Saturday, June 21, 2008

david bowie, young american



somebody up there likes me, 1956.


Coming from the grip of his famous cocaine period - in reverence to Picasso's Blue Period - Bowie proved that with "Young Americans" he could cater for a young black audience too with his own unique take on blue eyed soul.

Recorded in Philadelphia in late '74, and New York in 1975, the sessions featured a young Luther Vandross and - in NYC - John Lennon on backing vocals and guitar on the title track. Those sessions also produced the deeply funky " John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)" which wouldn't surface commercially for another four years as the a-side on 1979's 12" club mix. Art Decade has previously featured this 45, but here it is again. "Boogie down with David now..."

Bowie bumps a ride on America's Soul Train.

DAVID BOWIE: SOMEBODY UP THERE LIKES ME from "Young Americans" LP (RCA Victor) 1975 (US/UK)

DAVID BOWIE: JOHN, I'M ONLY DANCING (AGAIN) from "John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)" 12" 45 (RCA Victor) 1979 (US/UK)

HIRE IT, FOR THE WEEKEND ONLY

4 comments:

Unknown said...

A pair of excellent Bowie, my friend. I'm especially glad to see them 'cause alls i've got on my hard drive is the Sound+Vision set, which doesn't have either of them...
I'd been hearing "Sombody Up There..." on GTA (either Vice City or San Andreas) recently, and thought it was a more current song...
Just shows that Bowie is timeless, I guess!

ib said...

Thanks, Matt. More proof - as if any were needed - as to the greatness of those Rockstar in-game compilations...

I read this and was thinking I don't remember hearing it on GTA, but unless I'm mistaken I think "Somebody Up There..." is aired for the first time in San An when you're flying those loops trying to get you're pilot's license... Trying times!

Unknown said...

The (latest) point I am stuck, in San Andreas, is the Flying Lessons. Yeah, I came to the game late. Usually if I take some time off, then some back fresh, the tough missions are a little easier, but flying has had me stymied for about two weeks now.

ib said...

Don't feel inadequate here, Matt. I'd struggled with this part of the game on and off for months, attempting to get through the tests for (Ha! Ha!) my son's benefit. I managed to fly through those fucking hoops a million times, but I always burst into flame on landing. Then, when I finally mastered it, there was yet more... You have to eliminate targets from the air with a fucking machine gun.

My advice ? Get your nephew on the case. These young dudes can take it in their stride.

One night I was sitting watching TV when the voice called through the wall ; "Got it, dad! No problem!"