It feels like David Bowie's body was still warm when it was announced that some of his former musicians would pay tribute to him by touring the world and playing his songs. While it's easy to be cynical, this outfit has the legitimacy of Mike Garson, who has been with Bowie since 1973. Let's face it: nothing and no one can replace Bowie but those songs deserve to be played.
What sealed the deal for me was the presence of Adrian Belew. This is a man who played with Bowie, Zappa, Talking Heads, King Crimson, Nine Inch Nails as well as his own solo career and his power pop group The Bears.
But the other participants are just as accomplished: Angelo Moore from Fishbone, and some alumni from Bowie's various bands over the years: Gerry Leonard on guitar and Carmine Rojas on bass...
Everyone played and sang very well, but it was all too polished. Only when Angelo Moore was singing did the concert ever take off. Professionalism only goes so far: at some point you want things to get nuts.
Disappointingly, Belew's stage time was very minimal and he never really got a chance to shine on the guitar. Meanwhile, the singer from Fiction Plane (who happens to be Sting's son) got to sing several songs. And a guy called Scrote, who is the undisputed champion for worst stage name in rock, who was apparently the musical director/producer for the whole affair...
Look, it was an enjoyable gig. It's great to hear those songs and see these people on a stage. But it was all just a little too studious and reverent. Maybe it was the audience's fault, seated cosily in this prestigious venue formerly reserved for classical music. Bowie's music deserved a little more excitement.
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