Black Tie White Noise

by

David Bowie

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David wrote this album as a wedding gift to his bride Iman, and he does a masterful job here. This album shows him shaking off the 80's and the Tin Machine project for good, and re-collaborating with longtime associates Mick Ronson and Mike Garson (Spiders era). In his return to solo recording, he continues to play with electronica and newer sounds, and also utilizes his saxophone extensively for an almost jazzy feel throughout. Although not nearly as ambitious as its follow up "Outside", its easy to see in retrospect how BTWN pointed his muse in that direction.

There are several standout cuts on the disc, the most well known of them being "Jump They Say", which also appears on his greatest hits collections. Other great Bowie originals on the disc include the title track, "The Wedding Song", "You've Been Around" and "Miracle Goodnight". He also performs several quality covers, including a version of Cream's "I feel free", Scott Walker's "Nite Flights" and "Don't Let Me Down and Down" penned by Tarha/Valmont. There are 14 tracks total on the disc if you include the bonus version of "Jump They Say", and not a bad one among them.

Overall, "Black Tie White Noise" heralded David's return to the studio, and finds him contented with his life and ready to continue a brilliant recording career. For some reason that I can't fathom this disc is currently out of print, so if you're lucky enough to find it used I strongly reccomend picking yourself up a copy.

This 1993 album is an ambitious project that does not come across as cohesive but contains some great songs. In overall sound, it reminds me of Young Americans but it is even more detached, like his plastic soul style carried to the extreme.

It opens with the semi-instrumental The Wedding, a beautiful lilting melody which is followed by You've Been Around, a song that doesn't go anywhere. The funky texture of I Feel Free makes it a worthy cover and the title track, a duet with Al B Sure, is quite engaging with its complex arrangement.

Jump They Say, Pallas Athena and Nite Flights, the Scott Walker cover, are all interesting but not really emotionally appealing. I like Miracle Goodnight with its rhythmic and vocal variety but the jazzy ballad Don't Let Me Down sounds unfocused and messy. Looking For Lester is a lively jazz instrumental and The Wedding Song is a vocal reprise of the stylish opening track.

The problem with Black Tie, White Noise, is that although pleasant to listen to, the music does not remain with you for long. With a few exceptions like the two Wedding Songs, the songs are not memorable. I recommend this album only to hardcore fans or Bowie completists.