Customer Reviews

Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders from Mars

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For many years Bowie fans have had to accept the shoddy sound quality of previous releases of this album. Now, a full remaster with vibrant sound has been made available.

The show has been expanded somewhat in that it now consists of two discs, and "Width Of A Circle" has been restored to it's original 15 minute length. Intros and farewell speech are included, making this the best official release yet.

The packaging is also quite nice. The CDs are housed in a black box each in their own cardboard sleeves. Included in the set is a mini poster with highlights of newspaper headings and pictures from that fateful night, a reproduction of a concert ticket from the show, and finally a introspective booklet.

Finally... a David Bowie LIVE album worth the addition to any Bowie fan's collection!

This new mix of Bowie's legendary "farewell" concert in 1973 is in every way an improvement on the Rykodisc release. I originally owned the album on a two-record vinyl LP set, and for the first time, it sounds like a concert rather than a live recording. The balance between the ambient noise of the crowd and the performance is much more realistic, the bass and piano have more punch, the guitar is jackhammer solid, and Bowie's vocals sound better than ever.

In contrast to previous audio releases on vinyl and CD, this contains the soundtrack as presented in the film. The original 2-disc vinyl release, and subsequent CD reissues, not only have a mix that's markedly different from what you hear in the movie, but some of the performances are different. For example:

In the older issues, on "Wild Eyed Boy from Freecloud" Bowie hits a spectacular high note on the last word ("free") and holds it for several seconds as the band segues into "All the Young Dudes". It's a spine tingling moment, one of the high points of the recording... but it's not here --- and it's not in the movie. Bowie sings an ordinary low note at the transition.

I saw the movie in a theater and again on VHS and laserdisc, and recently watched the new DVD release. I'd forgotten how strong these differences were! Some of them can be attributed to the difference in the mix, but others must have been taken from a previous performance.

This new mix is a dramatic improvement in every way; but I'm going to hang on to my old Ryko CD; I miss that high note. It
really makes a difference!

The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars (1972.), David Bowie's fifth studio album

As the 1970's progressed, David Bowie became recognised as a music legend. However, in the early part of his career, Bowie was much less known and hadn't yet broken through into the mainstream, even though he'd released classic albums such as 'Hunky Dory'. This all changed in 1972 with the release of the 'Ziggy Stardust' concept album. David Bowie's newly adopted persona in the album transformed him into a famous star overnight. Over time, David Bowie's glam rock styled 'Ziggy Stardust' has been hailed as his ultra-definitive album and perhaps as his greatest. So does 'Ziggy Stardust' live up to its great reputation?

'Ziggy Stardust' is unlike any other album I've heard. Even though the style is totally glam rock, a trend which was very popular in music in the early 70's, the concept around the album and the whole transformation Bowie made himself within the work is what makes it pretty unique. The concept of the album aside, all of the tracks on the album hold up individually in their own right. There are plenty of great concept albums such as 'The Wall' by Pink Floyd or 'Tommy' by The Who which require you to listen to the album as a whole to 'get' all of the tracks in context; with 'Ziggy Stardust', there is no such problem and all of the songs can be well appreciated as unrelated songs. This is why plenty of the songs, such as 'Starman' and 'Suffragette City' achieved popular status and plenty of radio play. Bowie and his backing band capture the glam style brilliantly. Mick Ronson is one of the main stars of the album with some legendary inspired solos plus the piano intertwines on some of the songs are played by him. The music on the album has a crisp and fresh sound to it and hasn't aged at all. You can tell the music is 70's glam but at the same time it never sounds dated.

In the past ten or fifteen or so years, the David Bowie album series has undergone a number of remasters. The first of these was the 1990 remaster series which features the original 11 track album and bonus tracks including songs 'Velvet Goldmine' and the single 'John I'm Only Dancing'. Since then, an enhanced series of Bowie albums has become available and this is the version you're most likely to find on the CD shop shelf. These new versions have awesome sound quality for the original albums and come with well constructed booklets of lyrics however the enhanced CD's have no bonus tracks featuring like the earlier version. This is a shame because the remasters are excellent and it seems strange that they miss off extras that feature on an earlier version!

The album is the epic saga of a space rock stars ascent to superstardom and his subsequent fall. 'Five Years' gets the album going; a footstep sounding drum opening leads into a great piano driven song. Bowie gives a pleading vocal performance about the end of the world drawing near. The orchestral background and whirlwind finish is classic. The glam style then truly kicks in with 'Soul Love'. This is one of the really catchy songs off the album, with some great driving guitar work from Mick Ronson and a great saxophone interlude. Bowie is a more than capable saxophone player and it is probably his most underrated musical ability. 'Moonage Daydream' for me is the height of this great album. This spacey sounding song rocks in great style. Epic, moody choruses contrasted by punchy verses make this song great and Mick Ronsons futuristic sounding exit solo is phenominal. 'Starman', another one of Bowie's most famous songs follows. This is another great, catchy song with a space theme. To finish the first side of the album is 'It Ain't Easy'. A good song, although probably the weakest on the album - ironically Bowie didn't write this one! The song has a killer chorus with wailing guitars.

'Lady Stardust' then 'Star' open up the second half of the album. Both songs are great glam rocking songs; 'Lady Stardust' is especially great with a great piano melody carrying the tune. Another famous track, 'Hang On To Yourself' is next. This is a great fast paced song with a great guitar riff and inspired 'C'mon C'mon' chorus. Then, who could forget the opening guitar sequence of 'Ziggy Stardust'. Bowie sings the story of the rise and fall of the rock n' roll star; another one of the albums highlights. 'Suffragette City' follows; another classic glam sounding song with a driving riff and a really cool chorus. However, after all of these pretty upbeat songs, the album closes on a more mellow and darker note in the 'Rock n' Roll Suicide'. Lyrically brilliant, this acoustic starting song builds to an emphatic climax before finishing with the grand sound of a string orchestra.

