Continued from page 28
revealing Bowie’s thoughts on circum-
stances that led to Low and Heroes. 1978’s
Lodger includes key track “Boys Keep
Swinging.” The album saw the core band
of guitarist Carlos Alomar, bassist George
Murray and drummer Dennis Davis
expanded to include Utopia keyboardist
Roger Powell and maverick guitarist
Adrian Belew. Veteran Bowie producer
Tony Visconti is the constant presence
throughout the period encapsulated by
New Career. His liner notes explain the
sonic limitations of the poorly-equipped
mixing studio that resulted in the original
Lodger. Now, the album’s original “punk
rock” mix is presented side-by-side with a
fresh mix completed this year. Visconti
describes Bowie’s joy at hearing the first
five mixes following a gap in work on his
final album Blackstar. Visconti explains that
the new mix wasn’t meant as historical
revision, but instead presents the album
decades years later as originally intended.
1978 live album Stage is similarly present-
ed twice. The original 17-track version is
accompanied by a 2017 version, now
expanded beyond a 2005 hi-definition reis-
sue to include “The Jean Genie” and
“Suffragette City.” The box’s final studio
album is 1980’s Scary Monsters (And Super
Creeps), Bowie’s last project with Visconti
until 2002’s Heathen. Bowie’s process was
less experimental and more intentional for
this album, resulting in a solid commercial
success with popular favorites including
the title track (again featuring Robert
Fripp’s bizarre guitar). “Ashes to Ashes”
brought listeners up to speed with Major
Tom of “Space Oddity,” now hapless and
drug-addled. “Fashion” skewered style
and politics, bringing the argument to the
dance floor. “Teenage Wildlife” took aim at
the New Wave sound and its posturing
protagonists. New Career’s 11th disc is
Re:Call 3, collecting radio singles, and
alternate versions. Non-album cuts
include instrumental Scary Monsters b-side
“Crystal Japan” and the collaborative
smash “Under Pressure” with Queen. The
1982 EP recorded for Bertolt Brecht’s play
Baal is also included on CD for the first
time.
– Jeff Elbel
9
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48 illinoisentertainer.com december 2017