Bete Noire Tour

I was well pleased by this German-made disc featuring shows from 1988 and2002 by the undisputed "Coolest Living Englishman," Bryan Ferry, and hishandpicked backing bands. If you are tired of the mediocre music starsof today, a dose of Mr. Ferry tingles like a refreshing Bombay Gin and Tonicwith lemon at Raffles Hotel Bar of Singapore (a favorite Ferry haunt). The concerts plumb Ferry's (and Roxy Music's) catalog of wonderful,sophisticated rockers and torch songs dating back to 1972 (when the"Roxy Music" debut album offered a bracing new direction away from the tired"long-haired hippie" blues-rock of the sixties). Bryan Ferry was the first singerof hard rock to dare to wear a tuxedo over his aching heart, like Bogart in "Casablanca." He fashions for the listener a fantasy world of cool cars, gorgeous women, elegant art, exclusive clubs, & Savile Row suits, none of which can stanch his exquisite anguish. He is like nocturnal James Bond gambling and smooth-talking dolls at "Le Cercle" Club. Ferry's anguish delivers our delight as he croons and roars hits from"Ladytron" to "Avalon." It's a pleasure to report he looks just asdashingly handsome in the 2002 show as he does in the 1988 one. The 140minute disc has excellent sound and picture quality. Only by addingPhil Manzanera and Andy Mackay (of Roxy Music) could this have been better.You will see Roxy drummer The Great Paul Thompson's round face looming likean orange full moon just above Mr. Ferry in the 2002 concert, thanks to atelephoto lens setting. One wonders what Bryan thought of this visual choice.

I know this DVD has been out for a while but it was NEW to me.I was CRAVING some NEW Ferry/Roxy PERFORMANCE DVD's(with 5.1 sound preferred!)Enter the BETE NOIRE TOUR dvd.....with the use of grainy film stock(color&B/W)combined with the atmosphere of Ferry's musical vision make for ONE OUTSTANDING "Home Theatre-5.1" EXPERIENCE!The only DISSAPOINTMENT here is the LACK OF of "optional" LYRIC below the the VIDEO PERFORMANCE.I'm an avid fan who got to meet BRYAN FERRY way back in 1985 at the "HARD ROCK" in Dallas a few years before the BETE NIORE(Black Beast)Tour.I BELEIVE THAT ALL CONCERT PERFORMANCE DVD's SHOULD ALLOW THE VIEWER TO ENJOY THE POETRY(lyric)AS AN ALL ENGAGING PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE!So it may cost more for MUSIC LYRIC PUBLISHING but I ask you...(ALL MUSIC LEGENDS)...Don't you want your COMPLEAT MUSICAL CREATIONS to be PRESERVED for "FUTURE GENERATIONS"?Some of my FAVOURITE music concert DVD's...(Roxy at the Apollo,Clapton at Hyde Park and Roger Waters-Live in the flesh)ALL ALLOW You to experience this which I speak.MY ONLY HOPE IS THAT THE DVDMUSIC PRODUCERS WILL IMMEDIATELY MAKE THIS THE "STANDARD" and NOT the EXCEPTION!...but I rant,The BEST PART OF THIS "DBL. CONCERT DVD is the UNRELEASED concert from 2002 "KONIXXTREFFEN BENIFIT",musically RAW(2.0)& SIMPLY AMAZING!THIS ONE PERFORMANCE IS WORTH THE PRICE OF THE "BETE NOIRE TOUR '88/'89 TOUR.....ENJOY AS I HAVE. Wiz

