[audiobook] Bowie: A Biography by Marc Spitz at Arts-Photography

Review

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful. Mostly compelling and essential. but missing bits and piecesBy G. J. SimpsonIm what Marc Spitz would call a `Bowie-ist. As such. I read a Bowie biography once every couple of years or so. I did some research and read sufficiently intriguing reviews of this book to decide this was going to be the Bowie book that was different. And yes. it is. But I say that with some reservation. It is both compelling and frustrating. for reasons that might be the authors purpose.The book succeeds at providing a context and a sense of what it might actually have been like to be Bowie. especially in the 70s. I enjoyed the feeling that the author was contemporary to me and was therefore able to relate Bowie to the wider context of popular and independent music through the last 40 years and more. This means not just referring to T Rex or Gary Numan. but later icons such as Radiohead and The Smiths. The author also supplies a socio-cultural context when appropriate. And he has done his fair share of interviewing and sourcing. as he provides new and insightful inputs from key players in Bowies life. But what is particularly apparent to me is the sense that I am reading a factual narrative rather than a methodical biography. I dont know if that makes sense - Im certainly not suggesting it reads like an historical novel. but it seems that the important things here is to get a sense of a life rather than be bogged down by exhaustive detail.This doesnt mean that it lacks information - there is a whole lot of it. But anyone who has read extensively about Bowie will notice omissions and neglects. Some live LPs get overlooked as does the release of the Ziggy Stardust movie in any great detail. Angie Bowie basically vanishes from thought after a couple of years with no reference to this absence. only to re-appear briefly in reference to child custody. The book misses Bowies revolutionary use of merchandising and self-promotion as he took on the world with the Serious Moonlight tour in an attempt to recapture the wealth lost/eluded in the Defries years. The rich detail one gets about discrete moments in time. even from Mojo and Uncut magazines. is just too amiss from here. (The bulk of the book is set in the 60s and 70s. and the 80s. 90s and 00s are treated slimly. but this is how almost every Bowie book approaches this. somewhat unfortunately yet unsurprisingly).And yet. I really enjoyed the book. Because of what it is. a great story that indicates the heart and soul of the Bowie story in a way that more detailed books dont deliver. If you are a passing fan and want to read a thrilling representation of the Bowie psyche and mythos. this might well be the one for you.If youre an obsessive. youll want to make sure you read other books about Bowie as well. but definitely give this one a go. As far as the others go. `Alias David Bowie : a biography by Peter Gillman and Leni Gillman is excellent. I enjoyed George Tremletts `Living on the Brink. which includes a look into his latter financial success. `David Bowie : Moonage Daydream by Dave Thompson is a great read with a whole heap of awesome pictures. Finding a copy of `David Bowie: An Illustrated Record would be suitably rewarding. And for a truly encyclopedic reference. get `The Complete David Bowie by Nicholas Pegg. You might need to find a used copy and any edition will probably do. `Strange Fascination: David Bowie - The Definitive Story is meant to be excellent and will probably be in my hands when I want to read about Bowie again.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A solid examination of Bowies life and influencesBy Wayne KleinWhile I wouldnt call Marc Spitzs book Bowie: A Biography the definitive book about the musician. Spitz creates a compelling biography even for the neophyte reader. Spitz covers the typical ground about Bowies youth. how and why he felt compelled to push sexual and musical boundaries as well as the impact that Bowies mentally ill older half brother had on his developing career.There are a number of things that prevent Spitzs book from being definitive. His idea to use moments from his youth and the impact that Bowie had on his life is an interesting idea providing those who werent around at the time that Bowie was still big as an artist how his music and image could influence the average listener. The problem is that brief as these interludes are they get in the way of telling Bowies story and dont provide any additional insight into either the artist and the author. It could also be seen as a bit egotistic in that the author has inserted himself into the story and the reader is subjected to it without any reward. I understand Spitz wanting to give us a context (and his instincts as a novelist would be to try to personalize the story so readers can relate)BUT usually when an author inserts himself or herself into a story it disrupts the story and that is the case here.Spitz does give us some insightful. brief analysis of Bowies songs. I didnt approach this book expecting it to spent most of my time subjected to someone elses overwrought analysis of what inspired Bowie. I wasnt disappointed. I find biographers "evaluation" of the quality of an artists work often interfers with a biography since the reader often has their own opinion(s)it can distract from the purpose of the book--to tell us about the life of the artist NOT what and why certain work is important. For those seeking an evaluation of Bowies albums. the reader may want to look elsewhere since Spitz doesnt make that the main focus (thankfully) here.Spitzs book is well researched and well written. He took the time to interview those who knew Bowie during his most creatively fertile period (1972-1982). Hes also not afraid to reference other authors who have tackled written about Bowie. He isnt afraid to cull from those other works to help provide additional insight or contrast to his own interviews.I also found listening to the various albums and songs mentioned in the book while reading provided a more meaningful. insightful experience. Id suggest doing the same if you are thinking of picking up this book.Although flawed Spitzs Bowie: A Biography is a worthwhile read. 3 1/2 stars.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. An Audiophiles Collection of the history and music of BowieBy DifiKentThis is thorough and somewhat plodding. Written from a musicology point of view without direct access to the instrument (Bowie) itself. Observed but never interacted with directly. How many people giving their own perspective on their relationship. It makes for an out of focus image by someone who clearly has a bias in favor of one of his heroes..Thats okay I am a fan too and was at that concert in Sept of 72 in Cleveland as a friend reminded me. We will all die. Bowies recent demise reminds me that I too lived through all of the same history. His perspective was interesting at certain points both of what Bowie was living through and what we were all experiencing albeit unknowingly.