What do you think?
Rate this book
Bowie: Album for Album
Introducing the essential companion to a music icon, Bowie: Album by Album features a discography of studio albums, live albums, notable compilations and soundtracks of David Bowie’s legendary achievements.
When the news of David Bowie’s death broke, just two days after the release of his final album, Blackstar, the music world was rocked by the loss of this visionary icon. Bowie: Album by Album is the ultimate celebration of his entire career. Longtime fans and new followers alike can explore in detail every album and every track—from his eponymous 1967 debut album, through his monumental rise in the seventies, including The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, Station to Station, Low, and Heroes, and culminating in the critically acclaimed Blackstar. Longtime fans and new followers alike can explore in detail every album and every track—from his eponymous 1967 debut album, through his monumental rise in the seventies, including The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, Station to Station, Low, and Heroes, and culminating in the critically acclaimed Blackstar.
Featuring a galaxy of rare and iconic images from the world’s leading photographers, fans will love iconic images from album covers and performances from across the decades. These are combined with more intimate, behind-the-scenes images that reveal the musician at work. Written by acclaimed music critic Paolo Hewitt, the text assesses the writing and recording of each release, and reflects on their impact and influence on the art of popular music. Featuring a discography of studio albums, live albums, notable compilations and soundtracks, this is the essential companion to David Bowie’s legendary achievements.
When the news of David Bowie’s death broke, just two days after the release of his final album, Blackstar, the music world was rocked by the loss of this visionary icon. Bowie: Album by Album is the ultimate celebration of his entire career. Longtime fans and new followers alike can explore in detail every album and every track—from his eponymous 1967 debut album, through his monumental rise in the seventies, including The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, Station to Station, Low, and Heroes, and culminating in the critically acclaimed Blackstar. Longtime fans and new followers alike can explore in detail every album and every track—from his eponymous 1967 debut album, through his monumental rise in the seventies, including The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, Station to Station, Low, and Heroes, and culminating in the critically acclaimed Blackstar.
Featuring a galaxy of rare and iconic images from the world’s leading photographers, fans will love iconic images from album covers and performances from across the decades. These are combined with more intimate, behind-the-scenes images that reveal the musician at work. Written by acclaimed music critic Paolo Hewitt, the text assesses the writing and recording of each release, and reflects on their impact and influence on the art of popular music. Featuring a discography of studio albums, live albums, notable compilations and soundtracks, this is the essential companion to David Bowie’s legendary achievements.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2012
21 people are currently reading
486 people want to read
About the author
Paolo Hewitt
42 books31 followersPaolo Hewitt was born on July 11, 1958 in Redhill, Surrey, England.
Paolo Hewitt is a former NME journalist and author of over 20 books, including, with Mark Baxter, The Fashion of Football (Mainstream), Oasis... There and Then (1996), Outside Bet (2012) and Casuals: The Story of the Legendary Terrace Fashion (2011)
Paolo Hewitt is a former NME journalist and author of over 20 books, including, with Mark Baxter, The Fashion of Football (Mainstream), Oasis... There and Then (1996), Outside Bet (2012) and Casuals: The Story of the Legendary Terrace Fashion (2011)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
November 3, 2016
I first became aware of Bowie when I was at school, in the early 70’s. Was it his music or his look I noticed first? Actually, I think it was that my mates started to talk about him and so I was forced to take a look too. The album that had caught their attention was, of course, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. I managed to borrow a copy and was instantly drawn into the story. The songs were good, but it was the whole narrative that went with the album that got me. And the way Bowie and the band dressed. They were just … different.
It was a short step from there to discovering that there were earlier recordings to track down and finding Hunky Dory was, perhaps, my greatest musical discovery to that point. Here was an album full of songs that really spoke to me. Listening to it now, I can see that the whole thing sounds like it was recorded in a few weeks (which it was) with vocals that are a little rough around the edges. But that was part of the attraction, I think. Here was a man who had something to say and I was eager to hear it.
