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Posted by ConorClockwise on 2007-02-12 09:26:07 +0000

My only Bowie album? Love it. Did he invent the idea of an alter personality era? He voice might be at its finest, but I do not find it a fully realized concept album. Still There are several classic tracks. 'Suffragette City' has always been a favorite.

Posted by virtue on 2007-02-12 13:21:52 +0000

I've spent most of my classic rock listening years under the impression that the character of Ziggy was loosely based on Jimi Hendrix. Did I totally make that up from the line "he played it left hand" or has anyone else ever heard this theory?

Posted by pamsterdam on 2007-02-12 14:01:31 +0000

"Snow white tan" makes me think not. But an interesting theory. I always thought that the left-handedness was a somewhat quaint reference to homosexuality. Or maybe not so quaint... ...and apparently in 1972 an American film called "Left-Handed" (about a gay man) was released.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-02-12 17:34:10 +0000

'Soul Love' probably is my all time favorite Bowie track. I love the sax and the Bowie's humming outtro. Micks guitar aint to shabby either.

Posted by Epoisses on 2007-02-12 17:48:33 +0000

Amazing, start to finish. Not sure about the concept -- gonna have to listen to it a few more times.

Posted by mahatma chani on 2007-02-12 20:28:48 +0000

Ugh... Ringo was "Billy Shears" on Sgt. Peppers.

Posted by ConorClockwise on 2007-02-12 20:32:49 +0000

But did he get introduced for years as Billy Shears? You're right; we owe a lot to Sgt Peppers.

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-12 20:57:13 +0000

Wasn't Billy Shears the guy who won the Paul McCartney look-a-like contest? Or...the guy who replaced Paul after he got hit by a bus.

Posted by mahatma chani on 2007-02-12 22:44:35 +0000

That's as maybe, but the band introduces Ringo as "Billy Shears" just before "A Little Help..."

Posted by Chopper on 2007-02-13 18:54:15 +0000

As many can surmise by now, Bowie is the artist that I grew up with as being my favorite. Admittedly, he's not always on "top of his game" (stay tuned for the likes of "Tonight") but when he's good, he is damn good. "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust", in my opinion is one Bowie's all time classic albums and really one of the all time greatest albums of the 70's. Every song here is a winner showing Bowie at his best. The Ziggy character is probably Bowie's most enduring**, and the concept as a whole works well. So many huge hits came from this album that has become classic rock staples including "Suffragette City," "Starman" "Ziggy Stardust". More great stuff can be found throughout the album, "Five Years", "It Ain't Easy", "Star", "Hang On To Yourself" and the album closer "Rock N Roll Suicide" are all great tunes. Guitarist Mick Ronson was one of Bowie's best writing collaborators and his influence is all over this album. The rest of the band, Teveor Bolder and Woody Woodmansey were tight as well. If you only own one Bowie album, this would be the one to get. **And now for some really big news - news which will put you in a very small circle of those "in the know" - seriously. After 35 years, Ziggy is rumored to have not committed suicide and allegedly is very close to entering the earth's orbit. The question remains, will he fall to earth....????

Posted by Chopper on 2007-02-13 19:02:20 +0000

Ahhh, but that is the beauty of this 'concept' album. You gotta think and read between the lines more. If your looking for pure and obvious concept albums, might I suggest The Who's "Quadrophenia" or perhaps Jethro Tull's "Passion Play." There is a full story told here. Listen to it all. Or perhaps wait until "Diamond Dogs" and "Outside" for a comparison/contrasting of Bowie concept albums.

Posted by mahatma chani on 2007-02-13 19:29:52 +0000

I hear you on these points. But wasn't The Thin White Duke even a longer /more successful phase?

Posted by Epoisses on 2007-02-13 20:48:12 +0000

"Moonage Daydream" has parts (esp. the outro) that sound like "Hotel California."

Posted by Chopper on 2007-02-13 22:15:54 +0000

Dollar for dollar, the Thin White Duke stage was no where near as successful. And Bowie himself was so drugged out during this time that even he would not be able to discuss much of that period of his life.

Posted by Chopper on 2007-02-13 22:17:37 +0000

Well, if Ziggy was able to go into the future, perhaps he could have stolen a rift or two from the Eagles. But to be honest, I don't hear it.

