SPACE ODDITY [AKA: DAVID BOWIE, MAN OF WORDS / MAN OF MUSIC]

Space Oddity had enormous airplay in Australia when re-released in 1972 and was a favourite radio song of mine which then led to the purchase of the album as a 14yo teenager.

The track Space Oddity stands apart from the rest of the album and it is no surprise that it has a different producer (Gus Dudgeon) to the remainder of the tracks (Tony Visconti, who would go on to produce many of Bowie's works). Space Oddity has interesting lyrics and music and is as relevant today as it was when first released in 1969. Rick Wakeman provides the mellotron which gives the track a prog edge. A masterful work.

The remaining tracks on the album have a more acoustic flavour and include some extended pieces which might border as folk-prog: Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed (6:11), Cygnet Committee (9:31) and Memory of a Free Festival (7:08). Overall, the tracks are well written and arranged with good lyrics and generally simple accompaniment.

I still enjoy listening to this album. The title track belongs in any history tracing the development of prog music.

Overall rating 3 stars. Good but not essential.