It's better to listen to the longer album version to hear the song as it was intended to be heard, but afterwards it's worthwhile to watch the edited single video to see the story and images Bowie wanted to convey.
When you get the chance you should definitely check out the video for Lazarus. While he was shooting he found out that the chemo is no longer working & that his cancer was terminal 😭 I still have a hard time listening to the full album. It’s just so sad, but comforting at the same time. It’s hard to explain. He used his death as a work of art. Such an amazing artist. Great reaction as always 🫶
Ned from Spain here. Thank you Lee for playing this. The wife and I have been Bowie fans for many years but didn't realize how much we loved or would miss him until he was dying. I guess we thought he would live longer than he did. A monumental artist and the way he wrapped it all up , writing his own epitaph, ( how many people can do that ? ) choosing the artists to help him do it. We cried over his death and this album made us cry even more but was also healing. BTW the bassists name has a sound like La Fevv. Drummer Mark Giuliana is someone you should study and check out his soloing.Bowie loved this band so much he was planning another LP even though he knew time was up. He also made sure all of his money, publishing, properties, etc were ready to pass to his beautiful wife and companion Iman. Miss him so...
His death was the biggest shock in music since that of his friend John Lennon almost 40 years earlier.....thousands of tributes around the world, condolences from the Vatican, NASA, the European Parliament, Presidents of Government (France, England , Ireland, ...), Hollywood stars, TV stars, Music stars, church bells ringing their songs in various countries, people spontaneously going out to sing and listen to their music in many cities around the world...... .very sad days. Bowie was a Hero and a Myth that transcended beyond his music to millions and millions of people
With respect, it was not a "shock" and not at all compared to Lennon's death. Bowie was 69 and was dying of cancer. It was well known. And everyone knew this was his last album. Lennon was shot by an assassin out of nowhere at age 40. Yes, both were deeply grieved. But people were prepared for Bowie's death; Lennon's was a "shock".
@@redadamearthBowie was extremely private in the last 10 years or so of his life. It was not known that he had cancer or that he was ill at all. Few people that knew him personally even knew. His death was a huge shock to the world. And we definitely didn't know it was his last album. The comment above pretty much captures what the atmosphere at the time was. Look up news reports if you don't remember.
@@redadamearth Bowie’s illness was certainly not well known. A number of his very close friends said Bowie had kept the diagnosis even from them. Only a very select few of the musicians who worked on Lazarus knew it would be his last album. The announcement of his death was an almighty shock for most people.
@@shelleys9603You are 100% right it did come as a shock to the world in general, I watched the previous released vid by Bowie and thought the man looks ill then pushed it to the back of my mind, but regarding Lennons murder in 1980 for me the two deaths were uncannily similar, I grew up in Liverpool and was not yet a teenager but remember vividly hearing that Lennon had been killed on the BBC world service around 7am here in Liverpool and was devastated, years later again listening to the same BBC news at 7am learned of another hero of mine passing although in obviously different situations it was still devastating on a personal level, RIP Starman and his old mate Lennon, sadly missed in these dark days 😢😢
Every song on this album is incredible, especially this one. Thank you Gail. I listened to the entire Blackstar album without stopping. I cried my eyes out. So sad yet so beautiful. Bowie will always be magical to me.
Yiiii. Noooo, you need to watch the video. VERY important. This d.amn song makes me cry every time... and I won't stop watching/listening to it. I fought the big "C" myself back in 2010 and got lucky. Terrible to see how much it tore him down, as well as doing the same to my best friend of 33 years. F cancer. Rock on forever everyone.
Bowie recorded the Blackstar album in secrecy in New York. Using a local jazz quartet as his band. Donny McCaslin saxophone, Mark Giuliana drums, Jason Lindner piano and bass player Tim Lefevbre. They were joined by guitarist Ben Monder. Produced by Bowie's long time producer Tony Visconti who praised the band. "They could play something by the drop of a dime".
