The Diamond Dogs North American Tour 1974 by David Bowie is a must-listen for any fan of the legendary musician. This live album captures the energy and excitement of Bowie's performances during the tour, which showcased songs from his iconic Diamond Dogs album as well as hits from his earlier work.
The album features Bowie's signature theatricality and showmanship, with standout tracks such as "Rebel Rebel," "Changes," and "Space Oddity" that are sure to get listeners moving and singing along. The live renditions of these classics are both faithful to the original recordings and infused with the raw energy of a live performance.
Bowie's vocals are in top form throughout the album, and his band delivers tight and dynamic performances that showcase their immense talent. The album also includes some lesser-known tracks from Diamond Dogs, such as "Sweet Thing" and "Candidate," which are given new life in the live setting.
Artist:David Bowie Album: Diamond Dogs North American Tour 1974
Anthony Hinton (tracks: 6-1 to 9-18), Ava Cherry (tracks: 6-1 to 9-18), Diane Sumler (tracks: 6-1 to 9-18), Gui Andrisano, Luther Vandross (tracks: 6-1 to 9-18), Robin Clark (tracks: 6-1 to 9-18), Warren Peace
Baritone Saxophone
Richard Grando (tracks: 1-1 to 8-17)
Bass
Doug Rauch (tracks: 6-1 to 7-12), Herbie Flowers (tracks: 1-1 to 8-17), Willie Weeks (tracks: 8-1 to 9-18)
Drums
Dennis Davis (tracks: 8-1 to 9-18), Gre Errico (tracks: 6-1 to 7-12), Tony Newman (tracks: 1-1 to 8-17)
Guitar
Earl Slick
Oboe
Michael Kamen
Percussion
Pablo Rosario
Piano
Mike Garson
Mellotron
Mike Garson
Electric Piano
Mike Garson
Synthesizer
Mike Garson
Rhythm Guitar
Carlos Alomar (tracks: 6-1 to 9-18)
Vocals
David Bowie
Notes
This is a great collection of live recordings from Bowie's North American Diamond Dogs tour in the Summer an Fall of 1974. All are audience recordings and they range from good to excellent.
Limited Edition of 400 copies only.
Disc One: Dress rehearsal
Capitol Theater, Port Chester, NY, June 8, 1974
This recording is taken from one of two days spent preparing For the tour at the Capitol Theater.
Discs Two and Three:
O'Keefe Auditorium, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Evening show, June 16th, 1974.
This was the third show of the tour and the final Canadian date after Montreal and Ottawa. He played afternoon and evening shows - this was the evening show.
Discs Four and Five:
Curtis Hixon Convention Hall, Tampa, FL, July 2nd, 1974
The driver transporting the tour's gear was stung by a bee on the way to this show - the truck overturned and much of the gear was wrecked. "The concert you are going to see tonight is not the show we had planned for you," says a man address the restless-sounding crowd, the show almost two hours late.
Due to an unfortunate road accident, half of our stage scenery, costumes, lighting equipment, is in a local swamp 15 miles north off here. There was talk of cancelling tonight's performance, but David Bowie would not hear of it, and insisted we go on in handicapped condition.
BAND LINE-UP FOR THE FIRST FIVE DISCS:
David Bowie - vocals
Earl Slick - guitar
Michael Kamen - oboe
Mike Garson - piano, mellotron, electric piano, synthesizers
David Sanborn - alto saxophone, flute
Richard Grando - baritone saxophone, flute
Herbie Flowers - bass
Tony Newman - drums
Pablo Rosario - percussion
Gui Andrisano - backing vocals
Warren Peace - backing vocals
A week after this show the band rolled into Upper Darby, PA where they played six shows at the Tower Theater which were recorded and became the “David Live" album.
Soon after Bowie took the month of August 1974 off, during which time he began recording his follow-up studio album, Young Americans. After this, songs from that album would be incorporated into the band's setlists.
Discs Six and Seven:
Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, CA, September 5th, 1974
This was the fourth of seven concerts played at the legendary L.A. venue. Supposedly a pre-FM recording, the sound is especially good on this show. It was never broadcast though, so if this is an audience recording, it's a phenomenally good one.
BAND LINE-UP FOR THE L.A. SHOW:
Carlos Alomar - rhythm guitar
Mike Garson - piano, mel otron
Doug Rauch - bass
Gre Errico - drums
Pablo lgosario - percussion
Ava Cher - backing vocals
Robin Clark - backing vocals
Anthony Hinton - backing vocals
Diane Sumler - backing vocals
Luther Vandross - backing vocals
On October 10th, Bowie abandoned the extravagant theatrical set and re-branded the tour "The Soul Tour II" which would continue through the end of the North American leg in December.
Disc Eight:
Dane County Coliseum, Madison, WI, October 11th, 1974
Disc Nine:
Omni Arena, Atlanta, GA, December 1st, 1974
The very last night of the tour, this concert features the first and last ever live performance of the song "Win".
Diamond Dogs North American Tour 1974 is a fantastic addition to any Bowie fan's collection. It captures the essence of Bowie's live performances during one of his most creative and influential periods, and serves as a testament to his enduring legacy as a visionary artist.