New York: For Our Pleasure - Tue 24th Jul
New York: For Our Pleasure
24 July 2001
Maggie spotted this review from New York Magazine, Cue Section 30th July 2001 by George Kalogerakis.
"Roxy Music started out in 1971 as an utterly original glam-rock
band -- crafting witty, challenging music for a rabid following that
was instantly huge in Europe but slow to build here -- and grew into
an elegant, chart-topping lounge act in the span of one glorious
decade. But even as it evolved, Roxy was held together by the common
thread (and uncommon threads: Who but Bryan Ferry could make a toreadoroutfit work?) of a certain studied stylishness. All of the
band's phases will be on display on its reunion tour, which reaches
the Theater at Madison Square Garden this week. 'We've been playing
a lot of early stuff in Europe,' says saxman-oboist Andy Mackay,
including unexpected tracks like "In Every Dreamhome a Heartache," a
memorable declaration of love to an inflatable doll. 'We'll modify
our set list a little bit in the States. On the other hand, the early stuff is sounding incredibly fresh and strange, and it's had a
bigger influence on younger musicians.'
The current lineup includes core members Mackay, Ferry on vocals
and keyboards, and guitarist Phil Manzanera, as well as original
drummer Paul Thompson. According to Mackay, the participation of
co-founder Brian Eno, who left the group in l973, was never a serious
possibility. 'Eno played on two albums,' he says. 'Eighty percent of
the material we're performing, he would not have a part in.'
Like Eno, Roxy Music hasn't been onstage in some time, and Mackay says it's 'the technical setup that's changed most. We're able on this tour to get the sounds that were featured on the records.' He laughs. 'I can hear my oboe for the first time ever.
Otherwise, it's much the same: You get a plane, you get a coach, you
turn up at the venue, you play the gig. There's very little partying
on this tour -- have a quick drink and go to bed.' Mackay and his
colleagues will earn that drink with what he describes as a 'rich and
romantic' show featuring -- it should go without saying -- very sharp
clothing."
Maggie spotted this review from New York Magazine, Cue Section 30th July 2001 by George Kalogerakis.
"Roxy Music started out in 1971 as an utterly original glam-rock
band -- crafting witty, challenging music for a rabid following that
was instantly huge in Europe but slow to build here -- and grew into
an elegant, chart-topping lounge act in the span of one glorious
decade. But even as it evolved, Roxy was held together by the common
thread (and uncommon threads: Who but Bryan Ferry could make a toreadoroutfit work?) of a certain studied stylishness. All of the
band's phases will be on display on its reunion tour, which reaches
the Theater at Madison Square Garden this week. 'We've been playing
a lot of early stuff in Europe,' says saxman-oboist Andy Mackay,
including unexpected tracks like "In Every Dreamhome a Heartache," a
memorable declaration of love to an inflatable doll. 'We'll modify
our set list a little bit in the States. On the other hand, the early stuff is sounding incredibly fresh and strange, and it's had a
bigger influence on younger musicians.'
The current lineup includes core members Mackay, Ferry on vocals
and keyboards, and guitarist Phil Manzanera, as well as original
drummer Paul Thompson. According to Mackay, the participation of
co-founder Brian Eno, who left the group in l973, was never a serious
possibility. 'Eno played on two albums,' he says. 'Eighty percent of
the material we're performing, he would not have a part in.'
Like Eno, Roxy Music hasn't been onstage in some time, and Mackay says it's 'the technical setup that's changed most. We're able on this tour to get the sounds that were featured on the records.' He laughs. 'I can hear my oboe for the first time ever.
Otherwise, it's much the same: You get a plane, you get a coach, you
turn up at the venue, you play the gig. There's very little partying
on this tour -- have a quick drink and go to bed.' Mackay and his
colleagues will earn that drink with what he describes as a 'rich and
romantic' show featuring -- it should go without saying -- very sharp
clothing."