Best of Bowie [Enhanced] [Import]

Disc: 1
1. Space Oddity
2. Man Who Sold the World
3. Oh! You Pretty Things
4. Changes
5. Life on Mars?
6. Starman
See all 19 tracks on this disc
Disc: 2
1. Sound and Vision
2. "Heroes" [Single Version]
3. Boys Keep Swinging
4. Under Pressure - David Bowie, Queen
5. Ashes to Ashes [Single Version]
6. Fashion [Single Version]
See all 20 tracks on this disc
Disc: 3
1. Loving the Alien - David Bowie, The Scumfrog
2. Let's Dance [Trifactor vs Deeper Substance Remix]
3. Just for One Day (Heroes) [Extended Version] - David Bowie, David Guetta
4. This Is Not America - David Bowie, The Scumfrog
5. Shout [Original Mix] - David Bowie,
6. China Girl [Riff & Vox Club Mix]
See all 9 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Exclusive International three disc set features the UK version of his double disc 'Best Of' which includes the same amount of tracks as the US but includes nine tracks that do not appear on the US version, 'Starman', 'John, I'm Only Dancing', 'Drive-In Saturday', 'Sorrow', 'Wild Is The Wind', 'Boys Keep Swinging', 'Loving The Alien', 'Hallo Spaceboy' (Pet Shop Boys Remix) & 'Little Wonder'. The third disc Club Bowie which is unavailable in America (and now deleted everywhere in Europe) features nine rare & unreleased mixes either specially commissioned for this project or have only previously been available on limited club vinyl formats. All are appearing on CD for the first time ever (including the video for 'Let's Dance' - Club Bolly Mix). 48 tracks in all! 2 standard jewel cases housed in a slipcase. EMI. 2004.

Best of Bowie,David Bowie,EMI,Album Rock,Blue-Eyed Soul,Glam Rock,Hard Rock,New Wave,Pop/Rock,Prog-Rock/Art Rock,Proto-Punk,Rock,Rock/Pop

Best of Bowie [Enhanced] [Import]

Average customer rating:

5 Stars for UK Version
Go David
Perfect
Terrific
One Man's Concise Review

Best of Bowie
David Bowie
Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust

ASIN: B00006JYI7
Release Date: 2002-10-22

Tracks:

Space Oddity
The Man Who Sold The World
Changes
Life On Mars?
Moonage Daydream
Suffragette City
Ziggy Stardust
All The Young Dudes
The Jean Genie
Panic In Detroit
Rebel, Rebel
Diamond Dogs
Young Americans
Fame
Golden Years
TVC15
Sound and Vision
Heroes
D.J.

Tracks:

Ashes To Ashes
Fashion
Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)
Under Pressure
Cat People (Putting Out Fire)
Let's Dance
China Girl
Modern Love
Blue Jean
This is Not America
Dancing In The Streets
Absolute Beginners
Time Will Crawl
Under The God
Jump They Say
The Heart's Filthy Lesson
I'm Afraid Of Americans
Thursday's Child
Slow Burn

Amazon.com

Though one of rock's most influential figures, David Bowie's accomplishments are pocked by some distinct ironies. His willful efforts at being a musical and visual chameleon spurred triumphs in genres as diverse as folk, glam, new wave, and electronica. Given the dizzying range and success of his '70s incarnations--from Ziggy to the Thin White Duke to the gaunt, goth-cypher of Low and Heroes--he seemed the artist most well-equipped to weather the changing tides of taste and trend, yet saw his career essentially shrink to cult status after scoring his biggest triumphs when he reshaped the soulless, dance-oriented club music of the early '80s into his own image. This 20-track compilation does little to address the Chinese puzzle that has been Bowie's post-'85 career, but it does deliver an artistically dizzying slate of hits as it skips from one early peak to the next, from evocative cabaret ("Space Oddity," "Changes") through muscular glam-rock ("Suffragette City," "The Jean Genie") to R&B ("Young Americans," "Fame") and post-punk flirtations ("Ashes to Ashes," "Fashion") to the dance-club hits ("Let's Dance," "China Girl," "Modern Love") and '80s one-off duets ("Under Pressure" with Queen, "Dancing in the Streets" with Mick Jagger) that essentially marked the end of his superstar reign. Whole eras and at least one classic '70s album (Low) go completely unaddressed, but all of Bowie's signature hits are here, as well as Earthling's powerful, underappreciated "I'm Afraid of Americans." --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

5 Stars for UK Version.......2007-07-03

I have to admit that i do not own the US version of this double album. I own the U.K. version which differs in that there are 39 songs as opposed to 38 on the US double album. It is a brilliant compilation album from maybe trhe most influential artist of the seventies. The fact the he was constantly changing direction is enough to hold my admiration. Most of the songs you know so it is superfluous of me to go into deatil about them. Needless to say, I love nearly all the songs here and own all Bowie's albums of the 70s. The list below shows the songs that are unique to both versions:

USA: /UK:
Moonage Daydream /Oh You Pretty Things
All The Young Dudes /Starman
Panic in Detroit /John I'm Only Dancing
DJ /Drive-in Saturday
Cat People (Putting Out Fire) /Sorrow
Time Will Crawl /Wild Is The Wind
Under The God /Boys Keep Swinging
The Heart's Filthy Lesson /Loving The Alien (edit)
Thursday's Child /Hallo Spaceboy (Pet Shop Boys Re3mix)
/Little Wonder (on UK Disc)

It is a toss up as to which album you prefer. Th UK version does seem to contain more hits as the omitted songs on the US version were top ten hits in the UK. It does seem to be a glaring omission to leave out STARMAN, JOHN I'M ONLY DANCING, LOVING THE ALIEN, BOYS KEEP SWINGING and one of my favourite Bowie covers; WILD IS THE WIND

Either way, you will get a very comprehensive overview of David Boiwe's genius. These are songs I never get tired of and you could theoretically add another disc of great songs: the nine songs unique to the USA version plus songs like ROCK AND ROLL SUICIDE, STATION TO STATION, WILD EYED BOY FROM FREECLOUD, THE SUPERMEN, 1984, LOOK BACK IN ANGER, RIGHT, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, UP THE HILL BACKWARDS, QUEEN BITCH, ALADDIN SANE, VELVET GOLDMINE, BREAKING GLASS, V-2 SCHNEIDER, THE WIDTH OF A CIRCLE, KNOCK ON WOOD, LITTLE DRUMMER BOY( with Bing Crosby), WHEN THE WIND BLOWS, even part of his wonderful iterpretation of Prokofiev's PETER AND THE WOLF and others.

