the bowie appreciation thread

[Roadkill]

I listened to a couple of his most recent albums - Reality and Hours - the other day and was rather impressed. Bowie's done some rubbish in his time (Never Let Me Down, anyone? ) but he can still turn out some great songs when he's on form.

 

[isitme]

He's made some of the worst jungle tunes ever

 

[Roadkill]

He's made some of the worst jungle tunes ever

This is true. I don't think Earthling will go down in musical history as one of the defining albums of its time...

 

[Kaka Tim]

Pretty much consistantly inventive and brilliant between 1971 and 79 (except for young americans which was pony)
The Hunky Dory/Ziggy period was pure genius. Credit to Mick Ronson as well though.

Lets Dance was shite - it made him a rich man but seemed to kill his talent.

 

[Kaka Tim]

If there is such thing as a genius in pop music, Bowie qualifies. I wouldn't compare him to Isaac Newton though.

I think we have the 'chalk'/'cheese' interface here.

Admitedly Bowie understading of maths and physics is not particualrly notweworthy.
But niether is Issac Newtons song writing ability. And he didn't have an organge feather cut mullet.

 

[Badgers]

He has reinvented himself
Sometimes fail but sometimes win

My first track I heard was Space Oddity (playing now) at a 'play' during a visit to Thorpe Park when I was too small for the good rides, and been hooked ever since! I have most of his vinyl and assorted other bits but the highlight was Glasto 2000 for me and I am still in awe of that set.

His acting is at times questionable but Labyrinth remains a Sunday favourite.

Dance Magic Dance anyone - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=8UoG-xQ9Lqc&feature=related

 

[Maggot]

Yeah, shaky in the 80s and a bit old in the 90s, non extistent in the 00s, dead in the 10s?

He very healthy these days. I expect he'll live a long time.

 

[Badgers]

Just had to bump this one up after hearing Little Drummer Boy playing...

I feel that Bowie is up there with our finest exports

 

[SpookyFrank]

I also think a lot of Bowies great work has come when he has been working with other talented mucisians

Mick Ronson -
Man Who Sold The World
Ziggy Stardust
Hunky Dory
Aladdin Sane

Eno-
Low
Lodger
Heroes

and the stuff he did with Iggy .

Honourable mention to Rick Wakeman for the piano stuff on Hunky Dory.

 

[stethoscope]

He's made some of the worst jungle tunes ever

I dunno, I've heard worst attempts!

I think what he tried was interesting, and Bowie's never been afraid of experimenting.



Scary Monsters... defines the period of Bowie that most made an impression on me.

But, Space Oddity/Ziggy Stardust/Hunky Dory are wonderful albums

 

[dylans]

What do people think of the argument that Space Oddity is a metaphor for heroin?


Ground control to Major Tom
Ground control to Major Tom
Take your protein pills and put your helmet on

Ground control to Major Tom
Commencing countdown, engines on
Check ignition and may God's love be with you

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five
Four, three, two, one, liftoff

This is ground control to Major Tom
You've really made the grade
And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear
Now it's time to leave the capsule if you dare

This is Major Tom to ground control
I'm stepping through the door
And I'm floating in a most peculiar way
And the stars look very different today

For here
Am I sitting in a tin can
Far above the world
Planet earth is blue
And there's nothing I can do

Though I'm past one hundred thousand miles
I'm feeling very still
And I think my spaceship knows which way to go
Tell me wife I love her very much
(She knows)

Ground control to Major Tom
Your circuits dead, there's something wrong
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you . . .

Here am I floating round my tin can
Far above the moon
Planet earth is blue
And there's nothing I can do

 

[mrfusion]

I don't see why there should be a requirement for unblemished perfection in order to be a genius, and I think Bowie is one (but then, I think Let's Dance is his best album so...).