Best of David Bowie [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

David Bowie

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 22, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B00006L736
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,326 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

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

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars WARNING: Songs Have Been Edited on this Album, January 2, 2005

By	dcinDC "dcinDC" (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews

I'm a big Bowie fan and overall this is a decent collection of his works. The two disc set has a better selection, but I liked that this single disc spanned his early to later hits. The sound quality is good.

HOWEVER, I was VERY disappointed to notice that several songs have been edited. They've been shortened to presumably include more songs on this single CD. A couple of instrumental parts within songs have been shortened (such as in Young Americans) and the endings of some songs have been truncated. This really bothers me.

If you're new to Bowie and don't know his music yet, this probably a good way to get a sample. If you know and love these songs, the edits might just drive you nuts. They sure bug me.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Decent Single Disc Collection, But The Two Disc One Puts This To Shame, September 12, 2005

By	Anthony Nasti "Tony" (Staten Island, New York United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Compilation & Sound Quality, November 7, 2002

By	FXO (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

Another Bowie compilation is not what I needed but I am very pleased with this collection. The day I bought it, it became a staple in my car CD player.

Track listings are generous, totaling eighteen, and they include all of Bowie's biggest hits. Already owning "ChangesBowie" and "Best Of 1969-1974", I hesitated to buy yet another of his compilations, but am glad that I did. Since Amazon.com has not listed the tracks, here they are: "Absolute Beginners", "Ashes To Ashes", "Blue Jean", "Changes", "China Girl", "Fame", "Fashion", "Golden Years", "Heroes", "Let's Dance", "Modern Love", "Rebel Rebel", "Space Oddity", "Suffragette City", "Young Americans" and three duets I had not seen on a Bowie CD before, "This Is Not America" w/Pat Metheny, "Dancing In The Streets" w/Mick Jagger and "Under Pressure" w/Queen.

What pleases me the most about this collection is the stellar digitally-remastered sound quality. Exceptionally well done, there are separations in some of the songs I had never noticed before. Kudos to the producer. If you like Bowie, you will like this CD. Bowie aficionados still smarting from his overtly commercial product from the 1980s may find this package lacking, but if you like his hits, this is a CD you will enjoy.