Movie review: David Bowie Under Review 1976-1979 The Berlin Trilogy
David Bowie: Under Review 1976-1979 The Berlin Trilogy
David Bowie’s so called “Berlin Trilogy” (Low, “Heroes,” and Lodger) is some of my favorite pop music ever recorded. Many critics and fans debate whether the music found on the “Berlin Trilogy” is, in fact, pop. Find out why on this volume of the Under Review series. If you are unfamiliar, Under Review gets a group of critics and scholars to examine the creation and reception of classic rock albums, or in this case a trio of albums (or maybe seven albums if you count the album before the trio, a live album, and two collaborative albums with Iggy Pop). In this period of Bowie’s career his song structures went decidedly minimalist and electronic. His lyrics became more like haiku or cut-up verse than your typical chorus-laden rock song. To help him achieve these goals he enlisted ambient music pioneer Brian Eno and drew a lot inspiration of the avant-garde German “kraut rock” scene. But I’m giving too much away. You’ll have watch the movie to get the inside story.
How do you watch this movie? You download it from Overdrive. Did you know Overdrive had video content? Yeah, they do; e.g., entire first season of Masters of Horror! (Thank me later.) For now you can only watch on Windoze but libraries (and patrons) are always putting vendors in a headlock for more ways access content. How about a browser-based player that worked in any operating system: Windows, Mac, Linux, Amiga, you name it? Let’s push for that!
The library also has the Stage double album discussed in the movie. On that record the musicality of the electronic instrumentals is more apparent. You will find some interesting interpretations of Bowie’s well known hits too. And who’s that on guitar? Why it is N-ville’s own Adrian Belew.
If you wanted to learn more the kraut rock that played such a big role in the making the “Berlin Trilogy” you can check out this BBC 4 documentary:
And the library owns these albums (to name a few):
Yeti by Amon Duul II
Grosses Wasser by Cluster
Tour de France Soundtracks by Kraftwerk
Phaedra by Tangerine Dream
Keep it cold.
~ Bryan
Themocracy
I always preferred Station to Station just preceding the trilogy over Lodger (Although I Believe Fripp contributed some great guitar work on it…or was that on the great Scary Monsters?). Low is a moody masterpiece and the instrumentals really hold up well. Iggy and David certainly had it going on in the late ’70′s, that’s for sure! They captured a unique sound – post-industrial Berlin, dread, night clubbing, paranoia, freedom, heroes, the wall/communism – they covered it all quite well!
I can only imagine the learned critics roundtable discussions of these fine recordings. Thanks for pointing out the availability of Overdrive video; maybe I’ll try it sometime.
Love the TDF soundtrack too; although slightly earlier Kraftwerk is best, imo.
Agreed, Bowie’s Berlin years remain unmatched in musical creativity. If anyone ever wondered why Bowie hung around as long as he did, check these out.
Station to Station is too spotty for me. Some of it is brilliant. Bowie doesn’t really remember making it so there you go. Lodger is an amazing album but it is one of his that is perhaps too high concept to have a lot of broad appeal. People can chill and listen to Low the same way they can with Kraftwerk. Lodger has a lot layers, irony, etc. Evidence: http://youtu.be/OtXw1g8Uek0
Bryan,
I like all six tracks on Station to Station; it’s solid for me (Maybe TVC 15 is the weakest but still not too bad).
Word on a Wing, Stay and Wild is the Wind are great; Golden Years has single-style staying power and is always welcome and the title track is massive and interestingly complex.
Maybe I should give Lodger another chance but if it’s too high concept I probably still won’t fully appreciate it.
I can chill listening to Low, yes.
PK