Reality Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)2002's "Heathen" was the beacon on the mountain for Bowie fans who hoped the eloquent and moving minimalism of 1999's "Hours" was not just an aberration on the way to another noisily ambitious effort such as "Outside." Yet even for all "Heathen" did to suggest that Bowie had finally swept his Tin Machine under the rug for good, disonant techno freak-outs like "Took A Trip on a Gemini Spaceship" anticipated the tight rope Bowie walks on "Reality," a record so ambitious in production and sound as to be constantly on the verge of explosion. While "Hours" played like a dressed-up stepchild of "Hunky Dory," "Reality" picks up where "Scary Monsters" left off. As on that 80s masterpiece, each song on Reality approaches but never crosses the boundary between melody and mania. The result is a gorgeously successful restraint and maturity; the kind of reservation of his powers that moments of even his most lauded works have lacked. No song on "Reality" illustrates this more aptly than the stunning and ethereal "Days," one of the most moving productions of Bowie's career. Similarly tender and understated compositions like "Fall Dog Bombs The Moon" or the darkly seductive and jazzy "Bring Me The Disco King" balance nicely with noisier and farther-reaching explosions of melody so radiant as to light the world on fire: "New Killer Star" with its subtle nod to the doo-wop hit "I Will Follow Him," his cover of the Modern Lovers' under-ground punk hit "Pablo Picasso," the bright "Looking For Water." By the time the title track finally comes around, Bowie's vocals sound appropriately drained and the sound itself seems closest to driving off the deep end of the album's steel composure. But such meticulous production might have seemed inhuman without at least this one less-structured and overblown track. There simply had to be a pressure valve and the title tracks happens to be it; but there is hardly a song on here whose melodies are not infectious. When songs like these get stuck in your head, you hope they never leave.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Reality

Click here for more information about Reality

Stage Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Aside from the fact that this tour recording captured Bowie at his finest "stage" of his career (with his best touring band by far), it also should serve as a blueprint for further re-releases from singers or bands of the era.
The re-mastering is extraoridnary and blows the old RCA vinly and even the Ryco reissue out of the water. Restoring the original running order of the songs is also a bonus as is the two tracks never before released......Dennis Davis was an extraordinary drummer and Adrian Belew was so far advanced for his time it's truly remarkable to listen to his playing now; he was proof that you didn't have to recycle blues riffs endlessly in order to be in the spotlight.
In short this is like a time capsule which allows you to go back in time to 1978 and listen to one of the worlds most influential artists at arguably his creative peak backed by one awesome and compelling band......all in state of the art digital sound circa 2005.
I can't say enough about this album. Simply the best.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Stage

Australian exclusive which was original released in 1978, 'Stage' has been restored to feature the original running order of the concert and now includes two previously unreleased tracks, 'Stay' and 'Be My Wife'. EMI. 2005.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Click here for more information about Stage

Earthling Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am always constantly impressed with how David Bowie easily slips out of one form of music and into another. In a day and age when techo beats are popular but lame, and I spend hours cowering in my room stuck musically in the 70's, this album pops out and suddenly I am back in the 90's again. Bowie flirts heavily with a Trent Reznor-like sound, but with his amazing voice, this experimental album works very well. The best track is "I'm Afraid of Americans." It just starts off and builds to this LOUD chorus. This is a good album to get if you are like me, not really into the 90's sound, but still are able to appreciate genius when you hear it (although I will always love the 70's Bowie glam more).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Earthling

Click here for more information about Earthling

Mass Romantic Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First,you'll be captivated by Neko's vocals in "Mass Romantic" and "Letter from an Occupant." Then you'll fall for other high energy songs like "The Body says no" and "The Slow descent into Alcoholism." Eventually you'll realize that the relatively unorthodox tunes like "Execution day" and "The Mary Martin Show" are your favorites.
With over-the-top layering the Mass Romantic Album will remind you of some old perky Brit-pop, but at the same time it is so original and flavorful that your musical palate will be tickled. If you ever enjoyed pop rock, you will be dazzled by this joyous romp from the New Pornographers. Easily one of the best albums of the past few years.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Mass Romantic

