Deciding Bryan Ferry’s Best Musical Style

Bryan Ferry is considered a music legend in many circles and with good reason - his contributions to the music industry are both prolific and incredibly diverse. Yet, as with any artist, there will be those who struggle to understand his artistic vision or find fault in his approach. With such a variety of musical styles throughout Bryan’s career, it seems only fitting that today we take up arms and attempt to make some sort of judgement on which branch of Bryan Ferry’s vast array of music reigns victorious!

Bryan Ferry, the English musician, is a true icon who has our hearts and has been making great music since the early 70s. He is a singer, songwriter, and musician who always impresses us with the diversity and quality of his music. With such a wide range of musical styles throughout his career, it would be impossible to come to an agreement on which one is the absolute best. Still, that shortcoming has never stopped anyone from trying, and today we will take a closer look at some of his most popular styles to determine which one emerges as the victor.

As we delve into Ferry's extensive catalog, let's first examine his early '70s Roxy Music era. This is the band that helped establish Ferry as a force in the British music scene and made him globally popular. The band's combination of art-rock, glam, and new-wave was one of a kind, and Ferry's vocals helped define the era's music style. It was an exhilarating time for the band and audiences alike, with catchy beats, shimmering synthesisers, and electronic effects that somehow balanced the surrealistic nature of the lyrics. Unfortunately, their later works failed to attain the originality and sheer energy of their debut album and thus Roxy Music's early period is by far their most memorable.

Ferry's early solo career can also be discussed to determine his best musical style. His solo career after leaving Roxy Music in the early '80s was undeniably successful. Even so, there was a noticeable shift in musical style, demonstrating Ferry's versatility in composition. Before, he had relied on Roxy Music's synthetic pop-rock sound, but now his solo work showed a more traditionalist music stance, with a beautiful mixture of romantic ballads, jazz, and blues. His Sinatra-like crooning style was perfect for barroom ballads and combined his rock sense with his passion for swing music. Ultimately, however, his early solo work stays his finest; considering the endearing and captivating tone.

Another musical phase to examine is Ferry's collaboration with the jazz greats. Ferry's love for jazz is no secret, and he has sought to collaborate with some of the genre's top musicians since his time with Roxy Music. Anyone who has heard him perform some of the Great American Songbook classics such as As Time Goes By would undoubtedly attest to Ferry's natural talent at singing jazz standards. He additionally released an album with the late jazz saxophonist, the legendary late jazz writer, Dave Stewart. Their album, The Jazz Age, is an ideal mix of Roxy Music hits remade into 20s style jazz. Though, while these works are enjoyable to listen to, they do not represent Ferry's strongest side as an artist.

Coming towards the present day, Ferry's later works can also be examined. Ferry's Foray into contemporary music came in the latter half of his career, and he demonstrated a particular skill for reworking old songs while preserving their original essence. On his album, Avonmore, he brings in elements of house music and club beats to create a party-vibe that remains true to Ferry's sensibilities. It is an impressive accomplishment that shows tremendous growth in Ferry's music style, remaining relevant by innovating over his pre-existing works.

The major takeaway from examining Bryan Ferry's musical career is that he’s had a varied one and has succeeded in producing music that appeals to a wide range of people. Assessing the above-mentioned musical styles, it’s hard to decide which one is the best, as each demonstrates his creative talents that break beyond categorisation. Whether as a soloist, a member of Roxy Music, as a jazz performer or even his late career foray into contemporary music, each era of Ferry's career has provided fans with fantastic music. Therefore, what is most exciting is his promise of new music to come, that will allow us to continue enjoying his music for years to come.