This book follows Bowie’s musical journey from start to finish, both in words and pictures. It chronologically details the man’s achievements, pointing out key moments in each year and exploring the motivations behind his recordings. It shows that he was interested in all forms of art: from an initial love for music he progressed to mime and also found plenty of time for acting and painting in his hugely productive life. As the story develops it is possible to start to assess the mindset of someone who developed from an eager young performer, anxious to experiment and find something ‘new’, to a mature, thoughtful and more rounded man; a man who suddenly see’s that he’s running out of time and yet is still full of ideas and drive.
From a personal perspective, Bowie’s music was where my interest in him lay. After the early/mid seventies I lost track of him, though the occasional single would pop up that still grabbed me. Then, in 1983, he released the album Let’s Dance and my love affair with his music was rekindled. Ten years on and here, again, was something different, something fresh. The songs were catchy and told a story, the voice was smoother than it once was but still had an edge. And the look, well that was something to aspire too. Wow, he’d done it again!
I lost track of him again after this point, but was – like just about everyone I know – devastated by the news of his death in January. He’d always been there in the background, this man who seemed to be constantly ahead of the curve, ever changing and always threatening to delight and surprise anew. I think, perhaps, that when people who impacted you in your formative years pass on it hurts all the more.
This book tells the story of a man who lived life to the full, who made things happen. It tells of a man who left school with virtually no qualifications yet was able to develop into the articulate, intelligent and creative force we know him to have been. It’s a comprehensive account and it’s also a complete delight to look at. The photographs and the artful layout are superb. I read it in electronic format but I know it’s a book I’d love to own in its printed form. It’s something I’d leave lying around, for people to pick up and browse through. It’s a book I’d pick up and remember, wistfully, a man who made a significant impression on me.
My thanks to Insight Editions and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It was a short step from there to discovering that there were earlier recordings to track down and finding Hunky Dory was, perhaps, my greatest musical discovery to that point. Here was an album full of songs that really spoke to me. Listening to it now, I can see that the whole thing sounds like it was recorded in a few weeks (which it was) with vocals that are a little rough around the edges. But that was part of the attraction, I think. Here was a man who had something to say and I was eager to hear it.
This book follows Bowie’s musical journey from start to finish, both in words and pictures. It chronologically details the man’s achievements, pointing out key moments in each year and exploring the motivations behind his recordings. It shows that he was interested in all forms of art: from an initial love for music he progressed to mime and also found plenty of time for acting and painting in his hugely productive life. As the story develops it is possible to start to assess the mindset of someone who developed from an eager young performer, anxious to experiment and find something ‘new’, to a mature, thoughtful and more rounded man; a man who suddenly see’s that he’s running out of time and yet is still full of ideas and drive.
From a personal perspective, Bowie’s music was where my interest in him lay. After the early/mid seventies I lost track of him, though the occasional single would pop up that still grabbed me. Then, in 1983, he released the album Let’s Dance and my love affair with his music was rekindled. Ten years on and here, again, was something different, something fresh. The songs were catchy and told a story, the voice was smoother than it once was but still had an edge. And the look, well that was something to aspire too. Wow, he’d done it again!
I lost track of him again after this point, but was – like just about everyone I know – devastated by the news of his death in January. He’d always been there in the background, this man who seemed to be constantly ahead of the curve, ever changing and always threatening to delight and surprise anew. I think, perhaps, that when people who impacted you in your formative years pass on it hurts all the more.
This book tells the story of a man who lived life to the full, who made things happen. It tells of a man who left school with virtually no qualifications yet was able to develop into the articulate, intelligent and creative force we know him to have been. It’s a comprehensive account and it’s also a complete delight to look at. The photographs and the artful layout are superb. I read it in electronic format but I know it’s a book I’d love to own in its printed form. It’s something I’d leave lying around, for people to pick up and browse through. It’s a book I’d pick up and remember, wistfully, a man who made a significant impression on me.
My thanks to Insight Editions and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 14, 2020
This lay on our sitting room table from when I bought it until I started actually reading instead of dipping into it. I was immediately caught. A very good book about a remarkable man. Makes you need to listen to each of the albums it guides you through (yes, even Never Let Me Down!)
