"There's a theory that the world spun off its axis with the passing of David Bowie, 10 days into January 2016. It was also two days after his final, death-infused album Blackstar appeared from nowhere. As an artistic statement it was prophetic and impeccably theatrical. A feature-length documentary now shines a black light on that album's recording, which some call Bowie's creative resurrection."
"It begins at the zenith of Bowie's pop fame: the 1983 Serious Moonlight tour, where the Thin White Duke turned American soul hero. This MTV-approved, Pepsi advert-inducing stardom was the onset of a career-stalling ennui, Bowie's artistic voice drying out under the bright lights he sought. It then ricochets back to the start of his musical journey, pinballing us through its highlights."
"The latter remembers without rancour the way Bowie would form intense friendships with interesting people such as him, soaking up all he needed, before dropping them and moving on. It's an important reminder that creative geniuses tend to leave plenty of personal debris in their wake. Moby also makes an appearance, with a neck tattoo that reads Vegan for Life. That's not relevant, but it is distracting. The film's unusual theme is the minor notes of a stellar career. The poorly received albums, crises of confidence."
The documentary opens at the 1983 Serious Moonlight tour where Bowie achieved mainstream American stardom, then traces a career lull as his artistic voice faltered under commercial pressures. It returns to earlier milestones and features contributions from band members, Tony Visconti, Goldie, Hanif Kureishi and Moby. Kureishi recalls Bowie forming intense friendships, absorbing what he needed and then moving on, illustrating how creative genius can leave personal debris. The film focuses on minor notes of a stellar career — poorly received albums and crises of confidence — and includes a scene of Jon Wilde reading his scathing review of Tin Machine II.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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