Bryan Ferry has released his first original song in more than a decade. “Star,” featuring Amelia Barratt, comes from the Roxy Music singer’s upcoming five-CD Retrospective: Selected Recordings 1973-2023.
A press release notes that “Star” “began as a sketch by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails, developed by Bryan Ferry and Amelia Barratt into an anxious, darkly gleaming slab of pounding post-techno. The song sees Ferry continuing to explore uncharted creative territory, with Barratt and Ferry creating a duet that blurs the lines between art, music and poetry.”
You can watch the video for “Star,” which was directed by Ferry, below.
Ferry says that “Star” “is a collaboration with the painter and writer Amelia Barratt. A couple of years ago I helped her record an audiobook here in my studio. I was very impressed by her writing, and this is the first song we did together. I’m very excited about this new work – there’s a lot more to come.”
READ MORE: 2024 Interview With Roxy Music’s Phil Manzanera
“Star” is one of 81 songs that will feature on Retrospective, which comes out on Oct. 25. The five discs cover his entire solo career, spanning 16 solo albums over a 50-year time frame.
What Is on Bryan Ferry’s Five-CD ‘Retrospective’?
Retrospective is divided into five parts: “The Best of Bryan Ferry,” “Compositions,” “Interpretations,” “The Bryan Ferry Orchestra” and “Rare and Unreleased.” It includes tracks such as Ferry’s covers of Bob Dylan songs, R&B favorites, instrumental versions of Roxy Music classics and newer material.
You can see the track listing below.
Roxy Music was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2019. In 2022 they launched a 50th-anniversary tour, which guitarist Phil Manzanera recently said would be the last time the band would perform live together.
Bryan Ferry, ‘Retrospective: Selected Recordings 1973-2023’ Track Listing Disc One: The Best Of Bryan Ferry1. A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall2. These Foolish Things3. The ‘In’ Crowd4. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes5. Casanova6. Let’s Stick Together7. Sign of the Times8. Slave To Love9. Don’t Stop The Dance10. Windswept11. Kiss and Tell12. As Time Goes By13. Your Painted Smile14. I Put A Spell On You15. Which Way To Turn16. Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door17. Make You Feel My Love18. You Can Dance19. Love Letters20. Johnny and Mary
Disc Two: Compositions1. Can’t Let Go2. Tokyo Joe3. This Island Earth4. Love Me Madly Again5. Limbo6. When She Walks In The Room7. Boys and Girls8. Zamba9. Chain Reaction10. Bête Noire11. I Thought12. The Only Face13. Valentine14. Loop De Li15. Reason or Rhyme
Disc Three: Interpretations1. The Price of Love2. Shame Shame Shame3. Hold On (I’m Coming)4. Just One Look5. Girl of My Best Friend6. What Goes On7. That’s How Strong My Love Is8. You Go To My Head9. Where or When10. The Way You Look Tonight11. One Night12. Simple Twist of Fate13. Positively 4th Street14. Song to the Siren15. Fooled Around and Fell In Love
Disc Four: The Bryan Ferry Orchestra1. Virginia Plain2. Do The Strand3. While My Heart Is Still Beating4. This Island Earth5. Bitter-Sweet6. Dance Away7. Zamba8. Reason or Rhyme9. Avalon10. Back To Black11. Limbo12. Young and Beautiful13. Love Is The Drug14. Sign of the Times15. Chance Meeting
Disc Five: Rare and Unreleased1. Feel The Need2. Mother of Pearl (Horoscope Version)3. Don’t Be Cruel4. I Don’t Want To Go On Without You5. I Forgot More Than You’ll Ever Know6. Crazy Love7. Whatever Gets You Through The Night8. Bob Dylan’s Dream9. He’ll Have To Go10. A Fool For Love11. Lowlands Low12. Is Your Love Strong Enough13. Sonnet 1814. She Belongs To Me15. Oh Lonesome Me16. Star (with Amelia Barratt)
Roxy Music and Bryan Ferry Albums Ranked
In a way, the band and its singer are inseparable, even though they’ve taken slightly different career paths.
Gallery Credit: Michael Gallucci
