David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars [DVD]

I first watched this concert many years ago when I was just 13 live at the Hammersmith and nothing can compare with that! Then some years later it was shown by the BBC and it was so disappointing. Not only was the picture quality really awful but the sound quality was truly diabolical also and the same applied to the video version of this too!

How things have changed and it just goes to show what they can do these days with poor quality films and soundtrack.

I bought this DVD (although the one I bought was the 30th Anniversary edition)and the picture quality was very much improved and with 5.1 sound as well, it was just so amazing to see and hear this in all it's true glory.

This certainly brought back some really good memories of my trip to London for that concert and that era. Watching David Bowie performing songs like "MY DEATH" and "MOONAGE DAYDREAM" (my personal favourite)just took my breath away. The many costume changes and behind the scenes glimpses just make this all the more awesome! I was just gutted that I couldn't see myself in the audience! Keep your 'lectric eye on me babe, put your ray gun to my head. Press your space face close to mine love, freak out in a moonage daydream oh yeah!

A real must have "freak out" for all Ziggy fans everywhere!

So, what was all the fuss about? For Bowie fans hailing from more recent geenerations, Bowie's Ziggy Stardust persona has reached almost legendary status. For those who missed it they have a chance to witness what Ziggy was like on stage and what a stage concert was like in 1973. One thing's for sure: the camera work was a lot more dodgy in those days and at times the frame wobbles out of focus. However, this all adds to the charm in what is a fascinating historical document. We get opening shots of queuing fans, the application of makeup, VIP's backstage dropping in for a visit (including Angie Bowie and Ringo Star). Before you know it you have a tight knot of pre-show nerves in your own stomach.

The opening trio of tracks are really just an opportunity to get the levels right and warm up the audience but the concert catches fire when the curious medley of Wild eyed boy from Freecloud/All the young dudes/Oh you pretty things provides an unexpected bridge from Bowie's hippy past to his glam rock present and, incredibly, it works. The moment when he segues from Wild Eyed Boy to All the Young Dudes is simply electrifying. A storming version of Changes is a real showstopper and then we are treated to nice little acoustic set (with Bowie himself playing) of Space Oddity and My Death. On the latter Brel track Bowie simply has the audience in the palm of his hand with countless sweaty girls shouting "Me!, Me!, Make it me!" at the final line. Costume changes follow before Bowie takes the harmonica riff himself for a killer version of Cracked Actor. The real highlight of the show though is the sheer theatricality of Time and Width of a Circle. The former sees Bowie stripped of a layer of costume, felating Mick Ronson's guitar, and relishing the profane lyrics. Width of a circle then provides a 15 minute musical marathon which sees Bowie change costume half way through while Mick Ronson and Trevor Bolder battle out a lengthy duel on stage. Best of all though is the mime sequence during the instrumental section which is a Rock'n'Roll moment right up there with Jimi Hendrix setting fire to his guitar.

After this it's a sprint finish through the final stretch with a Stones cover, a Bowie original and then a Lou Reed Cover before Bowie final takes the time to address fans. But then more drama, this isn't just a concert, it's a moment in musical history as Bowie announces live on camera that this is his last ever tour and retires on stage! This sets the scene for an emotional rendition of his anthem Rock'n'Roll suicide after which you can literally hear the weeping and wailing in the audience.

Despite the ropey lighting and camera work, this video successfully captures how well-paced, inventive and dramatic Ziggy concerts were back then and it has to go down in history as one of the best Rock'n'Roll performances on film. It is mystifying why this wasn't released officially until 1983 by which time Bowie had morphed into a blonde haired pop star. An essential purchase.

Filmed in 1973 at the Hammersmith Odeon, this was Bowie at the height of his early career.

The filming also takes on a documentary aspect, which is fairly interesting, but for anyone like me who was in their early teens and into Bowies music in the early 70's, this is simply a must.