zorrow Posted January 12, 2016 Posted January 12, 2016 Besides his stint with Queen on "Under Pressure ", I barely know anything from Bowie, though I did always find his artistic persona quite intriguing.However, yesterday night I listened to that Ziggy Stardust concept album. It's pretty Pink Floyd-esque. I understand now why his music has a certain appeal to some. Sadly, I missed him on his prime or during my formative years, but I can sense he was just great.RIP!
devrock Posted January 12, 2016 Posted January 12, 2016 Not going to pretend I was ever a Bowie fan. Respected the hell out of him, but not a fan, really, of his music (Although, I just watched the video for "Lazarus." Wow. And his performance on Howard Stern's birthday show in '98 was incredible.) Anyway, here's something he said that has stayed with me for quite a while. I used to subscribe to a photo mag called "Digital Photo Pro." In it, was an article about a young photog who does some great portrait photography, many of celebs. So, IIRC, he's part of a group of photogs who got the chance to take pictures of Bowie. When this guy's turn came up, Bowie says to him (I could be paraphrasing, but I'm pretty sure this is exact), "So, what are you going to do differently than all the others."That was sort of a "BOOM!" moment for me and I think about that statement all the time. As an amateur photographer, I'd be lying if I said I haven't seriously thought of making it a career. Many reasons why it's so tough to do now aside, I realized (felt) that, if you are going to do something (music, art, luthiery, whatever), then why do it if you're doing the same thing as everyone else? On a photo level, that sort of put a small nail in that coffin. I don't have the time to really study the craft, esp with a family, FT job and trying to establish myself as a screenwriter and find the time to start building axes (Yes, I have too many irons in the fire). Nor do I feel (yet?) that I'm creative enough to differentiate myself enough to stand out.Anyway, that contribution to my existence is something I'll never forget.RIP.
HSB0531 Posted January 12, 2016 Posted January 12, 2016 They said on WCBSFM NY this morning that their #1 requested song out of all the bowie songs was Under Pressure. I miss NYC radio; 102.7FM WNEW, the most. How long has it been since you were around here? All the stations keep changing their dang formats. WNEW is not what it was when I was younger. I moved away in '81, but am up there every month or so; my wife and I are from Jersey and all of our family is there. I'm from Long Branch and she's from Paramus. Back in the day, that station was fantastic!YepAlbum sidesI was always able to "try out" an album before I bought it.Scotso, Dennis Elsis, Alison Steele, Dan & Dick Neer, all the interviews with real rock legends etc, etc.Bowie was big on their song rotation, as was The Who, Badco, Zep, Stones, Beatles, Deep Purple, etc.
zorrow Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 Lazarus; David Bowie's farewell to his fans... Awesome stuff!
zorrow Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 Just listened to that Blackstar thing on Spotify. That's quite crazy stuff, this guy was "out there". The album sounds contemporary as hell. I'm absolutely impressed. It's a shame sometimes they have to die for some to become aware of their music.
burningyen Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 Even before Bowie's death, Blackstar was getting raves as his strongest work since 1977. The musicians who worked on the album have dropped some interesting clues as to what some of the songs are about. I won't post spoilers here, but 'Tis A Pity She Was A Whore in particular works on a whole other level.
zorrow Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 Even before Bowie's death, Blackstar was getting raves as his strongest work since 1977. The musicians who worked on the album have dropped some interesting clues as to what some of the songs are about. I won't post spoilers here, but 'Tis A Pity She Was A Whore in particular works on a whole other level. That very song particularly grabbed my attention. I even read the lyrics and didn't get it at all... or maybe I did? Well, I just don't know. One thing is certain though; musically it's like Bartok meets Pink Floyd meets contemporary jazz meets pop. I hadn't listened to anything like that in my entire life. Luckily you're saying Blackstar is his best work since 1977, so a greatest hits package and some old releases will do to pay him a personal tribute by listening to his music. Blackstar sadly was only released two days before his death; it appears it will be his first Billboard Nomber 1 Yes. For the greatest, reaching glory and touching heaven rarely happens in life. Sadly.
