This new mix of Bowie's legendary "farewell" concert in 1973 is in every way an improvement on the Rykodisc release. I originally owned the album on a two-record vinyl LP set, and for the first time, it sounds like a concert rather than a live recording. The balance between the ambient noise of the crowd and the performance is much more realistic, the bass and piano have more punch, the guitar is jackhammer solid, and Bowie's vocals sound better than ever.

In contrast to previous audio releases on vinyl and CD, this contains the soundtrack as presented in the film. The original 2-disc vinyl release, and subsequent CD reissues, not only have a mix that's markedly different from what you hear in the movie, but some of the performances are different. For example:

In the older issues, on "Wild Eyed Boy from Freecloud" Bowie hits a spectacular high note on the last word ("free") and holds it for several seconds as the band segues into "All the Young Dudes". It's a spine tingling moment, one of the high points of the recording... but it's not here --- and it's not in the movie. Bowie sings an ordinary low note at the transition.

I saw the movie in a theater and again on VHS and laserdisc, and recently watched the new DVD release. I'd forgotten how strong these differences were! Some of them can be attributed to the difference in the mix, but others must have been taken from a previous performance.

This new mix is a dramatic improvement in every way; but I'm going to hang on to my old Ryko CD; I miss that high note. It
really makes a difference!

For many years Bowie fans have had to accept the shoddy sound quality of previous releases of this album. Now, a full remaster with vibrant sound has been made available.

The show has been expanded somewhat in that it now consists of two discs, and "Width Of A Circle" has been restored to it's original 15 minute length. Intros and farewell speech are included, making this the best official release yet.

The packaging is also quite nice. The CDs are housed in a black box each in their own cardboard sleeves. Included in the set is a mini poster with highlights of newspaper headings and pictures from that fateful night, a reproduction of a concert ticket from the show, and finally a introspective booklet.

Finally... a David Bowie LIVE album worth the addition to any Bowie fan's collection!

A most memorable and noteworthy concert finally gets the treatment that it deserves.

When the 30th anniversary edition of this cd was released I had the old version on my stereo in the car. The difference in the mix is starteling. Most noticeably right off the bat is the extended intro tape leading into the opening riff of Hang On To Yourself.

I have owned a bootleg recording of this gig for many years which, while representing an incomplete set still had two things over the legitametely released version. The first thing was Mick Ronson's guitar. It, along with the other instruments was buried so far down in the original mix as to be almost criminal.

Now, with this new version all the instruments are right up front where the deserve to be. Anyone listening to this new disc who's hairs do not stand up on the back of their necks when Ronson hits the first chords of Hang On To Yourself should be ashamed of themselves.

The one sad point about this set and the sole thing that stops me from giving this a five star treatment is the lack of the Jeff Beck tunes.

For those who do not know the full history of Ziggy's retirement gig, Jeff Beck joined the Spiders for rousing versions of Jean Genie / Love Me Do and Around and Around. Rumour has it that Beck never gave his permission for the inclusion of his guest spot because he was disappointed in his performance.

If this is truley the case and this was the sole reason that these two songs were not included in this remastered edition then shame on Mr. Beck.

While I have never heard his spot on Around and Around the boot that I mentioned above does include his Jean Genie / Love Me Do spot and all I can say is that he had absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.

Regardless, this is an amazing upgrade of the previously available set and should be picked up without hesitation. Even if you already own the previous version.

Go ahead... I'll wait.

If you are putting off buying this because you have heard previous versions (on vinyl or CD), wait no longer. This release features incredible sound in comparison to earlier versions. Thanks to Tony Visconti for cleaning things up so nicely.

This disc is worth having for The wild-Eyed Boy From Freecloud/All the Young Dudes Medley alone.

A must for any Bowie fan! Only the continued absence of The Jean Genie featuring Jeff Beck keeps this from being a perfect Five.

Great CD

Possibly one of the best Live recordings ever.

Both discs are fantastic.

Worth the money