The album opens with “Subterraneans,” the odd,
atmospheric mostly instrumental track that concludes Low. Here it has a similar feel, which can be dark and haunting at
times, but then also has a human feel because of the saxophones. This version
is a few minutes longer than Bowie’s original. Interestingly, it’s followed by “Weeping
Wall,” the instrumental tune that actually precedes it on Low. This is a strange, sometimes eerie number. Dylan Howe begins
his rendition on drums, playing for half a minute or so before the other
musicians come in. I really like this track, particularly because of Ross
Stanley’s work on keys, which actually gives it something of an uplifting vibe
at times, and brings it more firmly into the jazz realm. As with “Subterraneans,”
this version of “Weeping Wall” is a few minutes longer than David Bowie’s
original.
“All Saints” was recorded for Low, but wasn’t included on the original record. It was later
included as a bonus track on the CD. It has a heavy, intense, electronic,
industrial vibe. The version on this CD
begins with some really nice work on bass by Mark Hodgson, giving the piece a
more introspective and exploratory feel at the start. But when it kicks in, it
gains that heavier atmosphere and an electronic pulse. Then it surprisingly
goes in a more traditional jazz direction, with even a bit of a swing to it,
and there is some excellent stuff on saxophone. It goes back and forth between
these two musical worlds, finding lots of interesting places to play, and
includes a wonderful lead spot on bass. At eleven minutes, this version is
quite a bit longer than the original. It is followed by “Some Are,” the other
track that was recorded for, but not included on, the original pressing of Low. This one does have some lyrics,
though an instrumental version was included on Bowie’s compilation All Saints. The version on this CD, of
course, is instrumental. I love Ross Stanley’s work on piano.
“Neuköln”
is a moody instrumental track from Bowie’s “Heroes”
that was written by David Bowie and Brian Eno. Dylan Howe gives us two
interpretations of this composition, “Neuköln – Night” and “Neuköln
– Day.” Interestingly, while the saxophone plays such a key part in Bowie’s
original, there is no saxophone on either of Howe’s tracks. It’s even more
interesting when you consider that every other track on this CD, with one
exception, has saxophone. Instead, it is Ross Stanley on piano that adds
wonderful touches. These two tracks are the only ones to feature Nick Pini on
bass.
Dylan Howe’s rendition of “Art Decade” has a kind of
loose feel from the start. This is an instrumental track from the second side
of Low. It is followed by the tune
that precedes it on the Bowie album, “Warszawa.” Bowie’s version does have
vocals, which come in more than halfway through the song. Howe and company
really delve into the world of this composition, stretching it out to just over
eleven minutes, taking it in some different directions. This is the only track
on the CD to feature Adrian Utley on guitar. Ross Stanley delivers some
wonderful stuff on keys in the second half of the song.
Dylan Howe concludes the CD with “Moss Garden,” a track
from “Heroes” that was written by
David Bowie and Brian Eno. On the original version, David Bowie plays koto, a
Japanese string instrument. And on the version here it is Steve Howe on koto.
Steve Howe is, of course, known for his work as the guitarist in Yes and Asia,
and he is also Dylan Howe’s father. Other than Steve Howe, the only musicians on this track are Dylan Howe on drums and synths, and Ross Stanley on piano. There is a more calm, almost pretty feel to this one.
CD Track List
- Subterraneans
- Weeping Wall
- All Saints
- Some Are
- Neuköln – Night
- Art Decade
- Warszawa
- Neuköln – Day
- Moss Garden
Subterranean: New
Designs On Bowie’s Berlin was released on January 20, 2015.
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