Classical Composer Reacts to Ziggy Stardust FULL ALBUM (David Bowie) | The Daily Doug (Ep. 487)

[@starpowermike2846]

Bowie did well during this period in his career to back himself with a fantastic band. Mick Ronson is criminally underrated as a guitarist.

[@jackal59]

And as an arranger. I'm sure he did these strings.

[@brewstergallery]

And the pianist , awesome guitar wrangler and sound sculptor. Ronno and his criminally underpaid bandmates should have been treated better by a wonderful artist who discarded them when he was finished with the character of Ziggy. We love David Bowie and cried when he died but feel he should have made amends with a group that helped make him a star.

[@jamesnunn7181]

@@brewstergallerypfffft Bowie was his own man and went on to much more. They could’ve done likewise perhaps…

[@stephenslade1639]

@@brewstergallery Agree. DB could and should have treated them all better when they were part of the band and after with royalties etc. Maybe it fitted in with the 'break up the band' line a bit too well. He brought Mick to a few gigs and said how great he was but I don't think he ever really gave Ronno the recognition or payoff he deserved.

[@mushroomjesus2068]

Doing well is hard to say. Bowie was a talented occultists who luckily could be creative on massive amounts of drugs. Magik / Drugs work for a very few amount of people and he was one who could harvest the power.

[@mikedonoghues4018]

“You’re NOT alone!” What every teenager who bought this album needed to hear ringing in their ears as the needle left the vinyl at the end of side 2. Still amazing. Thanks for the video, Doug.

[@there4im839]

Give me your hands. You're wonderful!

[@maddpablo6098]

I always cry with that last track, it's just unbelievable.

[@BirdTalk13]

@@maddpablo6098 same

[@StonefieldJim4]

Hear, hear. The most poignant, yet glorious of album closers. Amen.

[@cathalmckibben7176]

I’m 16 years old and bought the album on vinyl just yesterday and I 100% agree, it’s definitely what I needed to hear, Bowie is providing me with comfort and hope when no one else is

[@cliffordwaterton3543]

Mick Ronson's guitar solo on Moonage Daydream is sublime - I was 11 years old when I first heard this in '72 - blew me away then and still does now.

[@BassGoBomb]

No wittering away on guitar .. superb succinct solos .. that serve the song.

[@FreeBrunoPowroznik]

Yes, it's a masterpiece of understatement

[@frankshailes3205]

And those amazing multitracked echoes - it's like nothing heard before on an album.

[@John-et9yl]

The live version of Moonage Daydream on Ziggy Stardust The Motion Picture is epic.

[@Rikkykins57]

I was almost 15 when I heard this. The next day I cashed in my £24 savings from my paper round and bought an electric guitar & 5 watt amp that was on sale at Woolworth's. Needless to say, It took me many, many years & more cash than the paper round provided to "Git Gud" as the gaming fraternity say. 🤣

[@jerryjanski551]

50 years on this is STILL the best sounding album ever. The production and arrangements are absolutely pure perfection.

[@BirdTalk13]

Spot on!

[@bartonone2005]

Ronno

[@rileysteve]

All that's missing is the LSD-25.

[@0liver0verson9]

Agreed. It's never been bettered really. It's the rock n roll standard.

[@hansschetselaar1657]

100 % agreed 👌👌👌👌👍👍👍

[@larrygallaway4224]

Five Years is a song that continues to haunt me for many many years. Just an intensely gorgeous tune that is one my all time favorites by any artist.

[@davedewsnap288]

I was in the audience at the Manchester show of the ‘72 tour for the album. The last song of the show was ‘Rock nRoll Suicide’ and when David screamed ‘gimme your hands!!’ we ALL reached for him...the whole auditorium. I will carry that moment with me to the end of my days.

[@vilcabti]

Lucky you.

[@thembill8246]

Now following up with Aladdin Sane is a MUST. It's the "Ziggy Goes to America" follow-up album, literally all written while touring Ziggy. The title track has one of the greatest piano solos in all of rock.

[@daveapple205]

Aladdin Sane is my personal favorite. I really liked Low and Scary Monsters too.

[@thembill8246]

@@daveapple205 yeah, I'd really love for him to hit the whole Berlin trilogy

[@daveapple205]

@@thembill8246 I like the Tin Machine stuff too.

[@cutthr0atjake]

@@daveapple205 I think the 1st Tin Machine album is underrated. I'd love Doug to do 1.Outside from the 90's.

