Deram [Release date 26.07.24]
The late David Bowie had a long, successful and influential career, and most will (or should) be familiar with the bulk of his catalogue. Finally finding his ‘sound’, a groove, at the turn of the 70s, his success came after a number of false starts in the 60s. A number of singles under his birth name of Davy Jones, and the bands The King Bees or The Manish Boys, he was dropped by Pye and signed to Decca subsidiary Deram, and that brings us to Bowie’s eponymous 1967 debut (not to be confused with the 1969 album of the same name).
It would not be right, or fair, to compare to the 70s work to come, this album was very much of its time. The album has had many good reviews, in it’s own standing, but has never faired well when compared to more successful Bowie albums.
The first disc opens with the pleasant and whimsical Uncle Arthur. Sell Me A Coat is a mid paced gentle psychedelic pop; a decent tune but, like much of the album, lacking in direction. Then a nod to The Beatles with Rubber Band. In stark comparison, the whimsical pop of Love You Till Tuesday, with some gentle orchestration.
The album has been described as Baroque Pop, and Music Hall Pop. In fairness, I’d agree, and a couple of tracks nod to theme tunes for TV shows for the younger generation (think The Flumps). Producer Mike Vernon did well to bring a band together, musicians including renowned folk / jazz guitarist John Renbourn, and Big Jim Sullivan appears on one track. There’s also the orchestra. A standout is the better known than most tracks here “The Laughing Gnome”.
Back then Bowie clearly had an ear for a good tune, but maturity and finesse in lyric writing and overall direction were still clearly works in progress. The sound quality and mastering as excellent here, and Vernon did a great job on the production at the time.
Despite the good reviews, the album failed to sell greatly at the time, but looking back it’s a good slab of 60s pop.
This well annotated album comes with a bonus disc, featuring an alternate version or too, and additional material recorded at the time. Fans will love this as, like much of the original album, it’s a combination of some lovely (if very much of the period) tunes and the potentially classic Bowie in the making.
A good package with lots of pictures of period rarities and the story in the booklet is well written.
Enjoy.
Review by Joe Geesin
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