Customer Reviews

David Live

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I don't own any other David Bowie albums. But I've been a rock & blues guitar player for 35 years, and this album has some of the most screamin' live guitar playing I've ever heard. As far as I'm concerned, Earl Slick steals the show !! In April 2003, Guitar Player Magazine published an article titled, "50 Forgotten Albums Every Guitarist Should Own," and this album is on the list. Get it -- Dig it.

This CD is a MUST HAVE!!! If you have been a fan of David Bowie for years you will love it. I knew all the songs, but had never heard them live. It is absolutely the best CD that I have purchased in years!

In 1974 Bowie released the incredible "Diamond Dogs" album, then went on tour to promote it. This "live" document of the tour features his best-known album tracks of the previous five years, performed before an enthusiastic crowd at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania (not in Philadelphia, as noted on the sleeve).

Fans only acquainted with Bowie's prolonged dance-music era will be surprised at how different (and how good) he was during these earlier years. Here he sings material from his albums "Space Oddity", "The Man Who Sold The World", "Hunky Dory", "Ziggy Stardust", "Aladdin Sane", and "Diamond Dogs". Indeed, this set functions as a "greatest hits" of his most popular songs up until that time.

The aforementioned albums were the most unusual of the early '70's. Truly strange words and music - like nothing ever heard before. And his "live" show and theatrics were like nothing ever seen before! Artistically, he would never be the same again. After this he released the much different-sounding "Young Americans". "David Live" was the "last hurrah" of what many people (myself included) consider to be the most creative and entertaining period of his life.

Having disbanded the Spiders From Mars a year earlier, Bowie is accompanied by Tony Newman-drums;Pablo Rosario-percussion;David Sanborn-alto sax,flute;Richard Grando-baritone sax,flute;Mike Garson-piano,mellotron;Herbie Flowers-bass;Gui Andrisano and Warren Peace-vocal backings;Michael Kamen-electric piano,moog,oboe;and Earl Slick-guitar.

These veterans all play fantastically, but of special note are the contributions of Mike Garson and Earl Slick. Their piano and guitar parts dominate, and between them they make the record something special. The sax parts are nice too. They tamper with the arrangements on many songs, slowing some down and speeding others up - or they insert tinkly piano or fiery guitar that didn't exist on the studio versions. For these differences alone this is worth collecting.

While I highly recommend buying all of the above Bowie albums, this is a good place to start for a curious newcomer or a casual fan. See what all the buzz was about!

Yes the other review from the guy who plays guitar is 100% right. The guitar playing is great especially on Moonage Daydream. I also play and I say the horn sounds combined with the rockin guitar could wake the dead. Bowie voice is strong either live here or in the studio.

This album was derided when it first came out as being a little "rough" around the edges. That's what makes this cd so awesome and listenable now! Bowies voice is great... a little huskey, but nonetheless,sexy and hot! As others have pointed out the musicians are superb and beyond compare. A great edition to any Bowie fans collection!

Like another reviewer, this is the only Bowie album I ever owned. The reason, of course, is Earl Slick's soulful, screaming guitar. Listen to WIDTH of a CIRCLE, Slick's solo alone makes owning the album worthwhile.

David Bowie's first official live album was considered something of a dud upon its original release in the fall of 1974. The show it documented was something of a rock n'roll epic in its day but supposedly it was as much of a visual spectacle as it was sonic and judging by the results of the recording probably more so. I have a problem with most of the versions of the Ziggy era tunes as they are set to mostly an R&B beat which is what David was starting to pursue at the time. I absolutely HATE "Rebel Rebel" on this album as the studio version is one of my all-time favorites. I have no problems with David's performance which is strong throughout and the band is top notch so I guess my blasé look at this double LP is due to the style of music. There are some decent run throughs ("Diamond Dogs", "Space Oddity" and album opener "1984") but I have a hard time with such favorites as the aforementioned "Rebel", "Panic in Detroit" and "Suffragette City" which are in a word awful. Still worth a listen for the Bowie fan but not for someone who wants a best of from this era. `David Live' is proof positive that the artist would not stand pat with any given image and would change styles even in mid-tour.

This is David Bowie at his BEST, I have this on a double LP but to get this on CD with the additional tracks? Just fantastic, I was in my late teens when I bought the record and it was pretty well worn out when my record player went the way of the Dodo, now I have all the tracks and some extras on CD and its being well played again. Thanks David.