[@ericpeterson6766]

Aladdin Sane unfairly compared to Ziggy...two different approaches.

[@Yokosteamer]

During the Sound And Vision Tour I saw David Bowie play the Tokyo Dome; Adrian Belew was his touring guitarist. David played a two hour show with over 50,000 fans on their feet throughout. At the end the crowd cheered and cheered, David returned to the stage and proclaimed, "Be careful when you ask an Englishman for an encore, because sometimes you just might get one!" He proceeded to play for another hour!

[@bubba88188]

I'm jealous.

[@nofishinmydiet]

I have a hard time listening to Rock n Roll Suicide without crying. I can neither confirm nor deny that that song stopped a young me from doing the last word in the title. Something about Bowie desperately screaming "you're not alone" and "you're wonderful" at me. What a great, but intense, way to close an album

[@travisthornton1792]

I’ve seen others say that too, and knowing that it meant so much to so many others makes it meaningful to me too.

[@mushroomjesus2068]

You HAVE to do Black Star ! ! Bowie literally wrote it on his death bed which is insanely haunting and beautiful.

[@antoniocarlin5026]

same as Innuendo and the last album of Leonard Cohen!

[@mattleppard1964]

Oh I keep asking reactors to do Blackstar and the video. And the album. But those two are not of this earth; the music of the dark and the call of death. Cheery it isn’t; astounding it is. So Doug?

[@juurihoito]

Amen to that!

[@helenc1693]

Blackstar is amazing ❤

[@StevenMichals0812]

I listened to it once when it was released 2 days before his death and haven't been able to give it a second listen.

[@richardhorky3717]

Mick Ronson not only a phenomenal guitar player and proficient piano player but an amazing arranger, as well!

[@wandersonoliveira263]

Bowie is my favorite artist ever! And I mean artist, not only musician. Such a brilliant creative force, never understimating his audience.

[@eximusic]

This is the only way to listen to this album, in its entirety. Good job. This is his most iconic album.

[@heresthething41]

As a teenager, I was mostly a metalhead. When I first listened to this album, it completely changed my outlook on music. I realized how much more could be done with it. Ever since, I've strived to do as much with music as I could.

[@betseyr.9081]

"Rock 'n' Roll Suicide" is as magical as "Stairway To Heaven" in its progressive climax both instrumentally & vocally... one of my favorites on the album for sure (" Moonage Daydream" being another favorite). This album demands to be played at full volume (which is how we played it always)! Put Bowie in the spotlight of the rock world when it was released and we all know now that he remains a legend today.

[@jayusrey3221]

I'm replying a year later, but this is for betseyr.9081. I had the vinyl and do believe it said to be played at full volume on the record

[@jorgesimoes5706]

There's still a hole in my heart, all these years afterwards, when I think of David's passing. He really was in his own league, which is what makes an artist big. Thanks for sharing.

[@jameshw9751]

I don’t know why, but as a pretty average American suburban kid, aged 15, this album deeply resonated with me. I had it on my Walkman, played it over and over as I walked to school through the cold winter streets. I felt like such an alien in that environment.

[@kevingillespie5242]

"Ain't it funny how C major can be melancholy" is such a profound sentiment. Thanks for sharing, very cool to hear your takes on these pieces!

[@chrisgardiner556]

Terrific stuff.

[@Young_Jim]

So nice to see some of David’s music on this channel, he was a huge influence on me growing up in 1970’s England and was a huge influence, I’m sure, to other artists who followed him. Whatever you can say about Bowie, he was the constant chameleon, ever changing ahead of his peers and leading the trends rather than following them. You can’t talk about him, IMO, without mentioning Mick Ronson who was the musican genius beside Bowie in his earlier years. RIP David, our lives were richer for your music.

[@shemanic1]

This is definitely a Masterpiece. Bowie has been a big part of my life. “Just turn on with me & You’re NOT alone!”

[@UranusHz420]

Just a classic album. Completely groundbreaking for its time. And Bowie singing with so much emotion throughout.

[@enricopaoli1183]

Five Years... what a song!

