David Bowie

[Haribokart]

Space Oddity is absolutely fucking amazing, isn't it? I've been listening to the song a lot recently and adore the shit out of it.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKE3FSPJu-4&feature=related[/youtube]

Poor Major Tom

The fact that this came out in 1969 blows my mind. I realised that I only have seven Bowie tracks in my entire music collection with my least favourite being Let's Dance, I don't know why I've never explored his music more as his Queen collaboration 'Under Pressure' is one of my all time favourite songs. I'm sure I'm missing out on a lot of quality music here, so what Bowie tunes would people recommend I listen to next? I'm not too into glam rock but I'd make an exception in this case.

Cheers

[Nick R]

Everything on the album [i]Hunky Dory[/i].

[Ben]

You're spoilt for choice. I'd recommend picking up one of his Best-ofs (these ones are good [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-David-Bowie-1969-1974/dp/B000009RNM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1281877787&sr=1-2-catcorr"]1969-1974[/url] and [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-David-Bowie-1974-1979/dp/B000009RNP/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1281877787&sr=1-3-catcorr"]1974-1979[/url]) but he's got classic albums galore to look into - you can quite happily live without anything he's done in the past 30 years though.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHT8Kb9VjAQ[/media]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v--IqqusnNQ[/media]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4SLXaF-lIc[/media]

[PyramidFace]

[quote name='Fongoid' timestamp='1281877100' post='7310272']
I'm sure I'm missing out on a lot of quality music here, so what Bowie tunes would people recommend I listen to next? I'm not too into glam rock but I'd make an exception in this case.
[/quote]

In terms of albums, [i]Low [/i] is utterly essential. [i]Station to Station[/i] and [i]The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust[/i] are pretty necessary as well. Like Nick R said, [i]Hunky Dory[/i] is great too, although there is a slightly dubious air of MOR around that record.

[Stanley]

The 'Berlin Trilogy' - Low, Heroes, Lodger. Paticularly Low.

After that Ziggy Stardust, Diamond Dogs, Scary Monsters, Station To Station.

From there on in you should be able to pick and choose the rest at will, but I generally don't like anything after Let's Dance, that was the beginning of the end for me. Funnily enough I'm not fussed on Space Oddity either bar the title track.

Enjoy, yuo've got some absolute classics to listen to

[RareBirds]

He's a genius and you've a fantastic time ahead of you.

I would go for The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars as it has a few of the 'big hits' on there and it's one of the best albums of all time (OF ALL TIME etc etc).

[Number 28]

Number 28's star ratings (stand outs in brackets) -

Space Oddity (1969) * (bar title track which is *****)
The Man Who Sold the World (1970) ** (bar Man Who Sold The World which is *****)
Hunky Dory (1971) ***** (Changes, Life On Mars, Quicksand, Andy Warhol, Queen Bitch)
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972) **** (Five Years, Starman, Ziggy Stardust, Suffragette City)
Aladdin Sane (1973) **** (Aladdin Sane, Panic in Detroit, Jean Genie)
Pin Ups (1973) *** (See Emily Play, Where Have All The Good Times Gone)
Diamond Dogs (1974) **** (Rebel Rebel, We Are The Dead, Candidate [Bonus Track])
Young Americans (1975) *** (Young Americans, Fame)
Station to Station (1976) ***** (Station To Station, Golden Years)
Low (1977) **** (Breaking Glass, Sound and Vision)
Heroes (1977) *** (Beauty and the Beast, Heroes)
Lodger (1979) **** (DJ, Look Back In Anger)
Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980) **** (Up The Hill Backwards, Ashes to Ashes, Fashion, Crystal Japan)
Let's Dance (1983) *** (Modern Love, Let's Dance, Shake It)

Other good tracks -
Heroes - Helden (German version), Magic Dance (Labyrinth OST)

Be sure to get all the special editions with bonus tracks. There's a lot of corkers.
I couldn't believe this when I heard it -

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm2ciX0_UP8[/media]

That crafty Trent Reznor!

I find it pretty hard not to like anything on those albums to any considerable extent after a few listens. Diamond Dogs takes a while to get used to... I believe it was meant to be for a 1984 inspired musical.

[Gorf King]

I'd get these, in this order, and then I'd stop.

Hunky Dory (1971)
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)
Aladdin Sane (1973)
(I'd probably skip Pin Ups (1973))
Diamond Dogs (1974)
Young Americans (1975)
Station to Station (1976)
Low (1977)
Heroes (1977)
Lodger (1979)
Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980)

It's good to follow his development chronologically, and the albums are generally so strong (and the tracks on them often so tied to others, musically or thematically) that I don't think Best Of compilations serve a real purpose in Bowie's case. For me, he had those ten years and then he was basically spent. Obviously others may disagree, but although I'd loved everything he did up to Scary Monsters, I found Let's Dance to be completely insipid. In those intervening three years I think he'd probably become a far happier, more settled human being, and a far lesser artist. In fact, looking back on it, Scary Monsters is the patchiest album out of that lot (with the exception of Pin Ups which is mainly of curiosity value). Really, the class is all distilled though 71-77.

