David Bowie - Black Tie White Noise (Expanded Edition/+DVD) (CD 2003)

This was to be Bowie's first solo album since 1987's fall from grace "Never Let Me Down". After experimenting with the rockier sounds of Tin Machine, "Black Tie White Noise" sees Bowie abandon 80's synth poer pop for a return to the plastic soul sound of his "Young Americans" and "Station To Station" albums with great success. Reuniting with Nile Rogers (international star producer of "Let's Dance") the sound is a very polished, funky yet haunting arrangement of songs featuring several inspired by Bowie's recent marriage to Iman. Whilst several of the songs seem dated with the awful 90's dance beat drum machine and several to many trumpet and saxophone solos, there are some of the most impressive songs of Bowie's carrer that although do not stand out as singles make for a cohesive album. "You've Been Around" is a haunting vocal opener yet sets the tone for the whole album, there are familiar elements yet a progression from previous material. The dance hit "Jump They Say" is a beautiful yet haunting track, laughing at the idea that Bowie is a washed up has been. Another beautiful original composition is "Don't Let Me Down And Down". However the title track may have some of bowie's more political lyrics, Al B Sure's inexplicable prescence makes the thing a bit of a joke as is the increasingly naff "Miracle Goodnight".
As with many Bowie albums there are several covers and this is no exception, however these seem to stand up stronger than Bowie's own material. There's a funky updating of Cream's "I Feel Free", a soul version of Morrissey's "I Know It's Gonna Happen Someday" and the highlight of the album, Scott Walker's "Nite Flights" which is a majesty of beauty which screams lost hit for both Bowie and Walker. All in all a surprisingly fresh album, an addition often overlooked in the Bowie canon.
This edition also comes with an outstanding DVd which features a very in-depth interview with the man himself who gives very detailed descriptions of the majority of the songs of the album as well as specially recorded studio videos of the vocal tracks as well as three full length promo videos.
However the only filler comes in the form of the bonus disc. The dud single "Real Cool World" and b-side "Lucy Can't Dance" were never essential listening. And as for remixes, well there was never any reasons for these either apart from to fill up the space on the single releases.
This album is a must for any Bowie fan as it has to be in at least his top 10 best albums. Though only the hardcore would be advised to buy the Expnaded edition as the bonus disc is just a shelf-filler and the excellent DVd is available seperately.