CHANGESONEBOWIE

Changes One is a decent collection of Bowie songs circa 69 to 76. All the songs you would expect to be here are here; Changes, Space Oddity, Fame, Young Americans, etc, etc. The only surprise is John, I'm Only Dancing which had never been released on an album before this collection came out. Apparently early British pressings of Changes One include an instrumental version of John, unfortunately I don't have that version.

Most of these songs have been played to death on classic rock radio, but if for some reason you are new to the cultural phenomenon known as David Bowie, then this is an OK introduction to his slightly more commercial side. If you want to hear David's more progressive material then you will want to check out albums such as Low or Station to Station.

One feature of this album that I enjoyed a lot in my wild youthful years is the juxtaposition of Suffragette City and The Jean Genie. These are two great punkish rockers that I used to listen to in the morning while I was getting hyped for a new day. It's helpful that they are placed back to back on the album, conveniance like this is nice when you are young and impatient.

This is not the very first official Bowie compilation as such, but it is certainly the one that most people have in mind. And the successful in terms of sales (it peaked at the second spot in the UK charts).

I have a rather mixed feeling about this collection of songs.

While the first side of the vinyl album is superb, offering five great songs even if not all of them are known amongst non-addicted Bowie fans (as you might call me).

I'm referring to the fantastic "Suffragette City" and its famous "Wham Bam, Thank You Mam" phrase referring to a "Small Faces" song. David was willing to offer this track to "Mott The Hoople" who turned it down (but will accept "All The Young Dudes" a little later). It will make part of the fabulous "Ziggy" album.

The other one is of course "John, I'm Only Dancing". Often consider as a homosexual anthem, this single will peak at the twelfth spot in the UK chart but wasn't released on the "Ziggy" album although it would have fit perfectly well.

Needless to say that the other three numbers form this side do belong to David's best ones. "Space Oddity" from the early successful days, "Changes" from the acclaimed "Hunky Dory" and the extraordinary "Jean Genie" from the excellent A Lad Insane. All being true jewels of rock music.

On the other side of the vinyl, the story is quite different. It all starts fine with again two great songs of the post glam years: "Diamond Dogs" and the excellent and extremely catchy "Rebel Rebel".

This compilation saw the light in 76, shortly after the release of the album "Young Americans". If you have read my review about this album, you have noticed that it was not really my cup of tea (two stars). The only good track IMO was the title one, which is present here. Not too many damages so far.

But the last two songs are quite difficult to bear. I have never liked them. And never will. "Fame" is represented in its single version (which shortens the torture) and I have always considered "Golden Years" as the weakest track from the great "Station To Station" album. But they were good marketing tools I guess to push the sales upwards.

Still, seven jewels and one good song are pretty decent. Four stars.