I suppose it is the case with most Greatest Hits albums. What do you include and what do you leave off? I do have some criticisms as some tracks are edited which is a shame. I wish DIAMOND DOGS had the spoken intro. GOLDEN YEARS fades out instead of going the extra 30 seconds to close completely. "HEROES", ASHES TO ASHES, SCARY MONSTERS, FASHION, LET'S DANCE, CHINA GIRL, LOVING THE ALIEN are all edited. The worst editing job goes to YOUNG AMERICANS. It is more like a butcherd job and unlike most edited songs, you know that is hacked in a very unsubtle way for no reason.

I have not heard the more recent albums to know if the more recent tracks are different. I will hopefully list all the track times soon so you can guage if they are edited or not.

Go David.......2007-06-10

This is a fine collection of his more nobler efforts, and a mix of some not-so's as well. I got this for a really good price on Amazon, and am glad I acquired it.

Perfect.......2007-04-25

I am 14 years old and in love with this cd. We had the single disk version when I was 10 and I always remembered the song 'Space Oddity'. We soon after lost the cd and I was very sad. I recently bought the two-disk version and love it! Every single song on there is amazing. I reccomend this cd to anyone who wants to get introduced to the great sounds of David Bowie.

Terrific .......2007-01-10

If your a Bowie fan and want just the hits then you have got to get this!!!

One Man's Concise Review.......2006-11-29

Let me tell you my story. Originally I purchased the single CD version of greates hits and found it just too inadequate. How could I have a collection of Bowie hits and not have "Life on Mars"?! Not only is it simply worth it for the economy to purchase the two-disc version, it's just smart to have another disc full of Bowie treasures. In a perfect world every Bowie fan would possess every album he put out, but if you can't go that route, check out this wonderful compilation of hits! Great for the neophyte, or the hard-core Bowie fan! I strongly recommend the reader to purchase this great collection. Cheers and Hails!

Average customer rating:

Sturdy One-Disc Primer For Novices
It Works For Me
bowie bowie bowie
Decent Single Disc Collection, But The Two Disc One Puts This To Shame
It Has All The Hits But I'm Not His Biggest Fan

Best of David Bowie
David Bowie
Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
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Billy Idol - Greatest Hits
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Jump Back: The Best of the Rolling Stones 1971-1993

ASIN: B00006L736
Release Date: 2002-10-22

Tracks:

Space Oddity
Changes
Suffragette City
Ziggy Stardust
The Jean Genie
Rebel, Rebel
Young Americans
Fame
Golden Years
Heroes
Ashes To Ashes
Fashion
Under Pressure
Let's Dance
China Girl
Modern Love
Blue Jean
Dancing In The Street
This Is Not America
I'm Afraid of Americans

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Sturdy One-Disc Primer For Novices.......2007-03-18

The chameleon of pop. Major Tom. Ziggy Stardust. The Thin White Duke. Folk, glam, soul, funk, dance, pop, drum & bass. David Bowie has gone through many pivotal phases in his illustrious career. But capturing the essence of his character for the sake of beginners is a tricky task. This one-disc compilation attempts to reconcile the many phases of Bowie's varied career within the 80 minute time limit imposed by the format. How well does it accomplish this task, and what material made the final cut?

Well:

1. Space Oddity- A folkie sort of tune about a man in space. Very well produced, with strings and other instruments occasionally adding flavour to this essentially acoustic song.

2. Changes- A classic pop tune. The "ch-ch-ch-changes" bit should be familiar to most, as should the "Time may change me/but I can't change time" refrain.

3. Suffragette City- "Hey Man" and "Wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am" are the choiciest bits of this glam rock track. This song signals Bowie's entry into glitter infamy as he takes up the persona of Ziggy Stardust.

4. Ziggy Stardust- Another classic. Very well produced: an acoustic on one stereo channel and an electric guitar on the other. Catchy, utterly senseless ("he could like 'em by smiling") and timeless.

5. The Jean Genie- Fantastic glam riff, so great it was later copped by the Sweet for "Blockbuster." The bass intro itself is great, and the lyrics are uber-bizarre.

6. Rebel, Rebel- One of Bowie's more well-known compositions. Take to guess what it's about?

7. Young Americans [Single Version]- Any bits of glam rock are gone by 1975. This track shows Bowie fully immerse himself into the Philly Soul sound, and the results are quite nice. Its a lively track, with back-up singers and the works, and there's a great frantic quality about the whole song. This compilation gives us the abridged single version. It's not a huge problem, though.

8. Fame- A funky masterpiece. It's got a street-wise minimalist strut that's hard to beat. Also from '75 and made with a little help from an ex-Beatle, this song is another instant Bowie classic. It's one of the highlights from the "Young Americans" album, and clearly a highlight of Bowie's career.

9. Golden Years [Single Version]- The funkyness of "Young Americans" is consolidated and plasticized on this track. The groove and the soul still there, but they've been molded into Bowie's framework. Again, this version is abridged.

10. Heroes [Single Version]- One of the best songs of all time. Heart-wrenching delivery, gripping lyrics that teem with a universal theme & unique production. This track was the one that most got my attention off the entire compilation. My misgiving? It's the abridged version. The original is over 6 minutes long and has Bowie's delivery evolved from aloof to extremely passionate. The edited version remains powerful, but a bit of the strength is sapped by cutting it down.

