“And the papers want to know”
As you may have noticed by now, in the run up to the release of the David Bowie (Five Years 1969 – 1973) box set (due September 25th), we’re taking a look at each of the LPs contained within.
This week we’ve been looking at the first album in the set, Space Oddity. Our montage shows just a few of the various press pieces relating to the single which preceded the album and gave Bowie his first Top 5 hit in the UK.
One of David’s music press supporters at the time was Penny Valentine, whose review in Disc and Music Echo must have persuaded a few buyers to help the record reach that #5 spot. Here’s the full thing which was even reprinted on the front of the RECORD RETAILER trade magazine.
David Bowie Space Oddity single review by Penny Valentine, Disc and Music Echo. (Published July 10, 1969. Cover date July 12, 1969)
David Bowie – an amazing sound!
I have a bet on in the office that this is going to be a huge hit – and knock everyone senseless. There are disbelievers among us! David Bowie has always been talented but had a nasty knack of sounding like Tony Newley. Good records came from him but nothing to actually make you fall over. This does though. In fact I listened spellbound throughout, panting to know the outcome of poor Major Tom and his trip into the outer hemisphere. Apart from that – and some really clever lyrics – the sound is amazing. Mr. Bowie sounds like the Bee Gees on their best record – “New York Mining Disaster” – and has managed to arrange the backing to sound like a cross between the Moody Blues, Beatles and Simon and Garfunkel. It’s obviously going to do well in America, which is nice. OUT TOMORROW
Stay tuned for more Space Oddity celebrations.
#FiveYearsBox #SpaceOddity