sarabasti's review
informative
slow-paced
this book is exactly what it promises to be. nothing more, nothing less
deearr's review against another edition
5.0
Music lovers and those who love to read about musicians will find much to celebrate in “The Man Who Sold the World.” Fans of David Bowie might find themselves in thrall. Musicians will find the extra treats nestled within the stories and anecdotes. Put it all together, and you have an excellent book that is a delight on many levels.
Author Peter Doggett targets 1967 – 1980, preferring to focus on Bowie’s early years and some of his most prolific work. While there are chapters devoted to filling in some of the blanks, most of the story is related through the individual songs Bowie wrote. After presenting us with a brief background of Bowie and his family life, Mr. Doggett shares an overview of the musician’s early attempts to make a name for himself in the music business.
What I found wonderful in the book was the author’s communication with the reader, emphasized by the book’s layout. Although there are periodic short essays to help understand a larger event or a particular album, the songs are the stars, and every song receives its own sub-chapter and explanation. Each opening description of a song includes when it was written, if it was recorded (and by who, if not by Bowie), and released on which album (if released at all). The basic info is followed by portraits of what was happening in Bowie’s life at that time, who or what inspired him to write the song, and related influences that can be heard in the music. It was extremely interesting to learn the back stories and hidden meanings (for instance, I always thought of the son “Queen Bitch” as a story concerning two transvestite lovers, and the explanation that the song was aimed at Marc Bolan of T. Rex fame was a shock but made perfect sense).
Mr. Doggett’s understanding of composition adds another level of enjoyment. In many of the song descriptions, he describes how the music was produced and what some of the musicians were creating. This includes (for those who understand basic composition) descriptions of chord patterns, including how Bowie and the accompanying musicians might have created them.
I have to add that the author is not one to pull his punches, and while sharing his many stories, Mr. Doggett manages to offer them up with point-blank honesty. When dealing with the retirement of the Ziggy Stardust persona and the possibility of this happening to other musicians and groups, the author notes that “…in the hands of the Stones, the /who, and countless others, rock would pass almost without notice, from an embodiment of youthful rebellion into a highly rewarding pension plan.” A wry truth that would be hard to argue.
Overall, this is not your normal invitation to romp through the decadence of a musician’s offstage life, nor a basic homage to what has been presented to the musical table. “The Man Who Sold the World” is a straightforward and informative look at a man who was, in most instances, either ahead of his time or running alongside everyone else but on a slightly skewed track. Five stars.
Author Peter Doggett targets 1967 – 1980, preferring to focus on Bowie’s early years and some of his most prolific work. While there are chapters devoted to filling in some of the blanks, most of the story is related through the individual songs Bowie wrote. After presenting us with a brief background of Bowie and his family life, Mr. Doggett shares an overview of the musician’s early attempts to make a name for himself in the music business.
What I found wonderful in the book was the author’s communication with the reader, emphasized by the book’s layout. Although there are periodic short essays to help understand a larger event or a particular album, the songs are the stars, and every song receives its own sub-chapter and explanation. Each opening description of a song includes when it was written, if it was recorded (and by who, if not by Bowie), and released on which album (if released at all). The basic info is followed by portraits of what was happening in Bowie’s life at that time, who or what inspired him to write the song, and related influences that can be heard in the music. It was extremely interesting to learn the back stories and hidden meanings (for instance, I always thought of the son “Queen Bitch” as a story concerning two transvestite lovers, and the explanation that the song was aimed at Marc Bolan of T. Rex fame was a shock but made perfect sense).
Mr. Doggett’s understanding of composition adds another level of enjoyment. In many of the song descriptions, he describes how the music was produced and what some of the musicians were creating. This includes (for those who understand basic composition) descriptions of chord patterns, including how Bowie and the accompanying musicians might have created them.
I have to add that the author is not one to pull his punches, and while sharing his many stories, Mr. Doggett manages to offer them up with point-blank honesty. When dealing with the retirement of the Ziggy Stardust persona and the possibility of this happening to other musicians and groups, the author notes that “…in the hands of the Stones, the /who, and countless others, rock would pass almost without notice, from an embodiment of youthful rebellion into a highly rewarding pension plan.” A wry truth that would be hard to argue.
Overall, this is not your normal invitation to romp through the decadence of a musician’s offstage life, nor a basic homage to what has been presented to the musical table. “The Man Who Sold the World” is a straightforward and informative look at a man who was, in most instances, either ahead of his time or running alongside everyone else but on a slightly skewed track. Five stars.
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