11. Ashes To Ashes [Single Version]- Remeber Major Tom? He's still around, but on this track, we find out he's actually a junkie "strung out in heaven's eye/hitting an all-time low." The song has a space-age production that still sounds fresh today, sort of like early Roxy Music taken to its logical extreme. Abridged, but that's no problem.

12. Fashion [Single Version]- Another abridged song? Yep. No problem, though. This slightly-veiled pastiche against fascism is remains great. Angular guitar work, dark neon production and goofy lyrics that counterpose fashion and authoritarianism all have a place in this song. Wonderful.

13. Under Pressure- Bowie and Queen. The bass line of the century. Universal subject. Excellent delivery. Classic all the way.

14. Let's Dance [Single Version]- The track that broke Bowie into our hearts. Moody, danceable, retro, modern... a set of contradictions embodied in a single track. Unbelievably fun, though. Abridged.

15. China Girl [Single Version]- Originally recorded by Iggy Pop but written by Bowie and the ex-Stooge, this song takes the moodyness found in Let's Dance and allows it to become the core of the composition. Any song that can incorporate oriental cliches, Marlon Brando and swastikas just so happens to be crazy enough to work. "Oh baby, just you shut your mouth...shhhh...." Abridged.

16. Modern Love- Takes off where the poppy Let's Dance track left off. Dancey with a bit of retro-jukebox twist, yet still a product of the 80s. Catchy and bouncey, but not as creatively-driven as his 70s output.

17. Blue Jea- Like Modern Love, but with the occasional horns. Good fun, but increasingly hollow.

18. Dancing In The Street- Bowie and Jagger. Should've been genius, like Bowie and Queen. Alas, its anything but. This cover of a Martha & the Vendellas track is notable for its triteness and shoddy nature. This is where the Bowie's quality control department instinct fell asleep at the wheel. Somehow, people remember this aberration, hence its inclusion here.

19. This Is Not America- David Bowie and Pat Metheny Group make a song. World falls asleep.

20. I'm Afraid of Americans (V1) [Radio Edit]- V1? Radio Edit? Well, the version on the "Earthling" album is quite different from the one here. It's arranged a bit differently and it has a different mix. This version stems from the "I'm Afraid of Americans" single, which is essentially an EP where Trent Reznor gets to muck about and make noise. There are 6 versions of the songs on that single. This is version one, i.e., V1. It's also shortened by about a minute. All I can say is that its not the best track off "Earthling," but it did get attention because of the video.

So what are the pros of this collection? Well, it touches upon most eras of Bowie's work. Great songs are chosen throughout. Its everything you might ever want, and then some.

Cons? The edited songs are sure to miff many fans, but for the most part, nothing really major is cut out. Another misgiving one can have about the collection lies in the fact that its a one-CD set, and thus omits many hits, favourites and even entire periods (hardly any album tracks from 84-97, nothing from 97-02!). One can also argue that the last few songs could have been replaced by better choices.

So what I have to say about this compilation? For me, it was an excellent introduction to Bowie. It wasn't too cumbersome, and it gave a solid overview. The latter tracks are weak selections, but aside from that, nothing else ticked me off. In retrospect, one would have hoped for better tracks at the end and maybe less abridged versions. But that's about the only big faults I can name. If you want a sturdy introduction to Bowie, check out some of the multiple-disc collections. If you are looking for an affordable one-disc Bowie compilation, this is a great place to start.

It Works For Me.......2006-09-18

I happened across this disc while looking for something else. I'm not a huge Bowie fan, but this disc contains songs of his that I'm most familiar with - Ashes To Ashes, Fame, Fashion, Blue Jean, and my favorites from the Let's Dance album - Modern Love, Let's Dance and China Girl. This is enough for me - I would have been disappointed had I bought the two-disc.

bowie bowie bowie.......2005-11-19

this is my favorite cd i own. you can leave it on repeat and its as good the 4895743095th time as it was the first. "Under Pressure" is my favorite song on the cd.

Decent Single Disc Collection, But The Two Disc One Puts This To Shame.......2005-09-12

There's no denying that David Bowie is one of the greatest artists in rock history (voted # 8 of all time by VH1), and condensing his 30 - plus years of music to a single or even double disc collection is difficult. In 2002, this feat was attempted with "Best Of Bowie". 20 of his best songs were included on this collection. How does it work? Read on for the positives and the negatives.

Positives:
-Most of Bowie's biggest hits that the casual fan would be familliar with are here, including "Space Oddity", "Changes", "Rebel Rebel", "Young Americans", "Fame", "Let's Dance" and "China Girl".
-Underrated gems "Suffragette City" and "Ashes To Ashes" have been included as well.
-"Under Pressure", his collaboration with Queen, and the cover of "Dancing In The Street", a duet with Mick Jagger, found their way on to this collection.
-It's affordable and easy to find.

Negatives:
-A lot of great hits are missing. Where are "TVC 15", "Tonight" (with Tina Turner), "Cat People" (Putting Out Fire)", "Tuesday's Child", "DJ" and so many other classic Bowie tracks?
-Several tracks are edited.
-No liner notes.
-The two disc version of this collection puts this one to shame. With the same titel and packaing and 18 more songs, it is the one to own.

In conclusion, this is not really the best Bowie collection. Get the two disc version instead.

It Has All The Hits But I'm Not His Biggest Fan.......2005-09-05

This is a very good Greatest Hits compilation for the casual David Bowie fan. It includes many songs that span the man's career from Sufragette City to Fame to Modern Love and more. Like a previous reviewer mentioned, these songs are played so often on classic rock radio stations, there seems to be little purpose in purchasing this unless you do not listen to the radio too often.

This compilation would rate a 3 and a half stars if amazon allowed me so. However, I give it a three because I really do not like Fashion, Lets Dance, and China Girl. This Is Not America and I'm Afraid of Americans are kind of ho hum. And TVC15 and Cat People are missing. Otherwise its pretty good.

