I saw Bryan Ferry live last summer (or the one before) in a field somewhere. Right in the middle of a set that had everyone jumping around he did five solemn Dylan covers in a row, totally alienating his audience for nearly half an hour.
I developed a genuine respect for the chap as a result. **** the fans, this is what I do. Just like Springsteen
Well, he will often go into the crowd and pluck out a sign asking for one of his ****test songs that only the holder of said sign wants to hear, if that is what you mean. Sometimes this is even muck that never made it on to an album.
He will sprinkle some of the biggies throughout the set but interspersed with an awful lot of junk, covers, b-sides, songs he gave to somebody else. THe hardcore fans collect songs like Panini stickers (ooh have you ever heard him do Thundercrack, etc).
So no, he doesnt really pander at all. But then he plays for 3 and a half hours so he can do what he likes really......
Yes, I think this is effectively what I was saying. He doesnt pander, he doesnt care if the JCLs are bored. Its admirable.
Would be nice if he played some of his best songs a little bit more often (Backstreets ONCE in the UK in the last 15 years) especially as, by the way, he plays Dancing in the Dark pretty much every night......
Other than that, I agree he is a wonderful man