[@pigonthewind7908]

I would strngly suggest Station To Station/Low/Heroes. What an artwork

[@alpetrocelli4465]

I was amazed to learn that Bowie wrote “All the Young Dudes” for this LP, but he was a fan of Mott the Hoople, & when they were ready to break up due to lack of success, he offered it to them & offered to produce them. The rest, as they say,…✌️❤️🎶

[@supertramp78]

Might want to also check out the album he did just prior to this - Hunky Dory. Rick Wakeman was playing piano and said he was amazed with the chord progressions on Life on Mars.

[@brewstergallery]

Hey Cheney, Ned from Spain here. Doug should definitely check out Hunky Dory, it is an absolute must and the follow up Aladdin Sane too.

[@BassGoBomb]

The chord progression is just tttooooo good ... Love it.

[@wozzywick]

Aren't they just the chords from My Way?

[@BassGoBomb]

​@@wozzywick Bowie was asked by his manager at the time, Ken Pitt, to write English lyrics for the French original, he called it 'Even a Fool Learns To Love). In fact Paul Anka won the competition and so Bowie used, but changed, the chords about a bit for 'Life On Mars?' .. which has a magical progression. 'My Way' uses some pretty basic chords you'll find in many songs and Bowie ones too.

[@Hellyeahray21]

​@@wozzywickit's just the first 5 or 6 chords. The rest is Bowie

[@TippiGordon]

True story: I spent much of 2016 in the middle of nowhere as a consultant on a really boring, mundane IT project. My client's office was a converted factory, windowless and joyless. There were about 20 of us (clients and consultants) in yet another interminable meeting, one of those in which there's a powerpoint projected on the wall and everybody is looking at their laptops, paying at best 50% attention. All of a sudden, a woman gasped and said, "David Bowie died!" We all stopped and checked for verification--or hopefully, refutation. "Yep, it's on CNN." "Twitter too." etc. Somebody started playing Ziggy Stardust and we listened to the whole thing, front to back. Everyone paid 100% attention.

[@Klui_]

Such a beautiful album. It's very straightforward, but it's also so powerful, so entertaining, melancholic at times, and that ending is tear inducing, a statement, which has saved so many people. Lovely to see your reaction, you're extremely knowledgeable, and it's cool to see someone who knows about music discuss it in depth!!

[@domenicgalata1470]

He had an amazing run of albums in the 70’s. Truly great albums in every sense, the production, arrangements, playing, song writing etc. From Ziggy Stardust , Aladdin Sane, Pin Ups, Diamond Dogs, Young Americans, Station to Station. In 5 years. The peak in my opinion were those five years, just incredible. Not to mention the live albums from those years that are available. The legendary Santa Monica 72’ album. The Spiders From Mars live film soundtrack. And David Bowie Live in 1974 are all fantastic.

[@harrybaran2683]

Amazing albums!!

[@tomeisenmenger7048]

Bowie's golden age began with Hunky Dory and ended with Diamond Dogs. Young Americans was a real letdown although Station to Station was something of a rebound.

[@johnnorthfieldmusic]

Very ‘glam rock’ drum sound, but it’s mick ronson’s guitar sound that lifts the whole thing for me. Mick was a monster player

[@HeikkiRHackman]

David Bowie was so versatile with his voice. You have found one of the essences of his art when you notice that. Man he could change the tone. Nice choice to listen to this album. And the guitar sounds are awesome here.

[@jefflang6271]

I first heard this album 50 years ago. I never gets old .It was one of the best albums of the 70's & the high water mark for David Bowie in my opinion. I really enjoyed your reaction. Great choice.

[@ragnarmyhr7238]

First time I heard Bowie back in '72. I was listening to this album over and over back then. One of my favourite albums at all time.

[@BassGoBomb]

Me too ... :-)

[@helterskelter1178]

Ronno had such an incredible tone, certainly one of my favourites. Love Mick Ronson. Trevor Bolder and Mick Woodmansey were a complimentary engine room; rhythm section.

[@unicyclepeon]

Even though my favorite bands from my childhood are Yes, Santana, Pink Floyd, and Deep Purple.... THIS album was my gateway from "songs play on the radio" to "music is art."

[@andalltheangelssay212]

Do you like David Bowie’s album The man who sold the world ? That’s very Deep Purple. I especially love The Width of a circle and All the mad men, in fact the whole album.

[@andalltheangelssay212]

I’ve got a Deep Purple treat for you (you’ve probably seen it, but it’s still worth revisiting often, Child in time live 1970, what an amazing live performance! kzbin.info/www/bejne/haDVi5aFr7OWnac the audience reaction, or should I say non reaction is hilarious!

