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Post by futureshock on Jan 11, 2016 8:03:29 GMT
Just seeing this hit the news right now. Total surprise. Cancer. What a career of creativity, invention, ambition and success. Rest in bliss, Mr. Bowie.
David Bowie was far from one of my main early music influences, but in the big mix of all the music, when you found Bowie's records, like quite a few I knew, you just had to really listen to them start to finish. Who was this guy? Some British pop artist, but every song was being stretched in some new direction, there was something bursting with creativity going on. I remember a local band was doing some Bowie and when I was learning guitar, I played along to Space Oddity and discovered Bowie's very alive musical approach, there was little of the laying back on the 4/4-beat stuff going on, it was about going forward. He reinvented himself every few years. Great memories of bands and Bowie songs in the past. RIP.
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Post by Equus on Jan 11, 2016 8:54:20 GMT
I have just hear about David bowie... I have to go to work now, but will write something about it later... I'm a huge David bowie fan by the way... Rest In peace David...
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Post by nonrabbit on Jan 11, 2016 9:16:56 GMT
Shocked. So sad. f**k cancer. So original, charismatic and a genius.
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Post by bunkerfan on Jan 11, 2016 9:34:55 GMT
Very sad news to hear of the death of David Bowie.
When I was a bit younger I used to meet up with friends at a pub that had a juke box with a terrible selection of records apart from 'Silver Machine' and this one from Bowie. We played them over and over again.
RIP David
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Post by maddogfagin on Jan 11, 2016 10:19:33 GMT
Shocked and saddened by the news. I first heard him on record with the single "Can't help thinking about me" which was issued back in January 1966 which was credited to David Bowie and the Lower Third. It was through a friend that I briefly got to know Dennis "Teacup" Taylor who was the guitarist in the band and we later saw David Bowie perform a mime act during the interval at a Jimi Hendix and The Experience concert at the Festival Hall in the late 60's. He also had a Sunday evening folk club/"arts lab" at the Three Tuns (later renamed as Zissi for some reason) in Beckenham around the same time. A true original. May you rest in peace David.
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Post by nonrabbit on Jan 11, 2016 10:45:33 GMT
So much is being said. So, so much to say. Good video choice John - song of our youth. Vision, control and perfectionism - some of his qualities as an artist. 'No one thought of him as old that's one of the reasons why it's such a shock' Gambacini He was the artist and the art. I wasn't a die hard fan in my youth but I always listened and thought his songs were so melodic,different and you didn't know what was coming next. He was a nice guy. His private life when he was young was free-spirited and at times bizarre yet he maintained a dignity and such a presence. And never bombarded the media with his every thought. Testament that those surrounding him family, friends, musicians and technicians kept the news of his terminal cancer a secret. His Last PerformanceI've never seen this before where a dying artist chillingly performs his life and death as a legacy. www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-JqH1M4Ya8
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Post by maddogfagin on Jan 11, 2016 10:55:42 GMT
I greatly admire people like David Bowie, whose career was made from not just repeating himself and constantly looking for another persona to adopt, another musical style to develop and go into. And I rather think that we all admire and respect David Bowie for being one of those kind of artists. There are lots of other artist who just deliver the goods; who just do the thing they do, and we love them for that – the fact that they don’t spring surprises on us, they don’t bring disappointment. We know who they are and what they do, and they reliably fulfill our expectations – no more and no less. Ian Anderson, October 2014Link
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Post by nonrabbit on Jan 11, 2016 11:13:46 GMT
I only ever linked the music of Tull and Bowie with the haunting music and lyrics of Space Oddity and For Michael Collins...
Though I'm past one hundred thousand miles I'm feeling very still
And I think my spaceship knows which way to go
Tell my wife I love her very much, she knows
Ground Control to Major Tom Your circuit's dead, there's something wrong
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
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Post by nonrabbit on Jan 11, 2016 11:29:02 GMT
Thanks Graham
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Post by nonrabbit on Jan 11, 2016 11:40:15 GMT
Tribute from Ian
Throughout the 60s in the painterly world, Pop Art held sway.
No surprise that, towards the end of that decade, former Art and Design student David Bowie would give himself to music and become the archetypal “Art Pop” performer and recording artist.
Unusually in the world of Pop and Rock where British singers feel strangely compelled to sing in ridiculous fake American accents, Bowie proudly used his own natural spoken vocal tones to carve a niche as one of the few high baritone singers of the Pop/Rock world.
In 1974 I was asked by British folk group Steeleye Span to try to get David Bowie to play alto saxophone on a track I was producing for them. Somehow, although we didn't know each other, I managed to get his phone number and he agreed to come to the session. In prompt and professional fashion he executed the desired solo lines and went on his way with the recorded words, “I'll see you later.”
