IN YOUR MIND

Personnel: Bryan Ferry (vocals, piano, synthesizer); John Porter, Paul Thompson, John Wetton, Chris Spedding, Martin Drover, Ray Cooper, Morris Pert, Frankie Collins, Paddie McHugh, Dyan Birch, Jacquie Sullivan, Helen Chappelle, Doreen Chanter, Preston Hayward, Phil Manzanera. Recorded at Air Studios, London, England in 1976 & 1977. Digitally remastered by Bob Ludwig (Gateway Studio, Portland, Maine). Personnel: Bryan Ferry (vocals, harmonica, piano, keyboards); John Wetton (vocals, violin); Doreen Chanter, Jacquie Sullivan, Helen Chappelle, Dyan Birch, Frank Collins, Paddy McHugh (vocals); Chris Spedding, John Porter, Neil Hubbard, Phil Manzanera (guitar); Mel Collins (flute, saxophone, horns); Chris Mercer (saxophone, horns); Martin Drover (horns); Dave Skinner (piano); Paul Thompson (drums); Ray Cooper (percussion). Audio Remasterer: Bob Ludwig. Recording information: Air Studios, London, England (1976-1977). Photographer: Monty Coles. Unknown Contributor Roles: Doreen Chanter; Morris Pert; Preston Hayward; Helen Chapelle; Dave Skinner; Jacquie Sullivan; Nicholas Deville; Ann Odell; Helen Chappelle; John Porter; Dyan Birch; Frank Collins; Paddy McHugh. This is by far Ferry's most conventional rock record; there's little here that connects either with his earlier revisionist solo albums, his artier stuff with early Roxy Music, or the moonlight and roses romanticism of the band's later incarnation. Lyrically, Ferry is still a flop with chicks here, but his tunes are surprisingly straightforward, the arrangements conservative for a gent with his pedigree, and the singing about as unironic as he gets. High points include the opening "This is Tomorrow," a straight ahead blues-based rocker complete with cowbell (Foghat could have covered it, and probably should have). "Tokyo Joe," an aesthetes ode to the allure of Asian women, anticipates David Bowie's "China Girl" by about six years, while the concluding "In Your Mind," a big, almost inspirational song, ends with some very impressive layered guitar solos (courtesy of either Chris Spedding or Phil Manzanera).