Bowie

Well, David Bowie seemed like he'd just go on forever, but apparently that wasn't to be. He passed away at home last night/this morning, after apparently having been battling cancer for some 18 months.

He was an amazing musician and person, with quite a musical library built up. Space Oddity, Let's Dance, Ashes to Ashes, Under Pressure (with Freddie Mercury, another great), Starman, Diamond Dogs, Ziggy Stardust... the list just goes on. And let's not forget his performances as the goblin king in Labyrinth and as Tesla.

His last album was released recently, too, and not only were two music videos from it on his offical channel, they seem to have put up the whole album as well. His album Blackstar is actually very good, and listening to it, you can tell he knew he was dying and it was his last album. Here's a few standouts:

The title track was "Blackstar", and one of the two music videos, setting an unearthly tone to things.
[youtube=kszLwBaC4Sw]

Something happened on the day he died
Spirit rose a meter and stepped aside
Somebody else took his place, and bravely cried
(I’m a blackstar, I’m a blackstar)

Then there's Lazarus, probably the best track on the album, with his other music video. Eerie and haunting, and very worth listening to.
[youtube=y-JqH1M4Ya8]

Look up here, I’m in heaven
I’ve got scars that can’t be seen
I’ve got drama, can’t be stolen
Everybody knows me now

The last song on the album was "I Can't Give Everything Away", and was a good piece of closure.
[youtube=sE1Zcngd3VA]

I'll certainly miss him, and I expect I'll be listening to a lot of his music in the next few weeks...

Comments

[hawthornbunny]

Currently have Space Oddity looping in my head. And I'm not complaining.

[arcum42]

3680558

I love Space Oddity, but at the moment, I seem to be stuck on his new album. It's a pity, because there are lots of favorites of his I could have played in this blog. I always did like the original music video of Space Oddity, though.

[youtube=D67kmFzSh_o]

--arcum42

[Elric of Melnipony]

3680558 3680572
I listened to "Modern Love" three or four times in a row after I found out. I never get tired of that song.

[arcum42]

3680760

I initially saw that Blackstar was an Amazon Prime album after I found out, added in to my library, and listened to it a few times. Since then, I've been listening to a best of David Bowie album, which does have Modern Love and a bunch of other good songs. I've been meaning to replay Under Pressure, but haven't quite gotten to it.

--arcum42

[Elric of Melnipony]

3680773

I initially saw that Blackstar was an Amazon Prime album

I may have to acquire a copy, then.

I've been meaning to replay Under Pressure, but haven't quite gotten to it.

Try this version: it's just Freddie and David's vocals, and yet it's still wonderful.

[arcum42]

3680783

It's amazing how good that still sounds with just their vocals, but then, it's an amazing song either way.

Blackstar is also only 7 songs, incidentally. Lazurus is easily the most powerful piece on the album, in my opinion...

--arcum42