"Nothing Has Changed" by DAVID BOWIE – July 1969 to November 2014 'Very Best Of' Career Retrospective With An Emphasis On Single Mixes (November 2014 UK Parlophone 39-Track 2CD Compilation of Remasters with One Previously Unreleased 1972 Demo and One New 2014 Song) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...Moonage Daydream..."

 

Here in late 2023, there are probably too many David Bowie compilations on the market (and we are talking four decades now). But one or two stand above the melee. There is an Expanded 3CD variant of "Nothing Has Changed" – but I dig this twofer because it does the business where I want it.

 

As you check out the track lists on CD1 and CD2 below, you will notice that a lot are either 'Single' Edits or Versions and therefore avoid the excess of some longer Album cuts. Throw in an unreleased version of 'All The Young Dudes', those tasty duets with Queen, Mick Jagger, The Pat Metheny Group and Pet Shop Boys - alongside one new epic orchestrated tune worthy of the great man – and it all feels so damn good the whole way through. To the Moonage Daydreams...

 

UK released 14 November 2014 (17 November 2014 in the USA) - "Nothing Has Changed" by DAVID BOWIE on Parlophone 825646205745 (Barcode 825646205745) is a Very Best Of 2CD 39-Track Compilation of Newly Remastered Material Released between July 1969 and November 2014 (with One Previously Unreleased and One New Song) that plays out as follows:

 

CD1 (78:56 minutes):

1. Space Oddity (5:14 minutes)

(11 July 1969, UK 45-single, Philips BF 1801, A-side – also on the "David Bowie" album – released 14 November 1969 in the UK on Phillips SBL 7902 and in the USA as "Man Of Words/Man Of Music" on Mercury SR-61246 with different artwork)

 

2. The Man Who Sold The World (3:57 minutes)

(From the "The Man Who Sold The World" album – released 4 November 1970 in the USA on Mercury SR 61325 and 10 April 1971 in the UK on Mercury 6338 041)

 

3. Changes (3:35 minutes)

(On the "Hunky Dory" album – released 17 December 1971 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8244 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4623 – also 14 January 1972, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2160, A-side)

 

4. Oh! You Pretty Things (3:12 minutes)

(On the "Hunky Dory" album – released 17 December 1971 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8244 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4623)

 

5. Life On Mars? (3:49 minutes)

(On the "Hunky Dory" album – released 17 December 1971 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8244 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4623 – also 22 June 1973, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2316, A-side)

 

6. Starman (Original Single Mix) (4:12 minutes)

(April 1972, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2199, A-side – also on the "The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars" album – released 16 June 1972 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8287 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4702)

 

7. Ziggy Stardust (4:39 minutes)

(On the "The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars" album – released 16 June 1972 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8287 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4702 - also 24 November 1972, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2302, B-side of "The Jean Genie")

 

8. Moonage Daydream (4:39 minutes)

(On the "The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars" album – released 16 June 1972 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8287 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4702)

 

9. The Jean Genie (Original Single Mix) (4:05 minutes)

(24 November 1972, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2302, A-side – Full Version on the album "Aladdin Sane" – released 13 April 1973 in the UK on RCA Victor RS 1001 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4852)

 

10. All The Young Dudes (3:08 minutes)

(Previously Unreleased Stereo Mix of the song Bowie gave to the British rock Band Mott The Hoople who released their version on UK 45-single and had a hit with it, thereby reviving their careers)

 

11. Drive-In Saturday (4:30 minutes)

(6 April 1973, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2352, A-side – and on the album "Aladdin Sane" – released 13 April 1973 in the UK on RCA Victor RS 1001 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4852)

 

12. Sorrow (2:53 minutes)

(28 September 1973, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2424, A-side (a Merseybeats song) – also on the album "Pinups" - an entire LP of cover versions released 19 October 1973 in the UK on RCA RS 1003 and in the USA on RCA Victor APL1-0291)

 

13. Rebel Rebel (4:30 minutes)

(On the album "Diamond Dogs" - released 31 May 1974 in the UK on RCA Victor APL1 0576 and in the USA on RCA Victor CPL1 0576 – an earlier mix was issued 14 February 1973 as a UK 45-single on RCA Victor LPBO 5009, A-side – the album version is used here)

 

14. Young Americans (Original Single Mix) (3:13 minutes)

(21 February 1975, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2523, A-side – Full Version is on the album "Young Americans" - released 7 March 1975 in the UK on RCA Victor RS 1006 and in the US on RCA Victor AQL1-0998)

 

