Bryan Ferry: Frantic

By RUSSELL BAILLIE

(Herald rating: * * * *)

The world probably wasn't crying out for a new Bryan Ferry solo album.

But here'tis and it's rather good, especially if you have an affection for Roxy Music pre- the '80s bland-out, or Ferry's earlier cover-heavy solo sets.

Here, and in good voice, he's covering Dylan twice (It's All Over Now, Baby Blue and Don't Think Twice, It's All Right) and Leadbelly (Goin' Down).

While his croon strips the grit out of the songs it adds a weird panache in its place.

It sounds like he's been going through his movie collection, too, whether it's the Marilyn Monroe reference Goddess of Love, the Citizen Kane allusions to San Simeon or Hiroshima, Mon Amour which isn't the early Ultravox song, but close.

There are co-writes with Dave Stewart and Roxy co-founder now super-producer Brian Eno (their closing I Thought, mellifluous early Roxy-pop is a highlight).

And throughout, while it's oh-so-ironically named, Frantic is anything but the sound of Ferry slowing down. All in all, a credit to the old-school tie.

Label: Virgin