Customer Reviews

The Singles 1969 to 1993

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

 

 

Nearly 20 years after it was released, this is still one of the best Bowie compilations, and it's available for a very low price from any number of Amazon Marketplace sellers. The tracks on this album, primarily from the 70s and 80s, represent the acme of David's recording career and the peak of his popularity.

There are two versions of this album, one American and one British. I've included a full listing of the American edition, but a caveat is in order: to fit 39 tracks on two CDs, a number of the songs are specially edited and not the original album or single versions. Those unique edits are indicated below.

Disc One

1. "Space Oddity" (unique edit) - 3:31

2. "Changes" - 3:33

3. "Oh! You Pretty Things" - 3:11

4. "Life on Mars?" - 3:48

5. "Ziggy Stardust" - 3:13

6. "Starman" - 4:13

7. "John, I'm Only Dancing" - 2:46

8. "Suffragette City" - 3:25

9. "The Jean Genie" - 4:06

10. "Sorrow" - 2:52

11. "Drive-In Saturday" - 4:27

12. "Diamond Dogs" - 6:03

13. "Rebel Rebel" - 4:28

14. "Young Americans" - 5:10

15. "Fame" - 4:16

16. "Golden Years" - 3:58

17. "TVC 15" (unique edit) - 3:43

18. "Be My Wife" - 2:55

19. "Sound and Vision" - 3:00

20. "Beauty and the Beast" - 3:33

Disc Two

1. "Heroes" (single edit) - 3:35

2. "Boys Keep Swinging" - 3:16

3. "DJ" (single edit) - 3:20

4. "Look Back in Anger" - 3:05

5. "Ashes to Ashes" (7" single edit) - 3:34

6. "Fashion" (7" single edit) - 3:23

7. "Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)" - 5:09

8. "Under Pressure" with Queen - 4:01

9. "Cat People (Putting Out Fire)" with Giorgio Moroder (soundtrack version) - 6:43

10. "Let's Dance" (unique edit) - 4:07

11. "China Girl" (unique edit) - 4:14

12. "Modern Love" (unique edit) - 3:56

13. "Blue Jean" - 3:09

14. "Loving the Alien" (unique edit) - 4:39

15. "Dancing in the Street" with Mick Jagger - 3:14

16. "Absolute Beginners" (single edit) - 5:36

17. "Day-In Day-Out" (unique edit) - 4:14

18. "Never Let Me Down" - 4:03

19. "Jump They Say" (radio edit) - 3:54

The British edition, by contrast, includes only 37 tracks. It eliminates seven songs ("Oh! You Pretty Things," "Be My Wife," "Look Back in Anger," "Cat People," "Loving the Alien," "Never Let Me Down," and "Jump They Say") and substitutes five different songs ("Rock 'n' Roll Suicide," "Knock on Wood," "Alabama Song," "Wild Is the Wind," and "This Is Not America"). There are arguments to be made in favor of either track selection. You decide, but be sure which version you're getting before you order. The British one does not feature the words "including his greatest hits" on the cover.

This is an old CD collection that i purchased used because i liked the Ryko presentation of Bowie's material. It's a pretty good selection overall, one big improvement would have been the original, hard to find version of Rebel Rebel (the faster version with the phased vocals, that he used on most subsequent live albums). Anyway, it's a good collection with no real surprises.

This compilation has all my favorite Bowie songs at easy reach. I do have many of his early albums on LP, but listening to this CD allows me to "observe" Bowie's changes in songwriting style and performance over the decades in an hour or two.

For me this is still the definitive Bowie collection. On two discs you get 37 songs spanning his career up to 1993. Presented in a chronological way this collection allows you to move with Bowie as he developed his style with experience and trends of the time. With such gems as 'Space Oddity', 'Starman', 'Ashes to Ashes', 'China Girl' and one of my personal favourites 'Modern Love' and more besides, this album has so many outstanding tracks to whet your appetite. Bowie always was and is an innovative artist, with a flair for songwriting and performance and this album is the best place to go for your first introduction to what he has to offer. Superb for those new to Bowie and still invaluable for those who have some of his albums. Highly recommended.

