ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS-THE MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK

I was never a fan of Bowie in my younger years although I certainly did enjoy several of his songs from the radio. The problem was there were also several I didn't like so I just assumed his albums would also be hit and miss for me. I bought this one back before I discovered Prog and was desperate for some good music. This was recorded live in July of 1973, the final concert of his "Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars" tour. It took place at the Odeon Hammersmith in London, England and was billed as his last tour ever. He just didn't explain at the time that this was just the last tour for his Ziggy Stardust persona. Still it must have been an amazing show to see live. There was also a video made available of this show which I haven't seen. Both weren't released until 10 years after the fact in 1983. I'm not sure why, but the sound quality may have been one reason. Apparently it's awful. I have the remastered version which is cleaned up pretty good. This set also has lots of info in it including a fake ticket stub from the evening. Very well packaged and my set is copy controlled as well. The discs are red with yellow tops.

This is a two disc affair with some 83 minutes of music. Mick Ronson really impressed me on guitar and it's cool that Bowie plays sax and harmonica during this show. The first song "Hang On To Yourself" is a little raw sounding especially the guitar. I'm guessing it's the sound quality. Not a big fan of this rocker but the guitar is good. "Ziggy Stardust" is a top three from disc one. Again raw guitar to open as Bowie joins in vocally. Great track. "Watch That Man" opens with guitar once again as the rest join in quickly including the vocals. Catchy but I don't like it. "Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud" is ballad-like but it does get fuller and blends into "All The Young Dudes" a top three as well. Horns too in this one.

"Oh ! You Pretty Things" is a short piece with vocals and piano then it kicks in before a minute. It's okay. "Moonage Daydream" has some excellent sounding guitar and mellotron in it. "Changes" is a song i've never liked. "Space Oddity" on the other hand is my favourite Bowie tune. On the original song they planned to use strings so they brought in session keyboardist Rick Wakemen to lay down a mellotron pattern that would be a guide for the strings. The producer liked it so much they kept what Rick had done and double tracked it. Classic tune including horns and mellotron on this live version. "My Death" ends disc one with Bowie telling the crowd to be quiet and thanking them when they finally obey.

Disc two begins with "Cracked Actor" with more raw guitar and some harmonica too. "Time" puts the focus on the vocals and piano then it kicks in as contrasts continue. Lots of vocal melodies late. "The Width Of A Circle" is the most impressive track on here. Almost 16 minutes of guitar driven Rock. Love it ! "Lets Spend The Night Together" is a weak cover in my opinion. "Suffragette City" is great and ends the concert with the last two songs being encore tracks. "White Lights / White Heat" is excellent. I really like this one and the verses remind me of ROXY MUSIC. "Rock n Roll Suicide" ends it and it sounds so much better when it finally kicks into gear.

This is a good live document but make sure you get the remastered version.