Bryan Ferry: Taxi - 1993

  

This was a bit of a “treading water” album from Bryan Ferry, after Boys and Girls and Bête Noire, which were full albums of original material, this was a collection of cover versions, apart from one song. 

They are all pretty well delivered, in a very laid-back, bass reverb-heavy way. Lounge bar music with a bit of resonance. Within a year, the Mamouna album of originals was released, albeit performed in the same laid-back style as this album. It is a most enjoyable listen, nevertheless. I know there will be people who say "how can you listen to this from the man who wrote all those early Roxy Music songs". Fair enough, I suppose, but I like both. I like early Roxy Music. I like this too. So there you go. 

I Put A Spell On You begins with some weird, whistling background noises until the funky-ish guitar kicks in and the Ferry joins with his smooth as satin voice. Will You Love Me Tomorrow is given classic Ferry treatment - smooth, slick, soulful and laid-back but very appealing. He does this sort of thing so effectively. Answer Me is done in exactly the same fashion. It is beautifully seductive though. 

Doris Troy’s relative rarity Just One Look is also turned into a late-night, mysterious-sounding piece of intuitive seduction. Fontella Bass’s Rescue Me is no longer a soul thumper, but more of a beguiling groove. These covers really are quite unique. Very typically Bryan Ferry from this era, but also giving them something new. It is so relaxing as to be almost comatose. 

The Girl Of My Best Friend is also slowed-down to typical Ferry pace and it is delivered in true laid-back, entrancing fashion. The same applies to the mysterious Velvet Undergound song, All Tomorrow's Parties. In fact, Ferry’s version is almost more beguiling and haunting than Nico’s original. It suits his voice perfectly. The backing is suitably seductive. 

Amazing Grace is given a shuffling beat and some funky-ish guitar and organ parts reminiscent of Ferry’s cover of You Are My Sunshine on Another Time Another Place. 

Taxi doesn’t break the mould at all, it is played in exactly the same style and is very like the material that would appear on Mamouna. It actually sounds like a Ferry track, but isn’t. The final number, Because You're Mine, is a Ferry composition but is a short, relatively ambient but inconsequential instrumental. 

It is worth giving this inventive album a listen, despite its relatively homogenous sound.

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