I apologise for the apparent duplication (with the other thread), however there is method in my madness...
On the basis that the template set / being set here is likely to be followed for future releases what are
your impressions of each of the above facets?
Appreciated, sleevenotes may be the lesser of three concerns, but I think discussing / evaluating all three is worthwhile.
There certainly is the suggestion that "Bowie's people" have, like MacDonalds, "been listening" or at least reading our concerns and taking them into account, given the mention of how the original vinyl was listened to closely in preparing this release, very likely an echo-ing of concerns over feedback re "Mewtillations", etc...
It's early days for me, just got it, but generally very impressed with Space Oddity 40th so far.
Ok the tacked on tracklisting needed some rubbing to get the glue off and then insert it behind the booklet, but that's a minor quibble.
On mine, the black and white pic of Bowie at Haddon Hall has a green splodge on it, a misprint it seems...possibly why it was sold (slightly) cheaper on ebay, but I have it now and overall it's very good indeed.
I am much more impressed with Conversation Piece in stereo...it felt a little too echo-ey at first, but I've come to like it a lot. The original (mono) single version seemed pleasant but slight to me, in comparison to the amazingly powerful and moving acoustic demo. However in this new stereo mix it works a lot better to my ears and recaptures a lot more of the demo's glory.
Ragazza Solo is interesting for the minor mix differences, and also the quality of Bowie's vocals too.
The longer and different mix of Memory of A Free Festival (album version) is interesting...in some ways it feels better with the drumbeat, and closer vocals...but I suspect it was dropped over concerns the hippy vibe to it may date it even more quickly? There's, erm, echoes (that word again!) of the Stones' hippy / psych dabblings of Satanic Majesties, reminding me slightly of 'Sing This All Together'.
Very nice selection of photographs : there are others from this era not included, but there's only so much space and they generally picked some of the best (the one taken to publicise the free festival could have been bigger, or is that a different pic from the same session?)...even the miniature reproductions of the single sleeves "works"...they do not really need bigger reproductions which would have squeezed out the sleevenotes. What I've read of the latter so far is interesting.
I like the inclusion of Bowie's sketch upon which George Underwood's back cover painting was based...I didn't realise it would have been planned like that, but it makes perfect sense. Is that a bird flying below Hermione, in the former, and is that a loch ness monster, rather than a whale?
If there is any truth in the statement elsewhere that Bowie's health took a turn for the worst in recent years my best wishes to him and his family, and without meaning to seem insensitive I hope repackaging continues to be carried out with the care that has been taken here (it is worth adding that suggestions/implications Bowie would have difficulty talking are likely to be exaggerated I'm not at liberty to expand on this but I have heard from someone who had a discussion with him and there was no mention of him finding it difficult to talk).
Here's hoping the rest of the catalogue gets the respectful treatment this album now has, and let's have more opinions - positive or "constructive".
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