The timing of this. I remember seeing the video one day and 'getting it' and then waking up to the news of his passing the next day and 'getting it' again. Such an incredible thing to do with his own life/death, and such a gift as he left the party... Aside of all that 'heaviness', musically I came and went with Bowie over the years, but it was such a pleasure that musically he gave some of his best stuff right at the end, the album is a great listen,
You're still young Lee. You have plenty of time to pay it forward, do good things & outweigh the bad. Life sucks at times, I should know having recently fought off cancer. I'm 63, love music & always make time to listen to as much music as possible (and do good things) while I'm still here on the good ship Earth. Keep on rocking my friend.
One of my absolute favourite Bowie cuts. It's raw, vulnerable, and sheer fucking genius - what a hell of a way to say goodbye to us all. The rest of the album is great as well, a towering final statement by one of the greatest artists of our time. Terrific choice, and great reaction as always, Lee. Peace and love from Canada ☮
There are a tiny handful of music videos that qualify as great art. Johnny Cash's Hurt is an obvious one. But the video for this song is right up there. Right up to the end he was living his life, and his death, as beautiful art. There'll never be another Bowie. We're privileged to have shared time on this planet with him.
Funeral For A Friend... Great premonition Lee. Here is my pontificating... This song seems like a musical and lyrical pondering of the inevitable tumbling and slow deflating toward the Earth after a long streak of stratospheric brilliance. The orchestration, production and shear space in the tone and tempo are ominous. His voice carries so much melancholic power and honesty. But not without beauty. Bowie frames [his] Life in art and even pop culture and it never feels like a sell out. He managed and manifested self-reflection from a perspective far broader than himself. Or perhaps this is evidence that [his] Self is limitless and he accessed it publicly. There is much out in the world confirming his private self was beautiful as well. How could it not be.
It's incredibly moving, as given it was towards the end of his life, and he knew this. Apparently, it was a thank you and a parting gift to his fans. .while I absolutely love Blackstar.I find myself in tears
Bowie was incredibly brave! So creatively fearless! Rolling the dice and getting it right on his final album! He loved the Sax! The Sax expresses so much emotion!
'Where are we now?' is also a marvelous elegiac song from his previous album The Next Day. Super video also, in case you haven't heard it. Thanks Lee, you're channel is wonderful.
Hello, my brother, just some Info on this LP. Bowie had been battling Cancer for almost 2 years only one other person knew this and helped him with his last product "HIS DEATH LP." released on his 69th birthday Jan 8, 2016, two day later he died Jan 10, 2016
Been a Bowie fanatic since “Can’t Help Thinking About Me” from the mid-sixties when he was still David Jones. Those last two albums are monumental and devastating. Try Blackstar but only once you’ve reviewed his entire career.
so glad you react to the studio version. Its one of my best Bowie song. But I found it hard to listen to when he died. Really feels like he's singing from Heaven!! I really like your reactions, by the way. Great job!!👍
Bowie's approach to albums, throughout his 50 year career: The headlining material, filled with hooks and catchy choruses. The cover, a song by an artist he likes done in a style that's... unusual. The album tracks. Filler for most artists, Bowie filled out his albums with words and music, sound and vision. Low is an album just of album tracks... so is Blackstar. Bowie never stopped doing his folk rock "I'm a poet and you'll know it" songs, he just got better at hiding them.
I would never suggest listening to interviews with rockstars. Most of them aren't that interesting. Bowie is a different story. He was a perceptive, smart, and funny man. Not the early drugged out stuff though.
"I wasn't supposed to be listening to it"... great comment. this last album is so personal it's almost creepy. but taken in context it's one of his best. btw, the cast of musicians on this album is outer-limits. on guitar, Ben Monder. he's a fun trip. if you're into that kind of thing. ;-)
This is the way. The drum & sax parts - I loved them from the documentary of this, and The Next Day album - a great introspective review of the Berlin Trilogy/Quintology Btw, I thought you were an offspring of mine, but you were born when I was 16. How much I need to donate for 3 songs? I already have them picked out. 2 you know from my previous posts. Kansas: Nobody’s Home Chicago: It Better End Soon (parts 1-4) Twelve Foot Ninja: IDK
Only David Bowie could orchestrate his own death as a piece of performance art - and pull it off immaculately.