[pauc]

Width of a Circle

[Mr Do 71]

Life on Mars? & Ashes to Ashes & Changes etc..

[ngchol]

It's true that anything post-Scary Monsters contains little artistic innovation (apart from "1.Outside" which I thought was entirely fantastic) but there are some great pop gems to be found (e.g. Absolute Beginners).

[pranny]

I love nearly all of the back catalogue including the more recent output. I`m proud to admit to it and cannot see how this work is almost ridiculed. In non-chronological order:

Buddah of suburbia has a fantastic sound in tracks like "strangers when we meet" "the mysteries" and "dead against it" .

On Outside there are too many good tracks to list but personally i like "i have not been to oxford town " "thru` these architects eyes" and "Strangers when we meet ))"

There isnt a single track on Hours that I dislike in any way!!. Being the soundtrack to Nomad soul of course ,I`d have to choose Omikron "new angels of promise" as my favourite track. Along with the man who sold the world this is probably my most listened to Bowie album.

Heathen contains the amazing cover of "cactus" but apart from that its a really great extension of the Hours sound. Its for the most part more melancholy but the tracks often climb out of that mood so well. Try "Sunday" "Afraid" "the angels have gone" "everyone says hi " and "heathen (the rays ) )"I seem to remember seeing this on Jools Holland and it was wikid.

I never really got in to the tin machine sound but I have heard some good tracks off those just never bought any. -recommendations very welcome:)

Earthling is nuts and contains more than a little innovation . "little wonder" is fantastic . Man I wish I`d seen this tour live. "dead man walking" "the last thing you should do" "i`m afraid of americans " and "law (earthlings on fire)" all totally weird and good. Surely this is exactly how you`d expect Bowie to sound though since he previously was such a trend setter/borrower/follower. As such Reality, which came a few albums later , was a real backwards step. Unless you think Indie music is progressive ;p . Sure, some is Like mr Brown`s work but you get my drift no?

Reality is a nice album . I heard he made it with his son in mind since he thought his past work was too bleak .I like to believe that . Makes it easier to listen to. Not a massive fan of this one.

[peeveen]

[quote name='ngchol' timestamp='1281951343' post='7311550']
It's true that anything post-Scary Monsters contains little artistic innovation ([b]apart from "1.Outside" which I thought was entirely fantastic[/b]) but there are some great pop gems to be found (e.g. Absolute Beginners).
[/quote]

Yes! 100% agreed.

[Mr Cochese]

Basically everything up to and including Scary Monsters And Super Creeps is essential.

Except for Pin-Ups, and anything before Space Oddity.

[anders limpar]

Let's Dance is chronically underrated. It's basically a Chic record with David fucking Bowie singing on it - how can it be anything other than amazing?

[AK Bell]

Hunky Dory gets the most replays for me. Other albums have more sparks of genius but Hunky Dory holds together best as a album that is always pleasant to listen to no matter what mood you're in. It's easily the most accessible album.

It also has Queen Bitch... my favourite.

[Yiggy]

Everyone is covering old Bowie which is pretty much spot on but I always advise people not to believe the 'Everything after Lets Dance is crap' philosophy. So a few of my faves from the last couple of decades...

Hours is a decent Album.

Reality and Heathen are okay but should be some of the last listens really.

Earthling is a fantastic album.

Outside vol.1 is simply astounding. Its an art piece but the depth of it is astonishing.

The Buddha of Suburbia soundtrack is a nice distraction.

[ben-k]

Pretty much what Gorf said. If you're just getting into Bowie I wouldn't dive straight into the Berlin records. Ease your way in with Hunky, Ziggy and Aladdin Sane.

Worth getting hold of Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture too. A charming document of a bygone age of rock and roll. Mick Ronson's solo in Moonage Daydream is more than worth the fiver (tops) you'd pay for it.

[Yiggy]

[quote name='AN_D_K' timestamp='1282163220' post='7318351']
Hunky Dory gets the most replays for me. Other albums have more sparks of genius but Hunky Dory holds together best as a album that is always pleasant to listen to no matter what mood you're in. It's easily the most accessible album.

It also has Queen Bitch... my favourite.
[/quote]

You're quite right about it being the most accessible which is precisely why it's not in my top 5. It's TOO easy to listen to. For new fans though its often an early favourite.

