Ask anyone to draw a sketch of David Bowie and it’s a fair bet that they will include the instantly recognisable lightning bolt image from this album cover - even the default apple emoji for a rock star is based on this. However, it is less well known that this image refers to Bowie’s view of his character as a split personality as well as the schizophrenia that his half brother Terry lived with. This was the last album recorded with the Spiders from Mars backing band, and their sound was considerably augmented by the addition of virtuoso pianist Mike Garson whose styles range from rock n roll, doo-wop, and classical to experimental free jazz, sometimes in the same song. Mick Ronson is also on top form on guitar on this album as well as Trevor Bolder on bass and Woody Woodmansey on drums. Highlights include the title track, a sinuous torch song of a piece, a stomping cover of Let’s Spend The Night Together (presumably to help out a struggling young rock band that he was friends with), The Jean Genie and the Brechtian classic Time (with *that* line guaranteed to make you spit your tea out on first hearing). Wanking-on-the-floor-tastic!
