Search - David Bowie :: Early on (1964-1966)

Strictly for hardcore fans

Lou Callan (antonyc@emirates.net.ae | Melbourne | 06/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is strictly for hardcore fans. Those who have an avid interest in pre-Space Oddity Bowie (Jones) will know of his numerous incarnations and will find this a 'must have' for their collections. Even at the age of 17, David's musicianship and talent as a lyricist can be heard. Not all the songs are masterpieces, and the recordings can be pretty sloppy but it has to get 5 stars for the insight it gives us to a great artist."

Creatively Packaged!

Brian | 07/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For many years these songs were hidden in a file cabinet. Long gone from Bowie's ever shifting memory, and lost forever from his fans. Luckily, they were finally discovered and released. Early On is nicely packaged and deserves a five star rating. "Liza Jane" sang by Bowie (then Jones) and backed up by The Kingbees. "Liza Jane" is a great song, and though many believe sounds too much like The Rolling Stones, I believe these songs were the foundation of what Bowie's music is all about today. "Louie, Louie Go Home" may be referring to the song "Louie, Louie" from the 1950s. Which was later covered and updated by Bowie's friend, Iggy Pop, on his 1993 album American Caesar. "I Pity The Fool" is Bowie upset and frustrated after his once lover left him. Little did young David know that his once serious relationship with his girlfriend would end in an explosion of emotions. "Take My Tip" is a typical pop tune of the time, except for those extraordinary lyrics! No one can deny the fact that David was far beyond his time when writing these songs. "That's Where My Heart Is" is a more serious song than any of the others, and kind of reminds me of Space Oddity's "Cygnet Committee" in that the song's central core of subject is very touchy and emotional. "I Want My Baby Back" seems to be very repetitive and heart warming. Yet I understand how Bowie was being driven into that position by his manage Ken Pitt. Starting on track 7, "Bars of The County Jail," the sound quality becomes less than perfect to say the least. Track 8, "You've Got A Habit Of Leaving" is most likely the most respected and obviously Bowie's favorite because of his reworking of the song for his 1993 album Black Tie, White Noise. "Baby Loves That Way" is again another repetitive pop tune focusing on puppy love and typical teenage problems for South London teenagers. "Glad I've Got Nobody" looks like a preview of 1977's Low, where Bowie describes isolation and living with nobody else in his world. Tracks 12-17 can be found on the nicely packaged 1966 Pye Singles with a detailed booklet and great pictures."

The origination of the Greatest Rock Star ever

Brian | 10/10/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Before Ziggy, their was Davie Jones. This album is a collection of Davie Jones(Bowie) hits before his start of his career with Space Oddity. This album is great and shows some signs of Bowie's originality. Containing R&B, jazzy songs, this is a number one album on my list."