Best of Bowie [US/Canada Bonus CD] (CD - 2002)

Producers include: Ken Scott, David Bowie, Tony Visconti, Harry Maslin, Paul Buckmaster.

Compilation producers: Nigel Reeve, Jo Brooks.

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Personnel includes: David Bowie (vocals, saxophone, keyboards); Mick Jagger (vocals); The Pat Metheny Group, Queen.

Producers include: Ken Scott, David Bowie, Tony Visconti, Harry Maslin, Paul Buckmaster.

Compilation producers: Nigel Reeve, Jo Brooks.

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

This edition of BEST OF BOWIE will only be available 12.2.2003-3.31.2004.

Includes bonus DVD.

Personnel includes: David Bowie, Mick Jagger (vocals); Carlos Alomar (guitar); Luther Vandross (background vocals); The Pat Metheny Group, Queen.

Producers include: Nile Rodgers, Gus Dudgeon, Ken Scott, David Bowie, Tony Viconti.

Compilation producers: Nigel Reeve, Jo Brooks, Henry Wrenn Meleck.

Audio Mixers: Dave Ogilvie; David Bowie; Hugh Padgham; Ken Scott; Mick Ronson; Nile Rodgers; Tin Machine; Tony Visconti; Bob Clearmountain.

Audio Remixer: Tony Visconti.

Recording information: Nothing Studios, New Orleans, LA.

Photographers: David Bebbington; Starr; Neal Preston; Indrani; Markus Klinko; Brian Ward ; Sukita.

Arrangers: David Bowie; Mick Ronson; Paul Buckmaster.

David Bowie has switched labels so often his catalog is cluttered with hits compilations, all purporting to be definitive. Since he is one of the few major artists with no compunction against putting all his hits on one disc, they're all excellent, and 2002's Best of Bowie is no exception, no matter which country you live in (brief explanation: sensitive to the needs of fans in different markets, Bowie and EMI/Virgin tailored a different Best of Bowie for every country it was released in -- a collector's and cataloger's nightmare, but the basics apply for each variation). Yeah, there are great songs missing, and it loses a little focus toward the end, but all the big, big hits are here, in great sound and logical sequence. Bowie made more than his share of great albums, but if you just want the highlights, this is as good as Changesbowie in capturing them. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Ably serving as a substitute for the excellent but out-of-print collection BOWIE: THE SINGLES 1969-1993, the two-CD BEST OF BOWIE serves as an outstanding career-spanning retrospective featuring material from as recent as 2002. Above all reflecting the visionary aptitude of a restless creative genius who switched into different musical guises the way some people change suits, these 38 cuts trace David Bowie's path from space-rock folkie ("Space Oddity") and glam god ("Ziggy Stardust") to blue-eyed soulster ("Young Americans"), and cutting-edge futurist ("Fashion").

21st-century kids might be aware of Bowie via covers by Nirvana ("The Man Who Sold The World") or the Wallflowers ("Heroes"), but it's equally likely they've heard playlist war-horses like '80s alt-pop classics "Let's Dance," "Modern Love," and "China Girl." Not to be missed are this icon's stellar collaborations with a wide range of talent including John Lennon ("Fame"), Queen ("Under Pressure"), Mick Jagger ("Dancing In The Streets"), and The Pat Metheny Group ("This Is Not America"). The latter material rounding out this collection is equally deserving of attention whether it's the howling nihilism of Bowie's group Tin Machine ("Under The God"), a Nine Inch Nails industrial-rock team-up ("I'm Afraid Of Americans [V1]"), or the 2002 reunion with '70s collaborator Tony Visconti ("Slow Burn").

Although not as comprehensive as its two-CD sibling of the same name, the single-disc BEST OF BOWIE serves as an outstanding career-spanning retrospective reflecting the visionary aptitude of a restless creative genius who switched into different musical guises the way some people change suits. These 20 cuts trace David Bowie's path from space-rock folkie ("Space Oddity") and glam god ("Ziggy Stardust") to blue-eyed soulster ("Young Americans") and cutting-edge futurist ("Fashion").

While 21st century kids might be aware of Bowie via a cover by the Wallflowers ("Heroes"), it's equally likely they've heard playlist war-horses like '80s alt-pop classics "Let's Dance," "Modern Love," and "China Girl." Not to be missed are this icon's stellar collaborations with a wide range of talent including John Lennon ("Fame"), Queen ("Under Pressure"), Mick Jagger ("Dancing In The Streets"), and The Pat Metheny Group ("This Is Not America"). Rounded out by the Nine Inch Nails industrial-rock team-up "I'm Afraid Of Americans [V1]," the single-CD BEST OF BOWIE is the perfect overview for fans with merely a passing interest in the Thin White Duke.

David Bowie has switched labels so often his catalog is cluttered with hits compilations, all purporting to be definitive. Since he is one of the few major artists with no compunction against putting all his hits on one disc, they're all excellent, and 2002's Best of Bowie is no exception, no matter which country you live in (brief explanation: sensitive to the needs of fans in different markets, Bowie and EMI/Virgin tailored a different Best of Bowie for every country it was released in -- a collector's and cataloger's nightmare, but the basics apply for each variation). Yeah, there are great songs missing, and it loses a little focus toward the end, but all the big, big hits are here, in great sound and logical sequence. Bowie made more than his share of great albums, but if you just want the highlights, this is as good as Changesbowie in capturing them. [The Best of Bowie was also released in the US and Canada as a double disc set and added some of the great songs that were missing from the single disc set. It also added a few more not as great songs but remains a solid collection.]~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine minimize