[@Ryan-on5on]

Super album! As you said, the songs are short and simple, but carry a lasting emotional punch. More than anything, David, through both this album and his whole music career, taught us weirdos, misfits, and outcasts that straying from the straight line was not just okay, but also meant being immeasurably cool and hip in a way the squares could never hope for! For that, he has my undying love and admiration. RIP, Starman!

[@FreeBrunoPowroznik]

The extra "debris" in those intro chords is created by Bowie playing an open A and an open E chord one fret higher than they should be (effectively Bb and F, but with open strings), creating that dissonant sound

[@LSqrd1960]

One of those albums where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts! Even with the “loose” concept, this album plays so well front-to-back. Thanks for the extended play!

[@thomasmcd5862]

Ziggy Stardust is a masterpiece. Another great review and analysis Doug!

[@noahtomato3515]

You may like the Outside album, a completely different concept album from Bowie in the ‘90s. Music edited from band improvisations, lyrics put together using a ‘cut-up’ technique, very intense and creepy in places. Produced by Brian Eno. Probably my favourite Bowie album.

[@BassGoBomb]

One my faves from his amazing ouvre

[@davidepannone6021]

I'm not a Bowie fan by any means but i adore this album. I discovered this gem just a year ago, and since then, i spin it in it's entirety at least once every 2/3 months.

[@OpenmindedHusker1]

I would suggest that you are a Bowie fan! :)

[@davidepannone6021]

@@OpenmindedHusker1 nah haha. As much as i adore this album, for some reason i really can't get into other Bowie stuff. I did try, it just didn't click like this album did for some reason. Don't ask me how or why, it just did lol. Cheers

[@OpenmindedHusker1]

@@davidepannone6021 Cheers!

[@andalltheangelssay212]

@@davidepannone6021 have you tried his albums The man who sold the world (1970) and Hunky Dory (1971) ? I love the early ones ❤

[@davidteitel9720]

I was fortunate enough to see Ziggy Stardust in concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York. I brought a friend of mine who was from Egypt. I think her mind is still blown.

[@GrampsD63]

The Spiders were a truly phenominal band. One of my all time favs. Ronno, Trevor and Woody were all undeniable talents. I suggest you watch the movie "Ziggy Stardust" to see the incredible chemistry Bowie had during this phase of his carreer.

[@paulehney4581]

If you listen really close you may recognize a particularly skilled keyboard player that just happened to be in the studio. Rick himself commented about the experience, and how he enjoyed it

[@davidknizner3773]

Awesome! I’ve always loved this album!!!

[@jackal59]

It's hard to express how important David Bowie was to a gay teenager growing up in the Midwest in the 1970s.

[@jontalbot1]

I think he was that for many people of all kinds. Just as the Beatles represented change in the 60s so Bowie made it ok to be different. I always think his best line is Turn and face the strange. Not that you are strange, it’s just saying the things you don’t know are nothing to be afraid of and they add something to life

[@chrismachin2166]

Rebellion against God needs false justification .

[@_Mutineer]

Mick Ronson was always one of my fav's, I was pleasantly surprised to find that he is classified at #41 on Rolling Stone's recent Top 100 Guitarists list, long overdue recognition IMHO. If anyone has not seen it, Ronson's reunion with Bowie at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert is amazing, particularly his performance with an E-Bow on the song "Heroes", outstanding.

[@redlioness6627]

Five Years always got me immediately, wonderful music, haunting lyrics, foreboding vocals. Roger Waters' "The Last Refugee" always reminds me of it too, another outstanding track from his "Is This The Life We Really Want" album!

[@dreamerdeceiver6592]

this is without a doubt the best david bowie album and a glam rock and rock masterpiece,gotta love mick ronson and trevor bolder too

[@GenericName52]

Station to Station and Low also up there.

[@andrewtedlow6552]

It’s hard to name a “best” of any band because it’s such a subjective thing. Plus, Bowie made so much great and remarkably innovative music over his long career. Having said that, I keep coming back to Low as my favorite.

[@LoganAlbright73]

I prefer Low, Heroes, Lodger, Scary Monsters, Hunky Dory, and Station to Station, but the fact that this album doesn’t crack my top five just goes to show what an amazing career Bowie had.

[@johnhouse9983]

always kinda thought Bowie gives his all to most if not all his songs , but 5 years i think he bust a gut and meant every word.

