DAVID BOWIE Young Americans Live Reaction - Featuring Luther Vandross

[@BethHutter]

And if you look carefully at the backup singers...you'll see a very young Luther Vandross! He's the one who came up with the repeat of Young Americans.

[@NathanVeenstra]

It’s in the title 😉

[@stephaniemarx9162]

To my everlasting sorrow, and despite seeing him concert many times, I never got to meet the "Thin White Duke"

[@gioconda43]

One of my favourite singer/composer!! He's unique! 🥰🥰

[@librarylady13]

💜💜💜 Love anything by Bowie!

[@DanielVolk-jm4nt]

Great selection Brandon. This was one of the first songs of the disco era. David Bowie was a chameleon. He was way ahead of his time. Fantastic pick. Sweet reaction Harri. 👍🙃🇺🇸🇨🇦🇬🇧🤴

[@davebzen795]

Brandon - I enjoyed this David Bowie "Young Americans," especially having never seen it before now. Well done Brandon and Harri.

[@agnetesorensenelbom5085]

🥰😇🤩

[@poutine57]

I just LOVE David Bowie!! excellent.

[@sammybeck7794]

When he sang the part in acapella "break down and cry" he usually sings that in a higher range. Here on this live tape he sang that in a much lower range. As it came to that part, in his head he probably thought I'm not going to be able to do it so I'm not going to try. Which is a smart move. His throat may have been sore or something to that effect. I've been there, done that

[@suz5862]

He had the flu. 😊

[@loisrogers9042]

I hadn't seen this live either. He definitely sounds like his vocal chords have had a workout!

[@dmgallibond469]

It's probable that Bowie did tape this during a concert tour. This was also a period when Bowie (and many other artists) were heavily using a lot of substances that wrecked their voices--swallowed, smoked, and snorted alike. David Bowie and Prince are two artists who have an amazing command of many different styles, genres, and influences, and they can make them all sound good. I have seen this particular performance a few times before and my one regret is that whoever was running the sound board for the network or the Dick Cavett Show didn't have the gain set properly on the mics or the amps. A lot of the instruments (the sax and guitar especially) are recorded way too "hot" on this track and it results in a lot of unintentional distortion. It would have been nice to hear this version with the instruments recorded as clearly as the vocalists.

[@azorbz9286]

It was indeed recorded on a concert tour, during the last leg of the Diamond Dogs Tour (now known as the Soul Tour). It was recorded in NYC as bowie was there to play the Radio City Music Hall for 7 nights (the first two were cancelled). This was recorded on the same day as the second to last performance at the Music Hall.

[@stephenqualtrough7322]

I heard the singing group Luther was in was just visiting the studio when they started improvising to the track they were hearing. It was this track. Bowie liked what they were doing and roped them into the recording. It was Luther's first appearance on disc

[@agnetesorensenelbom5085]

👍👍👍

[@13terapyn]

Think that's Dave Sanborn on sax. Bowie had an ear for exceptional talent. Sorely missed!!

[@Lynndane]

Yes indeed!

[@marybaillie8907]

From David's 9th album, "Young Americans", from 1974, this is a great lyrical tune, giving the impressionist portrait of 20th Century America. The beautiful backing vocals, conceivered by unknown artist at the time Luther Vandross and David Sanborn playing an amazing sax, just heaven on earth. John Lennon worked with Bowie on Fame and the cover of " Across the Universe" both from this album. Made it to Number 18 in the UK, Number 33 in Canada and Number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100's in the US. Incredible song throughout. Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Brandon. 👏👏 Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

[@agnetesorensenelbom5085]

🥰🤗🥰🎶🎼🎷

[@marybaillie8907]

@@agnetesorensenelbom5085 🥰🥰🩷🩷🎷🎷🎤🎤 Love the sax. 😇😇

[@frankied1107]

Thanks for finding this and reacting to it. I think this was from The Dick Cavett TV show from December 4, 1974. Take care.☮

[@garulusglandarius6126]

I love everything Bowie, good one Harri 👍

[@TeresaMount-t9o]

Great performance!

[@azorbz9286]

This was actually recorded before even the Young Americans album was complete and David was still touring for his previous album, Diamond Dogs. Bowie had just started a new leg of his tour, now called the Soul Tour, during which he played many of his new tracks, such as Can You Hear Me, Young Americans, and Somebody Up There Likes Me (and once Win). Some of the tracks he played were intended for the Young Americans album (then called The Gouster), such as Footstomppin' (which later morphed into Fame), It's Gonna Be Me, and John I'm Only Dancing (Again). This particular show was recorded whilst Bowie was in New York (for his shows at the Radio City Music Hall). Many of these shows were critically condemned as Bowie's voice was weak (he seemed to be suffering from a cold). His condition improved for his final few nights at the Music Hall, although it was too late for some people. The Soul Tour is generally known for its inconsistent vocal performances, but I think that makes it incredibly unique. It is thought that the Soul Tour have video recordings from both Buffalo and Washington DC (the latter is yet to be proven). Only one song from Buffalo has been released (kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGPCgpiXq82Zp6M) and it is perhaps my favourite live performance ever. It would be a great one to react to. A live album from this part of the Diamond Dogs tour is available called I'm Only Dancing (The Soul Tour '74).

[@sourisvoleur4854]

The backing singers are awesome.

[@elysehfm8797]

Studio version for me, but always great to see his moves.

[@donrogers1337]

Quite the entertainer for his day and time. Put out some great music, some you might even say was unusual.

