With the release of Heathen in 2002, the Thin White Duke was redefined once again, this time as a culmination of all the themes and personae Bowie had explored throughout his career. If some of his work in the nineties suggested that he had fallen prey to Aging Rocker’s Syndrome, Heathen dispelled such assertions. His first album on his own ISO label (distributed by Sony Legacy) found him working once again with longtime producer Tony Visconti, who had worked on and off with Bowie since the early seventies. The resultant album was a work that found Bowie at last comfortable in his own skin, and was his highest charting work since Let’s Dance. The entire album exudes a confidence and power borne of acceptance of aging. In fact, it takes a second listen to realize that his versions of “I’ve been Waiting for You” (Neil Young), “Cactus” (the Pixies), and “I Took a Trip on a Gemini Spaceship” (The Legendary Stardust Cowboy) are covers. Disc Two features a Moby remix of “Sunday” and a 1979 outtake (deservedly so) of “Panic in Detroit.”
Reality followed in 2003, and continued the premises laid forth in Heathen, once again finding Bowie being Bowie, relishing his past while living in the present. Besides a diverse wealth of original material, it features Bowie’s take on Johnathan Richman and the Modern Lovers’ “Pablo Picasso,” and a haunting version of George Harrison’s “Try Some, Buy Some.” The centerpiece of the work, though is the nearly eight minute song “Bring Me the Disco King,” a loopy lounge lizard piano and sax piece of subtle self-deprecation that also encapsulates the failed invincibility of the eighties. Disc Two features several nuggets, most notable being “Rebel Rebel” and updated versions of same, appropriately titled “Rebel Never Gets Old.”
In Bowie’s case, truer words were never spoken. While a mild heart attack in 2004 cut a world tour in support of Reality short, and may partially explain why he hasn’t released an album in the interim, it hasn’t kept him from the public eye. In 2006, he was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. And though he says he’s taking a break from performing and recording, he continues to show up for impromptu gigs with artists ranging from Alicia Keys to Arcade Fire. He’s even rumored to be working on a rock opera adaptation of Alan Moore’s classic graphic novel Watchmen. Even now, over thirty-five years since he launched his career, Bowie remains an enigma.
Article comments
1 - Tom Johnson
I've long been a fan of this era of Bowie's, and I think it's sad that many ignore what he's accomplished. While many others his age are busy reliving past glories, he's still out there creating new music. While it may reference his past a little more than ever before, he's still digging through current styles for things that appeal to him and challenge him. I've found Reality and Hours to be particular favorites of mine from this era, but each of these albums has had some very strong material on them.
I do wish it were a little cheaper. I realize it's 10 discs, but it's all previously released material. I'd have jumped at $40, but at $60 I really question whether I need the bonus discs.
2 - El Bicho
Don't tell anyone, but I liked the first Tin Machine album. “I’m Afraid of Americans” is one of my favorite Bowie tracks. I wish they would release an official version of the tour he did with NIN.
3 - Ray Ellis
I agree with both of you-- to a point. As I said in the article, Bowie has always been a cultural compass for me--and I guess for you guys, as well.
Bowie has made a career of taking chances, and even though the nineties were not his most commercially successful, I think his influence permeates everything from Nine Inch Nails to the Killers.
Yeah, Tom, the box is a bit pricey, but it still averages out to $6 per disc. The bonus discs pretty much cover everything insofar as remixes and the like go from this period. It's a bargain for the completist, and some of the tracks outshine the original versions.
And Gordon, I kinda liked Tin Machine, if for no other reason than hearing Soupy Sales' sons as a balls-out rhythm, even if it was at the expense of Bowie's vocals being muffled. "I'm Afraid of Americans" is just one of those great songs that came out at the right time.
Before I start sounding like an Anglophile version of Glen Boyd's Springsteen raves (kidding),I'll just say thanks for your comments.
4 - Josh
This box is on my Christmas list, too, Deputy Prime Minister Ellis. Well done on your review, sir.
I like this period of Bowie's career and agree it's a shame that so many people tuned out to some fine latter day albums. Earthling is a favorite of mine, even though I wouldn't consider myself a big fan of electronica. That's a really well-executed record. Heathen has a few down moments on it, but the prime stuff on there is really amazing. "Sunday" and "Slow Burn" are two of my favorite Bowie cuts ever.
I hope Santa TheWifeToWhomI'mMarried puts this under the tree for me even though I've got the main albums and a few of the singles.
5 - Glen Boyd
Ya' know Ray, before you go beating me up over my admitted occasionally over-the-top "Bruceiness", didja know that your boy Bowie is also a big fan?
It's true. In fact back before Born To Run put Bruce on the map, there was a point in time that Bowie even considered doing an entire album of Springsteen covers. I'm not sure what became of the album, but I do know that Bowie versions of both "Blinded By The Light" and "Its Hard To Be A Saint In The City" (and possibly others) survived the sessions.
I was/am a very big Bowie fan as well. I've seen him several times -- including both the "Ziggy" and "Station To Station" tours, as well as "Lets Dance", "Glass Spider", and a few of the latter tours, including the one he did with Nine Inch Nails.