[@andalltheangelssay212]

Yes, you’re completely right. Engineer Dennis Mackay said of Bowie’s vocal take on Five Years, and particularly the emotion at the end : “Bowie’s screaming and what you hear on that song-the emotion- is for real. He’s bawling his eyes out. Mick was looking at Bowie stunned. I was in shock because he was also hitting every note spot on. I’ve worked with some great vocalists since. Butnoone who could do it in one take with that much emotion.” Also Bowie was the master of doing it in one take on his albums,that’s how he worked. He usually did a perfect vocal performance on the first take. I’ve seen interviews with the musicians who worked with him saying that they wanted a chance to do it again because they thought they could improve their performance but Bowie would say no, that’s the take, he wanted it spontaneous, raw, he knew that if they overdid it they would lose the magic.

[@cheifguggletram]

Not sure of if anyone mentioned this, but Lady Stardust is most likely Marc Bolan of T. Rex. Marc was a good friend of Bowie's and definitely an inspiration for the more androgynous, glam centric Ziggy character.

[@katherineh7290]

This is my go to all time favorite album of David Bowie. Im so glad you all reviewing it. I do hope you enjoyed it.

[@BassGoBomb]

My school played 5 years during morning assembly to the whole school .. as they felt it is pop with meaning. I was alredy into Bowie so having his stuff played by the school... amazing.. :-). Thank you Thomas Peacocke's, Rye. Bowie was an amazing singer, as we all know ... 'Lodger' and the vocal athletics, as I call it.

[@kathychristopherson8077]

That must be been so powerful! Wow!

[@ronenners1593]

One of the highest fidelity vinyl LPs ever pressed. Back of the album states "To be played at maximum volume".

[@MrShopvideo]

Rick Wakeman (later of Yes) played piano on this album. The string arrangements were done by Mick Ronson (the guitar player)

[@ricklohn4140]

Actually Ronson played all piano on this album. Wakeman was Hunky Dory album.

[@keithjordan7805]

I was in Jr High when this came out. I was in Cleveland and we broke Bowie in the States because WMMS radio played the hell out of this album. It had a huge impact, mostly for the style and mood. It was not like anything a midwestern teenager had ever heard or seen. Immediately after this album the 'coolest' kids in school got the Ziggy haircut. People today don't realize how radically different Bowie was when he came out with Ziggy, He truly seemed like he came from outerspace.

[@daddyboy3546]

Mick Ronson was the best thing to happen to DB-especially on this lp. He played the awesome guitar parts and solos (check out the last bars of Moonage Daydream if you want to hear classic Ronson guitar god work), he arranged DB's horns and sax work and also did the string arrangements (Moonage Daydream again - those strings behind the guitar! WOW!) . Again on "Starman"- the guitar and arrangement on the choruses and the following pure rock and roll guitar boogie licks (is that a bridge? a coda?) that is all Ronson! Those arrangements are arguably the significant factor that raises the level of this album from a rock album to a rock "concept" album. it may have been just a bunch of songs, but Bowies vision was realized via Ronson's arrangements, instrumentals and execution.

[@massimosaffioti8798]

I love Mick's counter melodies under the vocals... I swear this album must've been such a powerful inspiration for Mick Jones' (of The Clash) melodic guitar lines. Ronson truly becomes a juggernaut on the next 2 albums (Aladdin Sane and Pin-Ups) and again on Ian Hunter's eponymous debut.

[@stephenslade1639]

and don't forget he helped DB create the androgynous/gay myth by letting him fellate his guitar/penis every night.

[@CMI2017]

True. Ronson makes this album and to hear why, just listen to Diamond Dogs.

[@brettlowton6961]

Amen to that. Mick Ronson never received the recognition he deserved at the time. It's only now that people are beginning to appreciate how brilliant he was.

[@djmattn]

Exactly! Ronson was GOD.

[@John-et9yl]

During the same year of this album's release Bowie also wrote and produced All the Young Dudes for Mott the Hoople, co-produced (with Mick Ronson) Lou Reed's Transformer album, released a non-album single John I'm Only Dancing and the lead single Jean Genie from the 1973 follow-up album Aladdin Sane. Not a bad year's work!

[@josephbrowning4220]

The whole thing is just an wonderful work of art. I once set it to repeat and wrote an entire novel as is rolled around in my subconscious.

