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Post by johnstewart on Feb 8, 2016 22:41:23 GMT
There were a few good songs pre Space Oddity. 'The London Boys' springs to mind. Any other suggestions? Yeah loved all that period of his with coherent lyrics, the keenly observed (for a 20 year old) slices of life, often amusing like 'Uncle Arthur' 'she's got medals' 'the gospel according to Tony Day' 'I dig everything' ' love you till tuesday' The sad tale of 'The little bombardier' is cutting edge for 1967 and if you remember your childhood 'there is a happy land' gets you right there. I tend to find Bowies redos of the Deram album for the radio 1 sessions very interesting. He took the same songs which had often a quite music for pleasure almost easy listening production; and applied the style which prevailed on the Space Oddity album. If you go on youtube you can find demos of some great unreleased songs. Decca shelved 'London bye Ta Ta' in one of a series of moves which led Bowie to leave the label. A live version appeared on the beeb sessions. It's puzzling how some good quirky songs like 'when I'm five' never made it past the Love you till Tuesday promotional film set. 'Cest La Vie' is a fantastic powerful song which was never recorded as a clean polished studio track though I observed the structure seemed to be used for the later 'Shadow man'; which I think was recorded properly. Mind you that wasn't released either. They all seem to have just surfaced through the fans on youtube.
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Post by Richard Marple on Feb 9, 2016 13:28:03 GMT
Like Syd Barrett, I think this early Bowie work was hugely influential on Damon Albarn. Oddly enough I picked up a Blur CD from a charity shop; as I missed out on them at the time and wanted to investigate. It was in the week following Bowies passing and I thought exactly the same thing. Suede also I thought. But if you look at the start of the 80s so many chart bands; maybe most; were influenced. Gary Numan, Spandau Ballet, Visage etc. Bowie almost created the pop scene of the early 80s. Very true, a lot of New Romantic / Synthpop bands seem to have absorbed something from David Bowie. I've also heard some punks claim that Bowie was an influence, along with Marc Bolan.
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Post by johnstewart on Feb 10, 2016 14:49:27 GMT
There were a few good songs pre Space Oddity. 'The London Boys' springs to mind. Any other suggestions? 'Can't help thinking about me' 1966 is a great track produced by Tony Hatch and appeared on 'Ready steady go'. (Still missing). After Tony Blackburn kept playing the re released 'Laughing gnome' in 1973; John Peel began to explore playing Bowies pre 70s catalogue. I recall he also played I think the single version of 'Love you till Tuesday' on which Bowie uses a different character voice to the album; and 'we are hungry men'. Not sure of exact date maybe late 1973 but guess Peels shows might be in the radio archive? I also think 'London Boys' is very strong; Bowie ahead of his time referring to vegatarianism in song. And also the sudden switch from his vaudeville novelty/comedy style in the next to a sudden dark line about 'can't eat a thing 'cause the meat is dead'. You also have the very pictorial observations about popping pills in the 60s night life; but in the optomistic 60s Bowie casts a downbeat light focussing on the comedown after the good nights. I saw a hardback book on Bowie in Smiths following his shock unexpected demise which had a photo of the Dek Fearnley line up. Interesting as it's the only one I've seen of the Buzz on stage. Looks about 1966. Doesn't say what song was being performed but looks like a TV appearance. The only thing I can think of the single 'Rubber band/London boys'. My guess is Decca opted for the comedic novelty tune as the A side due to the heavy lyrics and general tone of 'London boys'. Maybe they felt it was too downbeat to sell. It was certainly the stronger of the two songs. Researched this further. There are a number of stills of the Derek Fearnley band line up on the net. Not sure if the one I mention in the book unless it's been cropped to the bands waists. There's a similar shot from a different angle that looks like the same performance. Seems it may be the 'Ready steady go' appearance 1966. That is documented as being the Lower Third, But what's interesting is; it's mentioned on a concert date web page; that the Lower third were billed for a couple of dates, but actually it was the Buzz that played. One of them therefore may have been the RSG appearance. It was a Lower Third track that was performed.
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Post by johnstewart on Feb 10, 2016 14:52:49 GMT
Was also surprised to see Bowie was part of a little publicised group, the Riot squad. In his version of the line up Bowie wore face paint. Seems to be 1967 don't know if before the Deram LP. The EP had four songs. 2 by Bowie 'Silly boy blue' and 'silver treetop school for boys'. The first is a demo type version of the Deram one minus orchestrations with different words. Billy Fury also did a version. I think both are posted on youtube.
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Kev Hunter
Member
The only difference between a rut and a groove is the depth
Posts: 608
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Post by Kev Hunter on Feb 10, 2016 18:51:05 GMT
I also think 'London Boys' is very strong; Bowie ahead of his time referring to vegatarianism in song. And also the sudden switch from his vaudeville novelty/comedy style in the next to a sudden dark line about 'can't eat a thing 'cause the meat is dead'. Think you're mistaken about the veggie reference there, John, especially when you hear that line in full context: "You've bought some coffee, butter and bread You can't make a thing cause the meter's dead.." Surely it's a reference to not being able to afford any money for the 'leccy!
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Post by johnstewart on Feb 11, 2016 0:41:28 GMT
You know I've heard that track for years and always thought it said something else. Embarrassing but maybe an example of how we all find our own meaning in songs.Mind you the rest of the picture remains the same.
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Post by Tony Walshaw on Feb 11, 2016 8:57:41 GMT
Bowie himself was very much aligned with the New Romantic period, without being characteristic of it. Just as he had been with other genres e.g. glam. A part of them, but never burdened by them.
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Post by johnstewart on Feb 12, 2016 11:31:16 GMT
In terms of the new wave I was recently noting how much John Lydons hairdo in early photographs with the sex pistols; and that hair gel spiked look; resembled the Alladin Sane LP look.
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Post by Dave Woods on Feb 13, 2016 14:42:23 GMT
Very true, a lot of New Romantic / Synthpop bands seem to have absorbed something from David Bowie.
While I wouldn't necessarily blame Bowie alone for absolutely everything, I was struck watching TOTP this week by a certain similarity between:
"My mother said to get things done you'd better not mess with Major Tom"
and
"You better watch out, you better beware. Alfred's e equals m c squared."
Mind you, I always hear a certain similarity between Einstein A Go-Go and Prince's Girls And Boys, which I don't think anyone else has ever agreed exists, so...
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