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5 Questions with Bryan Ferry

RNYK: You have covered Dylan in the past (notably the brilliant version of “Hard Rain” on your solo debut). Why an entire album of Dylan covers at this point in time?

Ferry: I had always thought it would be a good idea to do a complete album of Dylan songs, and now felt like a good time to do it. The words on the songs are so great to sing and the band I used had a great feeling for the material.

RNYK: Your rendering of “Gates of Eden” on the new album is particularly striking, very hushed, and (to my ears) reveals a whole new side to the original. It sounds like the cut may have been recorded live in the studio. Can you tell us about your approach to this song and the particulars of this recording?

Ferry: It was one of those tracks that just happened spontaneously in the studio, where all the elements just fell into place. I wish it was always like that!

RNYK: How did the collaboration with Brian Eno come about on this album and what was working with him again like?

Ferry: I called Brian and asked if he’d like to come over to my studio and perhaps add something to the tracks I’d just recorded. He liked “If Not For You” and did some effects on the drum track.

RNYK: Are there plans for touring this album in the States? What tunes from your back pages ( Roxy & solo) will you be playing?

Ferry: At the moment there are no plans to tour the States, but we are touring through the rest of the world until December. We are doing a fairly comprehensive selection from all my solo albums, plus 2 or 3 Roxy tracks.

RNYK: Did you have any contact with Bob Dylan about the making of this album? Have you met him previously?

Ferry: No. No, but I saw him perform last year in London —– he was really good.