Search - David Bowie :: Best of Bowie

Bowie for Absolute Beginners? And everyone else!

Vincent M. Mastronardi | Michigan | 10/31/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I find it very depressing that Amazon still hasn't put up the tracklisting for this album (the double CD version "Best Of Bowie" for America) so I guess I'm gonna have to do it. Disc 1
1. Space Oddity 2. The Man Who Sold The World 3. Changes 4. Life On Mars? 5. Moonage Daydream 6. Suffragette City 7. Ziggy Stardust 8. All The Young Dudes 9, The Jean Genie 10. Panic In Detroit 11. Rebel, Rebel 12. Diamond Dogs 13. Young Americans 14. Fame 15. Golden Years 16. TVC15 17. Sound and Vision 18. "Heroes" 19. D.J.
Disc 2
1.Ashes To Ashes 2. Fashion 3. Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) 4. Under Pressure 5. Cat People (Putting Out Fire) 6. Let's Dance 7. China Girl 8. Modern Love 9. Blue Jean 10. This is Not America 11. Dancing In The Streets 12. Absolute Beginners 13. Time Will Crawl 14. Under The God 15. Jump They Say 16. The Heart's Filthy Lesson 17. I'm Afraid Of Americans 18. Thursday's Child 19. Slow Burn This listing is very unique because it includes the big pop hits (the poppy R&B meets rock guitar "Let's Dance"), culturally significant songs (revolutionary singer-songwriter moments like "Changes" and "All The Young Dudes") and excellent singles that didn't get the attention they deserved the first time (the industrial rocker "Heart's Filthy Lesson"). The fact that "Best Of Bowie" takes songs form nearly every Bowie studio album (except for the cover packed "Pin Ups" and "Buddha Of Suburbia", which in all fairness was a soundtrack) shows all the levels that the man works on musically. The seventies are where Bowie shines with everything from the edgy alien hard rock of "Ziggy Stardust" to the glam rock perfection of "Rebel, Rebel". "Diamond Dogs" (only live track and the longest in length at over 6 minutes) should have been a shorter track, especially since they cut down the stellar cynical lyric with an R&B beat of "Young Americans" to a single edit. The Berlin tracks are a great way to end the first disc. "Low" is represented well by the dancy "Sound And Vision" while "Heroes" is tragic and wonderful. Then there is the eighties heyday from disco flavored new wave of "Fashion" to horn blasting "Modern Love" (which I viewed as a sardonic joke about yuppie culture, right?) to that poppy Motown cover "Dancing In The Streets" (with Mick Jagger adding his swagger). Then there was the nineties peak of creativity of the bleeping drum machine pop "Jump They Say" to the moody introspective AC of "Thursday's Child" to the techno rock dance of "I'm Afraid Of Americans" (the Trent mix) and closing with the passionate soul rock of "Soul Burn". The unfortunate thing is that it misses with some track placement. I don't understand why "Time Will Crawl" represents "Never Let Me Down" and the obvious not "Day In, Day Out". Also, some tracks take getting used to like the collaboration with the Pat Methany Group with the world music with a dance groove "This is Not America". And now I understand why people dislike Tin Machine with the c-rocker blah bombast of "Under The God", but it shows an interesting side of Bowie. These very few questionable tracks (which I can live with) don't change my overall impression of the set being very strong. Slight omissions (why not "Rock And Roll Suicide" from "Ziggy Stardust..."?) and edits (or non-edits in some cases) doesn't change the fact that this album is filled with some of the greatest transformations from the rock chameleon that Bowie is. He has rocked us in a variety of ways and this album is needed for those who have adored him for years and is superb for those just starting out. Keep in mind that there are about 22 verisons of this CD, most single discs. This is the American double CD verison."

Abbreviated Selections Mar Otherwise Superior Collection

Gary F. Taylor | Biloxi, MS USA | 10/13/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As a long time David Bowie fan, many of the titles I own are on vinyl or cassette--and my primary motive in purchasing this 2 CD "Best of Bowie" compilation was to have core favorites in a digital format. In some respects, I was very pleased with the collection--but I was annoyed to find several key recordings are given in the "single" versions that were popular on the radio rather than in the full length versions that appeared on the albums from which they are drawn.The abbreviated selections are "Young Americans," "Golden Years," "TVC 15," and "Heroes"--ironically, four of Bowie's most significant releases. Even more annoying, this is not indicated anywhere on the visible CD notes; it wasn't until I had the thing at home and on my DVD player that I realized something was amiss, and a glance at the inside liner notes confirmed my fears.That said, it would be easy to quibble over what should and should not be included in this collection. If I myself had been programming it, I would have likely included "Lady Stardust" and "Rock and Roll Suicide"--and dropped several other titles in order to present every selection at full length. But the collection does hit all the most obvious choices and then some, even including the full-length and hard-to-find original film version of "Cat People," one of Bowie's most seductive vocals.All of this said, since he first gained attention Bowie has been quite unlike any other recording artist--a true original whose recordings are still advanced even in comparison to those who followed in his wake. While the abbreviated selections will annoy purists like myself, the collection as a whole is an ideal choice for some one first coming to Bowie. Recommended, but with the stated reservations.GFT, Amazon Reviewer"

I guess it's just more money for Mr. Bowie

Eric Edelin | Baltimore, Maryland USA | 10/24/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The musical chameleon, a rock and roll legend...we've heard it all. David Bowie has probably had one of the most exciting careers in rock history. A career that has been anthologized quite a few times, so did Mr. Bowie really need ANOTHER compilation to cover his 70s years? His 70s years alone require 2 discs (as there are two compilations for them 'Best Of 1969-1974' and 'Best Of 1974-1979'). Signature hits like 'Rock 'N Roll Suicide' from 'Ziggy Stardust' and 'Look Back In Anger' from his 'Lodger' album are left off of Disc 1. '"Heroes"' would've been a nice song to have in its entirety, as the single version does cut a lot out, but at least it is here. Besides the omissions; however, the songs on Disc 1 are deserving songs, and are admittedly among his best. The problem is that I already have these same songs on a compilation disc. Disc 2 has the same problem, its song selection. Four cuts from 'Let's Dance' is a little overboard, that is half of the album right there. It's good to have all three singles from 'Scary Monsters' on board, but it's not so good to have all those tracks from his mid-80's era. It would've been nice to have seen some of his later work get some recognition, like another song from 'Outside' or 'hours....' Even the 'Tin Machine' album is given a slot here, which some fans may find questionable. It is a plus that Virgin was able to license 'Slow Burn' from his new album which is on Sony (good job there). Overall, the song selection is spotty; however, catching most of his radio successes, but missing many of his more brilliant and lesser known songs (his Berlin trilogy material is under-represented, with only one cut from each album).All in all though, this compilation is either for the avid collector or the relatively unacquainted with Bowie. Someone who hasn't heard too much David Bowie probably won't notice that a few lesser-appreciated fan favorites are missing, because just about all of the big radio hits are present. On a side note, the remastering is superb, and the packaging is fairly decent, despite not being too informative. My advice to one who has an interest in David Bowie would be to get ahold of the 'Best Of 1969-1974' and 'Best Of 1974-1979' discs, as well as the 'Scary Monsters' album, but if you're hesitant to buy those three discs, then try this set out. The original albums, or at least most of them, are much more satisfying than this spotty collection (and you get the original, unedited songs)."