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I don't know about any other compilation, and I don't even own the second tape (bought the 1st one used), but I can say that every single song on just the first tape is top class. Give in to temptation and try out stuff by Ziggy and his many egos.

This could easily have been a single album, they really put in some obscure songs to make it a two album set. I like Bowie but I have never heard a lot of these tracks.

No other artist makes me feel the way David Bowie does. He is beyond words. An awesome compilation.

this was the best collective album set produced..and thats all I have to say about that.

Well, your illustrious Seer came down to the bar (the former nightclub known as the Super Erogatory) and ordered my standard brandy. Joe, the bartender, was too busy to deal with an illustrious Seer's predictament. Why should I be surprised? Certainly, just when I think I can't handle things - I, all of a sudden can! How is this so? Faith and class dear people. I have it in abundance. And, forever it shall be so. Let the martinets weep, for they possess -- nothing. As is - and so ever shall it be. How incredibly pathetic are they. A lacking soul will do just about anything, I always say.

But mirth! I demand mirth! And joy! And all things that revitalize the soul! This is a true Seer's work. Not this nonsense. As you can tell dear people, I have been watching a video of olde England. A classic which I will eventually review. ( A movie Metamorpho? You must be mad!). Yes. It's true. And one more brandy I will jump. See you all on the 11 o'clock news my people!

O.K. enough fun. Some time ago I earmarked this collection for a review. Well, things took some time to catch up - as things always do. And I found myself at a point that I wanted to write something of interest but didn't want it to be too overbearing, lest it offends anyone. Not that I really care. At this point, I don't. Self-assuredness should be a lesson everyone should learn. After all - your needs are what matters - not mine. So wise these Seers are.

Anyway - I don't know how many Bowie collections there have been out there. 10? 20? 50 million by this point? Does not matter. Take it from your wise Seer, you will never have it all til you own every effort he's put out. That is modern a go-go America. Get used to it. Anyway, I got this collection a long time ago. It gathers his hits from 1969 through to 1993. And, while I don't recall Mr. Bowie having this much in the top 40, I suppose the "hits" reference is an aside to those who have followed his career. And, if that's the case, it does a pretty good job.

Bowie, admittedly, has been all over the musical map. He's another one of those artists who refuse to be defined. Like a Dylan, you can't really define him. You think you can - but you can't. You think you know him, but you don't really. He switches, changes, and eludes your every grasp. And it is this magikal quality that makes him so mystikal. That's as it should be. You want snooping reporting - go to CNN. Bowie is our enigma. Leave him alone.

There are essentials here - which - if you never heard of him before, will suffice as an introduction. You must have "Space Oddity", "Changes" "Ziggy Stardust" "Diamond Dogs" (sadly, without the intro which, to my mind, makes the whole song right), "Rebel Rebel", "Young Americans", "Fame", "Heroes" and, the ultimate "must have" in any collection like this and that is "Under Pressure" done by him and Queen.

Frankly, the first disc concentrates on his earlier accomplishments, while the other takes us through his dance phase "Let's Dance", "China Girl", "Modern Love", "Blue Jean", and a few more choice selections. A warning to all - there is filler here. And, certainly his catalogue up to 1993 would not include anything thereafter. Not only that- but they ignore "Pin-Ups", which would have served as more interesting inclusions than the ones here. In all though, a pretty satisfactory collection. The best at the time? Almost (why did they exclude "Watch that Man", one of Bowie's best rockers?), but, since this time, it is probably wise to be the smart shopper and compare. Anyone wanting to navigate the hills and valleys of Bowie's catalogue, please feel free. I will be here- you know where to find me - nursing my brandy and comtemplating my next move in the chess game of life. And, no, you haven't checkmated me, and you never will.

Opening doors which are impossible for you -- cheers!- Metamorpho

just because he had some great songs in the 70's and a few in the 80's doesn't make him out to be a legend.in fact he hasn't had a good good song in almost 20 years not since lets dance.it's been mainly image.his business smarts are ahead of the turn with the music bonds but his music nowadays just lacks any kind of substance.he writes and plays instruments and is the king of image make over but that hasn't got a thing to with the music.this to me is the only thing worth owning by this artist.he is a good stage act.