Garage Sale Vinyl: David Bowie
Aladdin Sane / RCA / April 1973
by Christopher Long
For decades, I’ve had a theory regarding (most) new “music.” And I stand by it.
I wholeheartedly believe there’s a giant, evil villain known as “Digital Shit Man” who manages a global audio content manufacturing operation — probably located somewhere near New Jersey. Day in and day out, Digital Shit Man hovers (pants-less) over a conveyor belt, and every time a factory associate pulls Digital Shit Man’s schmeckle, he grunts out a dollop of digital dung onto said conveyor belt. His sidekick / love interest, “Apple Annie,” then stamps the name of a different generic “artist” on each of these dollops as they make their way down the assembly line. Each subsequently mass-produced dollop is then packaged and shipped off to the operation’s distribution center — probably located somewhere near Shreveport. Hooray! The latest award-winning Beyoncé release has finally arrived! But, I digress.
Thank goodness I’m now a little old man who was blessed to be around during those exciting days of yore, when “artistry” implied talented visionaries creating inspiring, original, and uniquely compelling work.
• •
Typically, I refuse to pay much more than a buck or two for my “garage sale” finds. However, now and again, I get really lucky and I score a gemstone for FREE.
In late 2023, I received an email from a dear friend who was seeking my qualified guidance in liquidating his massive vintage vinyl collection from the ’60s and ’70s. At one point in the process of reaching out to various professional collectors, my friend asked if I had a personal interest in any of the titles. I felt certain that these records would be potentially pricey original pressings. And they were. Hence, not wanting to compromise the lump sum value of his collection, I mentioned a few of my desired titles casually, and moved on. Besides, at that moment, I didn’t really need to be actively pursuing any (likely) $1,000 purchases.
Fast forward six months, and the UPS guy was banging on my door with a monster-sized package from my aforementioned friend. Inside the re-enforced parcel were all the records that I’d mentioned to him previously; Earth, Wind & Fire Head to the Sky, The Beatles Revolver, Jimi Hendrix Are You Experienced?, and The Who Who’s Next, as well as several others, including a pristine original pressing of David Bowie Aladdin Sane. To my surprise, he gifted me the treasures. At least I hope that was his intention. Otherwise, I’ll need to seek a significant extension to my Capital One account.
Arguably the apex of Bowie’s golden “Stardust” years, Aladdin Sane was the follow-up to his acclaimed 1972 breakout record, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Featuring Pierre Laroche’s now legendary lightning bolt makeup design splashed across Bowie’s face, the Aladdin Sane cover might be even more iconic than the music. Maybe.
Co-produced by Bowie and Ken Scott (Devo, The Tubes, Missing Persons), the 10-track collection was recorded in London, and it combined Bowie’s musically visionary, streetwise, glam style (“Panic in Detroit”) with elements of pop (“The Prettiest Star”) and modern jazz (“Aladdin Sane”) — even the disposable (“Let’s Spend the Night Together”). Lyrically, the songs addressed many of the ups and downs of Bowie’s soaring superstardom, as well as the often harsh realities of touring — an authentic sex, drugs & rock and roll tour de force, to be sure.
The core band, guitarist Mick Ronson, bassist Trevor Bolder, drummer Mick Woodmansey, and pianist Mike Garson, delivered in spades, helping to make the record a comfy companion for its predecessor.
Of my personal favorite tracks, I’d point to the Dolls-meets-Hoople-style rocker, “Watch That Man,” the soaring, sax-fueled, sock hop-worthy, “Drive-In Saturday,” and the time-tested staple, “The Jean Genie.” However, my absolute top pick of the litter would be the guitar-driven, gutter-bred “Cracked Actor.”
Over the years, I’ve owned several copies of Aladdin Sane, digital and CD, not to mention my re-issued, remastered vinyl copy. However, those formats just don’t match the authentic experience of consuming it on cozy, crackly original “garage sale vinyl.”
(5/5) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Aladdin Sane Track List
*All songs written by David Bowie, except “Let’s Spend the Night Together,” written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
SIDE A
1. Watch That Man – 4:30
2. Aladdin Sane (1913–1938–197?) – 5:06
3. Drive-In Saturday – 4:33
4. Panic in Detroit – 4:25
5. Cracked Actor – 3:01
SIDE B
1. Time – 5:15
2. The Prettiest Star – 3:31
3. Let’s Spend the Night Together – 3:10
4. The Jean Genie – 4:07
5. Lady Grinning Soul – 3:54
