GM Editions レコード& CD

Review: An illuminating double-disc compilation that attempts to trace the musical DNA of one of rock's most shape-shifting and enigmatic figures. Given Bowie's unparalleled ability to absorb, reinterpret and transcend genres, the concept of "influence" feels almost reductive. Yet, this collection highlights the artists he admired, spanning rock 'n' roll pioneers, avant-garde experimenters, and boundary-pushing contemporaries. The set opens with Little Richard's electrifying 'Shake A Hand (If You Can),' a nod to the flamboyant, high-energy showmanship that Bowie carried forward. Anthony Newley's theatrical croon on 'Who Can I Turn To' reflects the dramatic flair that seeped into Bowie's early work, while Ken Nordine & The Fred Katz Group's spoken-word jazz piece hints at his taste for the unconventional. The Stooges' 'No Fun' and Pixies' 'Debaser' showcase the raw, confrontational rock energy he admired, while Cream's 'I Feel Free' echoes the psychedelic textures of his late '60s output. Side-3 ventures into Bowie's electronic inspirations, featuring Air's sleek 'Sexy Boy' and Brian Eno's atmospheric 'Another Green World', a direct link to their Berlin-era collaborations. Scott Walker's brooding 'Montague Terrace (In Blue)' and Tom Verlaine's 'Kingdom Come' reflect Bowie's fascination with outsider figures and poetic lyricism. The final stretch ties in his art-rock sensibilities with Roxy Music's 'Virginia Plain' and the haunting, childlike innocence of The Langley Schools Music Project's take on 'Space Oddity.' While no compilation could fully define Bowie's influences, this one paints a fascinating portrait of the sonic palette that shaped a legend.