So glad to see your view on Bowie albums. I'm learning many albums from the 90s I've missed back in the day. Bowie's 70s album can be recited in their entirety. Thank you, John.
I’m getting into David Bowie more deeply and this is very helpful! Thank you, John. I don’t usually comment, but I very much enjoy your videos, and your earnest and thoughtful discussion. Keep it up.
Hi John , thought provoking as usual, for sheer quality of songs I would have Hunky Dory at 1 and Ziggy at 2. Surprised that Aladdin Sane did not feature if only because Drive in Saturday and The Jean Genie would be in my top 5 /top 10 Bowie songs. Strangely enough one of my favourite tracks is a cover Sorrow from Pin Ups. Bowie was a big part of my growing up as a teenager in the 70,s.
Dude, 'Cracked Actor' is super heavy. underrated and a reason I prefer Aladdin Sane over Ziggy along with Aladdin Sane and your suggestions that are top 20 Bowie songs for me. It is a deeper album for me than Ziggy, with is more teen anthems; this is darker but not overly ripe like Diamond Dogs, a band falling apart and I hear that. Same with the really overrated 'classics' The Wall and 'Abbey Road', the LP's as that made me an ex fan in terms of buying new material from them. As John Lennon said about Abbey Road, 'it is the sound of a band falling apart'! Few bands come back from losing it, Bowie and Sparks both did from having a shitty 80's as did Robert Plant.
I'm not as high on Blackstar as everyone else. 1969s Space Oddity claims my second spot ... I absolutely adore every song. Space Oddity album's manic psychedelic folk energy amazes me everytime. Bowie, Ronson, and Rick Wakeman. Cygnet Commitee was Bowie's first masterpiece and longest song till Station to Station.
Good choices John. Low is my favourite, closely followed by Ziggy and Hunky Dory. Outside is also a superb album and Earthling, these albums rekindled my interest after the drab late eighties period.
I would put Hunky Dory at no 1. It is the one, for me, that has the most longevity. I'm aways interested to hear your thoughts.You always do an excellent job!
A very interesting video John. Like you, I gave up on Bowie after Scary Monsters and then worked my way back after hearing The Next Day. Reality is a favourite of mine from the latter years pre retirement.
Haven't listened to all of his albums but my top three would be: 1: Hunky Dory 2: The Man Who Sold The World 3: The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars
for nostalgic reasons PinUps is my favorite, was my first, a Christmas gift the year it came out...my first Bowie....after that....Station To Station, Diamond Dogs, David Live, Alladin Sane, Lodger...kinda lost touch after Lodger, until Heathen and Reality came out, then went backwards...Heathen and Reality after Lodger..lately Young Americans has been an insatiable listen...I didn't quite "get it" for years, now it is on top of my listening playlist....
Aladdin sane is my number one, really surprised you didn´t even include it. Definately one of the soundtracks of my youth! Ziggy nr 2 and Heroes nr 3 Great watching your videos though, cheers John
I can't really disagree John as my top 3 is the exact same & some of the live takes on here of the Station To Station track is mindblowing..... A legend sadly missed.
Interesting video as always. Agree on Heroes, really try to get into it but still cant. I personally would have put Aladdin Sane and Young Americans in though
I personally love Let's Dance...just such a different album...very early to mid 80s sounding I know, but just helps make DB's catalogue so interesting and eclectic. That said, you got #1 right. I listened to S to S not too long ago all the way thru. All the different feels, instrumentation and sounds to the songs blew me away. Very complete album.
Thanks, Bowie has a large catalogue with many different styles, so it's not surprising there could be major variation. Your number one with Station to Station doesn't even get on my list, Bowie's best works for me a really imaginative and I just find his plastic soul albums empty. Your number two is my number one. Ziggy is so well made, both conceptually and musically. The production is fantastic, Ronson's guitar work is iconic. The Ziggy songs are pure rock n roll mythology and then to make it better Bowie made that mythology his reality and he became a star with that album. It is a rock classic. Here's my list: 1. Ziggy Stardust 2. Diamond Dogs 3. Heroes 4. Space Oddity 5. Let's Dance 6. Low 7. Hunky Dory 8. Scary Monsters 9. Reality 10. Never Let Me Down Diamond Dogs has such a rich atmosphere of sci fi Dystopian gloom, not as well made as Ziggy, but a real imaginative extravagance. Heroes - This for me is the epitome of the Berlin sound, the production is a work of art. I'm not sure what he is singing about a lot of the time but it sounds like he means it, it's a great album of soundscapes and images. Space Oddity (David Bowie) I love the story telling on this album. Super under rated. Let's Dance is probably his most joyful album, it makes me smile, a straight out pleasure to listen to. Low, Hunky Dory and Scary Monsters are all examples of vintage Bowie, they add something important to his catalogue and are good to listen to. Reality - this represents his later album, I often find them a bit perverse but not that imaginative, there are bits on Earthling that arer great, but I'm just more likely to listen to this. Never Let Me Down - I know this is an odd inclusion, but I find it unintentionally weird. The kind of circus cover art sets the scene, strange production it just makes me laugh in it's peculiarness. The Glass Spider narrative, No longer Heroes but Zeroes: You've arrived in the land of a thousand different names And the fabulous sons have crashed their planes in flames Now tomorrow is back claiming redemption is on your heels And a toothless past is asking you how it feels Tonight the Zeroes were singing for you, Great!
I’ve had a on/off regard for Bowie down the years. I was a teenager in the seventies so I grew up on Brit pop but for me DB was always a bit of a musical kleptomaniac and opportunist jumping on the latest trends to enhance himself. Look at his trajectory. From mod pop star ( the early stuff ) to hippy flower child ( “ David Bowie “ AKA “ Space Oddity “ ) to prog rocker ( “ Man who sold the World “ ) to Glam space freak ( “ Ziggy “ ) to white soul bruther ( “ Young Americans “ ) to his Eno influenced new wave phase ( the Berlin trilogy ) to the Nile Rodgers period ( “ Let’s Dance “ ) see what I mean? Following whatever’s currently hip.
I have never been a Bowie fan but have always been impressed by the fact that his sound changes. There is nothing worse than a band that just produces the same sound album after album. Surely it is only natural to change style as your influences change and to stay the same because it worked the first time is just boring.
All the "MODS" from the sixties had become long haired "ROCKERS" for want of a better word,the small faces become the faces, marriott had long hair in humble pie,the who another example even the beatles 66 mod look became hippies by 69, mark bolan was a mod in the sixties so bowie was no different
I get what you are saying but I would counter your argument with saying that his greatest strength was knowing how to stay relevant over the course of a 40+ year career. That's not an easy thing to do but Bowie might have been the best at adapting with the times!