Many years later in 1997, I managed to push my way past minder heavies into his dressing room at a big German TV show we were both appearing on. I thanked him for playing on the Steeleye song and, more importantly, for serving as a role model to me in regard to offering the gift of music with no fee or royalty for performing on other artists' records, something I have always done since.
He looked at me thoughtfully and said, “I'd forgotten about that. I suppose it's too late to send in an invoice?” This while smiling a dazzling smile with his new and perfect teeth.
For David to die now is a huge sadness. Always the Mother Of Reinvention, there should have been more to come. But in true theatrical narrative fashion, always his forte, he released the iTunes chart number one album on a good Friday and his death was announced on early Monday, UK time. Could only have had more impact, perhaps, if the events had been the other way round.
But Bowie resurrected himself on many occasions, such was his strength; a strength born of restlessness and the urge to move on. The most inventive, original and very British of artists, perhaps, since the late 60s.
David Bowie. Art Pop supremo. RIP.
Ian Anderson
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Post by nonrabbit on Jan 11, 2016 12:02:50 GMT
'For me the music is the colour. Not the painting. My music allows me to paint myself'i63.images obliterated by tinypic/11hwgv7.jpg[/IMG]
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2016 12:14:59 GMT
There's a starman waiting in the sky He'd like to come and meet us But he thinks he'd blow our minds There's a starman waiting in the sky He's told us not to blow it 'Cause he knows it's all worthwhile
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Post by JTull 007 on Jan 11, 2016 13:45:37 GMT
Shocked. So sad. f**k cancer. So original, charismatic and a genius. We are so lucky to have seen and heard him all these years. BOWIE = GENIUS
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Post by nonrabbit on Jan 11, 2016 14:48:57 GMT
Right to the end. How David Told Us He Was Dying In The Lazarus Videowww.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/how-david-bowie-told-us-he-was-dying-in-the-lazarus-video"His death was no different from his life - a work of Art," explained Bowie's producer Tony Visconti, in tribute. "He made 'Blackstar' for us, his parting gift. I knew for a year this was the way it would be. I wasn't, however, prepared for it." Creative to the very end, the 'Lazarus' video is a heartbreakingly sad way to bid farewell, but a more than appropriate one." I've watched it a few times now and it's not easy viewing. Much will be written about it in years to come. I think it's an incredible performance and unlike anything I've ever seen before.
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Post by maddogfagin on Jan 11, 2016 15:03:43 GMT
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Now_We_Are_Six_(album)The track that did end the album is the other one which created some consternation among critics - a cover version of Phil Spector's "To Know Him Is To Love Him" which features, as a guest, David Bowie on alto saxophone. The inclusion of a rock 'n' roll standard baffled many listeners who had come to expect Steeleye Span's interpretations of traditional fare; what is generally not known, however, is that the track does represent an aspect of Steeleye Span's live show at that time (1974). They were known for doing a rock and roll encore during this period, influenced by the band Sha Na Na with whom they toured. After ending their regular set, they would leave the stage and emerge a few minutes later, almost entirely unrecognizable, in '50s-styled rock and roll costumes, and play such numbers as "Long Tall Sally", "Da Doo Ron Ron", and the aforementioned "To Know Him Is To Love Him"jethrotull.proboards.com/post/20615
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chea
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Post by chea on Jan 11, 2016 15:09:51 GMT
As a music fan I am very saddened to hear of the loss of David Bowie today. His 80's Lets Dance album is close to my heart.
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Post by ash on Jan 11, 2016 17:52:25 GMT
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Post by JTull 007 on Jan 11, 2016 20:50:51 GMT
Thank you Ash. This performance was way ahead of 1979 times. I agree about Anthony Newley too. Complete SNL performance December 15, 1979 is on this BOWIE LINK
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Post by steelmonkey on Jan 12, 2016 1:04:37 GMT
One of the true greats. Like an Andy Warhol of music...allowing so many millions of people to be themselves by always being himself. Countless classic songs and albums...at least 5 or 6 'must haves' in any rock collection. I saw him thrice...once in 77, once in 83, once in 93...and feel lucky for those experiences. Hate to go all Tull-o-centric,,,but Ian said it best and I will be surprised if anyone, anywhere sums him up in 4 words better than Ian has: The mother of reinvention.
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Post by nonrabbit on Jan 12, 2016 8:34:44 GMT
I agree with the comments all over the web about how people of my age and older feel privileged to have shared the planet at the same time as geniuses and culture-changers like Bowie. When I was a teenager I didn't listen too closely to his music - with exceptions, however I think it's a great comfort as you get older that your become more open to music and can appreciate what you may have dismissed years ago.
