You can’t get enough, but enough ain’t The Old Grey Whistle Test…
We don’t usually highlight compilation CDs with a Bowie track on them these days, simply because there are too many to mention.
However, here are a handful of the more interesting recent releases that feature something other than Life On Mars? or Space Oddity…or any of the other popular usual suspects…
First up is the 3CD DAD Ultimate Guide To Rock which has been produced in the style of a Haynes manual, normally reserved for the world of motor vehicle maintenance. Released last year, this one contains the live version of Rebel Rebel from A Reality Tour, complete with “Tiocfaidh ár lá” pronouncement at the end of the song.
Next we have Dirty Water 2 – More Birth of Punk Attitude. Released in March this 2CD set, compiled by Journalist/Author/DJ, Kris Needs, contains Suffragette City. Aside from fitting in nicely with the theme of the album, I imagine the song is quite close to Kris’s heart in that he would have been among the first few people to hear the song performed live. Being a resident of Aylesbury, Kris got to see many early Bowie shows, not only in Aylesbury but several times in the surrounding locations throughout 72/73.
Finally, the 3CD The Old Grey Whistle Test 40th Anniversary set due next month includes Oh! You Pretty Things. Though the third CD in this set is of live performances from the show, I should tell you that the Bowie track is simply the Hunky Dory studio version from 1971 in case you are led to believe otherwise.