Songcrafters.org

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Life on Mars was the first David Bowie track I ever heard. I was six years old and on one of the infamous "Top of the Pops" albums that I had back then, there was a cover of the song. For those who don't know about these albums, they had no connection with the TV show of the same name, but the idea was that the record company (the long since defunct Hallmark) would hire a load of session musicians to record a bunch of covers of recent chart hits. The albums would then sell for about half the cost of the K-Tel compilation albums (containing the original recordings) that were the 70s equivalent of today's "Now That's What I Call Music" compilation series.

Here is the sleeve of that album which turned me on to the music of David Bowie:

(http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y347/JRobsonGuitar/totpvol32_zpsmaqdvtjv.jpg)

I listened to this album over & over on my mono Dansette record player in my bedroom, and the stand out track for me, even at that age was Life on Mars. It was just so dramatic sounding, it took my breath away. This tune has been a firm favourite of mine ever since – I've played in two different bands that covered it (at my insistence) and both times it always provided a great closer for the first half of the set.

I've dipped in and out of Bowie's music over the years. Some of it floats my boat, some doesn't. But the one thing you could always rely on was that he'd confound your expectations. Every new album brought a new dimension, and even the stuff that didn't grab you immediately would win you over in the end – Let's Dance being a prime example of this, in my case.

Anyway... here's my little tip of the hat to one of the most important figures in music & the arts from the past forty years. I recorded this by grabbing a free midi file from the web & tweaking it until I had a backer. I then played the lead parts using my Harley Benton Les Paul into the Vox Tonelab.

R.I.P. David & thanks for the music. You may be gone, but your music will stand forever.

John.

Update... just remixed the track as I was in a bit of a rush when I did it yesterday & I think it shows a little. Thanks for the generous comments, one & all :)

A wonderful tribute to an incomparable musician and trend setter whose contributions to music will last forever. As ever your playing is impeccable, an inspiration to all guitarists everywhere.    Willie

You certainly captured the dramatic flavour of the song - some very tasteful guitar work.
Great post.

Good one John  .... I'd say I feel the same about Bowies music Not everything floated my boat but I did love those Ziggy years .... A fine tribute ...

Thank you, John.

I was a big fan of The Man Who Sold The World album in the  early/mid seventies. Every Bowie album was something different, the cause of long and emotional consideration with friends (or at least those friends who were interested in Bowie).

This is a great tribute.

::Leigh

Excellent musicianship mate.
Brilliant stuff ,well done.

Oh, how I remember this era.  :)
Bowie, T.Rex, Slade, Sweet, Gary Glitter (well before we knew the truth) and lots of others. Some songs lived forever, some for the moment & some were quite terrible.
Then there was the inimitable ToTP albums. I was one of the youngsters taken in by the scantily (for the the time) clad young lady & the affordable price. I soon found out that all wasn't what I thought it was, but I still played it to death anyway. The rumour amongst my friends was that some of the tracks were the real artists. They weren't, but if you listened to the LP (remember LP's) wearing rose tinted spectacles, you could nearly convince yourself that the rumours were true.
They definitely were the gullible years!  ::)

As regards your tribute ... Nicely played JR ... And thanks for the memories. 8)

Brilliant Tribute John....
As always excellent guitar playing...
Really well done.....

Alex

Brilliant cover,  Johnny R. You're a talented guitar playing dude.

I can see why as a young lad you were turned on by the TOTP album. To the music, I mean.

As always Johnny, you're one of the best.

This sounds just awesome !!!

Fabulously done Johnny !

Super cover - really enjoyed this.
B

Super cover Johnny. Loads of feel in there and a great ballsy tone.

I am sure there is a couple of those Top of the Pops albums somewhere in my parents house. I was always grabbed by the covers i have to say! But a great 70's feel to them, brought a smile to my face.

Anyhow, a very moving cover and a nice tribute.

Mike

Oliver.....Back4more......


Alex

Thanks chaps. I've managed to unearth the version of the song from the ToTP album I mentioned. The singer has a pretty good voice, but oh dear... the guitar player - so many howlers  :o  :o  :o

Still, it brings back some happy memories to hear this version again.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9khHfpfICXg

Nice find John, I see what you mean about the guitar player, I remember these Lps, there was some good stuff on them and some not so good (crap)...
Thanks for the memories.....Alex

I enjoyed that Top of the Poppers version, the orchestration with the strings is nice and I like how they did the end bit with the phone.  The guitarist does sound a little under rehearsed.  They must have put a lot of work into making those LP's, although I'm not sure why they did.

This is stunning, Johnny!!! Fantastic cover of the classic!

I'm speechless at 2:00 :)

So many memories with the original; I think this is one of the first songs I recorded from the radio onto cassette :)

A great version of one of my favourite songs.  The triplety run at about 2 mins is brill.  If I get the time, I might have a go at this one too, although you have set the bar high!  Perhaps I'll do Starman....

Like you, I liked some of Bowie's incarnations more than others, but quite a few of his songs are way up there on my "desert island disc" list.  And Life on Mars is near the top.

Really enjoyed your version.

Paul

 

great version Johnny, much better than the hallmark version ha! ha ha! i had tons of those top of the pops albums as a kid.

Yes sir, brilliant playing my brother. I've listened many times and can't belive I haven't commented yet. That also seems like the album collection to have.
Rock on!

This is fantastic. Great playing and production.

On another note, I detect some subliminal advertising with those Tops of the Pops albums. I want them now.

Blooby

I don't know what to say here. It's not a song I know that well. I was never really a fan of this extraordinary artist. An excellent tribute.

The guitar shines.

Nick