Rockestra – Well, it has to be Wings, right? All that firepower on stage and it turns out a rather straight read of the Little Richard classic. Still a bit of fun.
Bowie – Bowie’s response to the crop of New Wave/Next Age Bowie clones emerging at the time the album was recorded and released. Still setting the pace for those who would follow.
Bowie – not familair with this song, I am guessing there is some “Guest” appearance by a musician in the band. For Bowie, I am only familair with his 20 or so hits. after that didnt really play his music too much. NOTE: awhile back, mt sister was offered to purchase a bed that was in one of Bowies New York Condos.
Lucille. The picture looks like Paul McCartney, the instrumental in the backround reminds me of soulfinger – Specifically from the movie Spys Like US when they find the hot Russians camped out in the snow.
David Bowie – Teenage Wildlife
Coming after his trio of brilliant, Berlin-period records – Low, Heroes and, the lesser known, Lodger – Scary Monsters produced a coupla hits (“Fashion”, “Ashes to Ashes”) and showed no decline in quality [Aside: I chose “Scream Like a Baby” from the album for a mix CD when I first acquired my vinyl copy – a good while after its initial release].
My first thoughts after listening to this track out of the context of the album (and for the first time in quite a while) was that this all a bit too much and it bears more than a little resemblance to the title track of Heroes.
It took a headphone listen to better appreciate the theatrical production and performance here. Bowie pulls it off with some fine, supporting guest guitar work. Each listen unveiled new audio treats.
A fine segue to the upcoming Let’s Dance record.
Rockestra – Lucille
For all the firepower that is piled on stage here, what stands out to me here is the piano and horns. A wall of sound congealed into a group effort.
Bowie / “Teenage Wildlife.” There’s plenty of Bowie I don’t know and this is some of it. Guitar sounds Frippy — that signature screaming tone familiar from “Heroes” — so I’m guessing that’s him (so base artist: King Crimson?). Anyhow, like the song, with that guitar alternately crazy and soaringly melodic, and Bowie as usual in good voice, the lyrics poetically to the extent I can make them out poetically aphoristic (“same old thing in brand-new drag …”). The interplay with the backup vocals on the middle part are especially cool.
Rockestra / “Lucille.” Story goes that young Paul’s da didn’t get why he was singing like THAT until Little Richard appeared on the telly one day. (Sanctified Pentecostal wailing being somewhat out of context in postwar Liverpool.) Herewith, Paul returns to a big hit by one of his formative influences, backed by a short-lived supergroup (whom I’d never heard of till today!). I’m not crazy about this version. Richard’s original was thunderous but sexy. This arrangement just feels pummeling and over-orchestrated (maybe a bit Vegas?). Makes a lot of noise but never really swings.
guessing the base artist is Wings.
Bowie- While I was familiar with this album I was less familiar with this track. Maybe it was one of those ‘I can’t fit all of the songs on a cassette so let me drop one of my least preferred songs’, something that we Police fans refer to as the “Mother” option. Hearing it again, I can best express it this way–this song, to me, sounds like Bowie doing an impersonation of himself or even an impersonation of someone else doing him. Many of the elements of the song seem hyper-Bowie (hyperbole?) to me. His vocals are wildly, melodically all over the place and not even well-placed in the verses, the music itself sounds like someone said, “Let’s make up a tune that sounds like Heroes, but isn’t” and the guitar solo is blazing and doesn’t seem to fit. It feels really long too–I was expecting the end several times before the almost 7 minute mark hits. All that being said, Bowie pretending to be Bowie is better than most people being themselves. Regarding the base artist, no idea. I had some vision of Iggy Pop since they worked together so closely over the years. Nile Rodgers, though the guitar is not really his style. So if Bowie is doing his version of Bowie can he be his own base artist? Ah…..!
Lucille- This one takes me back to my hardcore Beatles fandom when anything that any of the lads did post-break-up was worthy of attention. Even Ringo. Did I know that Kampuchea was Cambodia….no, but McCartney taught me that. I had this album on vinyl. It had some good stuff on it. The Who had a few songs, Rockpile, The Pretenders, Elvis Costello, Robert Plant did “Little Sister”. This song is really fun. McCartney is in his fine Little Richard/scratchy voice. The unison with which the guitarists and bassists are playing this simple riff is impressive. It’s a basic rocker done well. If you have a chance to watch the real video for this song, it is a blast. You see not only Robert Plant but John Bonham on the drums (I think he died soon after this), some members of the Attractions, James Honeyman Scott (late of the Pretenders) and what appears to be a very strung out Pete Townsend. Base artist could easily be McCartney, Wings, Zep, Who or any of the folks listed above. I’ll go with Little Richard.
“Teenage Wildlife” by David Bowie: Love David Bowie; however this is not a standout for me. It is interesting that I hear Heroes in this. I wonder if this song was a precursor to it or this song followed it ? His voice sounds like he is trying too hard for some dramatic effect. I do like the guitar lead work that kicks in towards the end and his screams at the end work just dandy.
“Lucille”by Rockestra: This one just rocks along nicely. A real party and big sounding but perhaps losing something intangible along the way (not sure) on just one listen though
post note: I write my comments before reading and found Ed and Bill’s Bowie comments confirmed what my ears heard relative to Heroes..also surprised this came after as I feel Heroes is/was much stronger on the whole so it was distracting me (unfortunately) and Alan’s comments better convey my “try too hard” comment. Having said all that I went back and gave it another listen and it is growing on me.