Click here for more information about Mass Romantic

Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture (1973) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This 1973 concert film directed by D.A. Pennebaker (Monterey Pop, Jimi Plays Monterey, Depeche Mode 101, etc.) documenting the final show of Ziggy Stardust (David Bowie) & the Spiders from Mars (Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder, & Mick "Woody" Woodmansey)provides a rare glimpse into Bowie's glam rock period. It is a loud & flashy assault on the senses that is experienced through both "sound" & "vision". Film footage mostly consists of the performance, but also included are back stage scenes of Bowie changing from one costume to another.
Songs performed:
1) Hang on to yourself
2) Ziggy Stardust
3) Watch that man
4) Medley: Wild eyed boy from Freecloud/All the young dudes/Oh you pretty things
5) Moonage Daydream
6) Changes
7) Space Oddity
8) My death
9) Crack'd Actor
10) Time
11) Width of a circle
12) Let's spend the night together
13) Suffragette City
14) White light/white heat
15) Rock & Roll Suicide
Leonard Maltin dismisses this film as "practically unwatchable and unlistenable" which would only be true for people who either dislike Bowie or the style of music. Yes, the music is sometimes loud, the focus is blurry here & there, and the strobe lights go crazy, but this is a David Bowie rock concert from the 1970s, isnt that appropriate? Anyone who is interested in either David Bowie or the glam rock era of the 1970s will find this film essential. For one, it is the only film document of David Bowie's Ziggy/glam phase and for another it is the "last concert" with "the Spiders" including Mick Ronson, who was a part of Bowie's band since the 1969 album "Space Oddity" up until '73's "Pin Ups". Bowie would, by 1974, have a new back up band, as well as a new look. This film deserves preservation on DVD as the historical document that it is.
*Look quickly for Ringo Starr talking with Bowie backstage

Click Here to see more reviews about: Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture (1973)

The digitally remastered glam-rock classic features David Bowie as his gender-bending alter-ego Ziggy Stardust, in his final performance given at London’s Hammersmith Odeon in 1973.

Get 23% OFF

Click here for more information about Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture (1973)

Station To Station (5CD /DVD/3LP) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am not commenting on the excellent music this set contains or the iconic artist who created it. There's no doubt in my mind that Station to Station is one of the most important and enjoyable albums from one of the top rock artists of all time, and fully deserves to be treasured as part of our cultural history and presented in the highest quality possible. So a super deluxe set like this is a compelling, and in my case, a necessary purchase.
And there is a lot about this set that was done right, from the inclusion of the highly regarded, original RCA CD mastering from the mid-80s, to an audiophile quality, 2 channel hi-resolution version of the album included on the DVD. Not to mention the vinyl and other goodies that make this set hard to resist for any fan.
But that makes it all the more maddening that EMI would deliberately sabotage the highly anticipated live concert CD included, as well as the (hard to get these days) 5.1 audio mix on the DVD with horrendous, over-compressed, brick-walled mastering that robs the music of it's natural dynamics and life. The continued insistence of the record companies to compress the life out of the music makes absolutely no sense on a super deluxe edition like this, and is driving away whatever discerning music purchasing buyers they have left.
We all need to complain to EMI for intentionally ruining the sound on the 5.1 mix, as well as the live tracks, if they are listening. At least they got the original 2 channel album right, so I'm still recommending this set despite some flaws.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Station To Station (5CD /DVD/3LP)

The Deluxe Edition is the ultimate fan's experience.Features include:* Original album* Previously unreleased 'Live Nassau Coliseum '76' concert * Station To Station - RCA CD Master* 5-track Singles versions CD E.P. incl. previously unreleased version of Station To Station, and for first time on CD, Word On A Wing* 3 x 12" heavyweight vinyl * DVD with new 5.1 mix* 24-page booklet, including: never before seen Steve Schapiro photo, Geoff MacCormack photos, Andrew Kent live Nassau photos & extensive memorabilia from the archives* Cameron Crowe sleevenotes* 6 panel folded poster * Onstage folder* Replica Backstage pass* Replica Biog* Replica Ticket * Replica band line-up* 3 press shots * Replica Fan club folder* Replica Fan Club Membership card* Fan club certificate* 2 small Collectors cards* 2 photo prints * Replica 4-page biography * 2 badges

Click here for more information about Station To Station (5CD /DVD/3LP)

David Bowie - Best of Bowie (2002) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a Bowie DVD that is actually clear and of great quality. For those poor souls who bought the Glass Spider or Serious Moonlight DVD I'm sure you haven't noticed much difference from the VHS. This DVD is extra special because of the more recent videos that never made it to USA TV and the stunning clarity of the older material. Yes, LIFE ON MARS is supposed to look like that! We have all years represented here but we still have some of the more oscure stuff missing like DB's '80's soundtrack work with Pat Metheny or Raymond Briggs. Maybe those recordings are owned by someone else and will never see a real release. Now as far as Easter Eggs go...I won't say WHERE but I will say WHAT: full 20 minute Jazzin' For Blue Jean video promo, Russell Harty interview, MTV promo club version of Blue Jean (alternate video), Day In Day Out (extended dance mix video),Seven Years in Tibet (mandarin Version video), Survive (Live paris '99 and more to be discovered. Remember you have 2 discs here...there will be a lot!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: David Bowie - Best of Bowie (2002)

BRAND NEW, Factory Sealed items direct from the Studios. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Quick International Airmail!