[@clowncarqingdao]

The guitar solo on Moonage Daydream has one of the best guitar solos ever. Hand's down it beats Freebird and Stairway at the time. It's from another planet, and incredibly difficult to play compared to the first two I mentioned. Also, Starman's debris comes from Bowie's 12 string - the Bb and F chords at the start are played on the guitar with the 5th string 'A' open - adding both the A bass string and an A an octave higher. He may even be strumming the open E bass string as well.

[@kathychristopherson8077]

Yes! That solo is what I want to hear as I cross over! What a wonderful, beautiful way to go!

[@jackscovers4586]

I absolutely love that you examine the lyrics and story of the album. I believe that lyrics are just as important as the music in songs.

[@doubleducks814]

Always remember a 12 year old friend suddenly singing Moonage Daydream to a female teacher in the 70's We all looked at each other and went "what to hell was that"

[@BirdTalk13]

Awesome!

[@Joe-ol5bq]

This is one of my all time favorite records. Ive got hundreds of listens to it under my belt, but something about watching someone enjoy the ride for the first time was such a pleasure! I found myself cracking the biggest grin when the album just gets into that incredible hot streak. And Rock N Roll Suicide as a closer... wow. STILL crushes me. I think your interpretation of the album was really quite on-point. The way you contextualized Soul Love is my favorite explanation of that song’s significance yet!

[@JackMcLeodJr]

I was with you during the Queensryche Operation Mindcrime upload Doug. I will join you on this quest also. Salute from Wales UK 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 🇬🇧 Sir! Much love to you across the Pond 🇺🇸

[@harrybaran2683]

My favourite Bowie album!!

[@stevebradley704]

Mick Ronson. Great player and arranger.

[@rickandgen]

David was a Chamaeleon throughout his career, always changing and reinventing himself. As for the simplicity, sometimes, less is more. Love the reaction to this timeless classic.

[@richpeltier9519]

The play on the word Star continued until his final work, Blackstar. They're above us, they're among us, they are us. Star stuff. Safe journey Major Tom. o7 Art is weird, especially when it's made this well. 🤘🧙‍♂️🤘 Rich the Ancient Metal Beast

[@mattleppard1964]

I hope hope hope he does Blackstar

[@gwynedd-1]

Awesome. It has been too long since I listened to the whole album. Something I will now change

[@rockandrollpaddy]

As a life long Bowie fan, I have to say thank you for a unique and fab review.

[@dennisgschmidt6167]

As someone from a small farming community, that was 17 at the time. I was in the navy in Long Beach CA when David played there. I gotta say I was pretty freaked out seeing all the Bowie look alikes going into the venue. I had listened to Mott the Hopple in school before I quit and wasn't too keen on them and never quite got into Bowie. But the guys I shared an apartment with before going to the gulf of Tonkin, played this album ALL THE TIME. Eventually got to enjoy it, after hearing it so often.

[@rhubarb_runner2]

Rick Wakeman was this > < close to being in Spiders from Mars, and instead accepted the invitation from Yes.

[@saxmaniac6321]

Doug, David employed that "basic progression" the song ends with as a platform for Mick Ronson's most iconic guitar solo (I'd recommend giving the solo another listen in isolation). An interesting aspect of the whole Ziggy persona is where David unexpectedly killed Ziggy live onstage on the final leg of the tour - leaving the whole band confused as to his demise. As he did throughout his career, he then morphed into another character (the Thin White Duke) and only brought Ronson along with him...leaving a few disgruntled band members behind. Classic! I chose an analysis of everything around this album/tour during my undergrad degree 🎼🎸🎷

[@RandymanB]

Listening to this takes me right back to those awkward teen years when I hadn't a clue who I was or what I was all about. Somehow this album gave me hope that I would figure it all out and, eventually, I did! Still enjoy listening it today. 50 some years later. Thanks for the review Doug.

[@Plantagenet1956]

Hey Doug! I’m glad you’ve decided to put this one up. Absolute classic!

[@mr.orange8211]

The transition from Soul Love to Moonage Daydream is perfect, literally. Count one - two - three - four as if you're still playing Soul Love after the fade out and you'l see what I mean.

[@tomatoseed1443]

So pleasant having a listening companion! I haven't heard most of this before, either.

