SANTA MONICA '72

In the autumn of 1972 David Bowie and his band started an extensive USA tour, his first live American radio broadcasting was at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on October 20th. This show was put legally on a CD in 1994 (after beiing a popular bootleg for a long time) and it is dedicated to the late Mick Ronson (1946 - 1993). Mick Ronson played many years with Bowie and is responsible for legendary guitar riffs on Bowie hits like Rebel Rebel and The Jean Genie. Mick Ronson also played with Bob Dylan, Ian Hunter, Van Morrison, Elton John, Lou Reed, Roger McGuinn and Roger Daltrey, for me he is one of the great archetypical rock and roll guitarplayers and on this live Bowie CD he really shines!

In the early 70s David Bowie was on the brink of international R&R stardom, I love his voice from that era. This live album captures his very distinctive voice in its most purest form, from tender to raw. And always with that expressive undertone and in great balance with Mick Ronson his mindblowing rock and roll guitarwork, what an exciting combination!

And how fascinating is the contrast and tension between the mellow songs and the up-tempo rock and roll tracks in which Ronson and Bowie add an extra dimension to the music. Like in Five Years (great vocals), Hang On To Yourself, Queen Bitch and The Jean Genie (catchy and powerful guitar riffs riffs) and the moving ballad Rock 'N' Roll Suicide (emotional vocals and fiery wah-wah drenched guitar runs).

In the long track The Width Of A Circle we can enjoy Jimi Hendrix inspired excertitions on guitar, Mick Ronson in full splendor!

Bowie and his band played two covers. First My Death (excellent, very compelling vocals), from legendary Belgian singer Jacques Brel. And second Waiting For The Man (strong build-up and climax with biting guitar runs), from Lou Reed. Halfway Mick and Bowie play an 'unplugged' session on acoustic guitar (Bowie on a 12-string) featuring songs like Space Oddity and Andy Warhol, it sounds wonderful.

What a thrill, early Bowie, and his guitar player Mick Ronson (both R.I.P.), nicknamed 'my Jeff Beck' by Bowie, in a time when Art-rock was hot (like Queen, Roxy Music and 10CC).

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