Diamond Dogs

by David Bowie

Overview

David Bowie fired the Spiders from Mars shortly after the release of Pin Ups, but he didn't completely leave the Ziggy Stardust persona behind. Diamond Dogs suffers precisely because of this -- he doesn't know how to move forward. Originally conceived as a concept album based on George Orwell's 1984, Diamond Dogs evolved into another one of Bowie's paranoid future nightmares. Throughout the album, there are hints that he's tired of the Ziggy formula, particularly in the disco underpinning of "Candidate" and his cut-and-paste lyrics. However, it's not enough to make Diamond Dogs a step forward, and without Mick Ronson to lead the band, the rockers are too stiff to make an impact. Ironically, the one exception is one of Bowie's very best songs -- the tight, sexy "Rebel Rebel." The song doesn't have much to do with the theme, and the ones he does throw in to further the story usually fall flat. Diamond Dogs isn't a total waste, with "1984," "Candidate," and "Diamond Dogs" all offering some sort of pleasure, but it is the first record since Space Oddity where Bowie's reach exceeds his grasp. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	08/02/2024
Label:	Rhino / Parlophone
UPC:	5054197591686
Rank:	2386

Tracks

1. Future Legend
2. Diamond Dogs
3. Sweet Thing
4. Candidate
5. Sweet Thing (Reprise)
6. Rebel Rebel
7. Rock 'n' Roll with Me
8. We Are the Dead
9. 1984
10. Big Brother
11. Chant of the Ever Circling Skeletal Family

Album Credits

Performance Credits

David Bowie   Primary Artist,Drums,Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards,Mellotron,Saxophone,Percussion,Sax (Alto),Sax (Tenor),Synthesizer,Guitar (Bass),Guitar Effects,Sax (Baritone),Vocals (Background)
Mike Garson   Guest Artist,Piano,Keyboards,Mellotron,Harpsichord,Moog Synthesizer
Tony Newman   Drums
Trevor Bolder   Guitar (Bass)
Sterling Campbell   Drums
Aynsley Dunbar   Drums
Ken Fordham   Sax (Baritone)
Mick Ronson   Piano,Guitar,Strings,Vocals (Background)
Alan Parker   Guitar
Herbie Flowers   Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Catherine Russell   Vocals (Background)
Mark Plati   Bass,Guitar
Gerry Leonard   Guitar
Mac Cormack   Vocals (Background)
Earl Slick   Guitar
Tony Visconti   Bass,Guitar,Strings,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Gail Ann Dorsey   Vocals (Background)
David Torn   Guitar
Ron Wood   Guitar

Technical Credits

Keith Harwood   Mixing,Engineer,Mixing Engineer
Nigel Reeve   Remastering Engineer,Mastering,Mastering Engineer
Emily Lazar   Mastering,Mastering Engineer
Bruce Springsteen   Composer
David Bowie   Mixing,Arranger,Composer,Producer,Mixing Engineer
Ray Staff   Mastering
Ken Scott   Producer,Mixing Engineer
Richard Rodgers   Composer
Mario McNulty   Engineer
Tony Visconti   Mixing,Arranger,Engineer,Producer,Mastering,Mixing Engineer
Brandon Mason   Engineer
Warren Peace   Composer
Peter Mew   Mastering,Mastering Engineer,Remastering Engineer