Even on his deathbed, he was better than everybody else.
It's better to listen to the longer album version to hear the song as it was intended to be heard, but afterwards it's worthwhile to watch the edited single video to see the story and images Bowie wanted to convey.
When you get the chance you should definitely check out the video for Lazarus. While he was shooting he found out that the chemo is no longer working & that his cancer was terminal 😭 I still have a hard time listening to the full album. It’s just so sad, but comforting at the same time. It’s hard to explain. He used his death as a work of art. Such an amazing artist. Great reaction as always 🫶
Ned from Spain here. Thank you Lee for playing this. The wife and I have been Bowie fans for many years but didn't realize how much we loved or would miss him until he was dying. I guess we thought he would live longer than he did. A monumental artist and the way he wrapped it all up , writing his own epitaph, ( how many people can do that ? ) choosing the artists to help him do it. We cried over his death and this album made us cry even more but was also healing. BTW the bassists name has a sound like La Fevv. Drummer Mark Giuliana is someone you should study and check out his soloing.Bowie loved this band so much he was planning another LP even though he knew time was up. He also made sure all of his money, publishing, properties, etc were ready to pass to his beautiful wife and companion Iman. Miss him so...
His death was the biggest shock in music since that of his friend John Lennon almost 40 years earlier.....thousands of tributes around the world, condolences from the Vatican, NASA, the European Parliament, Presidents of Government (France, England , Ireland, ...), Hollywood stars, TV stars, Music stars, church bells ringing their songs in various countries, people spontaneously going out to sing and listen to their music in many cities around the world...... .very sad days. Bowie was a Hero and a Myth that transcended beyond his music to millions and millions of people
With respect, it was not a "shock" and not at all compared to Lennon's death. Bowie was 69 and was dying of cancer. It was well known. And everyone knew this was his last album. Lennon was shot by an assassin out of nowhere at age 40. Yes, both were deeply grieved. But people were prepared for Bowie's death; Lennon's was a "shock".
NASA named a constellation after him when he passed. 💫
@@redadamearthBowie was extremely private in the last 10 years or so of his life. It was not known that he had cancer or that he was ill at all. Few people that knew him personally even knew. His death was a huge shock to the world. And we definitely didn't know it was his last album. The comment above pretty much captures what the atmosphere at the time was. Look up news reports if you don't remember.
@@redadamearth Bowie’s illness was certainly not well known. A number of his very close friends said Bowie had kept the diagnosis even from them. Only a very select few of the musicians who worked on Lazarus knew it would be his last album. The announcement of his death was an almighty shock for most people.
@@shelleys9603You are 100% right it did come as a shock to the world in general, I watched the previous released vid by Bowie and thought the man looks ill then pushed it to the back of my mind, but regarding Lennons murder in 1980 for me the two deaths were uncannily similar, I grew up in Liverpool and was not yet a teenager but remember vividly hearing that Lennon had been killed on the BBC world service around 7am here in Liverpool and was devastated, years later again listening to the same BBC news at 7am learned of another hero of mine passing although in obviously different situations it was still devastating on a personal level, RIP Starman and his old mate Lennon, sadly missed in these dark days 😢😢
The scattered star figures under the big star spells “BOWIE”
Damn. I miss that guy! 😢
The world went to shit when he left us.
Every song on this album is incredible, especially this one. Thank you Gail. I listened to the entire Blackstar album without stopping. I cried my eyes out. So sad yet so beautiful. Bowie will always be magical to me.
Yiiii. Noooo, you need to watch the video. VERY important.