December 18, 2016
Bowie: Album by Album by Paolo Hewitt is the story of David Bowie as an artist as he first starts out as a young kid all the way up through manhood. It tells his life in songs, bands, movies, albums, friendships, and fads. It makes him the special person he was to so many of us. It goes beneath the make up to the person and lets us see the creative side, the struggle uphill to be a star, and the way he changed music forever. There are lots of photos included in this book. David Bowie was just a few years older than me and I have been a big fan all my life and had all his albums. I could relate to this book and love it because it took me behind the scenes. I would be the first one to be really critical of this if it wasn't done well but it was great! Nicely done! Will miss you Bowie!!! Thanks NetGalley for suggesting this book!
dnf
January 25, 2017Unfortunately I was unable to finish reading this. I got about 15% through it before I had to quit. The content is interesting but the copy I received had a lot of spelling errors, missing words, and formatting errors and that made it so I couldn't continue as I couldn't focus on the content. I also think this read would be exceptionally better as a physical book rather than an e-book.
January 23, 2017
This was a wonderful biography of Bowie. I like how the book is divided by albums. I contains wonderful pictures, some of which (from his younger years) I would have never known were him. The quotes that are added, plus how they are added to go with the topic covered and not necessarily in the timeline when it happened. Not the best Bowie bio every, but still one worth reading.
January 25, 2018
I am a huge fan of David so this is a very biased review.
With the exception of Blackstar, all of the albums are here with awesome photographs, quotes and album lists.
I ordered the paperback; my only complaint of the hardcover version is it's weight.
Bowie wasn't just art but artiface, music and musician, actor and student of life.
Bravo Mr. Hewitt!
Fantastic place to start if you are just finding Bowie or looking for a more detailed retrospective of his career by album.
Highly recommended!
With the exception of Blackstar, all of the albums are here with awesome photographs, quotes and album lists.
I ordered the paperback; my only complaint of the hardcover version is it's weight.
Bowie wasn't just art but artiface, music and musician, actor and student of life.
Bravo Mr. Hewitt!
Fantastic place to start if you are just finding Bowie or looking for a more detailed retrospective of his career by album.
Highly recommended!
October 28, 2023
Very nice coffee table style book of David Bowie's Albums. Lots of photos, some I've never seen before. Being a huge Bowie fan since The Man Who Sold the World came out in 1970, I was surprised to actually learn a few things I did not know before. It's really a beautiful high quality book. Only complaint for me is that it was the first time in ages that I needed to use reader glasses to be able to read the miniscule text.
October 1, 2017
'David Bowie: Album by Album' by Paolo Hewitt looks at the life of David Bowie through every album that he put out during his life.
The book starts with a great introduction written by English writer Robert Elms that focuses on the phenomenon that was David Bowie. Each chapter, starting with the album 'David Bowie,' has a quote from David Bowie about the album. There are photos from that era that are either from concerts or photo shoots. There is a timeline for the time period showing when singles, albums, movies or art shows occurred. Then there is a commentary on the album with some light personal information about relationships with friends, family, record companies, and bandmates among others. The album is briefly discussed song by song. The book ends with Bowie's last album Black Star.
Bowie was an artist who was constantly remaking his art and reshaping what perceptions about him were. He was not afraid to ditch the past and move toward the future, which many acts that are of the same era are reluctant to risk.
Those are things that are known without reading this book, but the discussion of albums and all those photos make this a memorable read about a truly interesting individual.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Insight Editions and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
The book starts with a great introduction written by English writer Robert Elms that focuses on the phenomenon that was David Bowie. Each chapter, starting with the album 'David Bowie,' has a quote from David Bowie about the album. There are photos from that era that are either from concerts or photo shoots. There is a timeline for the time period showing when singles, albums, movies or art shows occurred. Then there is a commentary on the album with some light personal information about relationships with friends, family, record companies, and bandmates among others. The album is briefly discussed song by song. The book ends with Bowie's last album Black Star.
