Much like his contemporary
David Bowie
,
Ferry
consolidated his glam-era success with a covers album, his first full solo effort even while
Roxy Music
was still going full steam. Whereas
Bowie
on
Pin-Ups
focused on British beat and psych treasures,
for the most part looked to America, touching on everything from
Motown
to the early jazz standard that gave the collection its name. Just about everyone in
at the time helped out on the album -- notable exceptions being
Andy Mackay
and
Brian Eno
. The outrageous take on
Bob Dylan
's
"A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall,"
with
vamping over brassy female vocals, sets the tone for things from the start. All this said, many of the covers aim for an elegant late-night feeling not far off from the well-sculpted
persona of the '80s and beyond, though perhaps a touch less bloodless and moody in comparison. In terms of sheer selection alone, meanwhile,
's taste is downright impeccable. There's
Leiber & Stoller
via
Elvis
'
"Baby I Don't Care,"
Lesley Gore
"It's My Party"
(with narrative gender unchanged!),
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
"The Tracks of My Tears,"
and more, all treated with affection without undue reverence, a great combination.
's U.K. background isn't entirely ignored, though, thanks to two of the album's best efforts --
the Beatles
"You Won't See Me"
the Stones
"Sympathy for the Devil."
Throughout
's instantly recognizable croon carries everything to a tee, and the overall mood is playful and celebratory. Wrapping up with a grand take on
"These Foolish Things"
itself, this album is one of the best of its kind by any artist. ~ Ned Raggett