[@stevencharlton7693]

This was one of my favourite albums when I was in primary school. This is the first time I've heard the whole thing in ages!!! Nice one Doug!!! 😀

[@BassGoBomb]

My school played 5 years during morning assembly to the whole school .. as they felt it is pop with meaning ... narrative substance ..

[@robertotostado2364]

1.Outside, great album, very underrated, but one of the best things he did in the 90's. my favorite album of his and one in my top 10.

[@jerrysoucy2611]

getting into Bowie is like getting into Beethoven - there's lots to explore and so much is freaking amazing

[@NikaWatt]

Listening to this with you I realised it is part of my DNA. I must have listened to it so many times over its life time and mine, nearly every note is anticipated with eager pleasure. What can I say? I was young and looking for a path forward. It turns out it was a pretty good optimistic path to follow. And then Supertramp arrived!!

[@patriciastewart2239]

His poetry is sublime.

[@radekseky4571]

Young American still manages to tear me up from time to time though I've listened to it hundreds of times. One of the most beautiful and powerful lyrics I've ever heard.

[@robinreiley1828]

I worked Bowie's "Sight and Sound Tour" at Giants Stadium, around 1990, building the stage for a week and on show day, I worked an MTV gig with him where he filmed spots for the "I Want My MTV" advertising campaign in different languages. That evening was his Very Last performance of the "Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" song. It was a highpoint in my career as a Union Stagehand. After the MTV gig in the morning, I had the day off, but was still on the clock, so I hung around for the production load in, and ended up talking most of the afternoon with who I Assumed was the Guitar Tech for the Tour. He was busily changing strings, tuning, adjusting truss rods, setting intonation etc. We talked guitar models, favorite pick ups etc. The next thing I know he says "Well, I guess it's time to go to Work!" Straps on a Guitar and walks down stage to applause!?!? It turns out I had spent the afternoon with Joe Satriani, who was the Opening Act! Nicest most Humble guy in the Business!

[@craigsartstuff-craiglhaupt]

I know that Ziggy Stardust always seems to top 'best of' David's albums as you said and I like this one a lot but I still find that Space Oddity is my favorite, not just the song but the album as a whole. Thanks for playing this one!

[@michaelm6948]

With "Soul Love" you really see the influence of renowned English vocalist and actor Anthony Newley on David Bowie.

[@Codex7777]

For a song that really highlights Bowie's voice, have a listen to 'Wild is the Wind'. Just make sure it's the, slightly longer, album version. It's a beautiful song and David's vocal performance is incredible! Every syllable drips with emotion, which is sort of his trademark. Bowie wrote in so many genres, even kickstarting a few himself, that there isn't really a definitive Bowie track. From pure pop, through folk, glam rock , punk, heavy rock, avant-garde, electronica, funk, soul, new wave, jazz... He mastered them all and often fused them together. Of course he was also a consummate performer, the epitome of cool. He seemed like a remote icon but a best friend at the same time. Then there was that voice! :)

[@vihtorisuominen1939]

Would be awesome to see your reaction to Bowies "Berlin trilogy": Low (1977), Heroes (1977) and Lodger (1979). Classic albums!

[@roblovett]

Yes and yes and yes

[@glyngasson8450]

This album was released 7 months after Hunky Dory, and it sounds completely different. Starman was written very quickly as a throwaway because the label said there wasn't a single on the album

[@nigeltown6999]

Hi, the cover art is an photograph of an actual street, now with a preservation order on it - this album is that important. At this time Bowie was also working with a Manchester based band that he really liked, Mott the Hoople, who were struggling to make it 'big'. He worked with them on a couple of albums and offed them Suffragette City as their relaunch single. They preferred 'All the Young Dudes' which he let them have instead. A fantastic song, big hit for them - Bowie: Legend!

[@patriciastewart2239]

Yep. The whole album. And you're not alone.

[@stevegreen5552]

Ronson was a big influence on me - his output with Bowie, Mott the Hoople and Ian Hunter, assorted sessions and his solo work. I suspect my choice of university had an element of "Ronno came from there" (as well as having a course I wanted and a good level of student accommodation)! It was a tragedy that he died so young from cancer. As for Bowie, others have mentioned Hunky Dory and Aladdin Sane (the albums directly preceding and succeeding Ziggy) but I'd be interested in seeing your analysis and opinion of The Man Who Sold the World - a heavier album but with the same variety - and the first record he did with Mick Ronson.

