David Bowie Releases First New Music In A Decade For His Birthday
by Mike Hsu,posted Jan 8 2013 9:28AM
David Bowie turns 66 today. I think it's safe to say the man is a legend. You may not have enjoyed everything he's done(and there is a lot) but you can't deny he is a fearless artist. So for his birthday he gives his fans a gift of new music. You can check out "Where Are We Now" from the upcoming album The Next Day, produced by his long time collaborator(and arguably producer of his greatest work) Tony Visconti below.
The album comes out on March 12 much to my surprise. I say that because I had written Bowie off as "retired". The man has seemingly done it all musically. Experimenting with Folk, Glam, Ambient, Disco, Hard Rock, and other works that are beyond description. He has appeared in movies and plays. He did a Christmas song with Bing Crosby for crying out loud! Recently he has "dropped out", keeping a lower than low profile in New York City.(The only place any legend can do that.) So why not "retire"? A statement on his website explains:
""In recent years radio silence has been broken only by endless speculation, rumour and wishful thinking ....a new record...who would have ever thought it, who'd have ever dreamed it! After all David is the kind of artist who writes and performs what he wants when he wants...when he has something to say as opposed to something to sell. Today he definitely has something to say."
The song is mellow and reflective as he reminisces about his time living in Germany where he escaped in the 70's to kick a tremendous Cocaine addiction and make the "Berlin Trilogy" of albums(Low, Heroes, Lodger). In the video we see a workshop strewn with old and unfinished projects and the artist who let's the camera have a good look him. Still so much to do, with little time left. This isn't Ziggy Stardust or The Thin White Duke. It's Bowie now. Looking back while still moving forward.
