David Bowie - Let's Dance (1983)

Note: this release was originally purchased as an LP, later replaced by a CD.

Throughout all his personae (Ziggy Stardust, Thin White Duke), David Bowie knew how to locate great musicians with which to collaborate: John Lennon, Iggy Pop, Marc Bolin, Brian Eno, Robert Fripp, Pete Townshend, Queen, Mick Jagger, Pat Metheny, etc. When he recorded this '80s classic, Bowie not only teamed up with the great Nile Rodgers to produce, he also recruited an up-and-coming blues guitarist from Texas, Stevie Ray Vaughan, to play lead. Put them together with Rodger's former band members in Chic: Tony Thompson and Bernard Edwards (among others) and you've got one helluva backing band. While he was being accused of selling out, I think he put together an innovative work at the intersection of post-disco, new wave, and soul. Even though some of the music hasn't aged well, it's a nice time capsule.

Press of the time:

• Rolling Stone (★★★★): "Bowie cuts a rug, and cuts the crap."
• Stereo Review: "somewhere in these grooves is the Next Big Thing."
• Trouser Press: "a pop record that simply bleaches the competition."
• Smash Hits (6½ out of 10): "So what? Everyone makes the odd dull album."
• Robert Christgau (B): "Rodgers & Bowie are a rich combo in the ways that count as well as the ways that don't"
• RPM: "should bring him back into prominence and with an even larger following"

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard Top 200: #4
• Billboard Rock: #3
• Billboard R&B: #21
• CashBox: #4
• Rolling Stone: #1

Tracks: I think the title track and Modern Love are two of the best singles of the '80s. I also like the filler cuts Without You and Shake It. I was never much for the song China Girl although the video is fascinating. The cover of Metro's Criminal World is nicely done and SRV's guitar work on Cat People makes that song worth listening to.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: In addition to the LP, I had a 12" single of Let's Dance which was destroyed at the hands of a mischievous toddler. I'm sure I threw a fit at the time, but it all worked out as the extended version also appears on the album (meaning the 12" single was wasted money to begin with). Even though Stevie Ray Vaughan didn't tour in support of the album, I regret not seeing Bowie in August 1983 on the Serious Moonlight tour.

Blog post #50