Average customer rating:

The Best Of 1980-1987 (CD/DVD JWL BOX)
David Bowie
Manufacturer: Virgin Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
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Young Americans
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ASIN: B000O17134
Release Date: 2007-06-05

Tracks:

David Bowie - Let's Dance (single version)
David Bowie - Ashes To Ashes (single version)
Queen with David Bowie - Under Pressure
David Bowie - Fashion (single version)
David Bowie - Modern Love (single version)
David Bowie - China Girl (single version)
David Bowie - Scary Monsters (single version)
David Bowie - Up The Hill Backwards
David Bowie - Alabama Song
David Bowie - Drowned Girl
David Bowie - Cat People (film version single edit)
David Bowie - Loving The Alien (album version)
David Bowie - Absolute Beginners (single version)
David Bowie - When The Wind Blows
David Bowie - Blue Jean
David Bowie - Day-In Day-Out (single version)
David Bowie - Time Will Crawl
David Bowie - Underground (single version)

Tracks:

David Bowie - Ashes To Ashes
David Bowie - Fashion
Queen with David Bowie - Under Pressure
David Bowie - Drowned Girl
David Bowie - Let's Dance
David Bowie - China Girl
David Bowie - Modern Love
David Bowie - Cat People (live from Serious Moonlight)
David Bowie - Blue Jean
David Bowie - Loving The Alien
David Bowie - Absolute Beginners
David Bowie - Underground
David Bowie - When The Wind Blows
David Bowie - Day-In Day-Out
David Bowie - Time Will Crawl

Average customer rating:

A Bowie Comp Done Right
SUPERB SELECTION OF SONGS
great history
Good Music Fans will not be Disappointed
Some masterpieces

The Best Of David Bowie 1969-1974
David Bowie
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Proto Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Blue-Eyed Soul | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Glam | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
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Best of 1974-1979
Lodger
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The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust

ASIN: B000009RNM
Release Date: 2000-10-24

Tracks:

The Jean Genie
Space Oddity
Starman
Ziggy Stardust
John, I'm Only Dancing
Rebel Rebel
Let's Spend The Night Together
Suffragette City
Oh! You Pretty Things
Velvet Goldmine
Drive-In Saturday
Diamond Dogs
Changes
Sorrow
The Prettiest Star
Life On Mars?
Aladdin Sane
The Man Who Sold The World
Rock 'N' Roll Suicide
All The Young Dudes

Album Description

UK issue of 20 track 'Best Of' which was originally released in the U.S. in 1997 for a limited time. Includes the classics you'd expect, 'The Jean Genie', 'Space Oddity', 'Starman', 'Drive In Saturday', 'Ziggy Stardust', 'Suffragette City', 'Changes', 'Sorrow', 'The Man Who Sold the World' and relative obscurities like the B-side 'Velvet Goldmine', Bowie's version of 'All the Young Dudes' and alternate takes of 'John, I'm Only Dancing' and 'The Prettiest Star'. Standard jewel case. 1997 release.

Customer Reviews:

A Bowie Comp Done Right.......2006-08-30

Any single-disc compilation of David Bowie's best songs seems doomed to fail. His career is so long and varied that something is bound to be left out or un(der)represented. 1990's Changesbowie did a good job of covering the hits from "Space Oddity" to "Blue Jean", and 2002's Best of Bowie added "Under Pressure" and tacked on a few non-essential items to bring it up to date (1997, in that case). Both of these collections made for entertaining listens, but incomplete pictures. Bowie the pop star, in both cases, was emphasized over Bowie the artist.

Fortunately, EMI recognized in 1997 that these two sides of David Bowie were not mutually exclusive, and decided to issue the pertinent songs alongside one another on two separate discs covering the first decade of his career. Although two discs may be less buyer friendly, it is really the only way to do justice to an artist like Bowie, as he has a plethora of hits, album cuts, and B-sides that rank among his best songs. And it was wise to separately issue two individual CDs, as the material from each "era" adheres to different sets of artistic criteria. The individual discs help keeps the songs separate in the listener's mind, and thus have a clearer perspective of what Bowie was shooting for as his career progressed.

The Best of David Bowie 1969/1974 is a piñata of tracks from the first half-dozen years of his recording career. It contains all of his most enduring radio classics from the early days: "The Jean Genie", "Space Oddity", "Ziggy Stardust", "Rebel Rebel", "Suffragette City", and "Changes". These are great songs, of course, but there are fourteen other songs on the disc, most of which are of at least equal quality. Some have become well-known through the years in spite of not being radio favorites, such as "Starman" and the ghostly "The Man Who Sold the World", which had recently - at the time of this compilation's release - been a highlight of Nirvana's MTV Unplugged performance. There is also a generous helping of album tracks, among which are two more from Hunky Dory ("Oh! You Pretty Things" and "Life On Mars?"), one from Ziggy Stardust ("Rock & Roll Suicide"), four more from Aladdin Sane, and a live version of the title track from Diamond Dogs.

And the gems don't end there. The remarkable glam-rock B-sides "John, I'm Only Dancing" and "Velvet Goldmine" are here, as is his version of his own "All the Young Dudes". Finally, there is the superb interpretation of the one-hit wonder "Sorrow", from his underrated Pin-Ups CD. (This definitely beats out his cover of "Let's Spend the Night Together" in terms of being worthy of inclusion on a best-of.) Overall, there are no glaring omissions whatsoever from this collection, maybe just some fans' personal faves. 1969/1974 does a perfect job of demonstrating what a versatile, prolific, and entertaining performer Bowie was from almost day one. And with the time frame that it covers, it reminds one that he achieved all of this in a mere 6 years.

