David Live

While enjoying the international success of his next blockbuster album Diamond Dogs in 1974 and a world tour that promoted it, David Bowie would delight both the music world when he gave a live recital performance in Philadelphia the same year that was captured in this exclusive live recording. Performed at the Tower Theater, David Live would be his first live album as it showcases him in a world class variety setting where he perform with fascinating and well-arranged grandeur done in such a unique classic format, though despite being panned by the critics upon it’s official release, it managed to do quite well on the album charts—it would hit Number One in Great Britain, Canada, the United States and Norway). Beginning with a swirling hypnotic note on 1984, the track set conclude as planned with other classic hits like Rebel, Rebel; Moonage Daydream; his poetic take on Changes; Here Today, Gone Tomorrow; Suffragette City, Watch That Man, his take on Knock On Wood, a music hall take on Time, The Width Of A Circle, The Jean Genie and Rock ‘N Roll Suicide. What is even ironic about David Live is that during his stay in Philadelphia he would become influenced by the Philly Soul Sound, a trend-setting R&B movement during the 1970’s and early-1980’s. Plus, you will even get a few interesting moments like a flamenco-style rendition on Space Oddity (finally included on the deluxe edition 2- CD edition), where he sang and used a radio microphone disguised as a telephone whilst being raised and lowered above the stage by a cherry picker crane while you get to hear his upbeat Latin version of Aladdin Sane. Even though it ran in a set of problems, David Live turned out to be an instant success and thanks for the deluxe 2-CD set, it sounds 100% perfect the second time around with lasting results.

Ok, so it's great to have "David Live" remastered with today's modern technology and re-released on CD. Certainly the sound quality is an improvement on the previous Ryko version- Bowie's vocals are clearer and seem "punchier" and it sounds like a gig which could have been recorded yesterday in terms of production values. Historically however, this is not Bowie at his live best and particularly not a highlight from the 1974 Diamond Dogs Tour. This recording is always touted as Bowie's precursor to Young Americans and held up as an example of Bowie experimenting with "plastic soul" (as he called it). The inclusion of Here Today, Gone Tomorrow (an out-take from the Young Americans album) is a nice touch as is the inclusion of Space Oddity (why was it ever dropped?) however overall this is a fairly lacklustre performance. This gig was recorded half way through the tour and Bowie already sounds tired from performing the same old routine (1984, Rebel Rebel, Knock on Wood being particular standout fizzers). One thing that puzzles me though, is why did Bowie & Visconti go to the effort of remastering this fairly average performance when there are other superior recordings from the same tour? The recording of the gig from the Universal Ampitheatre in Los Angeles three months later is by far a much more energetic performance with Bowie and the band in full funky swing. Practically all the tracks are given the Young Americans funky workover (as opposed to just one or two tracks on David Live). Unofficially circulating under the title "Strange Fascination" the LA gig is infinitely superior to David Live, contains the lengthy "Diamond Dogs intro (dropped from David Live) and all the bizarre somewhat drug influenced chit-chat from Bowie inbetween tracks. So it's a pity they didn't go to the effort of remastering the previously unreleased LA gig, rather than just re-hash the old Tower Philadelphia recording. "David Live" remastered and re-released is a nice to have, but if you want a truly superior example of the funky sound of the Philly Dogs leg of the 74 tour try to get your fingers on Strange Fascination. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

A very underrated Live Album from the 70's. Still not the original songs most of them but not all of them. I still have my album that I bought when it came out. Just a little worn and scratched .. You can tell David is really into the concert, and the work of the band he lined up was fantastic. Earl Slick what a job of playing on this album wow. Still one of my favorite of the Bowie albums. Contains classic bowie and just before he transitioned into another bowie in 75 & 76. This album is for those Bowie fans who like the more rock and stripped down sound that he had in the early 70's and those concept albums were great. Love Diamond Dogs still one of best. To any Bowie collector this is a must have to your collection as it is the last Bowie album before he hit with great commercial success of Young Americans and Station to Station. That is the Bowie most people know first. Those of us who have followed his career know this Bowie first. But love all Bowie...

Absolutely buy this one! Some people may try to tell you it's not good. They are wrong, plain and simple. They read some book. This is OUTSTANDING! In my opinion, this is one of the best rock n' roll album ever made by anybody. Okay, it's 1974 and he's havin' personal issues but the performance is SOLID. Bowie and the whole band is just raw and powerful. If you can't feel this one, then you're dead. It's unique in that each song just flows into the next. Ronson's solo on Moonnage Daydream will blow you're head off. I have the actual album but it's so scratched and worn out it's ridiculous, who plays vinyl? Okay, people who were not alive the first time around... never-mind. This is the THIRD time I have purchased this CD. It keeps walking off. Yes, it is so good that my friends steal it from me. Enuff said. Buy it!

When David Boiwe dropped the Ziggy persona, and you heard that he had gone "soul boy", the first reaction was "Whaaat?" But the live act as recorded here included much of his best-loved songs up to that point, but with added brass, backing vocals, etc. The sound, musicianship and arrangements are superb, as are DB's vocals. If he was strung out on dodgy powder at this time, it doesn't show here. If you are a fan and don't have this, you would not be disappointed if you got it.

Bought this originally back in 1974 when it was released as a double album. The sound was pretty bad and, being a fan of Ziggy/Hunky Dory/Aladdin Sane Bowie, at the time I didn't like the way he was changing into a more soulful phase. Looking back my taste in music has broadened and, having remained a Bowie fan, I wanted to add this to my CD collection. I bought the 2005 2 CD release and I have to say I was stunned by the improvement in sound quality, Bowie's incredible singing - his best vocal performance on any of his live CDs in my opinion, and the performance of his great band at the time - another reviewer has mentioned the excellent version of "Panic in Detroit", with a brilliant guitar solo from Earl Slick. All the tracks are great, this has become my favourite Live Bowie CD,

I once had this as a double vinyl, then double CD, then another double CD, and as with so many things in life, they all "disappeared". I was glad to finally replace this in my collection because it has always been my favourite Bowie live set. This has been sensitively remixed and I was surprised that I could notice some differences - and, for me, the differences have even improved the listening experience.

Have this on vinyl, played to death. Great to have it on cd, and, superior to Stage IMO!!!

I bought and loved this album on vinyl in 1974 and have never heard a digital re-issue of it until this purchase. It is so good to hear the full concert. Everything about this release is superb...the extra tracks, the superb musicianship of the band, the great sound quality and of course the great man at his peak. It all adds up to a fantastic listening experience.