"Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars: The Motion Picture Soundtrack" is a recording of the final live performance by David Bowie's 'Ziggy Stardust' era band. Bowie had fully embraced the glam sound and his live performances carried an unnervingly high level of energy, and with a group more than capable of matching his intensity featuring guitarist Mick Ronson, this performance captured is enormously powerful.

Before I note anything else, it's important to mention that the sonic improvement of this reissue over all the other ones is staggering-- this has always been a great show that was not great to listen to, but through some arcane wizardry, it's been restored to really pristine sound-- it could have been recorded last month instead of over 30 years ago.

The music itself is about intensity and energy-- from the opening strains of a fierce and explosive "Watch that Man" to the closing "Rock n Roll Suicide". Along the way, Bowie manages distorted hard rock energy ("Ziggy Stardust", taken up in volume from the studio recording), sensitive and moody ("My Death"), and excitable ("Suffragette City") and a blazing take on "The Width of a Circle" with a seemingly endless bout of pyrotechnics from Ronson. This is an artist and a band in full flight, and it is an invaluable recording.

I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in Bowie's glam era, even if you've the previous issue of this recording. The sonic improvements are worth the cost alone. Highly recommended.

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

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.

Unfortunately, Tony Visconti had very little to work with when remixing this album. In particular, the ever-impressive piano parts sound muffled, as if only a faraway microphone covered by a pillow was picking up the sound. The liner notes explain the sound problems to an extent, but it still seems like a crime that this historic concert was recorded so badly.

Despite the technical problems, this album has many highlights, including a veeeeeery long Width of a Circle and the most moving rendition I've heard of My Death.

If you don't mind some DIY rough edges, you will find plenty to enjoy in the manic playing of the Spiders From Mars, and, of course, Bowie retiring Ziggy onstage is of no small significance.

People focus on so much other stuff with Bowie, the phases, the arty aspects, the theatrics, fashion etc that it can be forgotten that he made great rock n roll and this live album really showcases it.

The way this live album allows his early work to flow together in the rawness of a band belting out hits make this a favorite.

He wasn't just famous for his oddity, this was a great, cohesive band.

I first heard this when it got a vinyl release after Let's Dance came out. This double live album is still great and why I'm still a fan.