[@andalltheangelssay212]

Yesss! I also requested the man who sold the world full album x

[@painless465]

Great album. For concept I recommend The Who Quadrophenia. It’s astounding

[@jasonremy1627]

Missed this when it came out a few days ago. Just hit play. Can't wait to see Doug get into this classic.

[@massimosaffioti8798]

Mick Ronson is the unsung hero of this album. Wether on guitar or piano, he is what's driving these tracks. His string arrangements and counter melodic guitar lines are just as important to the over all compositions as Bowie's voice and lyrics. With this tour and the next (in support of the Aladdin Sane LP), Bowie introduced the world to his Ziggy persona and ultimately retired him and the band on July 3, 1973 at the Hammersmith Odeon, with a stage announcement that shocked his fans and band alike. The usual opener and closer during these tours were Hang on to Yourself and Rock 'n' Roll Suicide respectively. This farewell show was captured on film in it's entirety... and released in 1980 (minus 2 songs with special guest, Jeff Beck) as Ziggy Stardust. I hope this has inspired you to dig deeper into Bowie's catalog. Though I personally wouldn't recommend jumping around between the different eras. Doing so would deprive you of experiencing the subtle (and not so subtle) transformations from album to album. Some may tell you to skip Pin-Ups because it's "just an album of covers"... that would be a mistake. The band is on fire on that album. Also of note are the jeybordist that have played on Bowie's albums Rick Wakeman (just before joining Yes) on Hunky Dory, the incredible Mike Garson on Aladdin Sane to Young Americans, the E Street Band's Roy Bittan on Station to Station and brian Eno on the "Berlin Trilogy" -- Low, "Heroes" and Lodger.. Cheers!

[@glyngasson8450]

If you ever review another Bowie album please do Low. This album sounded like it came from another planet, particularly side 2 which is mostly instrumental. I'd also love for you to hear the track Aladdin Sane, mainly for the piano solo

[@Ingens_Scherz]

Worth mentioning that Bowie with Mick Ronson produced Lou Reed's Transformer in London in 1972, the same year Ziggy was released. Definite crossover themes and sounds between the two albums result. And, Bowie also wrote and produced All The Young Dudes for Mott the Hoople in 1972. He was a busy lad in '72, our Dave!

[@MrJambug]

A few more things: The title of the album is a mash up of 2 American performers that where at the time on Bowies radar, namely Iggy Pop and The Legendary Stardust Cowboy. Five Years Ken Scott, the producer, said that by the close of 'Five Years' Bowie was crying his eyes out with the emotion he put in to it. Moonage Daydream and Hang On to Yourself Both these songs where from a project called Arnold Corns which was a vehicle for a prodigy Bowie was trying to promote at the time, by the name of Frederick Burretti, aka Rudi Valentino. Burretti was by trade a clothes designer that couldn't actually sing. Bowie thought he was beautiful and just really liked him. He was name checked in 'All The Young Dudes' as he is the 'Freddie' that got spots from pulling stars from his face 'the funky little boat race'. Lady Stardust Is heavily influenced, if not entirely about, Bowie's friend and rival at the time, Marc Bolan Star Freddie Burretti, or at least his alter ego, Rudi valentino gets another name check as 'rudi stayed at home to starve'. Demos of 'Star' predate even Hunky Dory, reinforcing the notion that the Ziggy 'narrative' was indeed an afterthought. Ziggy Stardust Is, in part at least, a character thought to be influenced by Jimi Hendrix. Give away lines are 'He played it Left hand' and 'Jiving us that we were voodoo'. Suffragette City Was offered to Mott The Hoople before All The Young Dudes. They turned it down. Bowie references 'Droogies' from A Clockwork Orange, which was another major influence on Bowie at the time, and it continued to be so right up until the end as he references 'Vellocet', a recreational drug used in the same movie, in 'Girl Loves Me' a song from Blackstar. Rock n Roll Suicide. influenced

[@Cashalberstadt]

👍👍👍

[@steveyoung5811]

@DougHelvering Thank You, never listened to this album before, only ever heard Star Man. This has been an absolute pleasure for the ears.

[@JimNewstead]

Fantastic album, great video Doug! Love me some Bowie!!!

[@lukehealy1722]

Very cool how you cover both the music theory, instrumentals, and lyrics. Unlike many other music theory classes where lyrics aren’t covered as much.

[@armandourso1526]

One of my favorite albums ! ... Hugs from Brazil >>>>