|
Post by personunknown on Apr 6, 2020 14:59:00 GMT
Maybe it's fanciful thinking but I often wonder if Bowie knew that punk or something radical was just around the corner. With YA, he removes himself from the guitar rock sound and in a stroke distances himself from the likes of the tired plod of the Stones, Bolan et al.
Back in 75 I was an unreconstructed rocker, so it took me a lot of plays to accept it. But the songs are so well crafted that you have to warm to them eventually.
|
|
|
Post by Lord Emsworth on Apr 8, 2020 10:05:20 GMT
Latest album-by-album choice.... 1. Outside 1. Outside is better than I had remembered. Another LP I’ve not listened to that much. The best songs are splendid. Aside from Hallo Spaceboy (Pet Shop Boys Remix) (which is on a bonus CD) other favourites in rough order of preference are…. Strangers When We Meet I’m Deranged The Hearts Filthy Lesson Thru These Architects Eyes And whilst the in-between segues wear thin quite quickly it’s good to see DB showing a bit of artistic ambition
|
|
|
Post by Lord Emsworth on Apr 9, 2020 14:44:42 GMT
Latest album-by-album choice.... The Next Day + The Next Day Extra EPI listened to the deluxe version of The Next Day plus The Next Day Extra EP I’d forgotten how much I like The Next Day The remixes - and especially the four extra songs on the EP - are so much fun I think Bowie wanted to get this more playful stuff out there before the change of direction that was Blackstar The Love Is Lost (Hello Steve Reich Mix) by James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem is worth the price of admission alone Next up Scary Monsters
|
|
|
Post by Lord Emsworth on Apr 11, 2020 12:11:09 GMT
Latest album-by-album choice Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)Always been a favourite this one. With some justification it bears the burden of being the "Last Great Bowie Album" The album's secret weapon is, as any fule kno, Robert Fripp and his guitar Every track bar 'Because You're Young' ended up on my definitive playlist And I have a new number one - 'Ashes to Ashes' which has edged out 'Young Americans' for the top spot. It's a great album.
|
|
|
Post by personunknown on Apr 11, 2020 14:30:36 GMT
Yes, his last great album* Though Bowie had style and substance in equal measure, the eighties in mainstream music were more weighted to fashion and imagery, plus he was very active in acting, possibly not devoting his all to his musical craft?
* Listened to Black Star yesterday. Hopefully, it will be recognised as a masterpiece in years to come
|
|
|
Post by Lord Emsworth on Apr 15, 2020 7:59:25 GMT
Lodger (1979)Every time I listen to Lodger I am a bit surprised by just how much I love it. Was Bowie ever more eclectic and varied? The world music vibe is also a pleasant surprise. The singles ‘Boys Keep Swinging’, ‘Look Back in Anger' and ‘DJ’ are a bit misleading in terms of the album’s content - with only ‘Yassassin’ hinting at the album’s delightful diversity Lodger is a wonderful fusion of the pop and the experimental. I loves it. Every track is straight on to my Definitive playlist. Boys Keep Swinging will doubtless be in the upper reaches of my overall Top 50
|
|
|
Post by Lord Emsworth on Apr 15, 2020 8:01:31 GMT
Let's Dance (1983)No arguing with the first three songs, although I prefer Iggy’s version of China Girl, after that it’s a bit more ho hum. This was the first album that Bowie made without ex manager Tony De Fries getting a sizeable cut, and it was also the moment when he wanted to cash in some of his critical cachet for commercial success. I often wonder to what extent he might have regretted that decision in hindsight. Either way, he got the big shiny commercial smash that he craved and, unlike the next couple of albums it sounds as though his heart was it. I really like Modern Love, China Girl and Let’s Dance, on their own terms, and the title track will always get me onto a dancefloor. On the other hand, as it signals the moment when he got significantly less interesting and vital, it also makes me a little sad too.
|
|
|
Post by personunknown on Apr 15, 2020 9:15:48 GMT
One of the most disappointing record purchases I ever made. Not that it's a particularly bad album, starts with that brilliant staccato guitar but then slowly decreases in quality. Just doesn't compare in any shape or form with what came before.
|
|
|
Post by Lord Emsworth on Apr 16, 2020 8:43:22 GMT
Reality (2003) Another album which I haven’t paid that much heed to since it was first released
It’s another goodie though - with plenty to enjoy and a sense of energy, commitment and cohesion from the off. It’s maybe slightly got the edge on Heathen, which came out the year before (2002), with some memorable songs with a slightly more experimental feel than Heathen
The following tracks made my David Bowie Definitive playlist….
New Killer Star The Loneliest Guy Looking For Water Reality Bring Me The Disco King
|
|
|
Post by Lord Emsworth on Apr 18, 2020 9:08:57 GMT
Space Oddity (1969) Another old friend. I much prefer this to the more critically lauded The Man Who Sold The World despite it being a bit of a creative dead end and an odd folky outlier in his discography. I have real affection for Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed, Letter to Hermione, Janine, Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud, Memory of a Free Festival, Conversation Piece (on the deluxe reissue) and obviously the stellar Space Oddity Tracks that made my David Bowie Definitive playlist Space Oddity An Occasional Dream Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed Letter to Hermione Janine Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud Conversation Piece
|
|
|
Post by personunknown on Apr 18, 2020 9:36:22 GMT
Strange album that. Where would he have ended up ploughing that furrow? The much maligned Velvet Goldmine movie tackles that period with a symbiotic fictional narrative. One for me on there, the shoplifting tale of God Knows I'm Good.
|
|
|
Post by jsm on Apr 19, 2020 23:02:14 GMT
^ Did you ever have a copy of The Slits 'Shoplifting' in the shop and somebody stole it?
|
|
|
Post by personunknown on Apr 20, 2020 10:49:16 GMT
Not that one JSM but there was a System of a Down compilation called Steal This Album, which I displayed in a locked glass cabinet.
|
|
|
Post by Lord Emsworth on Apr 20, 2020 12:07:49 GMT
David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)An absolute classic from start to finish. Every track is like an old friend. No surprise that this was the album, and the concept, which catapulted Mr Bowie to superstar status Every single track (barring It Ain’t Easy) has made the DB Definitive playlist Absolute faves (and let’s face it they’re all great) include Moonage Daydream, Hang On To Yourself, Ziggy Stardust, and Suffragette City What a landmark LP
|
|
|
Post by personunknown on Apr 20, 2020 13:00:06 GMT
It's an album I never tire of. Everytime a copy comes into the shop, it is lovingly cleaned, the flimsy lyric inner sleeve has its creases smoothed out and finally play tested in its entirety. The original orange RCA presses are usually only in the rack a couple of days before they're snapped up, later issues a week or so. It Ain't Easy is a decent tune but not fitting the loose narrative. Sometimes I wonder why, with Bowie being so prolific, he included anothers song on the album? With hindsight, Sweet Head may been a better choice.
|
|