Have to agree, always thought Bowie was a follower of trends not a trend setter. If he hadn't met Ronson hed of probably been some obscure folk singer. Although I was a fan in the seventies, so here goes. Hunky dory Diamond dogs Ziggy Low Heroes Heathen Scary monster's Station to station Outside Blackstar
It is curious that Low/Heroes/Lodger are known as 'the Berlin Trilogy', as Lodger wasn't recorded in Berlin at all and came quite some time after Heroes. Station to Station is more closely linked. Nice run-down John, thanks.
Bowie was living in New York by 1979, so yea it's strange that it's put in a group with 'Low,' and 'Heroes'! ...and the video for 'DJ' shows this. Those people mobbing him while he walks down the street are New Yorkers, not Berliners! .. Station to Station should be in the so called 'Berlin trilogy' rather than 'The Lodger'. I see Station to Station as a transitional album between his 'Philly soul' period and his 'Berlin' period. I see 'The Lodger' as being a precursor to 'Scary Monsters'. It has more in common with Scary Monsters than it does with either Low or Heroes.
maybe it’s a generational thing, but i fail to see how Blackstar isn’t at least within Bowie’s top 5. it’s more abstract than the others, but i love that about it.
Well in that case, you're missing out on some great stuff. Remember that so much of the best music takes several listens before it can be truly appreciated. Also, side 1 starts and finishes with instrumentals...
it’s funny...i relistened to most albums prior to this review...Young Americans is good but a bit uneven in my opinion...Let’s Dance never really did it for me though i appreciate the title track at least...as i said it’s hard to do these rankings and it’s only my opinion!
Young Americans is a pretty wonderful record. I was writing my own top ten albums down, and I skipped this one also. I no longer own it, but it is a must have Bowie in my opinion. Not many white English or white American artists can do funk this well. Musically, this album is dynamite, nitroglycerin, C-4, with a small capsule of anti-matter thrown in for good luck. John's list is very good, but this is on my top ten too.
My top ten David Bowie albums: 1. Hunky Dory: "Life On Mars" is one of the best songs ever written. "It's on America's tortured brow. Micky Mouse has grown up a cow." How a knocked-up teenage girl could be kicked out of her home by her supposedly loving parents, and abandoned to cruel city streets without any remorse, is a crime against humanity no one mentioned until Bowie did. This is a profound song, brilliantly written. For me, it's more important than when Jesus discovered his mother was a virgin, or when Columbus discovered he was a criminal. So, you also get "Queen Bitch" on the same record? Are you kidding me? How could the Rolling Stones not steal this song from Bowie? Mick! Were you not paying attention? "Andy Warhol" was the first song I ever learned to play on the spittoon! No, I mean the pteradactyl. Or was it the spondee? Iamb just being silly here, anapest. Grreat lyrics too. 2. Heroes. I died and went to heaven when I first heard "Joe the Lion". Is that Robert Fripp on the guitar? Oh, boy. I had to borrow a thousand widow's mites from Paul of Tarsus just to get back down to earth so I could hear "Sons of the Silent Age". "Heroes" isn't bad either. Music this good will change your life! 3. Station to Station. 4. Scary Monsters. 5. Young Americans 6. Diamond Dogs 7. Alladin Sane 8. The Man Who Sold the World 9. The Next Day 10. Black Star
Heathen high on my list to John, kinda slipped through w not much of a mention......I was given Low as a birthday gift John and I guess I need to play it more cause I just didn’t feel it....good to see you ranking Bowie not an easy task....hope you are well- Lis
A tough task. Young Americans has to be in there for me - six absolutely great tracks on it. Also a shout-out for Buddha of Suburbia. Absolutely agree with StationtoStation at the top. Love these reviews thanks John, so informative.
Mick Ronson's piano playing and arrangements are brilliant on Ziggy . Oh yeah he's a great guitarist as well. 1. Ziggy 2. Hunky Dory 3. Heroes 4. Aladinsane 5. Heroes
Side two wit TVC15 !!!! Perfection !!! Brian Eno was the right muse as producers go. Nothing personal against Niles Rogers but much like Dylan from the mid 80’s even though I loved Infidels and Empire Burlesque artists at the time from 82-89 wanted to be adored rock stars. Bowie and Dylan were to pay a heavy price with Bowie’s credibility selling out and Bob wanting to be Prince ( his words) and failing miserably and his writing dried up soon after for a decade save Oh Mercy. I did like Blue Jean the single in 85-86 and his album Never let me down did just that in 1987 and I quit buying Bowie albums after that dismal piece of tripe. Great list John.
My top 12 in cronological order: Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, DiamondDogs, StationToStation, Low, "Heroes", Scary Monsters, Black Tie White Noise (I'm serious), Heathen, The Next Day, and Blackstar.
David's peak period was from Hunky Dory up to and including Scary Monsters. 72-80. Hunky Dory and Ziggy are when he truly first made his mark as a songwriter.
Hi John, I have just discovered your UA-cam content and I enjoy your reviews. Interesting list and I like you lost interest in Bowie albums after Scary Monsters and then re-discovered his albums via the Reality Tour Live album released in 2010 (which is also very good) worked myself backwards and love the Reality and Heathen albums. I pretty much agree with your list except I would sneak Aladdin Sane in some where and have Hunky Dory at 1 with Station to Station at 2 and Ziggy at 3. Good stuff John...
My top 3 would be Scary Monsters, Low, and believe it or not, Pin Ups. Just love that album. (Honorable mention to "Hello Spaceboy", but the album its from was a bit scattered)
1 Ziggy Stardust 2 Scary Monsters 3 Hunky Dory 4 Station to Station 5 Aladdin Sane 6 Low 7 Diamond dogs 8 Heathen 9 Heroes 10 Let’s Dance 11 The man who sold the world 12 Black Star
Very hard to choose. I would have to have Aladdin Sane somewhere in the top 5, although I don't like Stones cover on that. I really like Heroes. It is far better than Lodger IMO. Station to Station is overlooked and I'm glad it is ranked so highly. I got it when it came out as a 14 year old or so.
I would have Aladdin sane in the list not just because there are some great songs on it but it was the album that really propelled Bowie into super stardom!
These "top whatevers" are great to watch with dragons slain and holy grails smashed all over the shop. Thank you so much for putting them together; they're never anything less than a treat. Your number one really surprised me; after so many sacred cows had already gone (I've got a bad case of metaphoritis this afty - sorry!) I thought it has to be "David Live" or "Space Oddity" but nope. By the way John, do you have any interest in the music of either Randy Newman or Loudon Wainwright III? Both have significant catalogues, worthy of a top ten, if you do.