SUPERB SELECTION OF SONGS.......2003-02-11

This excellent compilation draws from the albums The Man Who Sold The World, Space Oddity, Hunky Dory, Pin-Ups, Aladdinsane, Diamond Dogs and his opus magnum Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars. It thus provides some of his best work with producer Tony Visconti plus a wide variety of different musical styles. There's the wistful pop of Space Oddity and Starman, the pre-punk aggro of Jean Genie (supposedly written about Iggy Pop), the anthemic rock of Rebel Rebel, the 60s pop of Sorrow and Oh You Pretty Things (This was a hit for Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits in 1971). There's also the heavy rock of Man Who Sold The World (a hit for Lulu in the late 1960s) and All The Young Dudes (a hit for Mott The Hoople in 1973), the bleak ballad Drive-In Saturday, his fast and aloof interpretation of Let's Spend The Night Together and the phenomenal and breathtaking Life On Mars with its gripping arrangement and poetic lyrics. Other favorites of mine include the catchy Prettiest Star and Changes with its interesting wordplay, plus the magnificent Diamond Dogs with its howling hound sounds. The choice of tracks is highly intelligent and although these things are always subjective, I do for once agree with the selection of the compilers. Of course, Bowie had a novelty hit in 1973, The Laughing Gnome, but it would have been out of place on this album so I won't complain of the omission, and it was recorded long before 1969. Bowie's early work has stood the test of time very well. These are all strong, melodic songs that still evoke vivid images and emotions. This album well and truly deserves its five stars.

great history.......2002-02-09

This greatest hits collection from david bowie stands is a great collection of his early material such as ziggy stardust and velvet goldmine. It really is quite amazing to see how much David Bowie has done in his career. This CD really gives you a picture of what his earliest years were like.

Good Music Fans will not be Disappointed.......2001-07-01

This was the first David Bowie CD i purchased. I first fell in love with his music and lyrics after watching the Labyrinth - I was unsure as to whether I would feel the same about this CD. Upon first playing the CD I immediately recognised that it was different to my first impressions of Bowie. Infact each and every song on this album is different. But, I must say that this falls in favor of the album. The constrasts and varying moods on this CD is exactly what makes it a local in my CD player. As i mentioned, this was the first David Bowie CD I purchased and in light of that, it will most certainly not be the last.

Some masterpieces.......2001-01-12

If the music industry, like evolution, is about survival of the fittest, natural selection, and adaption to one's environment: then Bowie surely is the Master of Metamorphosis. However, many agree that he was at his best in the beginning, and here is great compilation of Bowie's work from the early years.

Bowie is not an artist who one would immediately fall in love with - however after a bit of listening his songs become more likeable. This album is a great introduction to the Ziggy Stardust years right until he turns into the Glam Rock era in the mid 70's.

Some noteworthy tracks on this album include: Space Oddity, Starman, Ziggy Stardust, Changes (the track that defines the artist himself) and The Man who Sold the World (later covered by Nirvana) to mention a few. However there is a feeling that not all of his BEST tracks of the period were included. However even if some of these tracks are not his "best", this is still a brilliant album.

This is a good introduction to his early years, unfortunately as Bowie has changed so much over the years, a complete compilation of 30+ years of work would perhaps lack continuity.

Tracks:

In The Heat Of The Morning
London Bye Ta Ta
Karma Man
Silly Boy Blue
Let Me Sleep Beside You
Janine
Amsterdam
God Knows I'm Good
The Width Of A Circle
Unwashed And Somewhat Slightly Dazed
Cygnet Committee
Memory Of A Free Festival
Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud
Bombers
Looking For A Friend
Almost Grown
Kooks
It Ain't Easy

Tracks:

The Supermen
Eight Line Poem
Hang On To Yourself
Ziggy Stardust
Queen Bitch
Waiting For The Man
Five Years
White Light/White Heat
Moonage Daydream
Hang On To Yourself
Suffragette City
Ziggy Stardust
Starman
Space Oddity
Changes
Oh! You Pretty Things
Andy Warhol
Lady Stardust
Rock 'N' Roll Suicide

Tracks:

Wild Is The Wind
Ashes To Ashes
Seven
This Is Not America
Absolute Beginners
Always Crashing In The Same Car
Survive
Little Wonder
Man Who Sold The World
Fame
Stay
Hallo Spaceboy
Cracked Actor
I'm Afraid Of Americans
Let's Dance

Amazon.com

Comprehensiveness isn't always a virtue, as this three-CD set proves. It gathers together everything David Bowie recorded for the BBC between the years referenced in its title, plus a third disc taken from a June 2000 London concert for the famed British radio broadcasting company. Head first to disc two, which focuses on Bowie's in-studio recreations of material from Hunky Dory and Ziggy Stardust, and marvel at the glam-rockabilly heat generated by Bowie's Spiders from Mars band. By comparison, the other two discs are a disappointment. The first reveals a musical chameleon uncomfortably changing his spots, from music-hall entertainer to free-festival folkie to sub-Dylan sage. The third and final disc betrays a different problem. By 2000, Bowie had calcified into a very slick entertainer. His performances here, particularly of later material such as "I'm Afraid of Americans" and "This Is Not America," are technically fine but a little bloodless--disappointingly human instead of wonderfully alien. --Keith Moerer

Customer Reviews:

More essential than you might think...........2005-11-05

`Beeb' is a British affectation for the BBC, the state-run media which plans (or planned) all television and radio for Great Britain. Bowie was around when the BBC was implementing its 4-station radio broadcasting, and he became one of the first guests in early 1968. BBC rules were strange and archaic by American standards, insisting that pre-recorded music represent only a fraction of airtime, the point being that this would provide employment for professional musicians. So it was that David Bowie appeared with a crew of musicians to perform his songs live a number of times over a four-year period.
I'm a very big fan of Bowie's early work (reference my review of Images 1966-1967 if you're interested), but the earliest sessions on this collection are the least fulfilling. Disk one holds interest to Bowie-philes for historic reasons, but it is disk two that presents the artist in full flight. Working with Mick Ronson, his Ziggy Stardust-era songs shine brilliantly here, in some cases rivaling the album versions. "Hang On to Yourself," "Suffragette City," and "Ziggy Stardust" all rock with authority and grace. "Queen Bitch" has more energy than the version on Hunky Dory, while the songwriting brilliance of songs like "Changes" and "Oh You Pretty Things" come through loud and clear. Most telling are the two Velvet Underground songs performed here. Both "White Light/White Heat" and "Waiting For My Man" are definitive, surpassing all Bowie versions that were previously available and perhaps even surpassing Lou Reed's original versions.
For those of you who are lucky enough to find it, a limited edition of this package comes with an extra disk of Bowie performing live at the BBC radio theatre in June of 2000. Search it out! The extra disk is extraordinary, featuring some of the best live Bowie ever recorded. The band is phenomenal, playing each song to perfection without sacrificing any energy. This version of "Stay" blew me away, forcing me to recognize the sheer funky power of this band. Just as mind-boggling are the versions of "Fame" (a new, `improved' version!), "Absolute Beginners" and "Man Who Sold the World". Every track on this extra disk is exceptional, making it an absolute must for even casual fans of David Bowie. A- Tom Ryan

The best of early bowie in one inspiring collections.......2004-11-23

David Bowie is indisputibally on of the most talented artists in music ever. His songwriting is always at a peak, and was always excellent in his early days, and that is proved on this fantastic collection from the BBC. All live, but you wouldn't know it because it's sounds as clear as his studio recordings. And how about those lyrics? Bowie is so inventive, and he's never gotten the due he's deserved. Look at the amount of work he's accomplished, and look how good he can still be; even better than most. He's amazing. One listen to this collection and you'll realize he's amazing too, i hope. If you're still in doubt listen to all of ziggy stardust, but trust me you'll love it.

CHANGESBEEBOWIE.......2004-09-09

CD2 - The first CD could be a symphony of (flatus) and I'd still give this 5 stars for the nearly immaculate performances on the second disk. In particular, "Hang Onto Yourself" (track 3), "White Light/White Heat," and "Suffregette City" (featuring Mick Ronson making this totally hot kissing noise with his guitar)crackle with energy. It is truly a thrill to hear these old favorites in such a new (as such) and exciting light. Bowie and Co. burn down the BBC studios. Repeatedly. Any rock fan (but especially an old Bowie fan, of course) is likely to meltdown in ecstacy upon hearing this.

CD1 - Many hardcore fans will surely (sweet milk) over CD1 as well although I'm not personally crazy about all of it. Some of David's early Brittish folk period is represented which can be a bit hippy-dippy at times. The first 4 tracks, recorded in May of '68, fit that description although they do feature brilliant in-studio orchestral accompaniment.

Much of CD1 does in fact rock. "Let Me Sleep Beside You" and "Janine" are very good, easy-going rockers recorded with Junior's Eyes who had a short-lived collaboration with Bowie and the session was never broadcast. Bowie delivers a stunning solo performance of Jacques Brel's "Port of Amsterdam" (vocal and guitar). The same session shows off Mick Ronson just a few days after hooking up with Bowie for the first time. They perform an intriguing, half-written version of "Width of a Circle." Ronson really cuts loose on "Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed" and "Cygnet Committee" is positively intense. Some studio hum can be heard on the session, an atmospheric reminder of the electric nature of these proceedings (that may or may not appeal to the listener). "Memory of a Free Festival" had sadly been edited for time and remains so.

Recorded in June of '71, the last session on CD1 features all of the future Spiders From Mars as well as some friends on vocals and guitarist Mark Carr-Pritchard who played for a phantom Bowie project called Arnold Corns. Early embryonic versions of "Moonage Daydream" and "Hang Onto Yourself" were recorded and released under that name. The group stomps through "Bombers," a rare HUNKY DORY-era cut that sounds better (and less cheesy) than the studio version which I have as a bonus cut from the RYCODISK release of HUNKY DORY. "Looking For A Friend" is a country-ish, Stones-y rocker and they also turn in a rousing cover of Chuck Berry's "Almost Grown." And Bowie performs "Kooks" solo on vocal and guitar which he had just written for newborn son Zowie.

Note: Those concerned about excessive voice-overs from BBC radio hosts (like the ones that marred the Jimmy Hendrix BBC release) can relax. There's very little talking over the songs and quite a bit of interesting Bowie banter on CD1. CD2 has nothing but back-to-back songs. Tracks begin with actual songs, not the preceeding dialogue.

Bonus Disk (June 27, 2002 live at BBC Radio Theatre) - ****1/2 Excellent line-up (Earl Slick, Mike Garson), great choice of songs, Bowie in top form. Still, something's missing. A little too slick and professional, maybe? But this is great stuff. "Seven" comes off really well. "Always Crashing In The Same Car" is excellent and much more organic than the album version. The studio wizardry of "Little Wonder" and "Hallo Spaceboy" is expertly reproduced. This album takes on more definition with repeated listens and sounds better over time too. (Many live recordings can initially sound "same-y" from song to song due to same background vocalists, etc.)

We can probably thank Kurt Cobain for reviving Bowie's interest in the post-apocalyptic "Man Who Sold The World," wonderfully played here. "Fame" is vamped-up with a slightly altered rhythm, still funky as ever. "Stay" rocks out. And on the final cut, "Let's Dance" is reimagined as a Carribean breeze before, suddenly, the beat kicks in and the audience "trembles like a flower."

This entire package is most worthy. Highly recommended!

A sprawling triple CD effort.......2004-05-16

I rarely listen to this although having said that I have been listening to it a lot more recently. The fact is is that this is a hard thing to recommend. You might not have some of the songs that are on here and for that you might want to top up. I bought it as an overview of Bowie's earlyish career ( I'm not going anywhere near The Laughing Gnome ). Which in hindsight was probably a bit of a mistake but I wouldn't buy this album if it didn't have the extra CD - call me banal if you will but that's what happens when you have collector tendancies in you!