I kinda lost interest about a decade back, although there are a few bright spots I've liked such as "Im Afraid Of Americans" and "Slow Burn" (I notice Josh mentioned that track as well).
Based on your review, I feel somewhat compelled to give some of his more recent material another try. But either way, it goes without saying that I've always totally respected Bowie and I still do.
Good review by the way.
-Glen
6 - Ray Ellis
Whoa, Glen. I meant that as a good-natured jab at a colleague, not as a diss. Sorry if you took it wrong. I'm just another :over the top" kind of guy.
7 - Glen Boyd
I didn't take it wrong Ray. I completely understood the tongue-in-cheekiness. I just chose to respond in typically "over the top" fashion. For the record, I also enjoyed reading your review very much. I admire people who are pasionate about their favorite artists. Remind you of anyone ya know?
-Glen
8 - Ray Ellis
Heh. Indeed it does. I first saw Bowie in 1978, as a wild-eyed fan. By the time "Let's Dance" came out, I was publing my magazine, and basically went with the Bowie tenet of " if you want to be a roick star, you firsthave to think of yourself as a rock star." It;s a tactic that's served me relatively well, not just in writing, but in life in general.
I guess it all came together one night in Dallas at the now defunct Starck Club in Dallas. It was a glam place, and I was there for a party celebrating his next night performance in support of "Let's Dance." I had indirect connections with Stevie Ray Vaughan, and I found myself having a beer with Bowie.
It could have been the interview of a lifetime, and my associates jeered me for not pursuing it. But the thing, to me anyway, was it wasn't the right time. I sensed he was weary of the usual interview crap, so we just sat and chatted over a couple of beers.
He's a reserved gentleman in real life, friendly but nothing like his personae. Our meeting restored my faith in Englishmen.
Sorry. I wanted to work that into the article, but it didn't fit. But it explains my ongoing fascination with Bowie.
9 - Tom Johnson
"Slow Burn" is great - fantastic guitar work by Pete Townshend doesn't hurt, either. One I never see mentioned that is probably my favorite on Reality is "5:15 The Angels Have Gone." LOVE that song.
He's a cool guy. I've always gotten exactly the impression you gave in that comment, Ray - he has a very definite stage persona, and the few times when he's turned that off, he really does come across like a regular guy. I saw his Live By Request on A&E when Reality came out and he was very relaxed in that setting. (I really wish they'd release that - it was a fantastic performance.)
Veering slightly off-topic, has anyone else checked out Seu Jorge's album of Bowie covers sung in Portugese (music from The Life Aquatic)? It's a pure joy to listen to. Just him and a guitar, and the guy has a beautiful voice. HIGHLY recommended.
10 - Josh
Tom, that A&E performance really was great. TheWifeToWhomI'mMarried and I loved it when the kid called in a request. It should be released.
Townshend's guitar on "Slow Burn" is great, but I really love the way Bowie pushed himself on that vocal. "5:15" is another good one. Heathen was an excellent record.
I was about to get this for Christmas, but Amazon has it on backorder. Damn it!
11 - daryl d
this article reads like something out of a ghetto high school newspaper. I appreciate your passion for David Bowie but please take some writing classes.
12 - Colin
Shame on you Daryl for that comment - this is very high quality writing from which you could probably learn.
Colin
13 - Mark Saleski
i love Reality, and will also have to second the bicho on Tin Machine. love that first one as well as the live disc...both of which are full of Gabrels' molten guitar.
14 - Donald Gibson
I really enjoyed reading this, Ray. I'm a huge Bowie fan. Before hours... was released, he conducted a songwriting contest through his website, asking people to submit lyrics to the music he'd recorded for the song already titled "What's Really Happening." I wound up being among the finalists in the contest. That pretty much made my year.
I'm certainly a mammoth fan of his classic, perhaps more-iconic music. Yet, I've had a particular appreciation for the era of music which comprises this box set. What I admire most about his output of this time is his individualistic ambition to create music that satisfied and intrigued him rather than trying to please a more mainstream audience (as he did in the late '80s).
I was fortunate to have seen him on his Reality tour -- the only time I've ever seen him -- and that show ranks among my favorite (and critically speaking, one of the finest) concerts I've ever attended. His stage presence was absolutely incredible. About 3 songs in, after performing "Fashion," he sat cross-legged on a riser and teased the audience, saying with a sly grin, "I could stop right now if I wanted to." He had the crowd at his command and he knew it.
Thanks for reminding me of some great memories and music, Ray. Terrific article.
- Donald
15 - Tom Johnson
I just realized I keep mentioning songs from Heathen but naming Reality. So replace the latter with the former and my comments will still have some meaning. Man . . . feeling a little stupid now.
16 - El Bicho
Colin, pay no attention to the brat. Much like his articles, he is unable to prove his point and is just trying to draw attention to himself. Ray repeatedly calls him out for his obvious b.s. so that's probably a factor as well.
What's very humorous and ironic is that he's really one of the last people around here to critique someone else's work considering how often editors return his articles for rewrites.
17 - Josh
^5, El Bicho.
An elf told me TWTWIM might have found a copy of this after all. I'll know more in about 10 days. Hope springs eternal.
Reality felt a little inconsistent to me, but I fuckin' love "New Killer Star."