Lets Dance was certainly a response to what was happening during the 80s, which he himself started off with Scary Monsters. The New Romantics, rejected punk, to push forward a more optimistic sound, inspired by Bowie and Roxy. The total pop which developed out of that scene must have been a challenge to bowie. His response was Lets Dance, which was head and shoulders above the younger artists of the time, which is why it will always be in my top 12. However, he must have listened to Roxy's Avalon - as there is certainly a similar feel and vocal tone to this album.
interesting picks john, i would have have Aladdin sane in there its my number that cover still stands the test of time for me. Low was welcome also, space oddity, and 1 outside would be in mine john, you should check 1 outside out i know you pointed out you dipped interest a little after scary monsters, but this album worth a look, hunky dory/man who sold the world are very high on my list also, would be interesting for you to look @ David live, and stage be interested in your thoughts on those live sets.. just one thing john if you get a chance have you got any kinks albums?think i asked you that before? but great to hear your thoughts on the kinks.
"Station to Station" is my favorite Bowie album as well. #2 is "Diamond Dogs" after that it gets harder. I love all his '70s albums and the "Space Oddity" album too. I find the 1st Tin Machine album interesting, much to like there. Of his later albums there are 2 that I find unmemorable "Black Tie White Noise" and "Hours...". "The Next Day" was released the day of my mom's funeral so I'll always associated it with that event. Have you heard "Never Let Me Down 2018"? It's a vast improvement over the original. The songs are good (not great) and you can hear his voice. With the disco production wiped it's less dated too.
For me there is a big gap between my favourite three studio albums, all 10/10 and my fourth favourite at 8 or even 7 out of 10. Too many albums have great singles, perhaps one or two more excellent songs and then a drop down in quality. The top 3 are Hunky Dory, Ziggy and Station to Station. Either I reach for those or one of the live albums from 72 Santa Monica through to Nassau 76 including David Live and Ziggy's final concert. I have the Serious Moonlight DVD as well and I think I saw an officially released live album from that tour recently which I must get.
I got the feeling I was going to disagree with this list by the vibe I was getting right off the bat, but that's ok. I'd say it's a generational thing, but both me & my mom, who is the same generation as you, think Outside is his best album. We both love the jazz influenced experimental stuff: the crazy piano & guitars and all the unexpected twists & turns in the music... If you like a song like Aladdin Sane(which is in my personal top 3 songs for sure) an album like Outside where every track is similar to Aladdin Sane is going to be very appealing... & what about Hours which was sort of a bridge between his classic & new style? Going from those albums back to albums like Low, Heroes or Scary Monsters or Diamond Dogs, or ahead to Blackstar is an easy transition. Anyway I know my type of fan is the minority still, the classical / neo classical, skip over the 90's experimentation, & 80's over commercialism(on this I agree, it was a low point) fans outnumber us. Not a big deal, it's great that we can both pick out what we like & it can be from almost opposite ends of his work. My personal List of 12: 1. Outside (1995) 2. Blackstar (2016) 3. Low (1977) 4. Diamond Dogs (1974) 5. Heroes (1977) 6. Leon: The Outside Outtakes (1995) 7. Scary Monsters (1980) 8. Earthling (1997) 9. Hours (1999) 10. Station To Station (1976) 11. Reality (2003) 12. Black Tie, White Noise (1993)
He was the type of artist that practically defies a top 10, 12, 13, whatever. You could get 10 people to do a list and they'd all be different. Sure, some of the best will be repeat but there would be a lot of differences between them. He would have liked it that way.
Let’s try this... 1. Station to Station 2. Low 3. Lodger 4. Scary Monsters 5. Outside 6. Blackstar 7. Heroes 8. Heathen 9. The Next Day 10. Buddha of Suburbia 11. Hunky Dory 12. Diamond Dogs The Ziggy stuff is great, but he got better after that. Could have included Earthling and others, but this is today’s list. Tomorrow is another day.
10. Diamond Dogs 9. The Man Who Sold The World 8. Scary Monster 7. Hunky Dory 6. Aladdin Sane 5. Ziggy Stardust 4. Station To Station 3. Heroes 2. Lodger 1. Low
These are the albums I would pick. Just in a different order. All albums from the RCA years. Glad you left out Space Oddity. Good song but not an impressive album. Recently revisited Young Americans. A pretty good album, but would definatly put it at number 11.
Not a big fan of Bowie's glam period so the albums Ziggy Stardust, Aladin Sane, Pin-Up and Diamond Dogs are duly ignored. There are obviously a few songs I don't mind but not good enough to save any of these albums. The same goes for the Young Americans and Space Oddity albums or The Next Day which I thought was a rather poor and unimaginative album totally undeserving of its no.1 chart position unlike Black Star which was like a sap rise just before the end. At this point I have to say I have always enjoyed the album Let's Dance, particularly the tracks Ricochet and Criminal World but there isn't much after that that I found really exciting except for the album 1. Outside which I quite enjoyed independently from the narrative that goes with it, although if you could take the best songs from it and couple them with the best songs from Earthling, it would make a much better album. So that leaves me with the following TOP 10: 1/ SCARY MONSTERS 2/ STATION TO STATION 3/ LOW 4/ HUNKY DORY 5/ LODGER 6/ HEROES 7/ THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD 8/ LET’S DANCE 9/ BLACKSTAR 10/ 1. OUTSIDE
I have three ways of dissecting Bowie albums: Greatest, Best and Personal Favorite. Often, when someone says that a particular album is Bowie's greatest, they are really saying that that is their personal favorite. "Greatest", to me, involves more than just the songs, it also involves the mystique or importance of that record in relation to Bowie's career. "Best" is just that ... it would be the album that, in the scorekeeper's estimation, contains the strongest songs. Personal favorite is simply your favorite Bowie album ... no justification needed. For my money, Bowie's "Greatest" albums are: Ziggy Stardust, Let's Dance, Tin Machine I and Blackstar. In NO WAY am I suggesting that Let's Dance and Tin Machine I are "great" albums in the conventional sense, rather, they are "great" because of the significance they had on Bowie's career. For "Best" I would go: Aladdin Sane, Station to Station, Lodger, Hunky Dory and Heroes. Aladdin Sane is an astonishing record. It represents the baton being passed from Mick Ronson to Mike Garson. This one album contains both Bowie's nastiest song (Cracked Actor) as well as his most beautiful (Lady Grinning Soul). Incredible album. For personal favorite: Diamond Dogs, Aladdin Sane, Station to Station, Low, Lodger.
