Hi,

Roxy Music was always tough for a lot of folks that like "progressive" music ...

In a way, it was a perfect mix for the new FM radio stations in America then, as the music was a bit more serious and well defined instead of just another pop giggle or hook. However, as time went by, I think the band got bigger for the wrong reasons, and that hurt the music some and Bryan ended up doing some of the best things on his own, but the stuff with the band is nothing to sneer at.

The most important part of the lyrical content of Roxy Music, is that it was not a "singer" per se ... but an "actor" a lot more than it was a singer, and Bryan's detailed style and application of the words, made the music seem like ... different. It would be hard to appreciate this amidst so much meaningless pop music and bubble gum music ... and Roxy Music ended up carving out its own stake in another area of rock music. To my ears, this is an actor at the top of his game, and it's a shame that it helped start up a glam scene in England that had not a whole lot of talent behind it to show for the acting ... most of it was just some more variations on pop music ... at least the music and the dressing up of Bryan's band made some sense.

Phil Manzanera has a large history of experimentation, specially his solo albums, and some would come out as hit and miss, but it's hard not to appreciate Mato Grosso as much as Diamond Head or K-Scope or Primitive Guitars ... or go as far back as his earlier forays into music.

The others ... hit and miss. I don't think that John Wetton was half as good as the original, or after bass player. Eddie Jobson was more interesting and added a more rock style to the music and Country Life is massive, and the violin added a nice touch here and there. And Duncan McKay ... as usual, is so understated and concentrates on the fills so nicely and never takes the stage from Bryan, and I think that is the mark of a really good musician ... he just does his thing.

In the end, and I have not checked the time span, I would think that Avalon is a sad song for him, when his wife left him for a bigger star! ...

tszirmay wrote: That's ANDY Mackay , no relation to Duncan, otherwise a stellar South African keyboardist !

Well I'll be damned

Duncan established a progressive music venue in Jeppe Street, Johannesburg, called the “Branch Office.” It was here that he established his unique multi-keyboard technique. In 1973, he was heard by A&R man, Peter Knight Jnr. of Phonogram Records and invited to travel back to the United Kingdom to join up with Ginger Baker’s new band. He moved on to team up with Gary Moore and Jon Hiseman’s band “Coliseum 2.”

In 1975, he joined ‘Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel’. “Come Up And See Me, Make Me Smile” went to No1 in the UK and Europe. This was followed by extensive touring and a further 4 gold albums. During this time Duncan released his 2nd solo album “Score” published by EMI Records. This album has become a collector’s item in recent years.

Duncan did much session work during this time, at the famous “Abbey Road Studios”. He played, on the first 3 Kate Bush albums one being "The Kick Inside" which included the hit "Wuthering Heights", three Alan Parsons Projects (Producer of “Dark Side of The Moon”), "I, Robot" (1977 Arista); "Pyramid" (1978 Arista) "Eve" (1979 Arista) and with rock groups such as “Camel” and “Budgie”. In 1978 he composed and released his 3rd solo album ‘VISA’. 

http://www.duncanmackay.com/duncanbiogpage.html

So as Mackay mixups go, Moshkito did  pretty well.

Edited by Slartibartfast - March 02 2010 at 12:21

Ciao 2001I A legend of my youth!

Well, I'm a huge Eno fan. Plus he spells Brian right. 
Bryan keeps you from getting your name misspelled Brain.


Edited by Slartibartfast - March 02 2010 at 12:22

...before I die, I write this letter....these are the things you should know....

;

from the album "for your pleasure"