Well almost… I’ve never listened to a Bowie album all the way through other than Blackstar (which I loved)
I’ve heard the hits of course, most of which are great, but also been underwhelmed. But I can’t help feeling there are nuggets I am missing but the sheer volume of material is daunting. Am I missing it or is it enough with the hits I wonder…
So thought I’d try at 2 opposite ends.
First up – Tonight
As the supposed nadir of his career I enjoyed a fair chunk of this. Loving the Alien is great, and Tonight is not bad and I quite like the reggae bits. Of course it’s not a classic but I’ve heard worse. Is it really that much worse than Let’s Dance, which I get the impression was also a couple of hits, an Iggy cover and filler.
Then second up – Hunky Dory
Some over familiarness with songs like Life on Mars, Changes, Queen Bitch but they sound better on an album. Kooks the first genuinely new good discovery. I kept reading the Bewley brothers was a classic but sounds a dirge to my ears.
Some good songs here but doesn’t hang together as a piece of work I thought and the piano soloing was getting on my tits after a while…
Where to go next? Short cut?
minibreakfast says
Station To Station should be your next stop. It’s my favourite anyway. 🚄
JustB says
Yep. Station to Station. Then Heroes and Low. Then Scary Monsters. 🙂
ip33 says
The first one, the first one, the first one, the first one, Low, Aladdin Sane, Station to Station, Heroes and the first one.
That should keep you going for a bit.
Thegp says
Trying STS
Opening 2 tracks are great. Heard Golden Years before of course but also one of my favourite Bowie tracks.
Next 2 tracks boring me. Word on a wing meandering along without much destination or indeed tune
Never liked TVC 15 (why did he play that at Live Aid again?)
Stay alright but not rushing to hear again
Wild is the wind sounds like Bowie is singing to a different song than is playing
So basically starts ok but then tails off.. apart from the title track nothing new to see here
Neela says
Don’t forget Heathen.
Rigid Digit says
That’s pretty much the order for my Bowie Album introduction
Tonight was a bit “Oh, OK?”, and Let’s Dance much the same.
Hunky Dory was a winner from the off, and Ziggy and Aladdin Sane followed soon after
Took me a good few years to get round to Low – damn those wasted years.
Don’t go making my mistake and listen to Low asap
NigelT says
Heathen definitely. Ziggy Stardust is a pivotal album of course. Young Americans too….
Leicester Bangs says
I was a huge fan of the song ‘Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)’ when I was growing up, but for some reason my love for the song obscured an appreciation for the parent album, ‘Scary Monsters… And Super Creeps’. Now I think it’s his best.
Point being, don’t rush into making judgements.
JustB says
I also like Scary Monsters best.
Tiggerlion says
You are in for a treat, gp.
I’d go Stationtostation, Aladdin Sane, Heathen, Low, Buddha Of Suburbia. Every one of them different, every one of them brilliant. Enjoy.
Mousey says
Station To Station for sure
Then Lodger. Opening track Fantastic Voyage is – fantastic
Tiggerlion says
You must be looking forward to the next box set, @Mousey. Visconti does a Lodger remix that he started when Bowie was still alive. By all accounts, it is brilliant.
Mousey says
@Tiggerlion yes I’m aware of that, being TV’s “friend” on FB ‘n all. Looking forward to it. Just knowing DB gave it the nod is a very moving thought. It’s a moving world, after all…
Tiggerlion says
Does that mean ‘by all accounts” = “in Tony Visconti’s opinion”?
slotbadger says
Couple of journo chums who’ve heard previews are very excited by it
Moose the Mooche says
They had to write it down…
retropath2 says
You don’t have to like it all. It isn’t a crime to consider a Best of as all you need. OK I have several albums, Hunky Dory, Lodger, Low, a couple of others but this is the one I listen to most:
dai says
People are just going to list their fave albums. Go through all the 70s ones in order, Ziggy next up to Scary Monsters then be selective
H.P. Saucecraft says
Toy. His best album.
duco01 says
When it’s time to dip into the live material, go for these two – both crackers:
1. Live Santa Monica ’72
2. BBC Radio Theatre London, June 27, 2000
SixDog says
Ziggy Fuckin Stardust man!!!
Then Diamond Dogs
Black Type says
You must get round to The Man Who Sold The World at some point. Essential.
bricameron says
You can’t just bung a record on Bowie or not and think that you’ll get the measure of it in one sitting. Too many variables.
Guidelines need to be established and nobody apart from duco01 so far,has offered any.
Kablammo!!! 💥