so Sweet Head won't be making it i guess..
― piscesx, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 22:45 (twelve years ago) link
Had I gotten my ballot in on time, it would've had African Night Flight placed at #14. For my money, where most of the Berlin Trilogy sounds like Eno-influenced Bowie, African Night Flight sounds like Bowie-influenced Eno.
― Naive Teen Idol, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 22:47 (twelve years ago) link
Kooks is such a great bizarro world bowie track, no theatrical dystopian cut-up wordplay, instead we get "don't pick fights with the bullies or the cads, cause I'm not much cop at punchingother people's dads". Didn't vote for it but glad to see it.
― ledge, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 22:59 (twelve years ago) link
I love kooks, voted for it – something optimistic, beautiful and genuinely moving abt it – inviting your child into the world. And funny.
― woof, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 23:05 (twelve years ago) link
Kooks is such a great bizarro world bowie track, no theatrical dystopian cut-up wordplay, instead we get "don't pick fights with the bullies or the cads, cause I'm not much cop at punchingother people's dads".
Yep -- lines as subversive and transgressive in their own way as "The church of man-love is such a holy place to be"
― Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 6 March 2012 23:32 (twelve years ago) link
"Church of man-love"? ha.
― an elk hunt (Ówen P.), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 00:11 (twelve years ago) link
Mostly given as "church of man, love". Is there a definitive lyric, do we know?
― Also unknown as Zora (Surfing At Work), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 00:34 (twelve years ago) link
church of manlove
http://www.incredibletvandmovies.com/dudley.jpg
― meticulously showcased in a stunning fart presentation (contenderizer), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 00:38 (twelve years ago) link
this poll has me looking forward to work tomorrow, well played.
― the girl from spirea x (f. hazel), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 03:39 (twelve years ago) link
Only three from my ballot so far (Sons of the Silent Age, The Secret Life of Arabia, The Bewlay Brothers). Anyway, great mantle taking, WmC.
― Inevitable stupid samba mix (chap), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 03:45 (twelve years ago) link
none from mine! i think!
― meticulously showcased in a stunning fart presentation (contenderizer), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 03:58 (twelve years ago) link
Oh man, this thread delivers. Too bad I'm not able to attend the roll out "live". So many memories & urges to post reactions came up while reading through the thread in bed yesterday evening.
My (as it turns out, ILM-canonic) album ballot1. Low2. Station to Station3. "Heroes"4. Lodger5. Hunky Dory
My #'s 1 and 2 also frequently switch places. 3 to 5 often change too, I already regretted not including DD when I played it in the car this morning.
― willem, Wednesday, 7 March 2012 10:26 (twelve years ago) link
Can I just recap 60 - 41, I suppose WmC's planning to do this before continuing today anyway...
60. "Sons of the Silent Age" (from "Heroes") - 200 points/11 votes/0 first-place votes59. Teenage Wildlife (from Scary Monsters) - 206 points/9 votes/1 first-place vote58. "The Secret Life of Arabia" (from "Heroes") - 211 points/11 votes/0 first-place votes57. "Beauty and the Beast" (from "Heroes") - 219 points/11 votes/0 first-place votes56. "Cat People (Putting Out Fire)" (w/Giorgio Moroder; Cat People soundtrack; Let's Dance) - 220 points/10 votes/0 first-place votes55. "Blackout" (from "Heroes") - 229 points/11 votes/1 first-place vote54. "Move On" (from Lodger) - 233 points/10 votes/1 first-place vote53. "Win" (from Young Americans) - 234 points/10 votes/2 first-place votes52. "Cracked Actor" (from Aladdin Sane) - 239 points/10 votes/0 first-place votes51. "Joe the Lion" (from "Heroes") - 251 points/9 votes/1 first-place vote50. "A New Career in a New Town" (from Low) - 251 points/12 votes/0 first-place votes49. "Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)" (from Scary Monsters) - 258 points/11 votes/0 first-place votes48. "Diamond Dogs" (from Diamond Dogs) - 268 points/13 votes/0 first-place votes47. "What in the World" (from Low) - 275 points/12 votes/1 first-place vote46. "The Bewlay Brothers" (from Hunky Dory) - 284 points/14 votes/0 first-place votes45. "Word on a Wing" (from Station to Station) - 288 points/10votes/1 first-place vote44. "Kooks" (from Hunky Dory) = 290 points/14 votes/0 first-place votes43. "Warszawa" (from Low) - 291 points/13 votes/0 first-place votes42. "Jean Genie" (from Aladdin Sane) - 300 points/14 votes/0 first-place votes41. "Wild Is the Wind" (from Station to Station) - 313 points/13 votes/0 first-place votes
― willem, Wednesday, 7 March 2012 10:33 (twelve years ago) link
6 favourite songs already!