Disturber Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 Even before Bowie's death, Blackstar was getting raves as his strongest work since 1977. It's been compared to The Next Day, which they also raved was his strongest since sliced bread. In retrospect that was an okay album, but not great.I am just saying that critics often do this when old favourite artists release something new, when they had their creative peak 30-40 years ago."It is their best works since..."I have read the same comments about Prince, The Stones, Dylan etc etc etc After the album has cooled of it turns out it was not as great as their expectations hailed it to be.Don't get me wrong, I have not yet heard the album. Sure it is more than okay, but strongly doubt it is better than for instance Scary Monsters from 1980, or one of my personal favourites Let's Dance from 1983. Heathen (2002) is killer too. And Reality (2003).Personally I think that his project with TIN MACHINE is highly underated. It was so great that the critics did not get it. He gave everyone who liked the 80s slick stuff a kick in the teeth. Truly a punk rock attitude project, and the work of a great provocative artist.
MCChris Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 Even before Bowie's death, Blackstar was getting raves as his strongest work since 1977. I been compared to The Next Day, which they also raved was his strongest since sliced bread. In retrospect that was an okay album, but not great.I am just saying that critics often do this when old favourite artists release something new, when they had their creative peak 30-40 years ago."It is their best works since..."I have read the same comments about Prince, The Stones, Dylan etc etc etc After the album has cooled of it turns out it was not as great as their expectations hailed it to be.Exactly. Every Stones album beginning with Tattoo You has been hailed as the band's best since Some Girls.Well, probably not Dirty Work. No one could realistically call that turn a "best" anything.
zorrow Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 I find this Blackstar album quite revolutionnary, but maybe it's because I'm not used to Bowie's music.BTW, I just listened to "Space Oddity", which is one of the few songs from him I actually knew. I always considered it a masterpiece, but today that term has taken a new meaning in my head.It seems to me this Bowie guy has put his music up there where his reputation of being a genius is.
Steve Haynie Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 I find this Blackstar album quite revolutionnary, but maybe it's because I'm not used to Bowie's music.Getting used to the music is hard to do because the overall catalog can only be pinned down to different eras with different collaborators. Think about the way Rush evolved over the years. Bowie changed the live arrangements of his songs over the years. If you are not a fan of one Bowie album, another might blow you away.
it's me HHB Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 yep, I love Tin Machine but am not crazy about some of his other stuff
HSB0531 Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 They said on WCBSFM NY this morning that their #1 requested song out of all the bowie songs was Under Pressure. I miss NYC radio; 102.7FM WNEW, the most. How long has it been since you were around here? All the stations keep changing their dang formats. WNEW is not what it was when I was younger.I moved away in '81, but am up there every month or so; my wife and I are from Jersey and all of our family is there. I'm from Long Branch and she's from Paramus.Back in the day, that station was fantastic!YepAlbum sidesI was always able to "try out" an album before I bought it.Scotso, Dennis Elsis, Alison Steele, Dan & Dick Neer, all the interviews with real rock legends etc, etc.Bowie was big on their song rotation, as was The Who, Badco, Zep, Stones, Beatles, Deep Purple, etc. You forgot Vin Scelsa!!! The Butch and the Brick show and ...."Oh Auntie Em, there's no place like home!"Shit, you're right!!Vin Scelsa
jwhitcomb3 Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 Here is an ordered list of Bowie albums that I know well. I am less familiar with some others, and missed the boat entirely on most of his 90’s releases:Low Scary Monsters The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars Station To Station Heroes Alladin Sane The Man Who Sold The World Lodger Let’s Dance Hunky Dory Young Americans Pin UpsI'm not particular to any one of his phases, and he wrote great songs throughout his career. If you are mostly a rocker, “The Man Who Sold The World” is a good entry point. I think it is important not to try to “get” Bowie. Just roll with his changes and enjoy the trip.I’ve listened to Blackstar twice through, and enjoyed it immensely, but it is far too early to try to compare it to his earlier work.
JimiH Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 Another hero fell off the top of the escalator, can't help feeling I'm a lot further up there😒
princeofdarkness56 Posted January 24, 2016 Posted January 24, 2016 Talk about a testament to a man and his music, in Portland Maine last night about 12 local bands did a tribute concert and put 1500 paying fans into the theatre. Less than 2 weeks after his passing. That's quite the feat.
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