Sound + Vision

This is a review for the 2014 repackaging of the (2003 version) Sound + Vision box set. I'm not going to review the music here (we all know it's great) but it's a retrospective of Bowie's career spanning 1969-1993, choosing more obscure edits of his tracks, mixed with live versions and album tracks. The box originally appeared in 1990 as a 3cd set with a bonus VCD (obsolete format) with tracks spanning from 1969-1980 to promote the then-upcoming reissue series of Bowie's catalogue between those years and served as a taster for those reissues while also containing exclusive tracks. In 2003 it was reissued with the same tracklisting found here (added the mixed bag '80s tracks along with selections of Tin Machine and tracks from Bowie's 1993 LPs 'Black Tie White Noise' and 'Buddha Of Suburbia', although with packaging akin to a long book. This reissue serves as a low priced rehash of that (cost me around £18 when it came out in 2014) as a kind of cash cow while the exhibition is going on etc. The packaging here is decent, it's in a 'fatbox' CD case which holds the four discs and the hefty CD sized booklet, and that case is housed in an outer cardboard one.Basically, the main attraction here is the music, which I can tell you is excellent, but if you're unfamiliar with Bowie's works try a hits compilation (Nothing Has Changed being the most recent and spans a larger amount of time - available as a 3CD, 2CD or Vinyl) or one of his best albums - that one is too tough for me to call on that.If you're a die-hard Bowie fan and are looking for exclusive material, the most you'll get is a demo of Space Oddity (different from the one on the 2009 deluxe I believe), a different vocal take to 'Round and Round', a 1989 remix of the German-sung version of "Heroes", "Helden" and a live version of Pallas Athena (1997 Tao Jones Index version), although that in turn, is available on the 2CD version of Earthling found in the 'David Bowie Box'.Not strictly essential but some astounding album track choices, great for the price.

Bowie's one of those artists that has so many 'Best Of' compilations. And whilst Sound + Vision *isn't* a greatest hits package, it's probably the best, most definitive collection of his work; featuring beloved studio tracks, deep cuts, B-sides, outtakes and live recordings from a plethora of eras. We have well-known hits here, and songs even the biggest Bowiehead would forget. But each sounds awesome and, perhaps more importantly, offered an incredible insight into the musical mastermind.It trails a path, chronologically, from a demo of Space Oddity through his glam years, Berlin period, '80s revival (the latter half quickly skipped over) and '90s experimentation. Four discs of truly unique content. Disc 2, in particular for me, has some great music on there, and I listen to this box set almost all the time. I was unsure about getting it, but boy am I glad I did. Highlights for me are '73 live recordings, the live version of 'Breaking Glass', Bowie's cover of 'It's Hard to Be A Saint in the City' and 'Time Will Crawl'.Physically, it's packaged very similar to the Fleetwood Mac's '25 Years - the Chain' box set - a four CD jewel case in a plastic slip cover, that's nice and lightweight, but also feels like you're getting your money worth. A nice, compact collection of Bowie's best work. A treasure trove - hours of content to worth through. And not a moment of it wasted.

Let's keep this review simple. If you are newish to David's work and want a compilation of more than just the hits then not only do you get the music here, but also a very informative biographical essay in the booklet written by Kurt Loder. The booklet has plenty of photos to. The essay also tells the basic history of each track. It's importance and whether a single, album, or rarity track.Okay, so there are many great album tracks that have not made it onto the 4 cds, but you do get the ORIGINAL full length version of CAT PEOPLE, (it was re-recorded later for the Let's Dance album).Here you will find hits, live tracks, rarities and even stuff you may not like. How many of us established Bowie fans like everything he has done? But there is always the skip button to the next track. Of course if you are buying this in memory of our late hero then you may not know the classic tracks from the rarities and this should enhance your pleasure as you will be making your own mind up as to what you like best of his work. And that some of the hits are only mediocre in comparison.The discs are basically in chronological order.This compilation was made in 2003 and repackaged only, and NOT updated in 2014. That means there are no tracks from, "The Next Day" or "Blackstar" albums.So hence the title of my review, "Up the hill backwards, it'll be alright", you will be discovering inner depths of the everlasting genius of DAVID BOWIE from other angles other than just the hits.