This d.amn song makes me cry every time... and I won't stop watching/listening to it. I fought the big "C" myself back in 2010 and got lucky. Terrible to see how much it tore him down, as well as doing the same to my best friend of 33 years. F cancer. Rock on forever everyone.
Bowie recorded the Blackstar album in secrecy in New York. Using a local jazz quartet as his band. Donny McCaslin saxophone, Mark Giuliana drums, Jason Lindner piano and bass player Tim Lefevbre. They were joined by guitarist Ben Monder. Produced by Bowie's long time producer Tony Visconti who praised the band. "They could play something by the drop of a dime".
I think this is one of Bowie´s best songs, the coda of a legend.
In many ways it is a mellow, ambient track - and yet at the same time the sense of tension of urgency
This is a rare occasion when I would say, also watch the video. Not for the channel, just for yourself. Devastating.
The man knew his time was short and he still made this parting gift for us.
The timing of this. I remember seeing the video one day and 'getting it' and then waking up to the news of his passing the next day and 'getting it' again. Such an incredible thing to do with his own life/death, and such a gift as he left the party...
Aside of all that 'heaviness', musically I came and went with Bowie over the years, but it was such a pleasure that musically he gave some of his best stuff right at the end, the album is a great listen,
Bowie certainly knew how to put things in perspective and make us think beyond the mondain stuff.
That was what he was best at (imo) make you see the bigger picture. Take a step back and smell the roses and notice the wasp about to sting you ;)
This video was released on a Thursday and by Sunday he was dead. This song was David saying goodbye.
You're still young Lee. You have plenty of time to pay it forward, do good things & outweigh the bad. Life sucks at times, I should know having recently fought off cancer. I'm 63, love music & always make time to listen to as much music as possible (and do good things) while I'm still here on the good ship Earth. Keep on rocking my friend.
Glad to hear you fought off cancer, Mark. I agree that this song is a reminder to do good things while we're here.
The video will break you 😢
I've heard.... I don't know if I can handle it
One of my absolute favourite Bowie cuts. It's raw, vulnerable, and sheer fucking genius - what a hell of a way to say goodbye to us all. The rest of the album is great as well, a towering final statement by one of the greatest artists of our time. Terrific choice, and great reaction as always, Lee. Peace and love from Canada ☮
The drums sound like heartbeat fading out in the end of the song
It really does. That's rough. 😪
If you have not seen the video, you must... masterful performance art.
There are a tiny handful of music videos that qualify as great art. Johnny Cash's Hurt is an obvious one. But the video for this song is right up there.
Right up to the end he was living his life, and his death, as beautiful art. There'll never be another Bowie. We're privileged to have shared time on this planet with him.
Funeral For A Friend...
Great premonition Lee. Here is my pontificating...
This song seems like a musical and lyrical pondering of the inevitable tumbling and slow deflating toward the Earth after a long streak of stratospheric brilliance. The orchestration, production and shear space in the tone and tempo are ominous. His voice carries so much melancholic power and honesty. But not without beauty. Bowie frames [his] Life in art and even pop culture and it never feels like a sell out. He managed and manifested self-reflection from a perspective far broader than himself. Or perhaps this is evidence that [his] Self is limitless and he accessed it publicly. There is much out in the world confirming his private self was beautiful as well. How could it not be.
A wonderfully written comment, Shiver.
Hit "Darkstar" from this album, in some ways it completes the Major Tom trilogy, but it still stands as a great Bowie piece.
You really need to watch the official music video of this song. Bowie's farewell to us.
I'm definitely going to watch it but I don't know it I want to put myself through that since I'm so in love with his music right now... gonna hurt.
@@L33Reacts Hey! Have you watched the video already?
So discordant and so beautiful.
Well said man. I am a spectator along the road that is your journey and I'm cheering you on!
It's incredibly moving, as given it was towards the end of his life, and he knew this. Apparently, it was a thank you and a parting gift to his fans. .while I absolutely love Blackstar.I find myself in tears
he had to die theatrically. and he did it magnificently.
