David Bowie - Ashes to Ashes

[VoR]

I mean, obviously Samantha Mumba did it better but still

 

[big ron]

As an act of pop performance its a masterpiece. I’ve been listening to Bowie all weekend and I’ll never tire.

 

[octophone]

It's extraordinary to think that this was a Number One given what a downright weird song it is. It's bits of 2 or 3 songs that didn't work out nailed together by a narrative about kicking his drug habit and how isolated fame had left him. It shouldn't work but using Major Tom as the lead character rather than himself was the masterstroke. It's a brilliant record, stuffed with hooks and memorable imagery.

The video was a massive help, of course being one of the most expensive ever made at that time and full of memorable images. If you're not aware of Bowie's favourite story about the making of the video, Adam Buxton had it animated by his chums The Brothers McLeod...

 

[VoR]

I generally find Bowie easier to admire than to love, but this was always the exception.

 

[Christian]

Absolutely amazing, and probably the first thing of his I became aware of.

The Ziggy Stardust album was my way in, but Heroes, Low and Station To Station are probably now my favourites.

 

[AGinAg (37)]

Davi's dead.

 

[octophone]

I feel a Bowie phase coming on...I thought I'd tired myself of the 70s albums what with various reissues and their general ubiquity but I'm a massive fan of 90s Bowie. He came back from critical extinction in that decade and, in many ways, it's sad that his health took him out of the game for so long - I'd have loved to hear a follow-up of two to Reality before he took maybe 5 years out before The Next Day. I'm very much in "Blackstar was a masterpiece" camp as well; what a startlingly inventive album and such a question mark upon which to depart.

 

[Kratz]

I prefer the Anna Bergendahl masterpiece of the same name...

 

[Sheena]

Bowie is on my 2023 list to try and get into. I have a few vinyl albums I've picked up over the years but I've just never been able to really nail loving him and it's annoyed me as I know I really should.

 

[Apoca]

I prefer the Anna Bergendahl masterpiece of the same name...

Got there before I did.

 

[GNL]

It's a 10 and it's not even one of my fave Bowie tracks.

 

[Ellie]

It would be a 10 if it were just an instrumental. Not generally keen on his voice in some songs (works amazingly depending on the song) and the verses irritate me a little.

 

[VV]

I prefer his 70s stuff generally, but this is a rare post-70s 10/10!

 

[Iguana]

I feel a Bowie phase coming on...I thought I'd tired myself of the 70s albums what with various reissues and their general ubiquity but I'm a massive fan of 90s Bowie. He came back from critical extinction in that decade and, in many ways, it's sad that his health took him out of the game for so long - I'd have loved to hear a follow-up of two to Reality before he took maybe 5 years out before The Next Day. I'm very much in "Blackstar was a masterpiece" camp as well; what a startlingly inventive album and such a question mark upon which to depart.

Iguana post of the week!

 

[Iguana]

Ashes To Ashes is ICONIQUE, it's never been an absolutely favourite of mine but it's undeniable really.