My Bowie education continues, with his final album, recorded while knowing he was dying of liver cancer, and released without publicity two days before he died.
My daughter bought me this at a very reasonable price on a recent visit to Tunbridge Wells, and it's a fantastic album.
The title track, Blackstar, is up there with Bowie's finest songs - opening with a drum and bass accompaniment to the first half, then settling (via a magnificent segue) into a more orthodox song structure and reprising the original theme. Ten minutes flies by, a stunning opener.
'tis A Pity She Was A Whore opens with a drum beat reminiscent of The Jam's Start, Bowie's vocals sounding like his upbeat 1970s period, with some fantastic sax work (Donny McCaslin) complementing without overpowering. After this Lazarus feels a little ordinary, but still a good song, while Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime) similarly lacks the impact of the openers. Girl Loves Me plods along, listenable and interesting but not a classic, and while Dollar Days continues the slower pace, there's far more to enjoy in this heartfelt song. Bowie ends the album on a high with the lovely I Can't Give Everything Away, ending as he started, with a drum and bass-type beat, some superb saxophone and guitar accompaniment, and a fine song.
Of course this album's tinged with the sadness of the circumstances of its release, but what a way to bow out. I'd like to think Bowie knew how good this was, and could pass happily, knowing he still had it.
4* - a great album, and a fitting final word.
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