A Sampling of '70s Bowie

Vol. 1 of "The Singles" is hardly an all encompassing look at David Bowie's early work, but it's still a great set of tunes for someone that's unfamiliar with Ziggy/Aladdin Sane era David and looking for a good place to start.

Going album by album, "Space Oddity" is the only song taken by the album of the same name, which is probably appropriate. However, the complete omission of "The Man Who Sold the World" off of his second album is utterly disgraceful.

The artsy "Hunky Dory" and his landmark "Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust albums are both very well represented, with such classics as "Changes", "Life On Mars?", "Suffragette City", "Ziggy Stardust", and "Starman". Noticeable omissions would have to include: "Moonage Daydream" and "Lady Stardust". The only song taken from his forgettable "Pin Ups" album is "Sorrow", and this is definitely a good thing.

"The Jean Genie" and "Drive-In Saturday" represent "Aladdin Sane", although "Drive-In Saturday" should have been exchanged for the brilliant title track or even "Cracked Actor". The "Diamond Dogs" album also gives two excellent songs, including the title track and the androgenous rocker "Rebel Rebel". The most noticeable omission here is the Orwellian anthem "1984".

The "Young Americans" album provides its title track, and the Lennon co-written "Fame", and his "Station to Station" includees are the excellent dance track "Golden Years" and "TVC 15", with noteworthy exclusions including "Stay" and "Wild is the Wind". The album "Low" is also criminally underlooked, with "Sound and Vision" being its only inclusion.

Even for all that it lacks, this is still a solid album with lots of great Bowie tunes. For the casual fan this is definitely the way to go to get yourself an earful of early David. Loads of fun to listen to.

Bowie from 1969 to 1977

Although this not a comprehensive collection of Bowie's singles (the novelty UK hit The Laughing Gnome is missing, for example), the album does contain the crème de la crème of his early work, from 1969's Space Oddity to 1977's Sound And Vision. Tracks 2 to 5 come from those seminal albums Hunky Dory and Ziggy Stardust; my favorites are Changes and Starman. BTW, the magnificent Life On Mars should properly have been placed here, not as track number 9.

The Jean Genie from Aladdinsane is a tough little rocker, whilst Drive-In Saturday is a futuristic cabaret song. Sorrow is a beautiful interpretation of a 1960s pop song from his covers album Pin-Ups. Rebel Rebel and Diamond Dogs are further tight rock numbers with catchy hooks, whilst Fame and Young Americans are impressive examples of his plastic soul style in the mid 1970s.

The Station To Station album is represented by the ageless Golden Years and TVC15. I always though the poignant Word On A Wing would have been a better choice as single; on volume 2 the similarly soulful Wild Is The Wind has been included. This excellent compilation concludes with the atmospheric Sound And Vision from Low, the first of his trilogy of electronic experimental albums with Brian Eno.

Sound & Vision

The 70's is my favourite decade (The decade I was born) , and this album encapsulates the glory of these years .
It contains David Bowie's Greatest Hits from 1969 to 1977 .I apologize to anyone who may say that this or that hit is not included as I know Bowie brought out a lot of other great songs during this period .
But I think it would be fair to say that this album epitomizes David Bowies genius The poetry of the lyrics is brilliant-and the music astronomical .
It begins with that wonderful space fantasy Space Oddity (1969). Remember this was the year that Neil Armstrong became the first man on the moon!
Changes (1972) outlines the strain of rapid change while pointing out its inevitability.
One can only hope change starts to take place in the right direction more often than the wrong direction!
We are then treated to another two extra terrestrial fantasies with the wonderful and sad story Starman (1972) and the funky tunes of Ziggy Stardust (1972) .
The wonderful disco funk of Suffragette City (1976) , and John , I'm Only Dancing (1972).
I just love the following three beautiful ballads: 'Drive In Saturday (1973),'Life on Mars' (1973) which is an incredible indictment of cardboard Hollywood culture and Sorrow (1973). Then there is the smashing hard rock hits: Rebel Rebel (1974), Rock & Roll Suicide (1974), Diamond Dogs (1974) and Knock on Wood (1974) which matches the Rolling Stones at their best. After that Bowie seems to have smoothly mad a slight transition from hard rock to cool funk with Young Americans (1975) (another social commentary), Fame (1975), Golden Years (1975), TVC 15 (1976) and one of my favourite favourites Sound & Vision (1977).