David Bowie created an incredible body of work. With so many great songs to choose from, where would one even start on a tribute album? Fernando Perdomo and Fasby Barnes pick "Ashes To Ashes," a song from Bowie's 1980 record Scary Monsters. It's a cool, fun, kind of quirky number, and one that speaks to us pretty strongly today. The message received, "I'm happy, hope you're happy too," is one that I can respond to, when listening to this music, with a "Sure thing." Even if everything has gone to hell, as it most certainly has. Just listen to these lyrics, which deal with addiction and whatnot. Anyway, Fasby Barnes and Fernando Perdomo deliver a strong rendition here. That's followed by "Golden Years," from Bowie's Station To Station album. It's a good song, though certainly not the most interesting track from that album. Fernando Perdomo and Fasby Barnes deliver a cool rendition, seeming to slow it down just a bit, which gives it a more thoughtful vibe. When Fasby sings, "Run for the shadows, run for the shadows, run for the shadows," I feel like maybe it's a good idea.
Fasby and Fernando then get into more interesting fare with "Life On Mars?" (here listed as "Life On Mars"). This is one of the tracks to feature Robbie Gennet on piano. Here's an interesting (and completey crazy) side note: like Fernando Perdomo, Robbie Gennet released an album of new material every month last year. What the hell? There are days when I feel productive if I've managed to get to the grocery store. Anyway, "Life On Mars?" is from the wonderful Hunky Dory album, and is the first of two songs from that record to be included here. The piano work is a big part of the song, and Robbie Gennet does a great job. This track also features some beautiful guitar work, as well as a great vocal performance. "It's the freakiest show." Ah yes, and we're all in the middle of it now, aren't we? We all need some means of escape. That's followed by the fantastic "Moonage Daydream," the first of three songs from The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars. So, yeah, there is life on Mars, after all. This has always been one of my favorite David Bowie songs, and Fasby and Fernando give us an excellent, energetic rendition. "Don't fake it, baby, lay the real thing down on me." That instrumental section in the middle is a total delight. By the way, another cover of this song you should check out is the one by Ann Magnuson.
"Oh You Pretty Things" is the second song from Hunky Dory to be included here, and also the second track to feature Robbie Gennet on piano. The piano starts this one, and plays a prominent part throughout the track. "All the nightmares came today/And it looks as though they're here to stay/What are we coming to/No room for me, no fun for you." Yet the song is is own sort of fun, isn't it? Particularly during the chorus. "Homo sapiens have outgrown their use." Looking around today, it's kind of difficult to argue with that sentiment. That's followed by a very cool, haunting rendition of "Space Oddity." That first section is kind of frightening, and the takeoff is powerful. These guys really dig into this one. "Now it's time to leave the capsule if you dare." Oh man, in this version, I'm not sure I would dare. This is wild. And Fernando Perdomo gets to spin his magic on guitar during that instrumental section in the middle. Fasby repeats "There's nothing I can do" near the end, a wonderful touch, and just before the music fades out, he repeats, "Planet Earth is blue." This is one of the album's best tracks, and I wish they let this one go for another three or four minutes. It feels like there is more happening there as it fades out.
They then treat us to the second of three songs from Ziggy Stardust, "Starman," which was used, sort of, as the title of this release. This one has a different feel from the start, using elements of disco. I like how these guys are getting a little looser with the material at this point, putting their own touches to it, their own spin to it. This is a fun rendition. But don't worry, it doesn't go too far afield. I'm especially digging that bass work. Then both Robbie Gennet and violinist Kaitlin Wolfberg join Fasby Barnes and Fernando Perdomo on "Young Americans." Obviously, the presence of violin instead of saxophone gives the song quite a different feel. I'm always happy to hear Kaitlin's work, and she does an excellent job here. This is a delightful rendition, with a bit of a barn dance vibe. There is something in its rhythm that makes you want to take a partner out onto the dance floor, you know? Well, you'll know when you hear it, and you should definitely hear it. Kaitlin gets another chance to shine in the middle. I love these musicians' approach to this song.
The third song chosen from the Ziggy Stardust album is "Ziggy Stardust." How could you not choose that one? Fernando Perdomo puts his own touch on that great opening. The energy to this rendition has this song sounding fresh and exciting, tearing a large hole in our reality and letting in all the delicious monsters. Fasby Barnes and Fernando Perdomo wrap up this tribute with a cool rendition of "Heroes." It's a positive number to keep our spirits up in these uncertain and ugly times. And it features a passionate, powerful vocal performance. "I, I will be king/And you, you will be queen/Though nothing will drive them away/We can beat them, if just for one day."
CD Track List
- Ashes To Ashes
- Golden Years
- Life On Mars
- Moonage Daydream
- Oh You Pretty Things
- Space Oddity
- Starman
- Young Americans
- Ziggy Stardust
- Heroes
Starmen: A Tribute To David Bowie was released on February 5, 2026.
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