Conversation Piece

Good remedial customer service solved an issue quickly and very pleased with the boxset

As an individual who has bought all of the various David Bowie catalogue reissues of recent years, I, along with many other fans, have been left occasionally frustrated by the failings, and in some cases, the missed opportunities of the programme. 2019 was the year of a series of vinyl titles, such as 'Spying Through A Keyhole', that were overpriced and frankly took the fanbase for a bit of a ride. I was trepidatious about buying 'Conversation Piece', therefore, having swerved the 2019 vinyl releases for the most part - but I am thrilled to say that 'Conversation Piece' really does do full justice to David Bowie's developing talent in the late sixties, and also delivers as a well thought out, beautifully packaged release.I have always loved the 'Soace Oddity' album, and the title track in particular, but Tony Visconti's remix (he never liked the original 'Space Oddity' track, and left that to Gus Dudgeon to produce) has revealed new depths, sound colour and deft production flourishes which shed some sonic illumination on the orginal album. Put this with the sumptuous hard back book, and the other discs of demos, radio sessions and mono takes, and you will be simply floored by the excellence herein. Bowie was still trying to find a suitable style, following on from the Anthny Newley-isms of his Deram debut album, and the folkier material (already featuring some of Bowie's trademark unusual chord progressions) of the 'Hutch' demos offers the listener some tantalising missteps and blind alleys to be enjoyed a half-century later. Plus, as others have said, the title track, 'Conversation Piece', is one of Bowie's very finest of his early tracks, and is finally restored to it's rightful place on the album.I do hope that my favourite Bowie album - 'The Man Who Sold The World', which is fifty years old this year - is given the 'Conversation Piece' treatment!

I give this latest Parlophone release from Bowie's back catalogue and archive five stars for a number of reasons: the presentation box and 120 page booklet are of exceptional quality; the re-mix of the 'Space Oddity' album by Tony Visconti is no ordinary or perfunctory re-mix but a piece of genius from a special and unique producer, adding layers of rich depth to the sound of the album and transforming the best songs on then album into an extraordinary listening experience, it is the finest re-mix of a Bowie album I have heard to date and can make for an overwhelming emotional experience, and it also now has on it the track that should never have been left off the original release, the truly beautiful track 'Conversation Piece', one of David's finest songs from this period; finally, CD 1, containing many previously unheard home demos, features a number of intriguing songs with some great vocals and harmonies, and a good number of these tracks could have become significant songs if DB had decided to persist with them. The whole box set is something of a revelation and makes for a highly powerful experience for the true Bowie fan. I can't recommend it enough. Listening to the re-mix of 'Space Oddity' (the song) alone will blow you away, such is the staggering beauty, mystery, and enduring awesomeness of the song and its recording in 1969 fifty years ago!

As a Bowie fan I’m sometimes sceptical about the collections which have been released since his death. I was the same about this one too but as Space Oddity is one of my favourite Bowie albums and as the reviews were so positive I decided to take the plunge and by myself this set as a birthday present. And I’m so glad I did!It’s a fantastic collection with a great mix of previously unavailable demos and re-mastered tracks. The sound quality is fabulous and each time I listen I discover something else. If you’re looking at this collection and thinking about it- just buy it! You won’t be disappointed.

I must admit I was a bit dubious about ordering this but when it arrived, on time and well packaged I really was delighted. I have never heard the majority of the demo's before and it was a real treat for me. The actual book is well composed with lots of never seen photo's and reviews and letters. Very comprehensive, my only minor niggle is there is a bit of repetition but I can see why certain Bowie fans would appreciate this.

Fantastic, large, hardback book containing rare photos from when Bowie was around 19/20 years old. A time when he was trying to find his ‘sound’. In depth analysis of Space Oddity and an account about his folk trio Feathers. Interesting letters from Ken Pitt, Bowie’s then manager. For the die hard fan only but fascinating nonetheless. The 5 CD’s contain some very early obscure songs and various recordings of Space Oddity. I love it!

This is a lovely package. The demos are fascinating and the sound quality is surprisingly good throughout. For all the hoo hah about the supposedly amazing 2019 Visconti remix (disc5), when you listen to the 1969 mix of the original Philips David Bowie album on disc 4 it is so much better. It wasn’t broke, and it didn’t need fixing.

So many of these super deluxe offerings just aren't worth the money or time. This one's different. Lovingly put together by people who obviously cared a great deal about what they were doing, this intriguing box set sheds new light on the period immediately preceding and including Bowie's Space Oddity album. The graphics are excellent. The music is strangely insightful. The text is great to read while listening to the music. This package is a must have for all diehard fans. Executed to perfection. Recommended.