I Ching

David Bowie - David Bowie (1967) [2CD] {2010 Deram Deluxe Edition} + The Deram Anthology 1966-1968 {DECCA 1997}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 1.20 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 538 Mb
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© 1997, 2010 Decca / Deram / PolyGram | 844 784-2 / 531 792-5
Rock / Pop / Experimental Rock / Psychedelic Rock

2010 Deluxe edition of his 1967 debut album. CD1 features the original stereo & mono mixes of the album remastered at Abbey Road. This is the first time that the mono mix has been available in any format since the late '60s. CD2 features the singles, unreleased stereo mixes, the legendary unreleased single ‘London Bye Ta-Ta’ plus 5 previously unreleased tracks from John Peel’s BBC Top Gear radio program December 1967.

An enjoyable collection for White fans, although one might prefer one's spirituals on a bigger scale. That said, Willard White makes these well-known songs seem much more intimate and reflective, private rather than public. Swing low, pressed into service at last year's rugby world cup, is sung rather faster than usual. That's no bad thing, as the song can be made to sound rather lachrymose. For White there is a sense of eager anticipation, that heaven really is at hand. The Copland songs are enjoyable too and are sung with apparent enjoyment. They were all new to me and I can see myself returning to them for their witty lyrics and sense of fun. The Chandos recording is good and the voice is well caught. The accompaniment is discreet and intelligent, making this a delightful disc all round.

Five CD box set tracking David’s early development throughout 1968 and 1969, via his home demos, BBC radio sessions, studio recordings with guitarist John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson and the experimental music and mimegroup, Feathers. DAVID BOWIE - CONVERSATION PIECE contains twelve previously unreleased tracks/demos.

If you want a good sampling of Copland's orchestral works, then this 2-CD compilation comes highly recommended, with excellent performances of works such as Appalachian Spring, Quiet City, El Salón México and others. (Presto Classical)