[@keithroberts4952]

Great version shown! I find it difficult to watch any footage of David during this period as he was struggling terribly with his drug use, as evidenced by his physical appearance, but he pulled off a good performance none the less. Pre fame Luther vandross did an excellent job arranging the backing vocals around David's vocals.

[@amandameale6000]

One of my favourite songs. I’ve never seen a live performance before. Thank you!

[@pennymcneela7095]

I remember watching Glass Spider on TV it was part of his Glass Spider tour, it was amazing. Bowie has always been my idol, my favourite album of his is, Aladdin Sane, good stuff it is...❤

[@0okamino]

The TV audio quality wasn’t so great back then, but it’s still a performance to treasure. You could always count on Bowie to recognize and bring on very talented people. When it came to the _Labyrinth_ soundtrack, what did he do? He brought in Albert Collins on guitar, and a fantastic choir which included Cissy Houston and Chaka Khan.

[@valeriekokenge659]

I think this was a Sears and Roebucks special at a time when he was trying to dress “normally”. He was a standout guy in every way!

[@shelleys9603]

Bowie wasn't at 100 percent vocally but it doesn't matter because the performance was so good. If you don't know it, I'm sure you'd enjoy another song from Young Americans, "Fascination," co-written by Luther Vandross and based on an original song by him called "Funky Music"

[@jax993]

I have a photo of Bowie &Jagger signed love Bowie

[@DJBilodeau]

Doesn’t look like you’ve done Bowie’s “Fame”, a monster collaboration co-written with and featuring John Lennon on rhythm and backing vocals, as well as former James Brown guitarist Carlos Alomar getting the third writing credit on the song as well as also playing some really funky rhythm along with Lennon on the track. A monster song by Bowie!!!

[@chetstevensq]

So many great Bowie songs but my favorite is one of his very last recorded, Slow Burn off of the Heathen album is the culmination of a lifetime in music.

[@papagarth]

This is a song I haven't heard before, and had skipped it for the time being, BUT, I need some way to say someone he admired died Monday : Francoise Hardy. Someone who, Bob Dillon wrote (love ? ) poems to her, and more. She was a great singer - I think they said Rolling Stone said she was one of the best (singers, or had one of the best female voices ) - in the top 200 - of all time She is also why I wish people would start listening to stuff from overseas a lot more, to hear that they DO make them like that still . ... I'm glad you listened to the Hu, for that very reason

[@samuelgates5935]

That's David Sanborn on the sax solo. He mentioned "Afro Sheen" black hair care products.

[@beedeegee9374]

I love that awkward way that Bowie moved, he is so missed.

[@jonathanwright9613]

Only the "Thin White Duke" can rock the Zoot Suit and get away with it.

[@pablolazaromartinez3541]

❤❤❤

[@Ker-mk3bf]

Great song !

[@DanalynTuthill-yl4hd]

Harri, at the time of this performance Bowie was into his heavy drug use. It's anybody's guess if that's why his voice is so hoarse. I will always prefer the album version because he sings this song the fastest and the best. Such an amazing and dynamic song. This alternated with "Heroes" as my favorite Bowie song for awhile. Bowie always hired the best musicians. Luther arranged the backing vocals. That's why they sound so good. Now both he and Bowie are gone.

[@gl15col]

Everything in the world seems to have gone wrong since David died...just saying.

[@laurabrevitz3944]

👆

[@rickclark8657]

Please go listen to the studio version while good missing many elements that the studio version brings

[@elysehfm8797]

Always.

[@agnetesorensenelbom5085]

🙏😇🥰❤️

[@NathanVeenstra]

Wait. Did you just miss that they did a dedication to The Beatles by using a sentence from “A Day In The Life”?

[@gioconda43]

Yeah it's very strange he missed that! They sung it more than once! 😅😅

[@peterwaters8338]

david sanborn on the mournful sax; he make the song here as well.......

[@maggynewtown3500]

Young Americans was written and recorded as an acknowledgement of the magical studio musicians working at Sigma studio in Philadelphia. Philadelphia International Records was the production company and label belonging to Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Many people believe that this was all there was to Philly soul. Not so. Those musicians, often referred to as MFSB, also were part of the John Davis Monster Orchestra and, later, Salsoul! They laid down tracks for BB King, The Temptations, The Four Tops. The Whispers, The Executive Suite, The Soul Train Gang (later Shalamar), Jermaine Jackson, Eddie Kendrick, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Revelation, Ecstasy Passion and Pain, The Modulations, Eddie Holman and Jesse James. Of course they were The Trammps.

[@markstanton2362]

Bowie here is a Joan Rivers look alike

[@notgivennotgiven7776]

Dat aboy Luther

[@jean-michelcagnac]

DAVID SANBORN ON ALTO SAXOPHONE...

[@rebeccalipps23]

The sound is a bit tinny on this one. It could be the source recording was poor, especially for the sax.

[@tomlafleche332]

Is it just me or does the sax player look like Dave Coz famous sax player Dave Coz?

[@John_Chu]

It's David Sanborn.

[@tomlafleche332]

@@John_Chu That was the other guy I thought it might be but with my phone it's kind of hard to tell so I went with the guy whom I thought he looked a little more like lol.

[@michaelz9892]

I love Bowie but really hate this vocal performance. Band and backup are good tho :)

[@antarcticorb9197]

Bowie's coke years.

[@pablolazaromartinez3541]

His voice , like his health, by this time were at stake due to his drugs consumption