(1) *Hunky Dory* (2) *Station to Station* (3) *Space Oddity* (4) *Low* (5) *Aladdin Sane* (6) *Ziggy Stardust* (7) *Lodger* (8) *Black Tie White Noise* (9) *Heroes* (10) *Scary Monsters* (As for his last I cannot evaluate it as it is too painful for me to even try listening to it.)
@@johnheaton5667 A-lad-in Sane should be at number one and even if it wasn't your no. 1 you put some Ill chosen albums on this top ten...... contraversial, but annoying.
Invisible Ray put off a bit by the terrible Stones cover and the opening track which i find uninspired and distorted....last three side 1 the best in my opinion
Even if i would rank them differently i quite agree with most of the list, big yes to STS in pole position, but Heathen ranks much higher for me and Ziggy very low. Blackstar wouldn't get in my top 12. In my top 12 you would find the 1967 Bowie debut. I also agree with Heroes, great title track but not enough steam to rank in my top 12 either. The buddha of suburbia would get Reality's slot.
I think his best albums are Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust, Let's Dance, the first one, Young Americans, Pin Ups, Hours, Tonight and Never Let Me Down. The two last ones are so underrated! Many great songs. I prefer his 80s material so much more than the gloomy "Berlin-period" of the 70s. Always annoying btw how some socalled "real" Bowie-fans dismiss "Let's Dance" just because it's "too popular, poppy and commerical". Silly.
As a so-called "real Bowie fan", I don't have a problem with Let's Dance. In fact, I think 4 of the 8 songs are really good. My problem is the albums which followed, namely Tonight and Never Let Me Down. The disappointment has never left me. They're the reason that Tin Machine had to happen. A kind of cleansing.
I totally agree about Scary Monsters and about not including Heroes the album. Personally, Lodger wouldn't be in the top 12 for me and I've never understood the appeal of Always Crashing In The Same Car. I don't think that Station to Station has enough great tracks to include. I've had put in Buddha of Suburbia. And either Earthling or Aladdin Sane.
Didn't you do another presentation where you picked Aladin Sane as your favorite Bowie album? It was a show where you picked LP's by artists where your favorite was not what people might have expected. I remember clearly you picked "Wind and Wuthering" by Genesis as your favorite and "When The Eagle Flies" by Traffic. You even mention that Stevie Winwood had told you his favorite was "John Barleycorn". Or am I losing my mind?
Hi John, I am a big fan of your videos. Very insightful. I believe you have Spotify and if so, could you provide your User Name? I'd like to "follow" you.
I'm not sold on the musicians that play on an album because the bottom line is just that: many great musicians are paid to record other people's songs for their albums, and if the songs are awful (as in most cases), no amount of production can save a bad song. So it makes no difference to me whether Earl Slick, Eric Clapton or Tiny Tim plays on an album: they are nothing but hired hands who are told to shut up and play their guitars.
Always the Berlin trilogi high rating, i think its the 3 weak est albums he made, Ziggy stardust, station to station and the album music snobs dont like Lets dance is the 3 best albums.
A top 12 Bowie albums list is, of course, purely subjective and to your credit you've included some great ones here. But Lodger? This must be the one 70s album that falls below the high standard set by the others. Replace it with either Heroes or Young Americans and the world will be a happier place.
1. Aladdin Sane 2. Hunky Dory 3. Ziggy Stardust 4. Station to Station 5. Low 6. Diamond Dogs 7. Scary Monsters 8. Young Americans 9. 1. Outside 10. Heathen 11. Heroes 12. The Next Day
Where is 'Space Oddity'? Without that landmark album, and the great songs on it, we never would have known about David Bowie. What about 'Heroes'? 'The Man Who Sold The World' under later work that nobody noticed, and with good reason? Weak assessment.
The piano playing of Rick Wakeman on Hunky Dory is superb and really enhances this album
I agree with you on #1 “Station To Station”, I’ve always found it overall to be his most consistent... Nice video John..
My personal top 10:
Station To Station
Low
Let's Dance
Blackstar
Hunky Dory
Ziggy Stardust
Scary Monsters
1. Outside
Heathen
Hours
'Aladdin Sane' is my all time favourite Bowie album. It's all about taste after all.
So glad to see your view on Bowie albums. I'm learning many albums from the 90s I've missed back in the day. Bowie's 70s album can be recited in their entirety. Thank you, John.
I’m getting into David Bowie more deeply and this is very helpful! Thank you, John. I don’t usually comment, but I very much enjoy your videos, and your earnest and thoughtful discussion. Keep it up.
Can I just say I can watch your videos in any mood and I only found this channel out last week and love it !
Great video again John its shows everybody's tastes are different i would put Aladdin Sane in my top 3 his most underrated album...
mickylad1 Underrated?
@@Pinerocks Compared to something like Ziggy, yes.
Hi John , thought provoking as usual, for sheer quality of songs I would have Hunky Dory at 1 and Ziggy at 2. Surprised that Aladdin Sane did not feature if only because Drive in Saturday and The Jean Genie would be in my top 5 /top 10 Bowie songs. Strangely enough one of my favourite tracks is a cover Sorrow from Pin Ups. Bowie was a big part of my growing up as a teenager in the 70,s.
Dude, 'Cracked Actor' is super heavy. underrated and a reason I prefer Aladdin Sane over Ziggy along with Aladdin Sane and your suggestions that are top 20 Bowie songs for me. It is a deeper album for me than Ziggy, with is more teen anthems; this is darker but not overly ripe like Diamond Dogs, a band falling apart and I hear that. Same with the really overrated 'classics' The Wall and 'Abbey Road', the LP's as that made me an ex fan in terms of buying new material from them. As John Lennon said about Abbey Road, 'it is the sound of a band falling apart'! Few bands come back from losing it, Bowie and Sparks both did from having a shitty 80's as did Robert Plant.
I'm not as high on Blackstar as everyone else. 1969s Space Oddity claims my second spot ... I absolutely adore every song. Space Oddity album's manic psychedelic folk energy amazes me everytime. Bowie, Ronson, and Rick Wakeman. Cygnet Commitee was Bowie's first masterpiece and longest song till Station to Station.
Love your ranking! Station to Station is my favourite album of all time
Good choices John. Low is my favourite, closely followed by Ziggy and Hunky Dory. Outside is also a superb album and Earthling, these albums rekindled my interest after the drab late eighties period.
Aladdin Sane will always be the best Bowie album for my money, but thanks for the video.
Very intelligent comments and choices I mostly agree with.
I would put Hunky Dory at no 1. It is the one, for me, that has the most longevity. I'm aways interested to hear your thoughts.You always do an excellent job!