Bowie's early stuff ( pre-Ziggy ) sounds anodyne and twee. The conversations you hear on the CD make Bowie seem genuinely nervous but pleasantly friendly. Of course he might not do one song " because to do it would be possibly over everyone's budget." You could take that as nerves if you will but this is the BBC we're talking about. Their budgets at the time were not astronomical.

I've said this before that when you see " Live At The BBC " it doesn't really mean it's really *live* if you've ever heard BBC radio presenters like John " that was quite tasty " Peel or any others you'll know that they say " and we have [musician's name] here live in the studio." It's in a studio and it will never give you a live feel for the songs. It's just BBC engineers working on Bowie's songs and in return you could I suppose think of them as session outtakes from his album. But one thing should be made clear - if you haven't got Bowie's version of Jacques Brel's Amsterdam, this is where you can get it. It's passion almost matches Le Grand Jacques in it's intensity

As the second CD moves and the classics come in you begin to think " this is more like it " and Bowie seems more at ease with everything. Notice his covers of White Light/White Heat ( " make me sound like Lou Reed ")

Now the third CD becomes even more sprawling since it tries to fill in all the places that the first two CDs left out. And it's not always a winner. Little Wonder and I'm Afraid of Americans are terrible songs but actually sound better than what they sounded like on their original album. Still doesn't make it good but at least you can probably tolerate it this time. But overall it didn't capture the gig very well since I saw this on TV when I was 15 and I thought the gig was fantastic. Bowie really had them going ( but then that was to be expected right? ), the CD just doesn't capture the songs well and though I like nearly all of the songs, it lacks the cohesion that the show actually had. Still, for the money I paid for this it's not too bad. But then, there's always a nagging feeling that it could be improved but whatever about that, the sheer amount of material you have here you can be somewhat happy if you want to buy this.....of course that is if you are a diehard fan. If you're not - try figuring out which compilation you want to get of Bowie. There's a lot of them around!

CD 2 still the best, but CD3 doesn't disappoint/Bowie Rocks!.......2003-02-11

I did track down this version that has the fine recently recorded third CD, HOWEVER, I would have been happy to have just heard the original two CD collection. On Disc 3, I was impressed with some of the old songs that were chosen such as "Man Who Sold The World" and some classics I have never heard done live like "Ashes To Ashes" and "Stay." The biggest and best surprise is the closer: "Let's Dance." Sweet!

Tracks:

In the Heat of the Morning
London Bye Ta-Ta
Karma Man
Silly Boy Blue
Let Me Sleep Beside You
Janine
Amsterdam
God Knows I'm Good
The Width of a Circle
Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed
Cygnet Committee
Memory of a Free Festival
Wild Eyed Boy from Freecloud
Bombers
Looking for a Friend
Almost Grown
Kooks
It Ain't Easy

Tracks:

The Supermen
Eight Line Poem
Hang on to Yourself
Ziggy Stardust
Queen Bitch
I'm Waiting for the Man
Five Years
White Light/White Heat
Moonage Daydream
Hang on to Yourself
Suffragette City
Ziggy Stardust
Starman
Space Oddity
Changes
Oh! You Pretty Things
Andy Warhol
Lady Stardust
Rock & Roll Suicide

Customer Reviews:

If you're a bowie fan.......2007-07-07

If you're a bowie fan, you're in for a treat. I first heard tracks from this album while I was sitting in a coffee shop. I thought he'd done some new live acoustic recordings, they sounded so fresh. There are a lot of tracks and some clunkers, but the good ones make up for it. Bowie is of course and incredible performer and the necessity of these stripped down BBC recordings lets his performances shine. He rips into the songs in a way that's not possible on a studio album. Magical!!

MISSING THE 3RD LIVE DISC!.......2007-06-20

If you have any notion of buying this great set, look at the used listings for the earlier, limited edition, now OOP, 3CD set.

It contains a fabulous live disc recorded at the BBC London Theatre 06/27/00 that this later edition does not have.

Check out the tracklist for the live disc:

Disc: 3
1. Wild Is The Wind
2. Ashes To Ashes
3. Seven
4. This Is Not America
5. Absolute Beginners
6. Always Crashing In The Same Car
7. Survive
8. Little Wonder
9. Man Who Sold The World
10. Fame
11. Stay
12. Hallo Spaceboy
13. Cracked Actor
14. I'm Afraid Of Americans
15. Let's Dance

As of this writing, the OOP 3CD is available here on Amazon for less, used, than this 2-disc set, new.

Don't pass up the opportunity to get the live CD. The audio is first rate, and the performance is excellent.

Link to the original 3CD BBC set.

5 for disc 1 3 for disc 2 One of Bowies best.......2007-03-16

Contrary to the reviews here- i think disc One is the stunner here featuring many of Bowies earliest mod folk and acoustic rockers. God knows im good- (Brels) Amsterdamn -In the heat of the morning and well pretty much all of the first disc capture David at his early climb to fame. The interviews and radio chatter only enhance the uniqueness and rarity for fans. Its all very informative and captures a time and place and the sound is excellent- you can almost sense coming superstardom in the confidence of the material and in the band. Disc two contains most of his Ziggy Stardust material which ofcourse is all good but basically sounds like demos of that album and for the most part is very familiar even to the casual fan. The acoustic versions of Supermen and Andy Warhol would have sat better on disc one as they flow into that material better. This is a great bargain especially used nearly 40 songs of Bowie at his peak. Disc One however finds itself on permanent rotation in my cd player- i could listen to this all day.

