Mamouna

• Artist: Bryan Ferry
• Rating:
• Release Date: September 20, 1994
• Total Time: 45:28
• Type: Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: Rock

Review

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, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Don't Want to Know	Bryan Ferry	Bryan Ferry	(4:07)
N.Y.C. (Lyrics)	Bryan Ferry	Bryan Ferry	(4:09)
Your Painted Smile (Lyrics)	Bryan Ferry	Bryan Ferry	(3:13)
Mamouna (Lyrics)	Bryan Ferry	Bryan Ferry	(5:10)
The Only Face	Bryan Ferry	Bryan Ferry	(4:39)
The 39 Steps	Bryan Ferry	Bryan Ferry	(5:00)
Which Way to Turn (Lyrics)	Bryan Ferry	Bryan Ferry	(5:43)
Wildcat Days (Lyrics)	Brian Eno, Bryan Ferry	Bryan Ferry	(4:34)
Gemini Moon (Lyrics)	Bryan Ferry	Bryan Ferry	(3:46)
Chain Reaction	Bryan Ferry	Bryan Ferry	(5:07)

Credits

Rhett Davies (?), Robin Trower (Guitar (Electric)), Richard Norris (Loops), Pino Palladino (Bass), Steve Ferrone (Drums), Steve Scales (Percussion), Neil Jason (Animal Sounds), Brian Eno (?), Bryan Ferry (Producer), Bryan Ferry (Prophet Synthesizer), Guy Pratt (Wah Wah Guitar), Chester Kamen (?), Zanna (Video), Bob Clearmountain (Mixing), Fonzi Thornton (Baritone (Vocal)), Yanick Etienne (Bass (Vocal)), Bob Ludwig (Remastering), Nan Kidwell (?), Carleen Anderson (Baritone (Vocal)), Chester Kamen (Guitar), Mike Paice (Sax (Alto)), Robin Trower (Producer), Jeff Thall (Guitar), Bryan Ferry (Vocoder), Jeff Thall (?), Richard Norris (Program), Nile Rodgers (Guitar (Rhythm)), David Williams (Bass (Vocal)), Richard Norris (Engineer), Brian Eno (Sonics), Bryan Ferry (Jupiter), Luke Cresswell (Percussion), Nicholas Deville (Art Direction), Guy Fletcher (Synthesizer), Paul Johnson (Bass (Vocal)), Luis Jardim (Percussion), Bryan Ferry (Piano), Maceo Parker (Sax (Alto)), David Williams (Guitar (Rhythm)), Neil Jason (?), Bryan Ferry (Synthesizer), Neil Hubbard (Guitar (Rhythm)), Tamar (Cover Model), Paul Johnson (Baritone (Vocal)), Carleen Anderson (Bass (Vocal)), David Williams (Guitar), Phil Manzanera (Guitar), Jhelisa (Bass (Vocal)), Bryan Ferry (Oberheim), Sven Taits (Engineer), Nathan East (Bass), Rhett Davies (Program), Bryan Ferry (Art Direction), Robin Trower (?), James Ward (Paintings), Fonzi Thornton (Bass (Vocal)), Johnson Somerset (Assistant Producer), Guy Pratt (?), Neil Hubbard (Guitar), Zoe (Cover Model), Bryan Ferry (?), Andy Mackay (Sax (Alto)), Bryan Ferry (Vocals)