The thirtieth anniversary release of this legendary glam-punk standard is a celebration of Bowie's innovative vision.
The thirtieth anniversary release of this legendary glam-punk standard is a celebration of Bowie's innovative vision.
If 1972's Ziggy Stardust was David Bowie's blueprint for stardom, then the following year's Aladdin Sane - his first No. 1 album in Britain - confirmed him as the most electrifying performer of his generation. Recorded during and after an American tour with his group, The Spiders From Mars, it was released in May 1973 to an unsurpassed wave of public interest. A glam-soaked, hard-rocking masterpiece, it marked the last time that Bowie - who co-produced the album with Ken Scott - played with the Spiders on record.
Not only is 'Aladdin Sane' one of Bowie's great recordings, it's also often overlooked - the 1973 release of 'Aladdin Sane' saw it tailgating Bowies previous, colossal release - namely 'Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars'. However, 'Aladdin Sane' is truly as great a release, which its exuberant, sleazy superstar sound breaks away to reveal an amazing insight into the life and times of 1973.
Bowie was so hot on record - wired, frantic tracks like 'Drive-In Saturday' and the respectful 'Time' alongside smash hits ('The Jean Genie') and heavy hitting thunderballs - particularly 'Panic In Detroit', which deals with the race riots of the late 60's.
In keeping with the style of the 30th anniversary edition of The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust issued in 2002 the Aladdin Sane special edition is beautifully repackaged and features a second disc of session versions and live performances. The booklet has sleeve notes by David Buckley and unseen photos by Mick Rock, single sleeves, an Aladdin Sane chronology and other memorabilia.
Bowie proves to us that his music will always be important, thirty years or three hundred years further ahead in time. Take a dose of reality, sprinkled with glitter dust, and catch up with Aladdin Sane.
~CDE9.
