"As Time Goes By" is a studio album by Bryan Ferry, the former lead vocalist of Roxy Music. Released in October 1999, it is his tenth solo album, which encapsulates a collection of songs from the 1930s and '40s.
This album stands apart in Bryan Ferry's discography because it doesn't contain any original songs. Instead, he chose to cover popular and well-known classics from the mid-20th century, in an era noted for its rich and diverse musical history. The album's repertoire ranges from the title track, a Herman Hupfeld composition that became synonymous with the 1942 film "Casablanca," to songs popularized by artists like Billie Holiday and Bing Crosby. The 13 songs on this album bring alive the jazz and pop standards from that period.
The album was both critically and commercially successful, peaking at number 16 on the UK Albums Chart and becoming Gold-certified by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales over 100,000 copies in the UK. The romantic and nostalgic blend of songs within "As Time Goes By" also garnered Bryan Ferry a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.
Bryan Ferry and his ensemble of jazz musicians have masterfully recreated these classics, and their performances evoke a bygone era, connecting with listeners who appreciate the sentimental beauty of these timeless tracks. This album demonstrates Bryan's musical versatility as he shifts effortlessly from his typically stylish pop-rock to a more traditional and classic sound.