[Joyrex-J9]

Bowie
I'm a bit late to this thread and most of the advice so far has been spot on, IMO

Just get everything before and up to Scary Monsters
Oh - yeah what Mr Cochese said basically

Another vote for [i]Hunky Dory[/i] as my fave. Hard to pick a top list, but [i]Station to Station[/i], [i]Ziggy[/i], [i]Low [/i]& [i]Diamond Dogs [/i] are likely candidates.

[Garwoofoo]

Nice to see some love for Station to Station in here. It always gets overlooked but it's a fantastic album and the title track is probably my single favourite Bowie track.

I definitely wouldn't recommend Low/Heroes/Lodger as a jumping off point as they can be a bit inaccessible. Heroes in particular. Love them now, of course, but there are better ways to ease yourself in.

Of the more recent output, I thought Heathen was a real return to form. I haven't actually heard 1.Outside and I'm going to go and rectify that right now.

Bowie

[Joyrex-J9]

[quote name='Garwoofoo' timestamp='1282205793' post='7318984']
Nice to see some love for Station to Station in here. It always gets overlooked but it's a fantastic album and the title track is probably my single favourite Bowie track.
[/quote]
I love it, the title track is amazing. And I'm in love with [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTIAiMeyd7Q"]Word on a Wing[/url]. Considering this was part of his "plastic soul" phase I expected to dislike the album, it just goes to show. By all accounts he was totally off his head on coke that whole period and can't recall writing or recording any of the material.

[quote name='Garwoofoo' timestamp='1282205793' post='7318984']I definitely wouldn't recommend Low/Heroes/Lodger as a jumping off point as they can be a bit inaccessible. Heroes in particular. Love them now, of course, but there are better ways to ease yourself in.
[/quote]
Agreed.
When I was doing my Bowie discovery a couple of years back (and ongoing today really), I tried to start with the Berlin trilogy, and it was a mistake. Don't dismiss them, they are brilliant albums, just not a good place to start.

[ngchol]

[quote name='Garwoofoo' timestamp='1282205793' post='7318984']

Of the more recent output, I thought Heathen was a real return to form. I haven't actually heard 1.Outside and I'm going to go and rectify that right now.

Bowie
[/quote]

1.Outside is my 4th favourite Bowie album after Low, Station To Station and Scary Monsters. Sorry to keep banging on about it it but if you haven't heard it, please give it a try - Eno produced it and it's easily Bowie's most underrated work.

Less than four quid from Amazon and read some of these reviews...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Outside-David-Bowie/dp/B0000AKP2I

[Mr Cochese]

[flash]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxDVc80Z3FI[/flash]

[Not Thread Owner]

David Bowie is amazing. He's my favourite artist by a million miles, and I don't think there's a single track of his I dislike. Yeah, a few are a bit odd (The Laughing Gnome, for one), but he spans so many genres and styles there's something for everyone - and somehow, I love it all.

My last.fm playlist says it all, really: http://www.last.fm/user/deKay01

[Mr Cochese]

David Bowie is so awesome that my cats are basically get called The Thin White Duke and Queen Bitch more than they do their proper names.

[Not Thread Owner]

[quote name='ngchol' timestamp='1282208880' post='7319109']
1.Outside is my 4th favourite Bowie album after Low, Station To Station and Scary Monsters.
[/quote]

1. Outside was the first Bowie album I bought (on tape, no less!) having inherited some of his earlier stuff on LP from my mum who was a bit of a fan in the 70s. It's a shame he never finished what I understood to be the other two parts to a planned trilogy. Mind you, that's what happens with multi-album spanning concepts, I suppose. I don't think Outside was especially well received.

Shame - Hallo Spaceboy[1], We Prick You and The Heart's Filthy Lesson are some of my favourite tracks.

I love the 1990s Pet Shop Boys remix/version of Hallo Spaceboy too, actually.

[1] I've been told my Bowie impression when singing this at karaoke is "blinding".

[Number 28]

All this 'up to scary monsters' talk... are you suggesting he gets this?

[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cb/Bowie-davidbowie.jpg[/img]

I've not actually heard anything but the Gnome song actually, so i'd be interested in opinions.

[Not Thread Owner]

[quote name='Number 28' timestamp='1282225712' post='7319887']
All this 'up to scary monsters' talk... are you suggesting he gets this?

[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cb/Bowie-davidbowie.jpg[/img]
[/quote]

God yes.

Sell Me a Coat, Little Bombardier, She's Got Medals and Please Mr Gravedigger are great.

The Laughing Gnome wasn't on that album originally though

[Number 28]

Ah ok, I guess I should check it out.

I think the hair cut put me off more than anything else.