David Bowie - Platinum Collection CD

One of the most iconic recording artists of the 20th century, David Bowie possesses an enviable reputation and illustrious career, over the course of which he has sold well over 100 million albums. More than this astounding commercial success, his unrelenting urge to experiment spearheaded and subsequently popularized entirely new sub-genres which in turn challenged popular conceptions of what rock was, and indeed could be. This pioneering spirit has ensured his continued status as a huge influence on the direction popular music with a list of protégées that includes superstars like Kurt Cobain, Morrissey and Lady Gaga.

"The Platinum Collection" covers his period of greatest creative activity, spanning the years 1969 to 1987 split over 3 CD's and 57 tracks. Contained within are the hits that anybody should be familiar with including the iconic "Space Oddity", wonderfully weird "Ziggy Stardust" and exquisitely obtuse "Suffragette City". Furthermore the album features lesser known gems like his tongue-in-cheek covers of The Rolling Stones "Let's Spend the Night Together" and Bruce Springsteen's "It's Hard to Be a Saint In the City". Bowie's versatility means that plenty of the material in this collection that should immediately appeal to the curious listener, whilst also appealing to the dedicated fan, as a reasonably concise overview of his golden years that doesn't sacrifice any of the classics. (Adam Bibby)