Bryan Ferry: "The Bride Stripped Bare" Album (1978)

Roxy Music
Aug 31, 1978
2 min read

Updated: Sep 23

Bryan Ferry’s The Bride Stripped Bare was released as an LP album in the UK by Polydor Records (catalog number POLS 1001) in September 1978, marking his fifth solo studio album, recorded in 1977–1978 at Montreux, Switzerland, and mixed at Atlantic Studios, New York.

The title references Marcel Duchamp’s artwork The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, Even, reflecting Ferry’s art-school roots and thematic exploration of vulnerability and loss.

The album blends original songs with covers, a hallmark of Ferry’s solo work, and features a transatlantic sound, recorded with American session musicians like Waddy Wachtel (guitar), Rick Marotta (drums), and Alan Spenner (bass), alongside UK contributors like Neil Hubbard and John Wetton.

Key tracks include originals like “Sign of the Times” (a UK Top 40 single addressing social unrest) and “Can’t Let Go” (inspired by Ferry’s breakup

with Hall), and covers like “That’s How Strong My Love Is” (Otis Redding) and “Take Me to the River” (Al Green, later popularized by Talking Heads).

Musical Style: The album shifts from the polished art rock of Ferry’s earlier solo work to a rawer, soulful, and bluesy sound, reflecting his emotional turmoil and the influence of American R&B. It’s noted for its introspective tone, contrasting Ferry’s usual debonair image.

Reception: The album received mixed reviews at the time, with critics like Robert Christgau praising its “moody, energetic” covers but noting its unevenness. It reached #13 on the UK Albums Chart but only #159 in the US, reflecting Ferry’s stronger UK fanbase. Retrospectively, it’s seen as an underappreciated gem, capturing Ferry’s emotional depth.

Significance: The album marked a transitional phase for Ferry, bridging his solo career and Roxy Music’s reformation in 1979 with Manifesto. Its personal themes and American recording sessions foreshadowed Ferry’s later transatlantic influences.