With the usual hype beginning to emerge people seem to forget that Bowie had such a deep sense of musical discrimination, allowing his musicians to get on with it, one of the most notable cases being that of jazz musician Mike Garson (Bowie’s Piano Man) who brilliantly lifted what was, by Bowie’s standards, a rather middling effort (and…
Despite rumours of some credence we’ve been waiting some eight years for the new Television album — don’t rush into it lads! To feed my addiction I was one of those who sent off for a cassette import of The Blow-Up (1982) if only to hear “Little Johnny Jewel”. We waited 14 years for album three (1992), not withstanding…
Part of the Classic album series. Fascinating hearing about the artistic process and generosity between Reed, Bowie and the amazing Mick Ronson — and Warhol’s support. Andy WarholDavid Bowieglam rocklou reedmick ronsonmusictransformervelvet underground
Both time-related (metaphysical) songs from pretty much the same period (’72-’73). Thinking about time also brought to mind one of my favorite (or at least at least in the top three) philosophical papers — later picked up by Dummett. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day You fritter and waste the hours…
Here is Simon Critchley talking at Cornell. Love Critchley’s scathing take on Bono at about 50 mins in. What Bowie describes is a Büchnerian world of terror. The first line, “Silhouettes and shadows watch the revolution,” describes the languor and disappointment of a post-revolutionary situation. In an allusion to Eddie Cochran’s posthumously released 1960 hit, there…
Though not particularly obvious “Soul Love” is to my mind the deepest song (and he’s had more than most) by Bowie (then aged 25) and by extension one of the most evocative of rock songs. It plays a pivotal role in the running order of arguably one of the greatest rock albums made and, of course, part…
From the last great Bowie album, Scary Monsters and Super Creeps. This song written by the equally creative Tom Verlaine. Well I walked in the pouring rain And I heard a voice that cries “It’s all in vain” The voice of doom was shining in my room I just need one day somewhere far away…
The Economist pretty much captures the bind that Bowie has faced over his career. The man who retains the longest stretch of creativity in rock music (1971-1980) blew it by trying to keep cutting edge. With his genuinely great crooning voice he could have out done Rod Stewart’s American Songbook by a mile, but instead…
Brian Ferry has a new album out. Ferry is of course not new to exploring his parents’ and grandparents’ music: he has dabbling quite convincingly long before it became a fashionable late-career move by some (i.e. Rod Stewart). Ferry, I think, did a damn fine job of playing the crooner on his first two solo…
One has to hand it to Robert Plant for eventually finding his way through the dreadful ’80s and now re-establishing himself as an elder statesman without ever becoming a caricature of his former self, not trying to be perpetually hip (a la Bowie) and now no longer feeling he has to escape the burden of…
manwithoutqualities 