I telephone my 88 year old mother every evening. She's very religious and also listens to Classic FM and Radio 4 all through the day. I well remember her comments when I was listening to all kinds of music in my teens. 'That's not music!!'
I knew she would say something about Bowies death like 'That's sad' I didn't expect what she actually did say.
'That's very sad about David Bowie I was listening to his last album - Blackstar and Lazarus on the radio.
It's very good and with some very good words in it especially about what comes after this life!' Gobsmacked!
Blackstar is very, very good and remarkable given his circumstances at the time and a wonderful gift to music appreciators- for always.
Some say it's very dark and I must admit at the moment I see it that way too but maybe through many more listens I will see more. Bowie had many layers.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2016 17:15:30 GMT
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Post by nonrabbit on Jan 12, 2016 18:28:01 GMT
Thanks for the links TT especially for the SH site. I am thinking of taking a walk over there - do I need to bring a bottle or anything? Been listening to Blackstar a lot and it's quite exceptional. Anyone else want to continue this thread on Bowie and his music?
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Post by nonrabbit on Jan 12, 2016 19:01:30 GMT
Tribute from Ian Unusually in the world of Pop and Rock where British singers feel strangely compelled to sing in ridiculous fake American accents, Bowie proudly used his own natural spoken vocal tones to carve a niche as one of the few high baritone singers of the Pop/Rock world.
Ian Anderson
David Bowie wanted to sing in a Scottish accent in his early days, reveals lifelong friend"The friendship continued and led to the inspiration for a song about Alan’s son Frankie that made it on to the emerging star’s 1967 debut album.Bowie asked Alan for help to sing the song in a Scottish accent. Alan said: “I was at Ken Pitt’s offices for a year and David was there all the time so we became mates to the extent that the wrote Little Bombadier for my son. “Frankie, who was four, had a nice way about him and David really liked him as a person. “David said, ‘Your son is a right character. He’s a lovely boy’ “One day, David picked up an acoustic guitar and sang in a Scottish accent, ‘The little character Frankie Mair, the little Bombadier’. www.scotlandnow.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/david-bowie-wanted-sing-scottish-7163059
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Post by nonrabbit on Jan 12, 2016 19:36:09 GMT
Blackstar Bassist Tim Lefebvre on Bowie: 'The Greatest Musician I've Ever Heard'"(From Rolling Stone) Tim Lefebvre, a member of Austin's Tedeschi Trucks Band, played bass on every song of David Bowie’s last album Blackstar. Here he shares his initial reaction to Bowie's passing and what it was like to spend time in the studio with a rock & roll legend. You can now better understand what the album Blackstar is about. I knew that David was ill, but not to this point. He made us understand that he was frail. We didn't realize. When he sang, when he played, he had strength and a real punch. I'm shocked." He created this album knowing that he was going to die and he never let go till the end. It's his testament, a final part of his heritage, a last gift for all of us. Do you realize the generosity of this immense artist? We are often so full of self-pity; in the meantime David worked, giving all of himself with a smile, despite the sickness.David was a star. He knew it. The man was more powerful than the image. He managed to control everything. He was a king and a gentleman. He treated everyone with respect and love. He was sincere, authentic and brave. He made you feel important. He was the first to applaud when he was amazed by someone playing. He was often amazed. So wonderful. www.bassplayer.com/artists/1171/blackstar-bassist-tim-lefebvre-on-bowie-the-greatest-musician-ive-ever-heard/55914
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Post by ash on Jan 12, 2016 20:08:43 GMT
The same organist as the Tull concert on December 11th I believe Also this at the Dom Tower Utrecht
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Post by maddogfagin on Jan 13, 2016 13:25:16 GMT
A couple of pieces about Steeleye and David Bowie SALIENT. VICTORIA UNIVERSITY STUDENT NEWSPAPER. VOL. 38, NO. 21. SEPTEMBER 4 1975STEEL EYE SPAN — INTERVIEWED What about working with people like Ian Anderson the flautist from Jethro Tull who produced your Now We are Six Album? We were talking about what we wanted from a producer and we wanted someone who liked our music and had listened to a lot of it, and Ian had done both. He was also a good friend, so we got him down to do it. It was like having an extra member of the band sitting outside and being objective, because it's very difficult to be objective when you're actually playing it. You listen to playback, and you always hear whether your bits in there or not, and how it is - more than anybody elses - and you need just another musician, almost, just to sit back and say: No, that's not quite right. It wasn't what we were going to do. During 1973, we toured with Jethro Tull and learned from them the value of stagecraft - the value of projecting the show, because you work in vast auditoriums working 20,000 seats and if