15. Fame (4:16 minutes)

(On the album "Young Americans" - released 7 March 1975 in the UK on RCA Victor RS 1006 and in the US on RCA Victor AQL1-0998 – also issued as an edited 3:30 minutes UK 45-single, 18 July 1975 on RCA Victor RCA 2579, A-side)

 

16. Golden Years (Single Version) (3:27 minutes)

(21 November 1975, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2640, A-side – Full Version on the album "Station To Station" - released 23 January 1976 in the UK and USA on RCA Victor APL1 1327 and in the USA)

 

17. Sound And Vision (3:03 minutes)

(On the album "Low" - released January 1977 in the UK on RCA PL 12030 and in the USA on RCA CPL1-2030 – also released 11 February 1977 as a UK 45-single, RCA Victor PB 0905, A-side)

 

18. Heroes (Single Version) (3:33 minutes)

(23 September 1977, UK 45-single, RCA Victor PB 1121, A-side – Full Version on the album "Heroes" - released October 1977 in the UK on RCA PL 12522 and in the USA on RCA AFL1-2522)

 

19. Boys Keep Swinging (3:17 minutes)

(27 April 1979, UK 45-single, RCA Victor BOW 2, A-side – also on the album "Lodger" - released May 1979 in the UK on RCA PL 13254 and in the USA on RCA APL1-3254)

 

20. Fashion (Single Version) (3:26 minutes)

(31 October 1980, UK 45-single, RCA Victor BOW 7, A-side – Full Version on the album "Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)" - released September 1980 in the UK on RCA BOWLP 2 (PL 13647) and in the USA on RCA AQL1-3647)

 

21. Ashes To Ashes (Single Version) (3:35 minutes)

(8 August 1980, UK 45-single, RCA Victor BOW 6, A-side – Full Version on the album "Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)" - released September 1980 in the UK on RCA BOWLP 2 (PL 13647) and in the USA on RCA AQL1-3647)

 

CD2 (75:19 mnutes):

1. Under Pressure – Queen and David Bowie (2011 Remaster) (4:08 minutes)

(30 October 1981, UK 45-single, EMI Records EMI 5260, A-side)

 

2. Let's Dance (Single Version) (4:08 minutes)

(14 March 1983, UK 45-Single, EMI America EA 135, A-side – Full Version on the album "Let's Dance" – released 14 April 1983 in the UK on EMI America Records AML 3029 and in the USA on EMI America SO-17093)

 

3. China Girl (Single Version) (4:15 minutes)

(11 June 1983, UK 45-single, EMI America EA 157, A-side - Full Version on the album "Let's Dance" – released 14 April 1983 in the UK on EMI America Records AML 3029 and in the USA on EMI America SO-17093)

 

4. Modern Love (Single Version) (3:56 minutes)

(12 September 1983, UK 45-single, EMI America EA 158, A-side - Full Version on the album "Let's Dance" – released 14 April 1983 in the UK on EMI America Records AML 3029 and in the USA on EMI America SO-17093)

 

5. Blue Jean (3:11 minutes)

(14 September 1984, UK 45-single, EMI America EA 181, A-side – also on the album "Tonight" – released 24 September 1984 in the UK on EMI America Records DB 1 and in the USA on EMI America SJ-17138)

 

6. This Is Not America – With The Pat Metheny Group (3:51 minutes)

(January 1985, UK 45-single, EMI America EA 190, A-side – also on the Soundtrack Album "The Falcon And The Snowman" released April 1985 in the UK on EMI America FAL 1)

 

7. Dancing In The Street (Clearmountain Mix) – David Bowie and Mick Jagger (3:07 minutes)

(27 August 1985, UK 45-single, EMI America EA 204, A-side)

 

8. Absolute Beginners (Edit) (4:46 minutes)

(3 March 1986, UK 45-single, Virgin VS 838, A-side – also Full Version on the Motion Picture Soundtrack Album "Absolute Beginners – The Musical" released 7 April 1986 in the UK on Virgin V 2386)

 

9. Jump They Say (Radio Edit aka 7" Version) (3:54 minutes)

(15 March 1993, UK Promo-Only 45-Single, Arista 74321 13942 7 JB, A-side – also March 1993, UK CD-Single on Arista 74321 139422– the Full Version (4:22 minutes) is on the "Black Tie White Noise" album from April 1993)

 

10. Hello Spaceboy (PSB Remix) – with The Pet Shop Boys (4:25 minutes)

(February 1996 UK CD-Single on RCA 74321353842 – Full Version (5:14 minutes) on the CD album "1. Outside (The Nathan Adler Diaries: A Hyper Circle" released 25 September 1995 on Arista 74321303392)

