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| David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust- 30th Anniversary |
 Released: 1972/2002 Label: EMI Cat. No.: 39826 Total Time: 36:26 / 37:73 | |
Reviewed by: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck, July 2002 There have been several reissues of David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust with bonus tracks and previously unreleased material. This set has the same to offer and more. This is a special 30th Anniversary issue in a Book/CD format with sleeves in the front and the back to house the CDs. The sound is superb, the music extraordinary, and the packaging outstanding. What makes it so much more interesting than ever before is not only the songs we have never heard, it's all the commentary from the artists that have been so tremendously influenced by this classic rock album. Ziggy has weathered very well through the ages, and listening to it now with the remastered sound brings the reality of its enormous impact front and center. This wasn't only music, it was history and rock 'n' roll culture in the making. The character he created he transformed into, and the music was the vehicle that delivered the goods. I have heard so much of his music over the years, and have loved just about all of it. I have also purchased a lot of the rarities, such as the limited edition sets from Ryko (Au20 24 kt Gold boxed set 1997), which put Bowie's critical albums into the hands of a new audience, just as this release will. Most recently, the phenomenal Bowie At The Beeb, which comes with bonus disc of a show attended by subscribers of his member's only website, is a great view of early Bowie. I am certain that those that haven't found Ziggy will be floored at what a great rock and roll album this is. The futuristic "Five Years" is truly visionary and sounds like it's right around the corner, just waiting to happen, while "Suffragette City" still rings out as the ultimate bisexual glam rocker. And, in the end, the leper messiah is just another "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide." Mick Ronson, god rest his soul, was the perfect sidekick, a flashy guitar slinger to help David pull off the sequined character adorned with glitter and makeup. This could have easily become a full blown rock opera on the level of Tommy or Jesus Christ Superstar if he had decided to take it all one step further. From Ziggy to Major Tom to the Thin White Duke, Bowie has portrayed every musical character that you could possibly imagine. There hasn't been anyone like him since he started in the 60s. Bowie has not only been a musical genius of our life and times, his marketing and strategic planning for releases with labels, in conjunction with his web presence, has been nothing short of brilliant. Bowie has been the accomplished rock chameleon, always changing and inventing new styles in sound and vision with each passing decade. As the years have piled up his legacy continues to grow with cutting edge music that is found on his latest release The Heathen, which is a combination of all of his characters wrapped into one reflecting our current times. I urge you to listen to this Ziggy edition then his latest release in succession; you may find that Ziggy wasn't just another rock 'n' suicide after all. The bonus CD had some tracks that I hadn't heard before. "Holy Holy" and "Round And Round" were new to these ears and absolutely wonderful as well. So don't think for a moment that these extras are throwaways brought back to life, they are legitimately Bowie and quite good actually. Of course it's always very cool to witness the birth and maturation of a song such as "Hang On To Yourself" and "Ziggy Stardust." Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars would surely make it into any rock and roll lover's top ten albums of all time. If not, then a huge piece of music history is missing and I can't think of any artist or release that could possibly fill that gap. Bowie has been one of the most influential and emulated artists for the last three decades. How many people can reflect upon their careers in that light? When this man looks in the mirror he must see so many different faces and moods, only he knows what's really inside though. We can only speculate what he is about while listening to his music. This is an absolute must have piece for your collection, even if you have all the other issues of this album, you really must consider getting this, it's the best yet, and for far too many reasons to cover in one review. Rating: 5/5 More about Ziggy Stardust- 30th Anniversary: Track Listing: Disc One: Five Years (4:42) / Soul Love (3:33) / Moonage Daydream (4:37) / Starman (4:16) / It Ain't Easy (2:57) / Lady Stardust (3:21) / Star (2:47) / Hang Onto Yourself (2:38) / Ziggy Stardust (3:13) / Suffragette City (3:25) / Rock 'N' Roll Suicide (2:57) Musicians: Contact: Website: www.davidbowie.com Discography
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