you go out to the back of 20,000 scats and look done to the stage, people appear to be about five inches Call. And you sprint from one side of the stage to the other and it's - visually like me moving my hand about a foot sideways. So really, you learn to work as a unit pushing out, you can't come out as an individual What about working with David Bowie? Where did he spring from?Rick Kemp our bass-player, knew David .. and Rick was in a band with Mike Ronson Bowie's guitarist, years ago. What do you think of the whole Bowie Ronson - Mott the Hoople cabal - the heavier side of glam rock, people like Sweet?I like a lot of it - a lot of it's very good. If it's done well, it's astonishing. The Bowie things been handled very well. I mean, if the music's good enough, it can handle the type Bowie's music was very good, so you could put loads of hype on it, but it was still .... the music still stood up. nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Salient38211975-t1-body-d31.htmlwww.cairnspost.com.au/Cairns musician who once played alongside David Bowie remembers the pop legend’s ‘aura’HAYDEN SMITH THE CAIRNS POST JANUARY 13, 2016 6:20AM www.cairnspost.com.au/entertainment/cairns-musician-who-once-played-alongside-david-bowie-remembers-the-pop-legends-aura/story-fnjput3w-1227706607824A FORMER British rock scene journeyman who now calls the Far North Queensland home once jammed alongside the late pop legend David Bowie. Cairns resident and Pegasus Studios owner Nigel Pegrum said he was “shocked” on Monday after hearing Bowie had died of cancer aged 69. Mr Pegrum, 66, had several encounters with Bowie during his days as a drummer in the UK throughout the 1960s and 1970s. “Many moons ago I played at a well-known club in London called Middle Earth. It was extremely popular and there were always huge lines to get in,” he said. “A mime artist named David Jones used to entertain the crowds outside, and of course he was in fact a very young David Bowie.” A few years later Mr Pegrum’s band, Gnidrolog, played numerous supporting gigs for Bowie, who had, by then, adopted his renowned “Ziggy Stardust” persona. In 1974 Bowie even featured in a song by British folk group Steeleye Span, in which Mr Pegrum was playing drums. “We had seen David Bowie play sax on a video clip, and just for fun we thought we might ask him if he would come and record a song with us,” Mr Pegrum said. “Incredibly, he agreed, and showed up in a stretch limo with half a dozen exotically-dressed characters. “At that time he was mega-famous and had an incredible aura about him. “He was almost glowing, and you had to think ‘this guy is a special human being’,” he said. Mr Pegrum, who now plays drums for Cairns band Kamerunga, moved to Australia in 1992 and didn’t see Bowie again after that day in a London recording studio. Despite Bowie’s fame, Mr Pegrum said the musician was always “very approachable”. “The guy is a total inspiration. He was always looking for new ways of reinventing himself,” he said. “He was a really cutting-edge artist.” Far North Queensland music fans are this week paying tribute to Bowie, whose latest album Blackstar was released on Friday. Cairns local Shane Geary said he had about 50 Bowie records in his collection. “Ziggy Stardust has to be my favourite, but there are so many crackers that I haven’t given a spin in a while,” he said. “I was in shock when I heard. It was gut-wrenching news.” According to news.com.au, Bowie developed a “childhood fascination” with Australia and spent time holidaying in the Far North during the 1980s and 1990s.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2016 14:59:00 GMT
David Bowie taught me everything I need to know about innovationGrowing up in India, with neither iTunes nor YouTube, I was raised on a music diet of the old-fashioned essentials that played on the radio — the Beatles, the Stones, Bob Dylan. Our extreme boundaries were set by the likes of Jethro Tull and Led Zeppelin. And when we truly wanted to take a trip to outer space, there was David Bowie. If “innovation” were a person, he or she would have looked like David Bowie.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2016 15:05:27 GMT
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Post by nonrabbit on Jan 13, 2016 15:52:01 GMT
Listening to Blackstar again.
Elvis was a great influence on Bowie. This song was never released.
Every man has a black star A black star over his shoulder And when a man sees his black star He knows his time, his time has come
Black star don't shine on me, black star Black star keep behind me, black star There's a lot of living I gotta do Give me time to make a few dreams come true Black star
To say there's a pile of layers in Blackstar - the album or many pieces in the puzzle is an understatement!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2016 16:18:23 GMT
Listening to Blackstar again. Elvis was a great influence on Bowie. This song was never released. Every man has a black star A black star over his shoulder And when a man sees his black star He knows his time, his time has come
Black star don't shine on me, black star Black star keep behind me, black star There's a lot of living I gotta do Give me time to make a few dreams come true Black starTo say there's a pile of layers in Blackstar - the album or many pieces in the puzzle is an understatement!
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