CHANGESBEEBOWIE.......2006-07-06

Bowie Learning How to Fly, Then Flying.......2006-01-16

This is yet another interesting byproduct of the recent rush to re-release Brit groups and stars who performed during rock's glory age for various BBC TV and radio programs. Usually these are a mixed bag, as they often collect different time periods, different settings, different styles, and different sound dynamics, all wrapped onto one or two discs. Notable recent BBC collections include an early collection by the Beatles, a generally enthusiastic release from the Kinks, a great Led Zeppellin cd, and a very strong late-period Procol Harum set.

This one is no different. Like those I mentioned, the first cd of Bowie at the Beeb collects several early live performances of a red-hot Bowie fresh off the high of "Space Oddity" performing an eclectic set of solo, small group acoustic, and rock performances. Leaving aside the annoying BBC host who is always omnipresent in these sets, Bowie turns in a strong yet tentative collection of his early songs, some joined by Mick Ronson toward the end of the disc. Standouts include "Janine," "The Width of a Circle," and a rave-up performance of "It Ain't Easy." Those familiar with the early Bowie sound will find it in abundance on the first cd, an obvious talent looking for the right sound and fit for his muse, trying on and abandoning different styles but always a solid performer throughout.

The second cd finds a far more confident Bowie a few years later (1972) in a studio setting, bringing his amped-up Ziggy Stardust persona and ripping through a blistering set of highlights from that period. The sound (recorded with overdubs in the studio) is especially fine, and the performances first-rate -- Mick Ronson leaves no prisoners as he slashes through "Hang on to Yourself" and "Ziggy Stardust." Bowie even brings on a large contingent of supporters later on to help him with a superb set that includes "Starman," "Space Oddity," and "Changes."

Bowie fans will rejoice. I hope the Bowie archivists start releasing more of his early and mid-period live sets, as we have seen with other similar artists, so we can fill in the missing pieces in the evolution of a singular rock icon.

Average customer rating:

In the Wire

Manufacturer: Open Arms Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CAFTS6
Release Date: 2005-06-14

Average customer rating:

an intoduction to a little known bowie era
Great CD
Better than buying the original 80s albums
BOWIE, ONE OF A KIND
Why oh why?

Best of David Bowie 1980/1987
David Bowie
Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Blue-Eyed Soul | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Best of 1974-1979
Young Americans
Crystal Visions - The Very Best of Stevie Nicks (CD / DVD)
The Best Of David Bowie 1969-1974
The Police (2CD Anthology)

ASIN: B000LW9PYY
Release Date: 2007-04-17

Tracks:

Let's Dance (Single Version)
Ashes To Ashes (Single Version)
Under Pressure
Fashion (Single Version)
Modern Love (Single Version)
China Girl (Single Version)
Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) (Single Version)
Up The Hill Backwards (1999 Digital Remaster)
Alabama Song (Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny)
Drowned Girl
Cat People (Putting Out Fire) (Single Version)
Loving The Alien
Absolute Beginners (Single Version)
When The Wind Blows
Blue Jean
Day In Day Out (Single Version)
Time Will Crawl
Underground (Single Version)
Ashes To Ashes
Fashion
Under Pressure (Rah Mix)
Drowned Girl
Let's Dance
China Girl
Modern Love
Cat People (Putting Out Fire)
Blue Jean
Loving The Alien
Absolute Beginners
Underground
When The Wind Blows (Remastered)
Day-In Day-Out
Time Will Crawl

Album Details

The Third and Final Installment in the RCA/EMI/VIRGIN-ERA Bowie Anthologies that was Third Disc of the EMI Platinum Collection. This Edition Varies Slightly from the Last Disc of that Package in that "This is Not America" Has Been Left off this CD and "up the Hill Backwards" is a 1999 Remastered Version. The Special Dvd Collection that Comes with this Set features Promotional Videos from One of Bowie's Most Successful Periods of Popularity. Includes Eight Top 10 UK Singles, Three of which Hit No. One and Three Coming Close but Stalled at No. 2. Of Note, is the "Rah Mix" of "Under Pressure" and a 2007 Digital Remastered Version of the Theme to the Film "When the Wind Blows".

Customer Reviews:

an intoduction to a little known bowie era.......2007-07-24

interesting how Bowie countered the 80's synth-pop era of duran duran etc. and how he references his space era characters early in his career into the 80's. Especially in 'Ashes to Ashes' recalling that Major Tom was a junkie, strung out! And his garage rock era success into Scary monsters.

Great CD.......2007-07-08

I am very happy with this purchase. The CD is great. It arrived in excellent condition and packaging to protect it. It took a little more time than usual to receive, but still, it didn't take that long to get it.

Better than buying the original 80s albums.......2007-07-03

Obviously this isn't Bowie's greatest period; yet there are some great singles here (Ashes to Ashes, China Girl, Let's Dance). Overall, it's not an important disc. It was included in a box set with two other discs('69-'74 & '74-'79)that have been available for about ten years. People who own the other two discs were, of course, reluctant to purchase them again in a box set. For us, this disc is a welcome release and an essential purchase.

BOWIE, ONE OF A KIND.......2007-06-06

I do not agree with the two faded, jaded, sad people who have given this collection such a bad rap.
Some of the songs on this collection are not his best, but they are priceless jewels, never the same, and will NEVER be repeated.
Please, Bowie fans and those who are just interested, give this collection your own verdict and dont be swayed by some people who think they know better than a master songwriter and producer.

Why oh why?.......2007-05-24

So I was in the local record store today and saw this collection for sale. My jaw dropped. Not only at the hammy, "hello, lovelies..." pose on the cover but at the years the collection spans. These are widely (and rightfully) considered Bowies worst years and the songs he cranked out are proof of it. I suppose this collection sort of has to exist but it is unfortunate. This album should be purchased only if you are a) an avid collector, b) a soulless bore of a human being (in which case I hear Phil Collins has a few records out), or c) looking for a good white elephant gift for the office party.

I feel that I should mention that I am a huge Bowie fan. I own every studio album he has put out - yes, even the bad ones. I should also mention that Bowie himself has said many times that he was creatively bankrupt in the 80s. This collection is proof of that. You have been warned.