I remember listening to "Avalon" on my walkman back in the 80s, wandering around New York City on long walks. It was a new thing to plug into personal music, an intensely solo experience compounded by the fact I was missing my boyfriend away at college. Indeed it was my now husband Paul Seymour who even suggested I listen to Roxy Music, being such a huge Brian Eno fan. We even met Bryan Ferry at a record release party for his solo album Boys and Girls, with Paul always the cool guy thanking him for his music and me babbling on making no sense at all. Funny story, when they called to check on the guest list wondering if "Jane Seymour" was coming Paul said "the one and only." They of course the actress Jane Seymour was coming not me, even though it's only a stage name for her.
Because of these memories and the pure emotional weight of the song, it has to be one of the most romantic songs ever if I had to make a list. n.b. Perhaps I will for Valentine's Day?
The "Avalon" remix begins with the sax solo, extending the intro to a killer slow build of synths (thanks again to Mr. Eno, listed on Wikipedia as playing synthesizer and "treatments" for the group). It continues as an instrumental until the classic warbling guitar solo comes in, and Bryan Ferry's vocals are deconstructed as if in a preview -- definitely could have used more as this only made me want to hear the original again soon afterwards.
Look for a deluxe box set to come out April 2nd, the exact anniversary of the band's self-titled debut album. Roxy Music: The Complete Studio Recordings 1972 - 1982 will be available through Virgin Records.
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| Me & P on the roof of our first home in Greenwich Village with the view of the World Trade Center. (Yes, I'm rocking those ankle boots!) |