Totally agree. Best album i have ever listened to.
A very interesting video John. Like you, I gave up on Bowie after Scary Monsters and then worked my way back after hearing The Next Day. Reality is a favourite of mine from the latter years pre retirement.
Haven't listened to all of his albums but my top three would be:
1: Hunky Dory
2: The Man Who Sold The World
3: The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars
for nostalgic reasons PinUps is my favorite, was my first, a Christmas gift the year it came out...my first Bowie....after that....Station To Station, Diamond Dogs, David Live, Alladin Sane, Lodger...kinda lost touch after Lodger, until Heathen and Reality came out, then went backwards...Heathen and Reality after Lodger..lately Young Americans has been an insatiable listen...I didn't quite "get it" for years, now it is on top of my listening playlist....
Aladdin sane is my number one, really surprised you didn´t even include it. Definately
one of the soundtracks of my youth! Ziggy nr 2 and Heroes nr 3
Great watching your videos though, cheers John
I can't really disagree John as my top 3 is the exact same & some of the live takes on here of the Station To Station track is mindblowing..... A legend sadly missed.
Love 'Station to Station'. Don't forget his amazing vocals on this album.
Interesting video as always. Agree on Heroes, really try to get into it but still cant. I personally would have put Aladdin Sane and Young Americans in though
I personally love Let's Dance...just such a different album...very early to mid 80s sounding I know, but just helps make DB's catalogue so interesting and eclectic. That said, you got #1 right. I listened to S to S not too long ago all the way thru. All the different feels, instrumentation and sounds to the songs blew me away. Very complete album.
Thanks, Bowie has a large catalogue with many different styles, so it's not surprising there could be major variation. Your number one with Station to Station doesn't even get on my list, Bowie's best works for me a really imaginative and I just find his plastic soul albums empty. Your number two is my number one. Ziggy is so well made, both conceptually and musically. The production is fantastic, Ronson's guitar work is iconic. The Ziggy songs are pure rock n roll mythology and then to make it better Bowie made that mythology his reality and he became a star with that album. It is a rock classic.
Here's my list:
1. Ziggy Stardust
2. Diamond Dogs
3. Heroes
4. Space Oddity
5. Let's Dance
6. Low
7. Hunky Dory
8. Scary Monsters
9. Reality
10. Never Let Me Down
Diamond Dogs has such a rich atmosphere of sci fi Dystopian gloom, not as well made as Ziggy, but a real imaginative extravagance.
Heroes - This for me is the epitome of the Berlin sound, the production is a work of art. I'm not sure what he is singing about a lot of the time but it sounds like he means it, it's a great album of soundscapes and images.
Space Oddity (David Bowie) I love the story telling on this album. Super under rated.
Let's Dance is probably his most joyful album, it makes me smile, a straight out pleasure to listen to.
Low, Hunky Dory and Scary Monsters are all examples of vintage Bowie, they add something important to his catalogue and are good to listen to.
Reality - this represents his later album, I often find them a bit perverse but not that imaginative, there are bits on Earthling that arer great, but I'm just more likely to listen to this.
Never Let Me Down - I know this is an odd inclusion, but I find it unintentionally weird. The kind of circus cover art sets the scene, strange production it just makes me laugh in it's peculiarness. The Glass Spider narrative, No longer Heroes but Zeroes:
You've arrived in the land of a thousand different names
And the fabulous sons have crashed their planes in flames
Now tomorrow is back claiming redemption is on your heels
And a toothless past is asking you how it feels
Tonight the Zeroes were singing for you,
Great!
I don’t agree but love your take on them.
I’ve had a on/off regard for Bowie down the years. I was a teenager in the seventies so I grew up on Brit pop but for me DB was always a bit of a musical kleptomaniac and opportunist jumping on the latest trends to enhance himself. Look at his trajectory. From mod pop star ( the early stuff ) to hippy flower child ( “ David Bowie “ AKA “ Space Oddity “ ) to prog rocker ( “ Man who sold the World “ ) to Glam space freak ( “ Ziggy “ ) to white soul bruther ( “ Young Americans “ ) to his Eno influenced new wave phase ( the Berlin trilogy ) to the Nile Rodgers period ( “ Let’s Dance “ ) see what I mean? Following whatever’s currently hip.
I have never been a Bowie fan but have always been impressed by the fact that his sound changes. There is nothing worse than a band that just produces the same sound album after album. Surely it is only natural to change style as your influences change and to stay the same because it worked the first time is just boring.
All the "MODS" from the sixties had become long haired "ROCKERS" for want of a better word,the small faces become the faces, marriott had long hair in humble pie,the who another example even the beatles 66 mod look became hippies by 69, mark bolan was a mod in the sixties so bowie was no different
I get what you are saying but I would counter your argument with saying that his greatest strength was knowing how to stay relevant over the course of a 40+ year career. That's not an easy thing to do but Bowie might have been the best at adapting with the times!
Have to agree, always thought Bowie was a follower of trends not a trend setter. If he hadn't met Ronson
hed of probably been some obscure folk singer. Although I was a fan in the seventies, so here goes.
Hunky dory
Diamond dogs
Ziggy
Low
Heroes
Heathen
Scary monster's
Station to station
Outside
Blackstar
Good list. Personally my favorite Bowie period is '70-73, but he had so many stylistic shifts over his career and everyone's favorites will differ.
It is curious that Low/Heroes/Lodger are known as 'the Berlin Trilogy', as Lodger wasn't recorded in Berlin at all and came quite some time after Heroes. Station to Station is more closely linked. Nice run-down John, thanks.
It’s been tagged a trilogy since the internet age, I don’t remember them every saying it in magazines years ago, just Heroes and Low were a pair.
@@ziggypop79 It's probably also the continued Eno connection that links in Lodger to people's minds
Bowie was living in New York by 1979, so yea it's strange that it's put in a group with 'Low,' and 'Heroes'! ...and the video for 'DJ' shows this. Those people mobbing him while he walks down the street are New Yorkers, not Berliners! .. Station to Station should be in the so called 'Berlin trilogy' rather than 'The Lodger'.
I see Station to Station as a transitional album between his 'Philly soul' period and his 'Berlin' period.
I see 'The Lodger' as being a precursor to 'Scary Monsters'. It has more in common with Scary Monsters than it does with either Low or Heroes.
maybe it’s a generational thing, but i fail to see how Blackstar isn’t at least within Bowie’s top 5. it’s more abstract than the others, but i love that about it.
Well it's in MY personal top 10. A brilliant album and a fitting finale.
It's in my top 5.
