The Best of David Bowie 1969/1974

Hello David Bowie! That’s what I say in my head every time I read the words David Bowie, a lot of the time I say it out aloud. I blame the Flight of the Conchords for that. David Bowie’s The Best of David Bowie 1969/1974. It is his best era after all.
Listening to this album made me think that David Bowie is dun alf sound like his contemporaries, then it dawned on me maybe they sound like him? The period this album encapsulates saw Bowie release what is considered his most triumphant and great songs, there aint no Tin Machine on here. On the other hand though it seems that period between 69 and 74 was a very shallow time for the british popperatti as really Bowie sounds like The Stones, like Elton, like Bolan, like Iggy, or maybe they sound like him?
I think I came by this album as one of my 5 free albums after signing up with Britannia Music Club, I had this and a Weller album amongst other things, the Weller album could possibly have been donated to a Weller loving brother, time will tell.
It really is a case of it does what it says on the tin, it is the best of Bowie and although the dates are trying to narrow it down, its neither here nor there.
I think what is more telling, even though it is perfectly alright, at time of writing I am sat listening to Mariachi El Bronx’s album and not having another whizz through of Bowie. A friend of mine said that Bowie only produces a great track every five years, and that may be the case outside of 74, it may be a little generous outside of 74, but as it goes and if you want all the memorable hits, this is the album for you. 8 out of 10.



Sorrow by David Bowie

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

The final commute album prior to my holiday, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Let me be candid with you here, in my car I sing, in my car I am Paul Potts, I am the greatest singer this country has ever seen, I am Caruso, Meat Loaf and H from Steps all rolled into one. In my car. Alone. When any of these variables change, this is the odd part, but when any of these variables change I am what is known in showbusiness as a shit singer. Whilst in my car, alone I do two very very good impressions of people, I do an uncanny version of the lead singer of The Kings of Leon and David Bowie. Some might say that my David Bowie doesn't sound like David Bowie at all and its just an effeminate Keith Richards, them people don't know shit.
Impressions aside then, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, I bought this album in the last 2 years as I heard 5 years and liked it, so I got the album. Around the same time I bought a lot of "classic albums" as I felt there were holes in my collection.
The album itself undoubtedly contains some great songs, looking down the tracklisting its apparant that these songs, all of these songs are known to most music fans, but does that really mean that its a great album?
In Hang on to yourself take off the vocal track and its The Ramones, pre-empting their sound by a good five years. The album predates glam rock in the Ziggy Stardust, but goes all cliched on Sufragette City with its wam bam thank you mams.
It is a massively diverse album though, not entirely glam rock, not entirely punk rock, not ballads, not pop. But was it enjoyable?
It was enjoyable, I played it more than twice which is always a good sign, but it wasnt earth shatteringly out of great for me, so it isn't a ten. It maybe should be a nine, but it isn't, a critical 8 out of 10.



5 Years by David Bowie