Hear Five New Songs from Bryan Ferry Album ‘Avonmore’: singer debuts new songs in an NPR interview

Bryan Ferry’s new album ‘Avonmore‘ is due for release on November 17th, and the British crooner (and former Roxy Music frontman) recently sat down with NPR’s Bob Bollen and Robin Hinton.

He debuted five new tracks from the new album (his fourteenth solo release), and discussed Avonmore’s creation in addition to his 40 years and counting musical career. Songs previewed were Midnight Train, Send In The Clowns, Johnny and Mary, Soldier of Fortune, and Driving Me Wild.

Listen to the interview and song streams by clicking here.

Judging from the new tunes, Avonmore hearkens back to albums like 1987’s Bete Noire, and 1994’s Mamouna. Ferry gave insight into the songs featured in the broadcast; Train features no less than 9 guitarists, and Smith’s guitarists Johnny Marr is featured heavily on the album. He noted his high regard for the player: “He’s got a true rock and roll spirit. He lives the music and he’s fantastic.”

Send In The Clowns, an old Broadway tune by Stephen Sondheim is certainly a revelation; that can be a sickeningly sweet song in the wrong hands, but Ferry gives it an effortlessly cool chill that offsets the cheesiness factor.

Johnny and Mary is another standout, with the Robert Palmer cover benefitting from chilly electronics from dance producer Todd Terje and finger-snap percussion.

The list of collaborators on Avonmore is a typical Ferry treasure chest of MVP’s from various genres. In addition to Marr, Terje and producer Rhett Davies, the album also featured contributions from Nile Rodgers, Marcus Miller, Flea, Ronnie Spector, Mark Knopfler and Herbie Hancock.

So take a listen to the NPR broadcast and tell us your thoughts on Avonmore. You can pre-order the album below, as well as preview previously released single Loop-Do-Li below.

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