David Live

While enjoying the international success of his next blockbuster album DiamondDogs in 1974 and a world tour that promoted it, David Bowie would delight both themusic world when he gave a live recital performance in Philadelphia the same yearthat was captured in this exclusive live recording. Performed at the Tower Theater,David Live would be his first live album as it showcases him in a world class varietysetting where he perform with fascinating and well-arranged grandeur done in sucha unique classic format, though despite being panned by the critics upon it’s officialrelease, it managed to do quite well on the album charts—it would hit Number Onein Great Britain, Canada, the United States and Norway). Beginning with a swirlinghypnotic note on 1984, the track set conclude as planned with other classic hits likeRebel, Rebel; Moonage Daydream; his poetic take on Changes; Here Today, GoneTomorrow; Suffragette City, Watch That Man, his take on Knock On Wood, a musichall take on Time, The Width Of A Circle, The Jean Genie and Rock ‘N Roll Suicide.What is even ironic about David Live is that during his stay in Philadelphia he wouldbecome influenced by the Philly Soul Sound, a trend-setting R&B movement duringthe 1970’s and early-1980’s. Plus, you will even get a few interesting moments likea flamenco-style rendition on Space Oddity (finally included on the deluxe edition 2-CD edition), where he sang and used a radio microphone disguised as a telephonewhilst being raised and lowered above the stage by a cherry picker crane while youget to hear his upbeat Latin version of Aladdin Sane. Even though it ran in a set ofproblems, David Live turned out to be an instant success and thanks for the deluxe2-CD set, it sounds 100% perfect the second time around with lasting results.

Definitely, Bowie's at the height of his career or at least rising. This is what Bowie does best and that is live music. This is one of my favourite live albums and one of many that Bowie has put together. The live performance can either be a exact copy of the studio or it can be a performance on its own. With Bowie as best as a person can be expected to be at hus best each night, I would hazard to say Bowie is a professional muscuan and performer. After seeing this performance in Toronto at the best venue, what was then known as the O'keefe Center. The live ablum has become one of my favourites even beating out the studio albums. The piano interpretation on Changes totally gives a new twist to the song and that's where Bowie is probably one of the best live performers and seems to give his best no natter the time and place. To give you an idea see hom with David Gilmour as a guest singer, you would think he was their lead vocalist. Where other bands may be satisfied to mouth a prerecorded piece Bowie gives you a performance. Amazing Double Disk. Too bad there is not any live footage from this concert.

Sorry...I LOVE this album, and after bootlegging..."many" tracks off the late great Napster, I'm now gonna buy the "new refurbished, etc..." Why? And "why" the title to this review? OK 1), my glorious band in NY, circa '75-'76, always opened our sets with a "Diamond Dogs-Rebel Rebel-Moonage Daydream" medley, in their entirity, and, note-for-note, ripped straight off "David Live." And yes, I HAVE gone on record as saying that Mick Ronson, Bowie's "Ziggy's" ex, SHOULD Have received the job that one R Wood received in '75 - but Earl Slick (in ADDITION to being married - at the time - to one of the absolute HOTTEST Babes EVER, Fanny's Jean Millington), himself was/is hot as a jumper cable at a redneck funeral. (and, yeah, when Ronno defected from Ian H in 1977, Ian scooped up Slick for what I consider his finest work, the glimmering "Overnight Angels.") And 2) right after this, Bowie started purveying disco, then ran into the arms of Rob't Fripp...give me a freaking break...(but "Ashes To Ashes" WAS a good song...) Enough. Bowie: 1974: Earl Slick, David Sanborn, et al... like Lous Armstrong said, "If ya gotta ask, you'll never know."