Roxy Music: Early Years vs. Later Years

[markl]

I was just listening yet again to the fabulous Bob Ludwig-re-mastered-in-HDCD Roxy Music collection "Early Years" which summarizes Roxy's first three albums, the "classic" years in some people's minds. Damn, does that stuff hold up in terms of audio quality-- these are some amazing tracks. Before I got the remastered versions, they never sounded right, and I always HATED the early material on compilations of Roxy Music from the 80s. I came to Roxy Music in their later phase just as they were breaking up, so that version of the band was the "real" Roxy Music to me that I knew and loved.

But now that I've heard the early stuff properly for the first time, I've changed my mind and I think Roxy was more daring and adventurous (although a little over-mannered at times) in the beginning. But they clearly had an interest in sound and producers who knew how to build tracks. Not to take away from the later material which is great too, but even the most ardent fan must in retrospect admit that Avalon does contain some filler, yes?

Where do you stand on this-- do you like the early glam-era sci-fi sleazy Roxy with Brian Eno, or do you favor the later more swanky upscale beautiful loser later period typified by their final album, "Avalon"?

Or, do you like both phases? Or neither phase. Or, "Roxy who?"

Mark

 

[Dusty Chalk]

Where is "I like them both, yet differently"? (I voted that I like them both similarly, since that was the closest.)

Ironically, I never did hear all the early albums. I was most familiar with Siren, but recently have been picking up some of the others (Country Music is new to me). I will, eventually, be picking up all of them, because I quite like what I'm hearing so far.

So, short answer, it's all good, especially to me.
Quote:

Originally posted by markl ...even the most ardent fan must in retrospect admit that Avalon does contain some filler, yes?

No, Avalon is perfect from beginning to end. Which tracks do you consider "filler"? Yes, you can probably lump me in the "fanboy" category.

 

[DarkAngel]

I believe ENO was only officially with Roxy for 1st two albums:
-roxy music
-for your pleasure
I don't care for these works, as a matter fact ENO's own rock based 1st two albums:
-here come the warm jets
-taking tiger mountain
are far better, so I would not be a Roxy fan of the 1st three albums......get the ENO albums instead.

By the 4th album 1974 Roxy entered a golden era that produced two very good albums:
-country life
-sirens
so Roxy had a very good middle era period followed by some meandering and less effective works before they released thier masterpiece.

Avalon for me is easily the best album Roxy ever did by a large margin. I really like that description "beautiful loser" which nicely capture the mood/style of this work.

Therefore my answer to your poll has to be #2 because of Avalon

 

[markl]

Hi Dusty,
Don't get me wrong, Avalon is one of my all-time favorites plus its chock full of sentimental memories. But I'm thinking of the instrumentals, and Take a Chance With Me, and the Space between seems to go on too long. Anyway, these are quibbles...
Anyway, I urge you to hunt down the Early Years compilation, it's Ludwig re-mastered and has all the material you really need from the first three.

DA,
In addition to the Early Years anthology I have all albums starting with Country Life I bought all of the fantastic new re-masters, so well done. I'm having a tough time with Country Life though which was the last one I bought, it's a little dreary and same-y to me so far. Out of my entire collection of 6 CDs, I keep reaching for Early Years most often. Oh well...

Mark

 

[DarkAngel]

OK Mark
Just got my used copy of ROXY "early years" collection from half.com, till you mentioned it I've not seen/heard of it before. This will make about the 3-4 CD collections of Roxy hits I have now.

 

[markl]

Right on DA! When you get to "Do the Strand" crank it up as high as you can stand and brace yourself for the instrumental break halfway through the song. Damn, it's amazing!

Mark
P.S. I hope you got the Ludwig remastered version, I think there may be an earlier issue could be wrong.

 

[Trawlerman]

Virginia Plain just rocks.... along with Do the Strand. Classic Roxy music sounds.


The Bob Ludwig remasters are a thing to behold. A lesson for all in how a remaster should be done!

 

[Kieran Comito]

The only Roxy Music album I have is Avalon (1982) I bought it in the spring of 1987. It just so happens that I really fell in love at this time (I know turn a little cheezy, but it happens to us all). Man, the song "More Than This" really hit home at that time. Is there remasters of Avalon and is it also available on SACD? I'm going to have to break this one out again. It's been a long time since I heard this album.

 

[Dusty Chalk]

Quote:

Originally posted by Kieran Comito The only Roxy Music album I have is Avalon ... Is there remasters of Avalon and is it also available on SACD?

It's been remastered, on HDCD, no less, but not SACD (yet, anyway).

 

[DarkAngel]

FINALLY..............
Got my used copy of ROXY Early Years from half.com (you can save a few bucks but never know if CD will arrive in 3 days or 3 weeks)

MARKL
The sound quality is really good for 30yr old rock music, excellent remaster I would agree. I forgot there was so much sax music in these early "arty" ROXY albums, they actually sound better to me now then I remembered........but still easily take a back seat to later period works for me. Best way to describe these works are interesting.........

Glad I got this, got just about every hits collection ROXY has out now.

Pretty sad state of affairs when Roxy poll only generates 17 votes, 9 of which are Roxy Who?

 

[markl]

Well, at least you didn't hate it.

I just wanted to follow up because I came across this today, it looks like in the near future (no date yet) there will be a hybrid SACD release of Roxy's best:

http://store.acousticsounds.com/stor...1519&do=detail

Pre-order price is a staggering $30 so I assume this is an import (at least here in the U.S.). I'm definitely keeping an eye out for this one!

Here's the track listing:

Track Listings
1. Avalon
2. More Than This
3. Jealous Guy
4. Over You
5. Same Old Scene
6. Oh Yeah!
7. Angel Eyes
8. Dance Away
9. Both Ends Burning
10. Love Is the Drug
11. Out of the Blue
12. All I Want Is You
13. Mother of Pearl
14. Street Life
15. Do the Strand
16. Pyjamarama
17. Virginia Plain
18. Re-Make/Re-Model

 

[DarkAngel]

I have that in CD version now.

BTW wanted mention when looking through booket of ROXY early years and seeing old photos of Eno with long hair........he reminds me of that butler in Rocky Horror........let do the time warp again!

 

[chadbang]

Do you have Roxy Music Live, Markl. There's a couple tracks on there that I think are the BEST thing the group ever did. I was always, sort of, kind of a Roxy Music fan but, in the end, I gave up on them. Maybe only four or five really good tracks, really. Not enough to make them a supergroup. I will say, given your critiera, that I like the later Roxy because "Avalon" because I think, overall, it their most listenable work. Personal fav tracks "Love in the Drug" "Amazona". That track list looks like a remaster of an old Roxy "Greatest Hits" album I had, an album which finally made me give up on the group! Get "Roxy Music Live"

 

[markl]

chadbang,
Thanks for the reco. I'm not a huge fan of live albums generally, but I'll take a look.

 

[David]

How about the Bryan Ferry solo albums? Same profile as Roxy Music. Early ones fabulous, (David O'List's cataclysmic guitar on "The In Crowd" f'rinstance), Chris Spedding, Phil Manzanera, then later ones so bland, you're sure you're wearing the cans, but not certain they're plugged in.

Then you can diversify a little. Phil Manzanera's "801 Live" Truly great, and an honest to God essential for anyone. But make absolutely sure it's the live album from the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Blue cover with Bill McCormack's (we are not worthy...) bass guitar machine head on the front. There is another Live in Manchester CD (featuring 10cc - never liked them) which is utterly unlistenable.