David Bowie -The Next Day (2013) and Blackstar (2016)
We all know the music Bowie released during his long brilliant career, so this week I’m reviewing his two latest albums.
In early 2013 Bowie surprised everyone by releasing an album of new material, The Next Day, recorded secretly and thus bringing Bowie back from a decade of obscurity.
The 14 tracks contain some of the best music he had produced and with some of the darkest lyrics that hearken back to his early days.
This is an album of mostly up-tempo rockers starting off with the title track and its deep dark words that set the moody undertones to come.
“Dirty Boys” and its dirty raspy sax solo and syncopated drums is pure Bowie gold.
“Valentine’s Day” has a certain familiarity to it, as do most of the songs here. Bowie has a clever way of creating new ideas yet still making them sound like you’ve heard them before.
Bowie’s vocal performance is strong throughout the disc, evident on the fantastic “You Feel So Lonely You Could Die”, and as he sings his heart out on “ I’d Rather Be High”.
“The Next Day” was a surprise for sure and was definitely one of my favorite albums of that year.
A few days ago, on his 69th birthday and just two days before his death, Bowie released “Blackstar”, which can best be described as extraordinary.
Who would have thought Bowie would release a Jazz album? Well, his first instrument of choice was the saxophone, so it’s very fitting that the instrument is front and centre on this seven-track beauty.
It doesn’t get any smoother than “Dollar Days”, with the saxophone blended in with the high pitch crooning from Bowie, that’s pretty cool man!
“Lazarus”, with its smooth jazz progressions and heartbreaking autobiographical lyrics makes any song currently on the charts sound like they were written by Stompin’ Tom’s stomping plank.
Having the pleasure of being able to hear the complete album a few days before its release, and listening to them now, I’ve notice the songs seem to have evolved since his death to a fitting parting tribute to his fans.
Bowie’s plaintive “I Can’t Give Everything”, is a testament to that sentiment. A filament of lament, Ok, I’ll stop.
“Blackstar” is a huge accomplishment to be sure, even for Bowie standards, and will no doubt be on many best of the year lists.
David Bowie definitely had a way to make a great album like no other artist, proved in the pudding by these two albums. “Blackstar” and “The Next Day” are two of my favorite Bowie albums and I know his songwriting and performing skills will be missed for sure.