Heavy.
Bowie was incredibly brave! So creatively fearless! Rolling the dice and getting it right on his final album! He loved the Sax! The Sax expresses so much emotion!
'Where are we now?' is also a marvelous elegiac song from his previous album The Next Day. Super video also, in case you haven't heard it. Thanks Lee, you're channel is wonderful.
Thank you Andy.. I truly appreciate it 🙏
@andyshan I fully agree. 'Where Are We Now?' is in my top 10 Bowie songs. The video is brilliant too.
Prepare to be overwhelmed, Lee ❤😢
I definitely was. This was heavier then any doom metal I've heard.
The end of the song sounds like a slowing, stuttering heartbeat.
Great sad song
This and blackstar always make me sad but its also fantastic. Thanks for your reaction. Perhaps you try Rock'n'Roll suicide from him.
Hello, my brother, just some Info on this LP. Bowie had been battling Cancer for almost 2 years only one other person knew this and helped him with his last product "HIS DEATH LP." released on his 69th birthday Jan 8, 2016, two day later he died Jan 10, 2016
It's David's goodbye, artistic to the very end. You need to watch the video.
Been a Bowie fanatic since “Can’t Help Thinking About Me” from the mid-sixties when he was still David Jones. Those last two albums are monumental and devastating. Try Blackstar but only once you’ve reviewed his entire career.
Bowie is one of my favourite artists along with John Lennon, Freddy Mercury, Neil Young and Roger Waters.
What a legend. RIP. 🙏 Love your reactions. 👍
When an artist says goodbye with a piece of work it's called a "swan song" like Johnny Cash's Hurt
Great react to an awesome song! 🎧 💓 🎶
so glad you react to the studio version. Its one of my best Bowie song. But I found it hard to listen to when he died. Really feels like he's singing from Heaven!! I really like your reactions, by the way. Great job!!👍
Hey thank you I really appreciate it Christian. 🙏 this felt like a song from the otherworld.
Bowie's approach to albums, throughout his 50 year career:
The headlining material, filled with hooks and catchy choruses.
The cover, a song by an artist he likes done in a style that's... unusual.
The album tracks. Filler for most artists, Bowie filled out his albums with words and music, sound and vision. Low is an album just of album tracks... so is Blackstar. Bowie never stopped doing his folk rock "I'm a poet and you'll know it" songs, he just got better at hiding them.
you definitively need to see the video at least once it's his last good bye in a way.
I still haven't made myself watch it.
I would never suggest listening to interviews with rockstars. Most of them aren't that interesting. Bowie is a different story. He was a perceptive, smart, and funny man. Not the early drugged out stuff though.
Bowie's last bit of slanted reality was as he put it choosing a NYCity Jazz Bar Band to play rock and roll with him.
It may be a figment of my imagination, but the bass and drums on this track have always reminded me of The Cure.
Sadly there was no cure.
I thought that Blackstar was reminiscent of his Berlin years, I love the album, though I don't listen to it much as it reminds me of his death.
I would give this a thousand likes if I could…
You should see this (and Blackstar) with the video.
"I wasn't supposed to be listening to it"... great comment. this last album is so personal it's almost creepy. but taken in context it's one of his best. btw, the cast of musicians on this album is outer-limits. on guitar, Ben Monder. he's a fun trip. if you're into that kind of thing. ;-)
the video is a must
This is the way.
The drum & sax parts - I loved them from the documentary of this, and The Next Day album - a great introspective review of the Berlin Trilogy/Quintology
Btw, I thought you were an offspring of mine, but you were born when I was 16.
How much I need to donate for 3 songs?
I already have them picked out. 2 you know from my previous posts.
Kansas: Nobody’s Home
Chicago: It Better End Soon (parts 1-4)
Twelve Foot Ninja: IDK
Touching. Also worth listening: version of Lazarus at the time of his death by Michael C. Hall: ua-cam.com/video/B8aEi1oJK9w/v-deo.html