First night nerves on sapphire and cracked emerald.

Psychedelic Bob considers David Bowie Part 1 - 1966 to 1974

In an occasional series from the reclusive and often misunderstood disciple of music known, to those in the know, as Psychedelic Bob comes Part 1 of an off centre look at the late great David Bowie.

In the beginning… 1. The London Boys - 1966 Cockney teenage mod, trombone, lost soul searching for connection. Pills, thrills and good times but not for long. Realisation that being a face ain't all its cracked up to be. Bowie stretching for the high notes. Quadrophenia script ten years ahead of its time. 2. Unwashed And Somewhat Slightly Dazed - 1969 The Cockney Teenage Mod turns hippie as Tony Visconti comes on board. Heavy 12-string guitars and reverb on everything. Psychedelic Bowie with a groovy riff and a long chat up line I wouldn't recommend. Great understated harmonica riff building to a full on solo towards the end. Blissful.

You can’t stake your lives on a Saviour Machine. 3. The Width Of A Circle - 1970 Bowie is joined by the two Mick's, Ronson and Woodansey for the first time with Tony Visconti in the booth. The Mick's bring a heavier and more assured, blues tinged sound. Riff laden guitar and tight thumping drums slipping into jazz for bits if this one. Bowie meets himself (a monster) under a tree (not the last time we'll hear the echo of schizophrenia) and embarks on a magical journey encountering God and various others. Fabulous start to, in my humble opinion, one of his best albums. I know, we could discuss that for days and we will but for now lets head to the Black Country. 4. Black Country Rock - 1970 More heavy, riff laden rock here- almost heavy metal before heavy metal. Standard 4 line verses about searching for something which may be right in front. 5. Running Gun Blues - 1970 12-string opening with Bowie reaching for the high notes which shifts to a storming blues romp. He's pretty angry with all the promoting of oblivion, slashing and cracking heads, it's a bloodbath. All about the Vietnam aware its seems. In my opinion there aren't any fillers oaths album and its pretty astonishing that over 50 years later it still stands up.

In the night walk pavilion… 6. Kooks - 1971 Ah what needs saying - beautiful. A letter to a child asking them to hang about with a couple of Kooks but not to get into trouble as your dads not much of a fighter - totally with that. 7. Song For Bob Dylan - 1971 Bowies song for Dylan in a Dylan stylee. Complicated to work out what, if any message is in there. There are lots of theories so just take your pick. I do love these lyrics though: "Give us back our unity, Give us back our family, You're every nation's refugee, Don't leave us with their sanity" 8. The Bewlay Brothers - 1971 A lament to his stepbrother who had been commited for mental health problems (Schizophrenia). Its wonderfully delicate for most of the 5 minutes 29 seconds with big bold chorus' and Bowies voice is high in the mix (mostly) which is just a joy.

Avoiding the corner where a now a despairing Ziggy and his old gang, the Spiders, were standing round a barrel fire, plotting an unwise reunion tour, I took a left and headed down town to see Shakey. 9. Watch That Man - 1973 First things first - try to get a copy of the original vinyl as the remixed and streaming versions I've heard are terrible. Anyway, More great guitars, its a real romp with some real Philly sound backing vocals. Not sure what is a bout and think Bowie's "cut & paste" lyrical approach is on show I think. 10. Panic In Detroit - 1973 The criminal underworld made to sound cool. It's not kids - just say No! Full on blues - keeps going ate pace thats to the relentless drums. 11. Cracked Actor - 1973 Grunge Bowie style, channelling a bit of T Rex. A song to sing out load. Is it about Rock Hudson or just the seedy side of Hollywoood - you decide. I don't care, I just love the sleaziness of it.

Dr. Jones was on the decks spinning British hits from the sixties… 12. I Wish You Would - 1973 Bowie covers The Yardbirds - funky riffs and beats. 2 minutes 48 seconds of straight up blues. Whats not to like? 13. Sorrow - 1973 Straight up cover of The Merseybeats (AKA The Merseys) song. Lovely song, nice little swing to it - Bowie's vocals are pretty spot on here and the sax solo just slides in.

As night became day it was time to review our position, take stock and decide, once and for all - is it rock n roll or genocide… 14. Future Legend - 1974 15. Diamond Dogs - 1974 My advice is to never play these two tracks separately, it just shouldn't be done. Future Legend is a spoken word track, a poem about a post nuclear war world. it start with a deep howl and lots of atmospherics and fades in to a crowd cheering with Bowie declaring "This ain't Rock 'n Roll, This is Genocide" and into an infectious groove. It's got a swagger all of its own. When the end of the world comes put this album on. 16. Rock 'N' Roll With Me - 1974 A ballad and is it a nod to where Bowie was going next with Young Americans? Reportedly a love letter to his fans, maybe an odd one for Diamond Dogs, but fits for me.

That's yer lot for now - tune in next time for Part 2 Keep On Keepin’ On Psychedelic Bob

HeadTech Support have created a playlist to accompany the listen notes Sapphire & Cracked Emerald Playlist