 

11. Little Wonder (Edit) (3:42 minutes)

(January 1997 UK CD-single 1 on RCA 74321452072 – Full Version (6:02 minutes) on the CD album "Earthling" released 3 February 1997 on RCA 7432144944 2)

 

12. I'm Afraid Of Americans (VI) (Radio Edit) (4:25 minutes)

(October 1997 US CD-single on Virgin USA 7243 8 38618 2 8 – Full Version (5:00 minutes) on the CD album "Earthling" released 3 February 1997 on RCA 7432144944 2)

 

13. Thursday's Child (Radio Edit) (4:26 minutes)

(20 September 1999 UK CD-single 2 on Virgin VSCDF 1753 – Full Version (5:24 minutes) on the CD album "Hours..." released 4 October 1999 on Virgin CDVX 2900)

 

14. Everyone Says 'Hi' (Edit) (3:29 minutes)

(September 2002 UK CD-single on Columbia 673134 3 – Full Version (3:58 minutes) on the CD album "Heathen" released 10 June 2002 on Columbia/ISO Records 508222 2)

 

15. New Killer Star (Radio Edit) (3:43 minutes)

(September 2003 UK CD Single, from the CD album "Reality")

 

16. Love Is Lost (Hello Steve Reich Mix by James Murphy for the DFA Edit) (4:07 minutes)

(October 2013 CD Single – also on the CD album "The Next Day")

 

17. Where Are We Now? (4:09 minutes)

(January 2013 CD Single - also on the CD album "The Next Day" 

 

18. Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime) (7:23 minutes)

(New song released as a November 2014 CD Single, exclusive to the compilation "Nothing Has Changed")

 

Although it doesn't say so on the actual CDs or inlays – the sticker advises this is 'The Very Best Of' David Bowie - and as it contains material to 2014 – that was true at the time. The 16-page booklet has basic track entries and release dates but unfortunately none of them go into personnel or guests – Rick Wakeman of Yes playing Mellotron on "Space Oddity" – Mick Ronson giving it some wild English axe on "The Jean Genie" while co-writer Carlos Alomar does his guitar magic on "Fame" too – and so on. Most of the 2014 Remasters are by RAY STAFF who has been synonymous with Bowie's catalogue (some are 2009) and Mastering is by another venerable engineer VIC ANESINI – a huge name over at BMG with Elvis Presley, Simon & Garfunkel, Aerosmith, Mountain, Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carole King and loads more under his Audio belt. So it sounds the part through and through. To the chunes...

 

Even after all these years – the dip and dive thrills. I get so used to his White Boy Soul period being on album tracks from "Young Americans" and "Station To Station" that the brevity and punch-power of Single Versions for "Golden Years" and "Fame" come as a welcome diversion. "Ziggy Stardust", "Sound And Vision", "Heroes" and "Ashes To Ashes" all still amaze – but spare a dime for his brilliant cover of The Merseybeats tune "Sorrow" or the tart-with-a-heart "Boys Keep Swinging".

 

You might even think that "Under Pressure" (his duet with Queen) followed by a lethal one-two of "Let's Dance" and "China Girl" are too over-played by Hits Radio – but the single edits of the last two keep it fresh and zippy and all three still contain such extraordinary pizzazz – a young energy that does not seem to dissipate with the years but rather grow with them. For sure the musically lean period of "Tonight" in the Eighties where many lost faith in him ("Blue Jean" is too slight by far) is offset by those one-off nuggets - "This Is Not America" (with ace Fusion Guitarist Pat Metheny) and the Live Aid benefit single "Dancing In The Streets" with good old rubber lips (Mick Jagger) still lift the heart and the feet.

 

His 1993 to 2104 phase had its challenging slots too – so "Jump They Say", "Hello Spaceboy" with The Pet Shop Boys and "Little Wonder" may not roll off the tongue as easily as his hits-packed Seventies titles did – but they are still crackers and worthy of rediscovery frankly. And on it goes to the Martin Schneider Orchestra joining Bowie on the new song "Sue (Or in A Season Of Crime)" which has its lyrics on the second last page of the booklet. At seven-minutes plus, its lush orchestration has a humungous roll call of guest Trumpeters, Saxophonists, Flutists and Flugelhorn players as to make the eyes water. The lady Sue is informed by the singer that our boy got a loan so they can buy a house and the doctors have said that his results are good but she left him a note – she exited with a clown and his thoughts are now of crime and gravestones and what kissing her face felt like.

 

Kiss this bride if you get the chance and wonder will we ever see such variety and wit and genius and sheer funk in the one place again. God, I hope so...