Lots of "Heroes" tracks in the lower regions - glad they're placing individually anyway. Love the hardrocking songs of side 1, B&B, JtL and Blackout. As I played them this morning after listening to Diamond Dogs it occurred to me that the vocal parts on these tracks are often recorded in two distinct ways, one sounding like he's singing in a very small room (claustrofobic echo-y vox), the other upfront in the mix and quite clear/direct sounding (they alternate from Sweet Thing to Candidate and back to Sweet Thing (reprise), on Joe the Lion the clear upfront vox come in on the awesome "It's Monday..." part while the rest is sung in the claustrofobic bathroom studio). Maybe it's not significant, but it struck me as something he seems to do more often this morning.
Anyway, looking forward to the next 20!
― willem, Wednesday, 7 March 2012 10:43 (twelve years ago) link
Oh, tracks from my ballot until now:- "A New Career in a New Town" (I love Alfred's remark on this being a combination of Bowie's love for motorik and C&W - it's an almost perfect amalgam! Made me realise my number one track is also an example of this!)- "Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)"- "The Bewlay Brothers"
― willem, Wednesday, 7 March 2012 10:52 (twelve years ago) link
Wow, 'The Jean Genie' is much lower than I expected. First real surprise to me so far. 'Wild is the Wind' had a second life in the UK as a hit single in '81 so that may account for some votes?
― Jeff W, Wednesday, 7 March 2012 10:57 (twelve years ago) link
Pushing Ahead of the Dame on the 20 so far, lotsa versions linked:
60. Sons of the Silent Age 59. Teenage Wildlife 58. The Secret Life of Arabia 57. Beauty and the Beast 56. Cat People (Putting Out Fire) 55. Blackout 54. Move On 53. Win 52. Cracked Actor 51. Joe the Lion 50. A New Career in a New Town 49. Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) 48. Diamond Dogs 47. What in the World 46. The Bewlay Brothers 45. Word on a Wing 44. Kooks 43. Warszawa 42. Jean Genie 41. Wild Is the Wind
― woof, Wednesday, 7 March 2012 11:23 (twelve years ago) link
That's a terrific idea, linking to all those. Thanks.
― Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 7 March 2012 11:30 (twelve years ago) link
I prefer the Johnny Mathis version of Wild is the Wind but this is still Bowie's greatest cover.
― gospodin simmel, Wednesday, 7 March 2012 11:34 (twelve years ago) link
Was just thinking a while back about how The Jean Genie came out about the same time as Rebel Rebel, but the former is much better than the latter which sounds like a jean/perfume ad for the 'rock-chick' by comparison.
xpost yeah, I rated "WITW" higher...
― Mark G, Wednesday, 7 March 2012 11:40 (twelve years ago) link
The Nina Simone version is utterly devastating and that really ruined the Bowie one for me. Never heard the Mathis original though!
― Feebs K-Tel (NickB), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 11:46 (twelve years ago) link
Sounds like the song is a 'go-to' for vocal gravitas.
It's just a matter of time before it appears on X-Factor auditions.
― Mark G, Wednesday, 7 March 2012 11:47 (twelve years ago) link
i wonder how the 'pushing ahead of the dame' book is coming along?
anyone get around to reading this? http://peterdoggett.org/page4.htm
― piscesx, Wednesday, 7 March 2012 11:57 (twelve years ago) link
Yes, it's good on individual songs - some more than others - but I found the format frustrating. There are so many boxouts on wider themes that it feels like he committed to this format and then strained against it. It makes it a great reference tool but not a great read. Could be just my preferences though - I think Revolution In the Head is the only time that format has been truly satisfying.
― Suede - the fabric, not the band (DL), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 12:22 (twelve years ago) link
How does the style of that huge Nicholas Pegg book compare?
― Feebs K-Tel (NickB), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 12:24 (twelve years ago) link
yeah supposedly it was going to be Ian Mcdonald's next book too (according to the Dogget interview on Word mag podcast). the Pegg book is great; i just bought my second copy. the format is spot on although it is MENTAL detailed. he's a bit too much of a fan to be objective at times that's the main criticism i would have of it.
― piscesx, Wednesday, 7 March 2012 12:51 (twelve years ago) link
I have a problem with the way Nina Simone sings and Bowie was going for something like that so yeah, give me Johnny Mathis.
― gospodin simmel, Wednesday, 7 March 2012 12:53 (twelve years ago) link
The Doggett does have some great facts and theories though and it sent me back to Bowie's back catalogue, which was good prep for this poll. I just felt that "Bowie in the 70s" could have made a great story if he wasn't hamstrung by taking on Ian MacDonald's unfinished project. His previous book, There's a Riot Goin' On, shows that he's much better at overarching narratives.