Don't worry, Matt. The fact that it's in the list is good enough. I've been listening to Bowie since 1972 and Blackstar is a superb album.
To me, Blackstar is a sister album to S2S. They both have a kind of pure energy and focus.
I agree with your comments on LOW one side is fantastic the instrumentals I can leave alone
Well in that case, you're missing out on some great stuff. Remember that so much of the best music takes several listens before it can be truly appreciated. Also, side 1 starts and finishes with instrumentals...
Young American was left out why...and Let's Dance maybe you call it commercial but the songs and production was amazing
it’s funny...i relistened to most albums prior to this review...Young Americans is good but a bit uneven in my opinion...Let’s Dance never really did it for me though i appreciate the title track at least...as i said it’s hard to do these rankings and it’s only my opinion!
Young Americans is a pretty wonderful record. I was writing my own top ten albums down, and I skipped this one also. I no longer own it, but it is a must have Bowie
in my opinion. Not many white English or white American artists can do funk this well. Musically, this album is dynamite, nitroglycerin, C-4, with a small capsule of anti-matter thrown in for good luck. John's list is very good, but this is on my top ten too.
My top ten David Bowie albums:
1. Hunky Dory: "Life On Mars" is one of the best songs ever written.
"It's on America's tortured brow.
Micky Mouse has grown up a cow."
How a knocked-up teenage girl could be kicked out of her home by her supposedly loving parents, and abandoned to
cruel city streets without any
remorse, is a crime against humanity no one mentioned until Bowie did. This is a profound song, brilliantly written. For me, it's more important than when Jesus discovered his mother was a virgin, or when Columbus discovered he was a criminal.
So, you also get "Queen Bitch" on the same record? Are you kidding me? How could the Rolling Stones not steal this song from Bowie?
Mick! Were you not paying attention?
"Andy Warhol" was the first song I ever learned to play on the spittoon! No, I mean the pteradactyl. Or was it the spondee? Iamb just being silly
here, anapest. Grreat lyrics too.
2. Heroes. I died and went to heaven when I first heard "Joe the Lion". Is that Robert Fripp on the guitar? Oh, boy. I had to borrow a thousand widow's mites from Paul of Tarsus just to get back down to earth so I could hear "Sons of the Silent Age". "Heroes" isn't bad either. Music this good will change your life!
3. Station to Station.
4. Scary Monsters.
5. Young Americans
6. Diamond Dogs
7. Alladin Sane
8. The Man Who Sold the World
9. The Next Day
10. Black Star
Wild is the wind CLASSIC!, But you are WRONG on the album. A-lad-in Sane
Heathen high on my list to John, kinda slipped through w not much of a mention......I was given Low as a birthday gift John and I guess I need to play it more cause I just didn’t feel it....good to see you ranking Bowie not an easy task....hope you are well- Lis
A tough task. Young Americans has to be in there for me - six absolutely great tracks on it. Also a shout-out for Buddha of Suburbia. Absolutely agree with StationtoStation at the top. Love these reviews thanks John, so informative.
Good work John, I didn't realise you were into Bowie to any extent.
I know it's his opinion but not to have Aladdin sane in there is criminal. I thought it be number 1.
I know, it's an OUTRAGE 😿MY NUMBER ONE
In case you haven't tried it yet, check out 1.Outside. For me its an underrated masterpiece. Its a shame he never completed the Hyper-cycle.
Mick Ronson's piano playing and arrangements are brilliant on Ziggy . Oh yeah he's a great guitarist as well. 1. Ziggy 2. Hunky Dory 3. Heroes 4. Aladinsane 5. Heroes
Perhaps Robert Fripp's contribution on side one of Scary Monsters is the "magic sauce" that makes that side of that album so magical.
Side two wit TVC15 !!!! Perfection !!! Brian Eno was the right muse as producers go. Nothing personal against Niles Rogers but much like Dylan from the mid 80’s even though I loved Infidels and Empire Burlesque artists at the time from 82-89 wanted to be adored rock stars. Bowie and Dylan were to pay a heavy price with Bowie’s credibility selling out and Bob wanting to be Prince ( his words) and failing miserably and his writing dried up soon after for a decade save Oh Mercy. I did like Blue Jean the single in 85-86 and his album Never let me down did just that in 1987 and I quit buying Bowie albums after that dismal piece of tripe. Great list John.
My top 12 in cronological order: Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, DiamondDogs, StationToStation, Low, "Heroes", Scary Monsters, Black Tie White Noise (I'm serious), Heathen, The Next Day, and Blackstar.
David's peak period was from Hunky Dory up to and including Scary Monsters. 72-80. Hunky Dory and Ziggy are when he truly first made his mark as a songwriter.
Hi John, I have just discovered your UA-cam content and I enjoy your reviews. Interesting list and I like you lost interest in Bowie albums after Scary Monsters and then re-discovered his albums via the Reality Tour Live album released in 2010 (which is also very good) worked myself backwards and love the Reality and Heathen albums. I pretty much agree with your list except I would sneak Aladdin Sane in some where and have Hunky Dory at 1 with Station to Station at 2 and Ziggy at 3. Good stuff John...
My top 3 would be Scary Monsters, Low, and believe it or not, Pin Ups. Just love that album. (Honorable mention to "Hello Spaceboy", but the album its from was a bit scattered)
1 Ziggy Stardust 2 Scary Monsters 3 Hunky Dory 4 Station to Station 5 Aladdin Sane 6 Low 7 Diamond dogs 8 Heathen 9 Heroes 10 Let’s Dance 11 The man who sold the world 12 Black Star
Very hard to choose. I would have to have Aladdin Sane somewhere in the top 5, although I don't like Stones cover on that. I really like Heroes. It is far better than Lodger IMO. Station to Station is overlooked and I'm glad it is ranked so highly. I got it when it came out as a 14 year old or so.
I would have Aladdin sane in the list not just because there are some great songs on it but it was the album that really propelled Bowie into super stardom!
These "top whatevers" are great to watch with dragons slain and holy grails smashed all over the shop. Thank you so much for putting them together; they're never anything less than a treat. Your number one really surprised me; after so many sacred cows had already gone (I've got a bad case of metaphoritis this afty - sorry!) I thought it has to be "David Live" or "Space Oddity" but nope.
By the way John, do you have any interest in the music of either Randy Newman or Loudon Wainwright III? Both have significant catalogues, worthy of a top ten, if you do.
