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Eno, Brian - Roxy Music – Do the Strand
Identifier
021930
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
Eno's professional music career began in London, as a member (1971–1973) of the glam/art rock band Roxy Music, initially not appearing on stage with them at live shows, but operating the mixing desk, processing the band's sound with a VCS3 synthesiser and tape recorders, and singing backing vocals. He then progressed to appearing on stage as a performing member of the group, usually flamboyantly costumed. He quit the band on completing the promotional tour for the band's second album, For Your Pleasure, because of disagreements with lead singer Bryan Ferry and boredom with the rock star life.
In 1992, he described his Roxy Music tenure as important to his career:
"As a result of going into a subway station and meeting [saxophonist Andy Mackay], I joined Roxy Music, and, as a result of that, I have a career in music. If I'd walked ten yards further on the platform, or missed that train, or been in the next carriage, I probably would have been an art teacher now". During his period with Roxy Music, and for his first three solo albums, he was credited on records only as 'Eno'.
A description of the experience
Roxy Music Do The Strand (Lyrics) (HQ)
"Do the Strand" was the first song on Roxy Music's second album, For Your Pleasure. Although the track For Your Pleasure is supposed to have more input from Brian Eno, this track has become somewhat legendary for Roxy Music and is a better example of collaboration, making the most of Ferry’s voice and all the musician’s skills, as well as containing the symbolism of ‘the dance’.
"The Strand", which takes its name from an advertisement for Strand cigarettes! The lyrics include, as is typical for early Roxy Music, references to notable art, including The Sphinx, the Mona Lisa, Lolita and Picasso's Guernica. Bryan Ferry described his idea for "The Strand" as "the ‘dance of life’. So the symbolism is very evident.
Musicians
- Andy Mackay: oboe and saxophone
- Bryan Ferry: voice and keyboards
- Brian Eno: synthesizer and tapes
- Paul Thompson: drums
- Phil Manzanera: guitar
- John Porter (guest artist): bass