I was lucky in NYC in 1988 to see Bob Dylan at Radio City, Leonard Cohen at The Beacon Theater, and Bryan Ferry at Radio City. All three artists were at peaks of their performing career. The "Bete Noire Tour" is a fleshed-out version of the old VHS tape "New Town". The '88-89 performances are more energetic & intense. I remember thinking when I saw the BF show, that there was absolutely no reason for him to play obscure old Roxy Music songs like "The Bogus Man", "Ladytron" & "Casanova", except to delight his intense fans like me (and because he obviously loves them). Those songs were not hits in Europe or the US, but he delivered stellar versions. Great band, except the big-haired, flashy, metal-styled guitarist is a little out of place. The 2nd guitarist is much classier, & BF is all about class. Andy Newmark is a killer drummer, & the percussionist is obviously having a lot of fun. A lot of smiling at the thrill of it all.The bonus 2002 performance is fascinating, if a little more erratic. The band is much the same as for the Roxy Music reunion that would follow a year later, except without the essential Phil Manzanera & Andy Mckay. Though Paul Thompson has turned into a scary-looking lug, he is still a phenomenal drummer. Ferry delivers strong versions of Dylan's "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" & "Don't Think Twice it's Alright". Miles above his mediocre "Dylanesque" DVD. Bryan sweats a lot at this gig, & you wish someone would hand him a towel. (Though we all wish we could look & sing that good at age 59.) I think somewhere after the half-way point, the energy starts to flag. "Jealous Guy" is always strong, but "Let's Stick Together" sounds strained or off vocally, & "Love is the Drug", just perfunctory. Nice setting though, outdoors at night. For $13 out-the-door, this 2.5 hour DVD was a screaming bargain. Roxy Music "Live at the Apollo" & "Musikladen" are both recommended too!

I guess I'm getting old! I bought the dvd not realizing this is the same as my VHS of "NEW TOWN"... but that's ok. We don't have a VHS player anymore, so it was great to see this 1988/89 concert from the same tour I saw (when he played Boston to support his, then, new album).28 years later, the Bete Noire film is, frankly, over-produced and does not show enough contiguous on-screen Bryan Ferry.Hold on though! What I absolutely love about this dvd is that the bonus 2002 concert is one I have not seen before!!The 2002 concert has a more live video appearance. There's lots of Bryan Ferry (poor guy works hard- can't someone give him a towel?). Paul Thompson is on drums. The guitar playing and supporting musicians are great. The song selection is great.

The item was pricey considering it's in what the industry calls a 'dead format' but I'm not complaining because the DVD is in excellent condition and I spent most of the evening with a smile on my face as I re-lived some of my past. Thank you Amazon for bringing Bryan BACK from old age (LOL). I'm happy, no complaints. Cheers.

Really one of the best concert dvd's I own now. This was Ferry at the peak of his career. The sound and stage, the band and singers, all done in perfect Ferry style. If you are a fan from the 80s and his albums from those years, this is a must have. Filmed in France just gives it that extra touch.

Lo tenía en VHS con el nombre de "New Town" y gracias a vosotros lo he encontrado en DVD. Lo recomiendo al 100%

Bellissimo live, anche se risale a parecchio tempo fa... bada alla sostanza, pochi artifici e tanto talento dal leader dei Roxy Music.

Another favourite in my collection of live concert DVDs. An odd pairing of concerts - very different but even considering the second gig an intriguing extra, the New Town (first) concert is worth 5 stars all by itself.The ambience of the Bête Noir Tour (assembled from various 1988/89 gigs) is hard to forget, it's like watching a rock band in a steamy jungle nightclub. The back-up singers, in their feathered headgear, epitomize exotic allure and a pet leopard slinking on stage would not be out of place. Bryan Ferry, in great form, is backed by a superb group of musicians and their easy rapport and electric energy on stage are contagious. The artful, smoky and purposefully grainy photography complements the sultry vibe and the musical choices showcase a strong Ferry solo setlist, mostly from the "Bête Noir" and "Boys and Girls" albums, but there are some excellent Roxy numbers as well. Limbo, Ladytron, The Bogus Man, While My Heart Is Still Beating, Windswept, New Town, a fab version of Avalon ... with some inspired extended instrumental passages.The second concert, a 2002 open-air event, took place in Konixxtreffen in front of a subdued German audience, who appear to have been told not to make too much noise, and only seem to wake up for the last four numbers. As far as the recording goes, the audio mix is disappointing, with very little bass and most instruments too low to have any bite, and Bryan, ever the consummate professional, sweating his heart out nonetheless, although the effort is visible. Also missing is the usual contingent of back-up vocalists, with only Sarah Brown in front of a pretty quiet mic and, although the "new" band is as good as ever, that magic spark does not fully ignite. On the plus side, the video quality is excellent, the music selections are a very interesting mix of Ferry and Roxy, and Lucy Wilkins is on stage.