ON BOWIE

Narrator Tristan Morris perfectly channels the languid cool of ROLLING STONE writer and David Bowie superfan Rob Sheffield. As author, Sheffield straddles tones of nerdy sincerity and rock hipness, and Morris's relaxed, warm, enthusiastic delivery is just right for this love letter. Sheffield muses on Bowie's lasting impact on pop culture, music, style, and teenage fans feeling like misfits. He analyzes Bowie's career chronologically--from breakout to Ziggy Stardust to Berlin Bowie to thin, white duke to '80s mediocrity and back to genius late in his career. Sheffield is thankful for Bowie's final gift to the world, BLACKSTAR, released on his 69th birthday, two days before his death. Bowie's lyrics are liberally sprinkled throughout this production, and Morris adds a slight singsong quality so the listener can distinguish the author's words from the musician's. A.B. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2016]