Lets Dance was certainly a response to what was happening during the 80s, which he himself started off with Scary Monsters. The New Romantics, rejected punk, to push forward a more optimistic sound, inspired by Bowie and Roxy. The total pop which developed out of that scene must have been a challenge to bowie. His response was Lets Dance, which was head and shoulders above the younger artists of the time, which is why it will always be in my top 12. However, he must have listened to Roxy's Avalon - as there is certainly a similar feel and vocal tone to this album.
interesting picks john, i would have have Aladdin sane in there its my number that cover still stands the test of time for me. Low was welcome also, space oddity, and 1 outside would be in mine john, you should check 1 outside out i know you pointed out you dipped interest a little after scary monsters, but this album worth a look, hunky dory/man who sold the world are very high on my list also, would be interesting for you to look @ David live, and stage be interested in your thoughts on those live sets.. just one thing john if you get a chance have you got any kinks albums?think i asked you that before? but great to hear your thoughts on the kinks.
1 Outside would be in my Top 5 easily. I've always loved that album.
"Station to Station" is my favorite Bowie album as well. #2 is "Diamond Dogs" after that it gets harder. I love all his '70s albums and the "Space Oddity" album too. I find the 1st Tin Machine album interesting, much to like there. Of his later albums there are 2 that I find unmemorable "Black Tie White Noise" and "Hours...". "The Next Day" was released the day of my mom's funeral so I'll always associated it with that event.
Have you heard "Never Let Me Down 2018"? It's a vast improvement over the original. The songs are good (not great) and you can hear his voice. With the disco production wiped it's less dated too.
For me there is a big gap between my favourite three studio albums, all 10/10 and my fourth favourite at 8 or even 7 out of 10. Too many albums have great singles, perhaps one or two more excellent songs and then a drop down in quality.
The top 3 are Hunky Dory, Ziggy and Station to Station.
Either I reach for those or one of the live albums from 72 Santa Monica through to Nassau 76 including David Live and Ziggy's final concert. I have the Serious Moonlight DVD as well and I think I saw an officially released live album from that tour recently which I must get.
John..have you heard the Harry Maslin 2010 remix of Station to Station it's really good.
13:24 The Man Who Fell To Earth
I agree. StoS is best and the title track is his best song.
Another great video john,I just cant get into "heathen" I love slow burn but cant get into the other tracks
Great video John
thanks for your reviews.can you review prog rock classics jethro tull emerson lake palmer king crimson...
I got the feeling I was going to disagree with this list by the vibe I was getting right off the bat, but that's ok. I'd say it's a generational thing, but both me & my mom, who is the same generation as you, think Outside is his best album. We both love the jazz influenced experimental stuff: the crazy piano & guitars and all the unexpected twists & turns in the music... If you like a song like Aladdin Sane(which is in my personal top 3 songs for sure) an album like Outside where every track is similar to Aladdin Sane is going to be very appealing... & what about Hours which was sort of a bridge between his classic & new style? Going from those albums back to albums like Low, Heroes or Scary Monsters or Diamond Dogs, or ahead to Blackstar is an easy transition. Anyway I know my type of fan is the minority still, the classical / neo classical, skip over the 90's experimentation, & 80's over commercialism(on this I agree, it was a low point) fans outnumber us. Not a big deal, it's great that we can both pick out what we like & it can be from almost opposite ends of his work.
My personal List of 12:
1. Outside (1995)
2. Blackstar (2016)
3. Low (1977)
4. Diamond Dogs (1974)
5. Heroes (1977)
6. Leon: The Outside Outtakes (1995)
7. Scary Monsters (1980)
8. Earthling (1997)
9. Hours (1999)
10. Station To Station (1976)
11. Reality (2003)
12. Black Tie, White Noise (1993)
Glad to see some love for "1. Outside" (you can tell it's number 1 from the title!)
I'm a big fan of the Leon suites too
Good you included his later albums, he was far from written out when he left us.
My top 3 list.
1.Lets dance
2.Honky dory
3.The singles
He was the type of artist that practically defies a top 10, 12, 13, whatever. You could get 10 people to do a list and they'd all be different. Sure, some of the best will be repeat but there would be a lot of differences between them. He would have liked it that way.
Let’s try this...
1. Station to Station
2. Low
3. Lodger
4. Scary Monsters
5. Outside
6. Blackstar
7. Heroes
8. Heathen
9. The Next Day
10. Buddha of Suburbia
11. Hunky Dory
12. Diamond Dogs
The Ziggy stuff is great, but he got better after that. Could have included Earthling and others, but this is today’s list. Tomorrow is another day.
Interesting, I would have to have Aladdin Sane near the top as well as Young Americans :) still some great insights.
Aladdin sane every time , I suggest you listen again !
10. Diamond Dogs
9. The Man Who Sold The World
8. Scary Monster
7. Hunky Dory
6. Aladdin Sane
5. Ziggy Stardust
4. Station To Station
3. Heroes
2. Lodger
1. Low
These are the albums I would pick. Just in a different order. All albums from the RCA years. Glad you left out Space Oddity. Good song but not an impressive album. Recently revisited Young Americans. A pretty good album, but would definatly put it at number 11.
Low or Ziggy are my favourites
Cover of station to station not man who sold the world / was from man who fell to earth ! Amazing album , agreed !
Heathen, The Next Day, and Blackstar are indeed very strong. They would all be in my top 10. Realistically significantly weaker in my opinion.
You narrowed it down to 12 ...lol ..🎵👍
My favorite top 5 Bowie albums.1.Alladin Sane 2.Alladin Sane 3.Alladin Sane 4.Alladin Sane 5.Alladin Sane...nothing comes close.
Can we agree Let's Dance is on or near the bottom of the pile?
No! Haha that's a good album even for his worst!
Not a big fan of Bowie's glam period so the albums Ziggy Stardust, Aladin Sane, Pin-Up and Diamond Dogs are duly ignored. There are obviously a few songs I don't mind but not good enough to save any of these albums. The same goes for the Young Americans and Space Oddity albums or The Next Day which I thought was a rather poor and unimaginative album totally undeserving of its no.1 chart position unlike Black Star which was like a sap rise just before the end. At this point I have to say I have always enjoyed the album Let's Dance, particularly the tracks Ricochet and Criminal World but there isn't much after that that I found really exciting except for the album 1. Outside which I quite enjoyed independently from the narrative that goes with it, although if you could take the best songs from it and couple them with the best songs from Earthling, it would make a much better album. So that leaves me with the following TOP 10:
1/ SCARY MONSTERS
2/ STATION TO STATION
3/ LOW
4/ HUNKY DORY
5/ LODGER
6/ HEROES
7/ THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD
8/ LET’S DANCE
9/ BLACKSTAR
10/ 1. OUTSIDE
Mine: Ziggy, Heroes, Scary, Aladdin, Hunky, Dogs, Low, Station, Buddha, TMWSTW, Heathen, 1.Outside
I agree, Heathen is a very good album..
