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I was surprised by the lack of reviews for this under appreciated live two disc concert from the A Reality Tour recorded in Dublin, Ireland. As for many, myself included, the Reality and Heathen albums are not as familiar as earlier and later works. This live CD will open to your eyes to the solids songs Bowie wrote for both of these albums plus many older song and not so older songs for that time at the beginning of the 20th century.
What makes this such a stellar outing is first of coarse Bowie, he is in peak form and in great spirits for this two night run. Second is the band! This may be the best live band Bowie ever assembled in his career. They handle it all with power, finesse, with amazing playing and backup vocals. Under the direction of Ireland's own guitarist Gerry Leonard every song is full of energy and a keeper, even China Doll is given a harder edge which works extremely well.
As for the rest of the band drummer Sterling Campell is extraordinary, Earl Slick always delivers the goods and rocks out on" I'm Afraid of Americans" and the band's heart the incomparable Gail Ann Dorsey. She is truly an exceptional player and her contributions help propel all of the songs in ways that any true Bowie fan will greatly appreciate.
I did get to see her play on her first tour with Bowie, The Outside tour with Nine Inch Nails, only once as that was the last time I saw Bowie live.
What is also noteworthy about this two disc show is that it is basically in the order it was played, with a few minor exceptions, which for a live album is hardly ever the case. I think after googling the setlist on setlistfm, that the majority of the show is from the 23rd. That night they played 35 songs. There are 34 on this disc!
This is show is on par with Live from the Blackout, which also features a killer band. The recording quality is excellent and the only thing that might annoy some listeners is that the enthusiastic Dublin audience is mixed in higher than maybe they should've been. I think this was the case as Bowie was having such a grand time and as he said in his words " you are such a lovely audience it a pure joy to play for you."
As for a Bowie setlist you would be hard pressed to find a better example of getting it all. New at the time, New Killer Star, mixed in with the classics, Five Years All the Young Dudes, several great covers, Sister Midnight, and some obscure gems such as Battle for Britain, The Letter.
Plus for less than $14 bucks?!?
Please add this one to your collection as you will continue to reap benefits for years to come appreciating the entire Bowie catalog.
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Reality--SpaceAge Rock Fury
David Bowie Live. From the '03 tour. Varied and satisfying set list, meticulously crafted EQ, familiar instrumentation with just the correct amount of experimental action. The guitars and vocals are killer. No crowd interference. I highly recommend!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2019
- Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2005
Top reviews from other countries
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- Simon KReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 29, 2025
Bowie - the mainman at his live best
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ivo van trichtReviewed in Belgium on February 10, 2023
Heel goed concert met een zeer matige videoopname
