1972 was a break through year for David Bowie. Four hit albums between July and November - that's four hit albums - discovered, rediscovered and propelled into the charts on the back of 'Ziggy Stardust', the record that saw the previous year's long-hair freak of 'Hunky Dory' evolve into full blown, space cadet, rock 'n' roll star.
'Ziggy' surfed the glam rock wave perfectly, but here was a fully matured, part concept, rock record made by an aspirant rock star writing about an intergalactic superstar. You had to be there to appreciate the full impact of Ziggy, but the music is still astonishing. 'Starman', 'Hang On To Yourself', 'Suffragette City' and 'Ziggy Stardust' itself are now, thirty years on, set in moon rock as part of rock's canon while the eerily desperate 'Five Years' put several galaxies between Bowie and contemporary glam pals such as Marc Bolan.
CD2 is where collectors can gorge themselves on a selection of demos and rarities including early versions of 'Moonage Daydream' and 'Hang On To Yourself' courtesy of Bowie's by now defunct Arnold Corns ensemble. On demos of 'Lady Stardust' and a stark 'Ziggy Stardust' you can almost smell the hunger and imminent success of the prolific young artist. There's even a relaxed romp through Chuck Berry's 'Round And Round' and the glam, gallop of 'Sweet Head' complete with comedy asides by Bowie.
That Bowie, Mick Ronson and producer Ken Scott began work on this record just weeks after the completion of 'Hunky Dory', is testament to Bowie's drive and vision and the timely brilliance of the Ziggy Stardust persona. No student of rock 'n' roll can be taken seriously without this album in their satchel. Altogether now... "Ziggy played guitaarrrrrrr!"
