cover of the original by the legendary American r’n’b/soul singer and songwriter Wilson Pickett, is a classic showcase of the reborn Roxy Music of the early eighties. Easy-going rhythms and Mackay’s crisp horn arrangements make a tasty backdrop for Ferry’s nonchalant vocal turn, and it’s not hard to picture the eternal heartbreaker leaning on a bar counter with the obligatory cocktail in hand.
»Oh Yeah« was one of the three big hit singles on »Flesh And Blood«. When the peak arrives with a stately chorus, amid loads of minimalist symphonic embellishments and under the command of Manzanera’s mischievous guitar phrases, it’s easy to guess why this unforgettable art rock evergreen went down so well with listeners at the time. Ferry’s nostalgic lyrics and the whole musical atmosphere together paint a real triptych of ‘Americana’, above all the authentic vibe of a summer drive-in under the stars.
»Same Old Scene«, one of the best things they did in their entire career, was an even bigger hit than the evergreen above. Here the art rock perfectionism of ‘late’ Roxy Music shines in all its glory, thanks to subtle synth arrangements, crunchy, rattling bass parts, perfectly timed drum transitions (really more of a drum machine rhythm) and elegant guitar phrases, while Mr. Ferry, with his polished vocal performance, especially in the ultra-romantic chorus, conjures up some unforgettable ambient magic. Mackay’s playful sax bits inside the ethereal synth textures add the obligatory dose of glamor, without which no incarnation of Roxy Music was imaginable.
The title track rests on an iconoclastic guitar riff, while minimalist synth curtains drift in the background, backed by spirited bass lines, bringing in a slightly orientally spiced atmosphere. »My Only Love« is the prototype of an art-rock-smart love ballad, of which Roxy Music made quite a few over their career, and here Ferry’s velvety vocals carry the hypnotic, distinctly new wave melody. Manzanera’s sprawling guitar soloing and Mackay’s sax improvisation in the middle section warm up the otherwise calm, contemplative atmosphere, in which crystal-fragile symphonic arrangements are submerged. »Over You« was the third big hit single from the album. Here mischievous guitar phrases, set amid interestingly placed time shifts, are woven seamlessly into massive bass lines, while Ferry’s singing on this unforgettable classic, which doesn’t lack a passionate sprinkling of sax either, once again brings a generous dose of glamorous romanticism.
»Eight Miles High« is another great cover, this time of the American psychedelic rock legends The Byrds. Although Roxy Music became famous for their own music, their covers of famous works by other celebrated artists (only three in their whole career) were excellent, led by the unforgettable version of Lennon’s classic »Jelaous Guy«, which they released as their biggest hit single in 1981. Set to a slow tempo, »Rain, Rain, Rain« is a blend of new wave sensibility built on electronic synth textures and the unbridled rhythmic prog rock artistry of mischievous bass lines.
»No Strange Delight« is yet another triumph of new wave orchestral finesse and Ferry’s vocal glamor, while Mackay shines again with unpredictable sax variations. The colorful bass lines are once more strongly pronounced, which has always been part of the Roxy Music tradition. The closing ballad »Running Wild« has a gorgeous guitar melody that subtly intertwines with elegant piano, while Ferry’s vocal charm conjures up, one last time on the album, the romantic atmosphere of a half-empty late-night bar where a lonely musician sits down at the piano for the last time that evening.
Draped in pastel ambient colors, the masterpiece »Flesh And Blood« was an art rock gem that marked the unexpected comeback of Roxy Music, a band written off more than once but brilliantly in tune with the musical trends of the day, and it deservedly steered them toward their biggest commercial success. The album’s true artistic value, often overlooked, especially next to its famous successor »Avalon« (1982), only crystallized many years later, because despite carrying plenty of influences from the musical trends of its time, »Flesh And Blood« passed the test of time with flying colors.
Line-up
Bryan Ferry – vocals, piano, keyboards, synthesizer on 4, guitar on 4 and symphonic arrangements on 5
Phil Manzanera – guitar, bass on 6
Andy Mackay – saxophone and oboe
GUEST MUSICIANS:
Allan Schwarztberg – drums on 1-2 and 6-10, percussion on 4 and 5
Andy Newmark – drums on 4 and 5
Simon Phillips – percussion on 5
Alan Spenner – bass on 3–5, 8, 10
Neil Jason – bass on 2, 7, 9
Gary Tibbs – bass on 1
Neil Hubbard – guitar on 1, 2, 5, 7–10
Paul Carrack – symphonic arrangements on 2, organ, piano on 10
Production
Rhett Davies and Roxy Music
Track list
1. In the Midnight Hour (3:09)
2. Oh Yeah (4:51)
3. Same Old Scene (3:57)
4. Flesh and Blood (3:08)
5. My Only Love (5:16)
6. Over You (3:27)
7. Eight Miles High (4:55)
8. Rain, Rain, Rain (3:20)
9. No Strange Delight (4:44)
10. Running Wild (5:03)