Posted by Chopper on 2007-02-13 22:18:52 +0000

"Released in June 6 UK/ September 1, 1972 US on Rykodisc." This is not correct. It was issued on RCA.

Posted by Epoisses on 2007-02-13 23:23:59 +0000

Amended.

Posted by Epoisses on 2007-02-13 23:26:54 +0000

"Hotel California" came out in 1976, so if there's any thievery going on it was perpetrated by the Eagles. I am no fan of the Eagles, by any means, but the outros of the two songs line up.

Posted by Chopper on 2007-02-14 12:36:50 +0000

I'm surprised that this comment below has garnered no comment.... **And now for some really big news - news which will put you in a very small circle of those "in the know" - seriously. After 35 years, Ziggy is rumored to have not committed suicide and allegedly is very close to entering the earth's orbit. The question remains, will he fall to earth....????

Posted by G lib on 2007-02-14 13:21:37 +0000

That's because we all believe it's true, chopper.

Posted by pamsterdam on 2007-02-14 13:34:53 +0000

Sorry not to have replied sooner, Chopper. I'm too busy holding my breath and watching the skies... ...thanks for my best VD present so far.

Posted by jbcardinale on 2007-02-14 15:02:03 +0000

For the record, the Thin White Duke image only lasted for the Station to Station tour (taken from the song Station To Station, "the return of the thin white duke throwing darts in lovers' eyes"). After "Low" was released Bowie didn't tour behind it, choosing to play keyboards in Iggy's band on The Idiot tour. He wore jeans and a flannel shirt. As for "The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust", I can't add much to the appreciation that's already been expressed, but the album cover of my copy is starting to fall apart.

Posted by mahatma chani on 2007-02-14 15:17:37 +0000

Aparently, this rip doesn't include "John, I'm Only Dancing" and "Velvet Goldmine." These two B-Sides from this era are essential. Tons of great stuff on here, favoite moment for me, oddly enough, is the line "I could fall asleep at night as a rock and roll star." What pathos.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-02-14 15:25:31 +0000

"VD Present" lol, chortle, snicker.

Posted by pamsterdam on 2007-02-14 16:14:35 +0000

Oh yes, I'm still a bitter lonely goth chick inside.

Posted by pamsterdam on 2007-02-14 16:21:57 +0000

...and IMHO this is the greatest album of all time, beating out Rubber Soul & Revolver by a rather sizable margin. (Disintegration & The Queen Is Dead bring up the rear on my top 5)

Posted by virtue on 2007-02-14 18:29:53 +0000

I don't think that the outros match all that closely, but I do think that Ziggy must have gone into the future for song for bob dylan--that's why it sounds so much like lynyrd skynyrd.

Posted by Epoisses on 2007-02-14 18:37:03 +0000

I would get a copy of the Eagles record to prove the point, but no one really wants that.

Posted by jbcardinale on 2007-02-14 18:41:39 +0000

I've got it in my "free records somebody gave me" pile that I'm too lazy to file

Posted by pamsterdam on 2007-02-14 18:43:41 +0000

The Big Lebowski: I've had a rough night and I hate the fucking Eagles, man. Please, everyone - stop ruining the thread on my favorite album of all time by talking about the most evil shite ever to emerge from the pits of Gehena and infest the airwaves. My God. I love you guys, but... The Eagles? For serious? They give me gas.

Posted by Epoisses on 2007-02-14 18:48:07 +0000

I'm with you re: hating the Eagles.

Posted by pamsterdam on 2007-02-14 18:49:23 +0000

Dude. They make my butt ache.

Posted by Epoisses on 2007-02-14 18:52:21 +0000

Um, that's not the Eagles.

Posted by pamsterdam on 2007-02-14 18:55:03 +0000

Oops. I guess not everyone put their cocks back in their pants...

Posted by Epoisses on 2007-02-14 18:56:12 +0000

Hey, sailor!

Posted by pamsterdam on 2007-02-14 18:59:14 +0000

sailors = gay It's science.

Posted by mr. mister on 2007-02-15 04:21:03 +0000

THere is a scene in the Ziggy movie where Ringo is in the dressing room and Bowie is naked putting on one of his unitards. It's classic rock royalty partyin down 70's style yeahhh!

Posted by Epoisses on 2007-02-15 04:26:14 +0000

Dude, you said 'unitard.'

