David Bowie David Live CD

When David Bowie recorded what became DAVID LIVE at Philadelphia's Tower Theatre in July 1974, he had fully made the leap from Ziggy Stardust and landed feet-first into the shoes of the Thin White Duke. Despite announcing his retirement from live performance the year before, Bowie seemed no worse for wear fronting a ten-piece directed by future LETHAL WEAPON composer Michael Kamen and featuring new guitarist Earl Slick and horn player David Sanborn. This 2-CD set finds the chameleonic performer mixing in Ziggy-era classics such as "Rock 'N' Roll Suicide" with material from DIAMOND DOGS ("Rebel Rebel," "1984"), ALADDIN SANE ("Cracked Actor") and HUNKY DORY ("Changes"). The fullness of the horn section and the style of his back-up band give this set a soulful tilt powered by Slick's ballsy playing. This, along with a cover of the Stax nugget "Knock On Wood," pointed at Bowie's immersion in a Philly soul direction that emerged full-fledged on YOUNG AMERICANS.

Recorded in July 1974 at the Tower Theatre, Philadelphia 'David Live' is an enthralling album of the extraordinary 1974 Diamond Dogs tour. Bowie started the tour as a glam rock king but as the tour progressed he started to make a changeover to a new sound and a new look - Philly Soul. Consequently, the-album captures Bowie in transition, as he moves from glam-rock to plastic soul. Many of the familiar songs were reworked in unusual & intriguing ways; 'All The Young Dudes' & 'The Jean Genie' are the subject of a wonderful cabaret style reworking, 'The Width Of A Circle' rework is fascinating and 'Rock 'n' Roll Suicide' reworked as a 'Vegas torch song' is not to be missed.

Recorded live at the Tower Theatre, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 12-15,

Personnel: David Bowie (vocals); Earl Slick (guitar); David Sanborn (flute, alto saxophone); Richard Grando (flute, baritone saxophone); Michael Kamen (oboe, piano, Moog synthesizer); Mike Garson (piano, Mellotron); Herbie Flowers (bass guitar); Tony Newman (drums); Pablo Rosario (percussion); Warren Peace, Gui Andresano (background vocals).

Personnel: David Bowie (vocals); Earl Slick (guitar); David Sanborn (alto saxophone, flute); Richard Grando (baritone saxophone, flute); Mike Garson (piano, Mellotron); Michael Kamen (electric piano, Moog synthesizer, oboe); Herbie Flowers (bass); Tony Newman (drums); Pablo Rosario (percussion); Gui Andrisano, Warren Peace (background vocals).

1974.

Q (8/95, pp.136-138) - 3 Stars - Good - "...encapsulates Bowie at the onset of his separation from reality..."
Uncut (p.120) - 3 stars out of 5 - "The album now carries extra punch, toughening the detail of every sex squawk, guitar trick and piano tumble."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.112) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[A]lways far spookier and grandiose than most allowed at the time."