Mamouna

by Bryan Ferry

Overview

Sufficiently recharged via Taxi, Ferry got down to business and the following year released Mamouna, notable among other things for being his first recordings with the help of Brian Eno since the latter split from Roxy Music back in 1973. Rather than playing the wild card as he so often did, though, Eno concentrates on (to use his own descriptions in the credits) "swoop treatment" and "sonic awareness." Slightly more to the fore are Ferry's usual range of excellent musicians and pros. Steve Ferrone once again handles drums as he did on Taxi, while Richard Norris also reappears on loops and programming; other familiar faces include Nile Rodgers, Robin Trower (the album's co-producer), and Carleen Anderson. One of the most intriguing guest appearances comes at the very start -- "Don't Want to Know" has no less than five guitarists, including none other than Roxy's own Phil Manzanera. Whereas his '80s work seemed to fit the times just so, with his own general spin on things providing true individuality as a result, on Mamouna Ferry seems slightly stuck in place. Compared to the variety of Bete Noire, Mamouna almost seems a revamp of Boys and Girls. Combine that with some of Ferry's least compelling songs in a while, and Mamouna is something of a middling affair, almost too tasteful for its own good (and considering who this is, that's saying something). There are some songs of note -- "The 39 Steps" has a slightly menacing vibe to it, appropriate given the cinematic reference of the title, while the Ferry/Eno collaboration "Wildcat Days" displays some of Eno's old synth-melting flash. Overall, though, Mamouna is pleasant without being involving. ~ Ned Raggett

Product Details

Release Date:	11/17/2023
Label:	Bmg / Bmg Rights Management
UPC:	4050538885477
Rank:	25087

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Don't Want To Know
2. N.Y.C.
3. Your Painted Smile
4. Mamouna
5. The Only Face
6. The 39 Steps
7. Which Way To Turn
8. Wildcat Days
9. Gemini Moon
10. Chain Reaction

Disc 2

11. Where Do We Go From Here (The 39 Steps)
12. The Only Face [Horoscope Version]
13. Desdemona (N.Y.C.)
14. S&M (Midnight Train)
15. Loop De Li [Horoscope Version]
16. Gemini Moon [Horoscope Version]
17. Raga
18. Mother of Pearl [Horoscope Version]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bryan Ferry   Primary Artist,Piano,Vocals,Jupiter,Vocoder,Synthesizer,Prophet Synthesizer,Oberheim Synthesizer
Robin Trower   Guest Artist,Guitar,Guitar (Electric)
Brian Eno   Guest Artist
Andy Mackay   Guest Artist,Sax (Alto)
Phil Manzanera   Guest Artist,Guitar
Maceo Parker   Guest Artist,Sax (Alto)
Nile Rodgers   Guest Artist,Guitar (Rhythm)
Steve Scales   Percussion
Steve Ferrone   Drums
Chester Kamen   Guitar
Luis Jardim   Percussion
Carleen Anderson   Bass (Vocal),Baritone (Vocal),Vocals (Background)
David Williams   Guitar,Bass (Vocal),Guitar (Rhythm)
Pino Palladino   Bass
Nathan East   Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Richard Norris   Loops
Neil Hubbard   Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm)
Guy Pratt   Guitar (Bass),Wah Wah Guitar
Fonzi Thornton   Bass (Vocal),Baritone (Vocal)
Jhelisa   Bass (Vocal)
Neil Jason   Animal Sounds
Mike Paice   Sax (Alto)
Guy Fletcher   Synthesizer
Yanick Etienne   Bass (Vocal),Vocals (Background)
Paul Johnson   Bass (Vocal),Baritone (Vocal),Vocals (Background)
Jeff Thall   Guitar
Luke Cresswell   Percussion

Technical Credits

Sven Taits   Engineer
Bob Clearmountain   Mixing
Bob Ludwig   Remastering
Chester Kamen   Musician
Richard Norris   Program,Engineer
Bryan Ferry   Composer,Lyricist,Producer,Art Direction
Brian Eno   Sonics,Composer
Robin Trower   Producer
Rhett Davies   Program
Nicholas Deville   Art Direction
Johnson Somerset   Assistant Producer
James Ward   Paintings
Zanna   Video
Tamar   Cover Model
Zoe   Cover Model