Posted by Chopper on 2007-02-15 18:38:28 +0000

Totally agree with you on "John, I'm Only Dancing" and "Velvet Goldmine". And also, who among us could not "fall asleep at night as a rock and roll star"?

Posted by mr. mister on 2007-02-16 14:58:30 +0000

better than unicorn!

Posted by MF DU on 2007-02-16 15:22:03 +0000

FYI

Posted by pamsterdam on 2007-02-16 15:30:33 +0000

Oh, I meant the one in unpopular culture.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-02-16 15:38:51 +0000

that one is even more interesting. I didn't even know what that word meant before yr post... Lurning is Kewl.

Posted by pamsterdam on 2007-02-16 16:48:46 +0000

See what growing up Baptist does for ya? ;-) We are all crazed Bible-quoters, and no amount of hushed swearing can wipe that slate clean, I can tell you. Wasn't there a bit in The Life of Brian when Terry Jones hops around chanting in a squeaky voice, "Gehenna! Gehenna! Gehenna!"?

Posted by Epoisses on 2007-02-16 17:00:07 +0000

No no no... 'Juhola.' (Who I saw last weekend, btw -- He's a cop with two sets of girl twins! His wife looked tired.)

Posted by pamsterdam on 2007-02-16 17:05:14 +0000

Ohhhhhhhhhh, his KIDS are two sets of twin girls. Now I get it. Otherwise, his wife would likely be both well-rested and very, very cross.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-02-16 17:55:21 +0000

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-17 00:59:02 +0000

ok I'm going. Not stoned so ...ya know...

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-17 01:01:48 +0000

"5 Years" Drum intro production is ace!

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-17 01:09:31 +0000

"Soul Love" Man, so many albums of this time took that sax sound and ran with it.

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-17 01:12:27 +0000

"Moonage Daydream" Freak out out out What's up with the Jethro?

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-17 21:02:16 +0000

"Starman" Holy Shit!!! The guitar line at the end of the chorus is nuts. Dr Dre took the bouncy piano fro a song on the Chronic2. Claps are cool.

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-17 01:23:38 +0000

"It Ain't Easy" Oh god, all I can think of is that Cracktorch song where their like, "It Ain't Easy...", but like Lemmy.

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-17 01:25:10 +0000

"Lady Stardust" Young American, Young American, she was a Young American.

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-17 01:29:02 +0000

"Star" Rocky Horror?

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-17 01:32:34 +0000

"Hang On To Yourself" How much did Marc Bolan pay Bowie? I like claps!

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-17 01:37:25 +0000

"Ziggy Stardust" from Wikipedia "Contrary to an oft-heard rumour, the song was not written with Jimi Hendrix in mind. Rather, Vince Taylor was the inspiration." Is there someone hitting a mic by mistake right in the beginning or is it the rip? Ziggy played guitar?...no, that was Mick Ronson like a mother fucker.

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-17 01:39:53 +0000

"Suffragette City" Holy Shit!!! I've heard this a billion times and it is still fucking awesome.

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-17 01:45:13 +0000

"Rock 'n' Roll Suicide" "You're not alone.." I've got something in my eye...

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-17 01:48:14 +0000

Pretty good, most of the songs clock in under 3:30, which is impressive. Not a huge departure though. What's next?

Posted by tgl on 2007-02-17 02:53:17 +0000

RS: Rory Stark RS: RideSide Sayin'

Posted by pamsterdam on 2007-02-17 03:02:11 +0000

Yep. Solo karaoke breakdown. Hot damn.

Posted by Epoisses on 2007-02-17 06:00:56 +0000

I heard 'Hotel California' on Valentine's Day -- the Eagles totally stole it from "Moonage Daydream."

Posted by Epoisses on 2007-02-22 18:18:42 +0000

"He can lick on Guy Smiley."

Posted by Epoisses on 2007-02-22 18:19:09 +0000

Also: Crass got their name from this album ("...and the kids were just crass.")

Posted by pamsterdam on 2007-02-22 20:41:48 +0000

Your Mom got your Crass t-shirt at the mall.

Posted by Epoisses on 2007-02-23 00:18:35 +0000

Dude, SHUT UP!

Posted by jbcardinale on 2007-02-23 02:16:50 +0000

found it...even the cover is most vacuous.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-02-23 14:13:02 +0000

snicker, chortle, snicker