Hunky Dory

I have always considered Hunky Dory to be one of his most straightforward albums - great songs and a clean, 'untreated' sound of a great band. What particularly stands out to me is the piano on many tracks, played superbly by Rick Wakeman. I didn't necessarily expect too much from this 2015 remaster as I always thought the sound was good anyway. But I have to say this version is superb - the acoustic guitars and the aforementioned piano are so clear and defined. Stand out tracks for me in this respect are Fill Your Heart and Bewlay Brothers. Probably the best re-master I have heard. Outstanding.This album is also special (unique?) amongst David Bowie's catalogue due to the breadth and variety of songs included. Where else can you find tracks like Quicksand, Bewlay Brothers and of course Life on Mars alongside Queen Bitch and Kooks?Still sounds great no matter how many times I play it! Brilliant.

The remasters of Bowie's studio albums since around 2015 have just been awesome; bringing a newfound wealth of colour and sound to some already legendary LPs. It also means we get to hear our favourites on glorious new 180g, for real audiophiles, and real fans. And whilst I would never claim to be an audiophile; I love Bowie. And I love Hunky Dory, for many reasons.It tells an important part of Bowie's musical career, with his music increasingly on the end of rock, and glam. Tracks like 'Queen Bitch' from this record showcase that shift; as well as proving an important tribute from Bowie to one of his favourites, The Velvet Underground.Hunky Dory is also, of course, home to to the titanic 'Changes' - reflecting on Bowie's personas even pre-Ziggy - and 'Life On Mars?' which must be one of the best songs ever put to record. It sounds simply incredible blasting from the record player. 'Oh! You Pretty Things' builds like any great anthem does, and brings in one the album's odder themes; on occultism. Oh yes.'Kooks' is one of my personal favourites, a suitably juvenile piece that crescendoes wonderfully. 'Song for Bob Dylan' showcases one of Bowie's best homages, and 'Andy Warhol' is the same - bordering on the psychopathic in its experimentalism. There's piano meets acoustic meets electric here, and it's a really phenomonal mix that pays off.Hunky Dory hits on almost every level, and whilst it is certainly beaten by its successor (at least), it's still pretty damn close. The record also feels great on vinyl; with a coated sleeve, uncoated one - as the original vinyl was housed - and replicated lyrics sheet. Awesome stuff.

I loved this album when it first came out, it is, along with Ziggy Stardust, Bowie at his very best along with the rest of the band, with a special mention for that keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman. My original vinyl version remains pristine, my cassette tape has long since disappeared and two days ago my first CD version gave up the ghost and refused to play ! So they don’t last forever ! And so, here I am with my fourth version, the 2015 remastered version, it still sounds fantastic, it still makes me happy and I still enjoy every single track each and every time I play it.

On a personal note, my 2 favorite Bowie albums are Ziggy Stardust and Hunky Dory. Bowie was still trying to find his niche, but I suppose Hunky Dory is my favorite. Some gems on this album, Changes, Life on Mars, Queen Bitch, Kooks and The Bewlay Brothers. I'm sure that David Bowie fans will almost certainly have this album in their collection. Great Music, well produced, and timeless. Would highly recommend.

Crisp and shiny repress . . . bought this at the time on cassette (yes I know . . . but I thought they were gonna be a thing) . . . did nothing on original release but an important stepping stone from the brilliant Man Who Sold The World (by far his best album) to Ziggy . . . lots of different styles attempted but worth it for Queen Bitch alone - that song alone showed us all exactly where he was going next . . .