Rockestra – Well, it has to be Wings, right? All that firepower on stage and it turns out a rather straight read of the Little Richard classic. Still a bit of fun.
Bowie – Bowie’s response to the crop of New Wave/Next Age Bowie clones emerging at the time the album was recorded and released. Still setting the pace for those who would follow.
Bowie – not familair with this song, I am guessing there is some “Guest” appearance by a musician in the band. For Bowie, I am only familair with his 20 or so hits. after that didnt really play his music too much. NOTE: awhile back, mt sister was offered to purchase a bed that was in one of Bowies New York Condos.
Lucille. The picture looks like Paul McCartney, the instrumental in the backround reminds me of soulfinger – Specifically from the movie Spys Like US when they find the hot Russians camped out in the snow.
David Bowie – Teenage Wildlife
Coming after his trio of brilliant, Berlin-period records – Low, Heroes and, the lesser known, Lodger – Scary Monsters produced a coupla hits (“Fashion”, “Ashes to Ashes”) and showed no decline in quality [Aside: I chose “Scream Like a Baby” from the album for a mix CD when I first acquired my vinyl copy – a good while after its initial release].
My first thoughts after listening to this track out of the context of the album (and for the first time in quite a while) was that this all a bit too much and it bears more than a little resemblance to the title track of Heroes.
It took a headphone listen to better appreciate the theatrical production and performance here. Bowie pulls it off with some fine, supporting guest guitar work. Each listen unveiled new audio treats.
A fine segue to the upcoming Let’s Dance record.
Rockestra – Lucille
For all the firepower that is piled on stage here, what stands out to me here is the piano and horns. A wall of sound congealed into a group effort.
Bowie / “Teenage Wildlife.” There’s plenty of Bowie I don’t know and this is some of it. Guitar sounds Frippy — that signature screaming tone familiar from “Heroes” — so I’m guessing that’s him (so base artist: King Crimson?). Anyhow, like the song, with that guitar alternately crazy and soaringly melodic, and Bowie as usual in good voice, the lyrics poetically to the extent I can make them out poetically aphoristic (“same old thing in brand-new drag …”). The interplay with the backup vocals on the middle part are especially cool.
Rockestra / “Lucille.” Story goes that young Paul’s da didn’t get why he was singing like THAT until Little Richard appeared on the telly one day. (Sanctified Pentecostal wailing being somewhat out of context in postwar Liverpool.) Herewith, Paul returns to a big hit by one of his formative influences, backed by a short-lived supergroup (whom I’d never heard of till today!). I’m not crazy about this version. Richard’s original was thunderous but sexy. This arrangement just feels pummeling and over-orchestrated (maybe a bit Vegas?). Makes a lot of noise but never really swings.
guessing the base artist is Wings.
Bowie- While I was familiar with this album I was less familiar with this track. Maybe it was one of those ‘I can’t fit all of the songs on a cassette so let me drop one of my least preferred songs’, something that we Police fans refer to as the “Mother” option. Hearing it again, I can best express it this way–this song, to me, sounds like Bowie doing an impersonation of himself or even an impersonation of someone else doing him. Many of the elements of the song seem hyper-Bowie (hyperbole?) to me. His vocals are wildly, melodically all over the place and not even well-placed in the verses, the music itself sounds like someone said, “Let’s make up a tune that sounds like Heroes, but isn’t” and the guitar solo is blazing and doesn’t seem to fit. It feels really long too–I was expecting the end several times before the almost 7 minute mark hits. All that being said, Bowie pretending to be Bowie is better than most people being themselves. Regarding the base artist, no idea. I had some vision of Iggy Pop since they worked together so closely over the years. Nile Rodgers, though the guitar is not really his style. So if Bowie is doing his version of Bowie can he be his own base artist? Ah…..!
Lucille- This one takes me back to my hardcore Beatles fandom when anything that any of the lads did post-break-up was worthy of attention. Even Ringo. Did I know that Kampuchea was Cambodia….no, but McCartney taught me that. I had this album on vinyl. It had some good stuff on it. The Who had a few songs, Rockpile, The Pretenders, Elvis Costello, Robert Plant did “Little Sister”. This song is really fun. McCartney is in his fine Little Richard/scratchy voice. The unison with which the guitarists and bassists are playing this simple riff is impressive. It’s a basic rocker done well. If you have a chance to watch the real video for this song, it is a blast. You see not only Robert Plant but John Bonham on the drums (I think he died soon after this), some members of the Attractions, James Honeyman Scott (late of the Pretenders) and what appears to be a very strung out Pete Townsend. Base artist could easily be McCartney, Wings, Zep, Who or any of the folks listed above. I’ll go with Little Richard.
“Teenage Wildlife” by David Bowie: Love David Bowie; however this is not a standout for me. It is interesting that I hear Heroes in this. I wonder if this song was a precursor to it or this song followed it ? His voice sounds like he is trying too hard for some dramatic effect. I do like the guitar lead work that kicks in towards the end and his screams at the end work just dandy.
“Lucille”by Rockestra: This one just rocks along nicely. A real party and big sounding but perhaps losing something intangible along the way (not sure) on just one listen though
post note: I write my comments before reading and found Ed and Bill’s Bowie comments confirmed what my ears heard relative to Heroes..also surprised this came after as I feel Heroes is/was much stronger on the whole so it was distracting me (unfortunately) and Alan’s comments better convey my “try too hard” comment. Having said all that I went back and gave it another listen and it is growing on me.