― Suede - the fabric, not the band (DL), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 12:59 (twelve years ago) link
The Nick Pegg book is outstanding - heartily recommend it. Insanely exhaustive and detailed but also very astute, insightful etc.
― Stevie T, Wednesday, 7 March 2012 13:06 (twelve years ago) link
Ordinarily I would've snapped up the Doggett book, but 'Pushing Ahead of the Dame' is such a fantastic piece of work that it seemed superfluous.
― fun loving and xtremely tolrant (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 13:07 (twelve years ago) link
yeah supposedly it was going to be Ian Mcdonald's next book too
He was going to do a Rev in the Head-style Bowie book? Man, I would've loved to read that.
― Inevitable stupid samba mix (chap), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 13:15 (twelve years ago) link
Apparently Doggett was asked to finish it off after MacDonald's death and then when the publisher inspected MacDonald's files they realised he'd barely started it. So Doggett's book is more like a tribute album.
― Suede - the fabric, not the band (DL), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 13:49 (twelve years ago) link
Good morning! My wife got up with the dog and his dumb bladder this morning so I got to sleep in about an hour longer than usual. Time for some results.
― Carlos Pollomar (WmC), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 14:53 (twelve years ago) link
40. "It's No Game" (from Scary Monsters) - 324 points/13 votes/1 first-place vote
Part 1: http://youtu.be/E6hEcDt8HZIPart 2: http://youtu.be/yUzWAJJMycs
― Carlos Pollomar (WmC), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 14:54 (twelve years ago) link
Did she 'ouvrez le chien' ?
― Mark G, Wednesday, 7 March 2012 14:55 (twelve years ago) link
Another track that made my ballot, although I voted specifically for the first part. I love the way 'It's No Game' opens up Scary Monsters with the projector sound-effect. Some excellent guitar work in this. Particularly fond of the Japanese vocal, and Bowie here turns in a great manic vocal performance himself, screaming himself hoarse... "I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND! THE SIT-U-A-TIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!". The way it ends is just fantastic too, the lone guitar and Bowie screaming "SHUT UP!!! SHUT UP!!!".
I guess the second part of 'It's No Game' highlights that it's a good enough song to be able to withstand being done in a different approach... in the case of part two, a more calmer reading. But for me, it's all about the more panic-stricken first part.
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 15:00 (twelve years ago) link
Specified the first part of "It's No Game" in my vote as well
― wolf cola, everyone (thewufs), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 15:02 (twelve years ago) link
Nine votes specified Pt. 1, two votes specified Pt. 2, and two votes didn't give a specific version.
― Carlos Pollomar (WmC), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 15:11 (twelve years ago) link
willem and woof, thanks for the recap and links!
― Carlos Pollomar (WmC), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 15:12 (twelve years ago) link
39. "Fantastic Voyage" (from Lodger) - 327 points/17 votes/ 0 first-place votes
http://youtu.be/CMh6GgwFLS0
Yeah I voted 'Its No Game' but didn't specify which part...(part 1)...
― The Pastiche Liberation Front (sonnyboy), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 15:19 (twelve years ago) link
Thank you all for voting "Fantastic Voyage"! One of the songs it pained me to leave off.
― EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 7 March 2012 15:19 (twelve years ago) link
two votes specified Pt. 2
Glad I'm not the only person who prefers 2. Love the deadpanness of it.
― Inevitable stupid samba mix (chap), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 15:20 (twelve years ago) link
And you're welcome EZ!
The PAotD post on "It's No Game" is chock full of interesting information (trivia: the japanese vocalist is one of the ladies on the cover of Kimono My House!, the one on the right :-). This song is so much fun to scream along to (Shirueto ya kagega!) - I'll be doing just that when I leave for home in an hour :)
― willem, Wednesday, 7 March 2012 15:21 (twelve years ago) link
Yay @ "Fantastic Voyage"! My #14. His delivery sounds so compassionate.
― willem, Wednesday, 7 March 2012 15:23 (twelve years ago) link
'It's No Game (Pt. 1)' was my lucky #13.
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 15:25 (twelve years ago) link
My favourite part in FV is segue from the first chorus to the second verse... The contrast between that massive sustained high note, and the very understated, lower register "...And the right words make you listen".
― Inevitable stupid samba mix (chap), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 15:26 (twelve years ago) link
I wish I'd been able to include "Fantastic Voyage" on my ballot -- the lyric is just about the most brilliantly mature I can think of in his catalogue. But I didn't really know the song until this past week.
― Carlos Pollomar (WmC), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 15:26 (twelve years ago) link
'Fantastic Voyage' made my ballot also @ #17. I've always been a massive fan of this track. Bowie turns in a great vocal on this in my opinion, and the "we're learning to live with somebody's depression/and I don't want to live with somebody's depression" line has always been a bit of an earworm for me.
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Wednesday, 7 March 2012 15:26 (twelve years ago) link