What is your thoughts on nirvana cover. Man who sold the world
it’s good...a favourite of my son’s too!
Lulu covered this as well in the 70s
It’s better than the original
I have three ways of dissecting Bowie albums: Greatest, Best and Personal Favorite.
Often, when someone says that a particular album is Bowie's greatest, they are really saying that that is their personal favorite. "Greatest", to me, involves more than just the songs, it also involves the mystique or importance of that record in relation to Bowie's career. "Best" is just that ... it would be the album that, in the scorekeeper's estimation, contains the strongest songs. Personal favorite is simply your favorite Bowie album ... no justification needed.
For my money, Bowie's "Greatest" albums are: Ziggy Stardust, Let's Dance, Tin Machine I and Blackstar. In NO WAY am I suggesting that Let's Dance and Tin Machine I are "great" albums in the conventional sense, rather, they are "great" because of the significance they had on Bowie's career.
For "Best" I would go: Aladdin Sane, Station to Station, Lodger, Hunky Dory and Heroes. Aladdin Sane is an astonishing record. It represents the baton being passed from Mick Ronson to Mike Garson. This one album contains both Bowie's nastiest song (Cracked Actor) as well as his most beautiful (Lady Grinning Soul). Incredible album.
For personal favorite: Diamond Dogs, Aladdin Sane, Station to Station, Low, Lodger.
(1) *Hunky Dory* (2) *Station to Station* (3) *Space Oddity* (4) *Low* (5) *Aladdin Sane* (6) *Ziggy Stardust* (7) *Lodger* (8) *Black Tie White Noise* (9) *Heroes* (10) *Scary Monsters*
(As for his last I cannot evaluate it as it is too painful for me to even try listening to it.)
I like the fact you couldn’t leave two off the list
Good list but i honestly don't understand your view on Alladin Sane. I love it to bits
ok fair comment...i love quite a bit of Aladin Sane...just not my fav
@@johnheaton5667 A-lad-in Sane should be at number one and even if it wasn't your no. 1 you put some Ill chosen albums on this top ten...... contraversial, but annoying.
Invisible Ray put off a bit by the terrible Stones cover and the opening track which i find uninspired and distorted....last three side 1 the best in my opinion
@@johnheaton5667 I wouldn't want to live in a world without A-lad-in Sane......that's how vital it is
Even if i would rank them differently i quite agree with most of the list, big yes to STS in pole position, but Heathen ranks much higher for me and Ziggy very low. Blackstar wouldn't get in my top 12. In my top 12 you would find the 1967 Bowie debut. I also agree with Heroes, great title track but not enough steam to rank in my top 12 either. The buddha of suburbia would get Reality's slot.
What about your top ten mod / ska bands.
If fact I'm surprised you didn't put Tin Machine on your list
I think his best albums are Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust, Let's Dance, the first one, Young Americans, Pin Ups, Hours, Tonight and Never Let Me Down. The two last ones are so underrated! Many great songs. I prefer his 80s material so much more than the gloomy "Berlin-period" of the 70s. Always annoying btw how some socalled "real" Bowie-fans dismiss "Let's Dance" just because it's "too popular, poppy and commerical". Silly.
As a so-called "real Bowie fan", I don't have a problem with Let's Dance. In fact, I think 4 of the 8 songs are really good. My problem is the albums which followed, namely Tonight and Never Let Me Down. The disappointment has never left me. They're the reason that Tin Machine had to happen. A kind of cleansing.
I'd replace Reality with Outside
1. Young Americans 2. Station to Station 3. Scary Monsters 4. Heroes 5. Blackstar 6.Aladdin Sane 7. Tin Machine 8. Low 9. Outside 10. Diamond Dogs
Side 2 of 'Scary Monsters' is easily as good as side 1 for me. 'Diamond Dogs' was always my blind spot, unfortunately...
I totally agree about Scary Monsters and about not including Heroes the album. Personally, Lodger wouldn't be in the top 12 for me and I've never understood the appeal of Always Crashing In The Same Car. I don't think that Station to Station has enough great tracks to include. I've had put in Buddha of Suburbia. And either Earthling or Aladdin Sane.
Love Buddha. It feels so refreshing and personal. Love Dead Against It and Untitled
Didn't you do another presentation where you picked Aladin Sane as your favorite Bowie album? It was a show where you picked LP's by artists where your favorite was not what people might have expected. I remember clearly you picked "Wind and Wuthering" by Genesis as your favorite and "When The Eagle Flies" by Traffic. You even mention that Stevie Winwood had told you his favorite was "John Barleycorn". Or am I losing my mind?
remember praising when the eagle flies but no i didnt praise wind & wuthering or aladdin sane...so youve probably mixed this up!
And Space Oddity?
John Heaton
Hi John, I am a big fan of your videos. Very insightful. I believe you have Spotify and if so, could you provide your User Name? I'd like to "follow" you.
For me no. 1. ALADDIN SANE.
Genius. Genius. Genius. And that's his worst trax. Station, Lodger, Low, Heroes. Scary, a train of genius. Station a masterpiece, the others better.
Anyone know if the inner sleeve of ziggy album is of any value?found it in old box of bits and bobs.
I'm not sold on the musicians that play on an album because the bottom line is just that: many great musicians are paid to record other people's songs for their albums, and if the songs are awful (as in most cases), no amount of production can save a bad song. So it makes no difference to me whether Earl Slick, Eric Clapton or Tiny Tim plays on an album: they are nothing but hired hands who are told to shut up and play their guitars.
Where's George gone ? you've replaced him with ABBA.
I guess he's Gone Troppo or Somewhere In England ?
Always the Berlin trilogi high rating, i think its the 3 weak est albums he made, Ziggy stardust, station to station and the album music snobs dont like Lets dance is the 3 best albums.
A top 12 Bowie albums list is, of course, purely subjective and to your credit you've included some great ones here. But Lodger? This must be the one 70s album that falls below the high standard set by the others. Replace it with either Heroes or Young Americans and the world will be a happier place.
Nothing from the 90's??
1. Aladdin Sane
2. Hunky Dory
3. Ziggy Stardust
4. Station to Station
5. Low
6. Diamond Dogs
7. Scary Monsters
8. Young Americans
9. 1. Outside
10. Heathen
11. Heroes
12. The Next Day
Exactly!
Where is 'Space Oddity'? Without that landmark album, and the great songs on it, we never would have known about David Bowie. What about 'Heroes'? 'The Man Who Sold The World' under later work that nobody noticed, and with good reason? Weak assessment.