Spotify’s “2020 Wrapped” rolled out a few days ago, one of the better ways to recap this year. For those unfamiliar, this is a feature of the app’s user “experience,” a personalized summary of top artists, songs, podcasts, etc., streamed over the past 12 months. 2020 Wrapped contains some flashy quizzes, stories, recommendations, and playlists, making it an overall snazzy time. While I won’t bore you with the details of mine, I guess I listened to quite a few live albums, probably to make up for the dearth of in-person concerts we’ve all had to deal with this year.
One of my all-time favorite live albums is David Bowie’s Live Nassau Coliseum ’76, from his Isolar I tour promoting Station to Station as the Thin White Duke. Station to Station was recorded at the height of Bowie’s cocaine addiction (the artist himself had no recollection of the process), yet the album holds some of his most fascinating and memorable work, paving way for the influential Berlin Trilogy (1977’s Low, Heroes, and 1979’s Lodger). Live ’76 showcases some of the staples from Station to Station, as well as gems from past albums. Live performances are exciting precisely for their unpredictability, and sometimes it’s a fine balance between hanging on and letting go. Live ’76 manages to capture one of those rare moments when all the stars align, creating an atmosphere that’s mastered in control but gripping with vitality. As a performer, it’s inspiring.
Live ‘76 is best enjoyed in its entirety; the arrangements, riveting and spirited, segue fluidly from one number to the next. This is the golden period of Bowie’s voice: it’s warm, round, supple yet strong. His ’76 band (Carlos Alomar, Stacey Heydon, George Murray, Tony Kaye, Dennis Davis) is absolutely electric, the energy tangible in each track. The title song “Station to Station” has the most scintillating instrumental intro among the song’s recorded versions…Heydon’s guitar solo still gives me goosebumps each time (this is #6 on my 2020 Wrapped list, FYI). Other highlights include a soaring “Word on a Wing,” a powerful rendition of “Suffragette City,” funky “Fame,” “Waiting for the Man,” and a snappy “Rebel Rebel.” The best moment comes at the transition following “Panic in Detroit” as Bowie introduces his band in a charming and cheeky manner, his laugh at the beginning of “Changes” effuses a real, infectious moment of joy that keeps me smiling throughout the rest of the album.
Hopefully, we’ll safely return to in-person live performances soon, but thank goodness there are online platforms keeping the arts available and accessible in the interim. To those making, sharing, and supporting artistic content, thank you truly. You are all heroes. Here’s to a bright 2021 ahead….Happy Holidays!
Bowie & Cher, Young Americans Medley, Live on The Cher Show (1975)