Get 42% OFF

Click here for more information about David Bowie - Best of Bowie (2002)

Glass Spider Tour (Special Edition DVD / 2CD) (1988) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)In 1987, David Bowie was a superstar - pop icon and movie star. 1980 saw the critically acclaimed album 'Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)' followed up by the mega-selling 'Let's Dance' in 1983 and the subsequent Serious Moonlight Tour. With the distractions of filming movies and managing a vast empire in the mid 80's, Bowie's next two albums suffered artistically: 1984's 'Tonight' and 1987's 'Never Let Me Down'. And its the latter album that spawned the Glass Spider Tour of 1987 that has been filmed for this DVD release.
Originally criticised for it's over-the-top theatricality, with Bowie abseiling from the top of a 60 foot spider at the beginning of the show and later being strangled by ropes amongst other things, the concert isn't as bad as the critics would have us believe. It isn't particularly arty, but it certainly isn't camp; it's just worth seeing (especially if you are a Bowie fan) and revelling in a Bowie moment captured on film.
There are a number of players in the cast, including Peter Frampton on lead guitar and the dependable Carlos Alomar on rhythm guitar along with five dancers/actors who provide the artistic foil for Bowie. The Glass Spider concerts showcased a rock musical on a fairly grand scale with loads of choreography and charisma. As with the tour, this DVD and CD really just concentrate on Bowie's 80's material especially the 'Never Let Me Down' album, but there are odd songs from his earlier Ziggy Stardust and "plastic soul" periods also.
Filmed in Sydney over two nights, the 7th and 9th of November 1987, this DVD is a cut and paste of 22 songs that flows as if it's an actual concert over 104 minutes. You may recall the video that this has been remastered from.
Song list on the DVD:
1. Intro / Up the Hill Backwards
2. Glass Spider
3. Day-In, Day-Out
4. Bang Bang
5. Absolute Beginners
6. Loving the Alien
7. China Girl
8. Rebel Rebel
9. Fashion
10. Never Let Me Down
11. 'Heroes'
12. Sons of the Silent Age
13. Band Introduction
14. Young Americans
15. The Jean Genie
16. Let's Dance
17. Time
18. Fame
19. Blue Jean
20. I Wanna Be Your Dog
21. White Light / White Heat
22. Modern Love
The soundtrack is "up-mixed from the original stereo tapes" in Dolby digital and the film is DTS 5:1. The picture format is 4:3. However, there are no added features except for a photo gallery of 29 stills and an audio choice between PCM Stereo, DD Surround and DTS Surround. A single page insert with the credits accompanies the DVD.
The CD's are the recording of the Montreal concert at the Olympic Stadium on August 30th, 1987, and so a different song list is performed.
The song lists for the CD's:
CD 1:
1. Intro / Up the Hill Backwards
2. Glass Spider
3. Day-In, Day-Out
4. Bang Bang
5. Absolute Beginners
6. Loving the Alien
7. China Girl
8. Rebel Rebel
9. Fashion
10. Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)
11. All the Mad Men
12. Never Let Me Down
CD 2:
1. Big Brother
2. '87 and Cry
3. 'Heroes'
4. Sons of the Silent Age
5. Time Will Crawl
6. Young Americans
7. Beat of Your Drum
8. The Jean Genie
9. Let's Dance
10. Fame
11. Time
12. Blue Jean
13. Modern Love
Overall, to get both a DVD and CD of the tour makes this product value for money. As a snippet of Bowie's career, it is rewarding to watch this master entertainer at work. The CD suffers slightly compared to the DVD as these concerts were quite a visual experience with the music supplementing the choreography. If you're expecting a simple rock concert, this is not the product for you. Nor was it ever what Bowie was about. But if you want to be entertained by a master that puts on a musical show, you'll be rewarded.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Glass Spider Tour (Special Edition DVD / 2CD) (1988)

Disc 1 (DVD) 1. Intro/Up The Hill Backwards 2. Glass Spider 3. Day-In, Day-Out 4. Bang Bang 5. Absolute Beginners 6. Loving The Alien 7. China Girl 8. Rebel Rebel 9. Fashion 10. Never Let Me Down 11. Heroes 12. Sons Of The Silent Age 13. Band Introduction 14. Young Americans 15. The Jean Genie 16. Let's Dance 17. Time 18. Fame 19. Blue Jean 20. I Wanna Be Your Dog 21. White Light/White Heat 22. Modern LoveDisc 2 (CD) 1. Intro/Up The Hill Backwards 2. Glass Spider 3. Day-In, Day-Out 4. Bang Bang 5. Absolute Beginners 6. Loving The Alien 7. China Girl 8. Rebel Rebel 9. Fashion 10. Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) 11. All The Mad Men 12. Never Let Me DownDisc 3 (CD) 1. Big Brother 2. '87 And Cry 3. Heroes 4. Sons Of The Silent Age 5. Time Will Crawl 6. Young Americans 7. Beat Of Your Drum 8. The Jean Genie 9. Let's Dance 10. Fame 11. Time 12. Blue Jean 13. Modern Love (Live)

Get 53% OFF

Click here for more information about Glass Spider Tour (Special Edition DVD / 2CD) (1988)