The 'Ziggy Stardust' album immortalised David Bowie. This, coupled with his famous 'Ziggy Stardust' tour which followed are some of the highlights of his great career. This album is up there with his other great works such as 'Hunky Dory' and 'Aladdin Sane'. Bowie's glam rock phase was perhaps his most successful era and this masterpiece has it all. If your looking to start a Bowie album collection, this is the work to begin with.

MY RATING: 9.5/10

If you are putting off buying this because you have heard previous versions (on vinyl or CD), wait no longer. This release features incredible sound in comparison to earlier versions. Thanks to Tony Visconti for cleaning things up so nicely.

This disc is worth having for The wild-Eyed Boy From Freecloud/All the Young Dudes Medley alone.

A must for any Bowie fan! Only the continued absence of The Jean Genie featuring Jeff Beck keeps this from being a perfect Five.

Thank you Dr Toby Mountain! He's the dude that's credited with the digital mastering of this RykoDisc version of Bowie's classic album. I remember owning this on cassette too and it still sounded great!

Anyways, this disc with the extra tracks especially "John, I'm Only Dancing" and "Velvet Goldmine" is a really good one to get. I see it's out of print but the other remastered versions out there make me wonder whether it's worth it getting them when this version is so very good already.

Great tracks and great sound so I'm holding on to this version that I have until they truly come up with a good reason for me to get another version. Mmm, maybe something with the same tracks but remastered and coming in a Japanese, LP-style miniature slipcase? Might just do it...

In case you haven't yet heard Ziggy and are wondering what this is all about, wonder no longer and get yourself a copy, even if it's a used RykoDisc version, it's still good. I'm not exaggerating when I say that this is at least as good as if not better than "Sgt. Pepper's..." for too many reasons to be mentioned here in this review. Maybe, I'll write an article someday if someone will pay me for it... : )

A most memorable and noteworthy concert finally gets the treatment that it deserves.

When the 30th anniversary edition of this cd was released I had the old version on my stereo in the car. The difference in the mix is starteling. Most noticeably right off the bat is the extended intro tape leading into the opening riff of Hang On To Yourself.

I have owned a bootleg recording of this gig for many years which, while representing an incomplete set still had two things over the legitametely released version. The first thing was Mick Ronson's guitar. It, along with the other instruments was buried so far down in the original mix as to be almost criminal.

Now, with this new version all the instruments are right up front where the deserve to be. Anyone listening to this new disc who's hairs do not stand up on the back of their necks when Ronson hits the first chords of Hang On To Yourself should be ashamed of themselves.

The one sad point about this set and the sole thing that stops me from giving this a five star treatment is the lack of the Jeff Beck tunes.

For those who do not know the full history of Ziggy's retirement gig, Jeff Beck joined the Spiders for rousing versions of Jean Genie / Love Me Do and Around and Around. Rumour has it that Beck never gave his permission for the inclusion of his guest spot because he was disappointed in his performance.

If this is truley the case and this was the sole reason that these two songs were not included in this remastered edition then shame on Mr. Beck.

While I have never heard his spot on Around and Around the boot that I mentioned above does include his Jean Genie / Love Me Do spot and all I can say is that he had absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.

Regardless, this is an amazing upgrade of the previously available set and should be picked up without hesitation. Even if you already own the previous version.

Go ahead... I'll wait.

Unfortunately, Tony Visconti had very little to work with when remixing this album. In particular, the ever-impressive piano parts sound muffled, as if only a faraway microphone covered by a pillow was picking up the sound. The liner notes explain the sound problems to an extent, but it still seems like a crime that this historic concert was recorded so badly.

Despite the technical problems, this album has many highlights, including a veeeeeery long Width of a Circle and the most moving rendition I've heard of My Death.

If you don't mind some DIY rough edges, you will find plenty to enjoy in the manic playing of the Spiders From Mars, and, of course, Bowie retiring Ziggy onstage is of no small significance.

This is probably David Bowie's best known album. It's a concept album about an alien who becomes a rock star. Truly a classic, possibly the ultimate glam rock album. Try to get the Rykodisc version, it has five bonus tracks. The biggest revelation among the bonus tracks is "Sweet Head", a previously unreleased song from the Ziggy recording sessions that is every bit as good as the songs that actually made it onto the album.

Great CD

Possibly one of the best Live recordings ever.

Both discs are fantastic.

Worth the money

So, you want to buy a CD version of the old vinyl album you once had. I'll bet you have been looking at dozens of different versions of Ziggy Stardust, and are trying to untangle the mess. If you are reading my review, you just got lucky.

Sellers alternate between calling the CD "Ziggy Stardust", "Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars", "The Rise And Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars", "Ziggy Stardust (The Motion Picture)" or other names.

Critics have stated that the 30th Anniversary re-issue sucks, as some of the intros are cut out and the stereo is right and left instead of left and right. Other versions do not include bonus tracks, and yet other versions are said to be of poor quality. It has also been stated that the Ryco, or Rycodisc release is the best version, but how do you figure that out?

Well, I can tell you that I just crossed my fingers and took a guess, and was lucky. This is what I have in my hot little hands: The full album plus bonus tracks "John, I'm Only Dancing (previously unrelased mix)", "Velvet Goldmine (Single B-side)", "Sweet Head (Previously unreleased track)", "Ziggy Stardust (Previously unreleased original demo)", and "Lady Stardust (Previously unreleased original demo)". On the back at the bottom, it lists the copyright as 1972 and 1990, Manufactured and Marketed by Rycodisc.

I am happy with my purchase, and hope my review helps you with your search.