Bowie was an artist who was constantly remaking his art and reshaping what perceptions about him were. He was not afraid to ditch the past and move toward the future, which many acts that are of the same era are reluctant to risk.
Those are things that are known without reading this book, but the discussion of albums and all those photos make this a memorable read about a truly interesting individual.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Insight Editions and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
February 7, 2017
This book comes after the death of the star, David Bowie. He was wildly influential to music, fashion and people over the course of his life throughout the many different personas he projected to the world. I fell in love with his music when I was a child watching the Labyrinth and then a teenager listening to Modern Love, Heroes, Absolute Beginners and every other song of his I could find. But while I was listening to this music and watching every movie he was in I never knew what created these songs and who he was as a person.
That's why this book is so wonderful. It goes through, in immense detail, the process of his albums and his many personas throughout his life. I was reading this book slowly, part-by-part, for about a month because it was such a large book and there was a lot of text. I love the intimate pictures that I had never seen before but the best part of this book is the look into his mind and process of his work. There is so much information about the way he built his albums, performed the songs and the things that were happening in his life that transferred into that work. It's a great book for any fan wanting to know more about the man behind the music. Thank-you to Insight Editions for the book for review.
That's why this book is so wonderful. It goes through, in immense detail, the process of his albums and his many personas throughout his life. I was reading this book slowly, part-by-part, for about a month because it was such a large book and there was a lot of text. I love the intimate pictures that I had never seen before but the best part of this book is the look into his mind and process of his work. There is so much information about the way he built his albums, performed the songs and the things that were happening in his life that transferred into that work. It's a great book for any fan wanting to know more about the man behind the music. Thank-you to Insight Editions for the book for review.
August 6, 2019
I'm playing each album while reading this book, which allows me to understand what was going on with Bowie in every album. I consider David Bowie as an artist who was ahead of his time and as a true innovator, possibly in the same level as The Beatles in terms of creativity. The book is essentially a coffee table book with very interesting pictures, but the content would be more than enough for a biographical book.
I'm really having a good time reading this book and, as an admirer, I appreciate books like this that show an honest version of David Bowie through his life as a multifaceted artist.
Now I understand a lot more of the intentions of Bowie with each of his albums and I can reaffirm that listening to his music is an exceptional experience that every music lover should have the opportunity of doing.
After reading this book, I conclude that admiring David Bowie is a privilege and I think that we all should give ourselves an opportunity to know about some of his pieces because they will surely provide something, at least great moment.
I'm really having a good time reading this book and, as an admirer, I appreciate books like this that show an honest version of David Bowie through his life as a multifaceted artist.
Now I understand a lot more of the intentions of Bowie with each of his albums and I can reaffirm that listening to his music is an exceptional experience that every music lover should have the opportunity of doing.
After reading this book, I conclude that admiring David Bowie is a privilege and I think that we all should give ourselves an opportunity to know about some of his pieces because they will surely provide something, at least great moment.
January 3, 2021
Important disclaimer: I have read an electronic version of the book so I cannot really comment on whether it’s visually as good as some reviewers say it is. But what I can comment on is the text — not insightful, dull and lacking coherent narrative. Obviously THE story always exists in any great man’s life, and there’s simply no story in this book. It’s pretty much a collection of facts, 80% of which can probably be found on wiki pages of respective albums.
September 8, 2017
Growing up with my mother who loved Bowie made me a fan too. This book was a great tale of Bowie's life and his achievements. Bowie was will remembered in the pages of this book. Each chapter covers Bowie's many different albums that shows his history of art, theater and musical talents.
I received this book for an honest review through NetGalley
I received this book for an honest review through NetGalley
May 24, 2023
Interesting presentation on Bowie and his albums. It doesn't cover the final two albums, as they waren't even announced at the time of publishing this. As such it makes sense, but it's a bit of a shame nevertheless.
There are also an excess of bland superlatives describing the songs and the artists, making the book tougher to read, at least to me.
There are also an excess of bland superlatives describing the songs and the artists, making the book tougher to read, at least to me.
November 2, 2016
Basically a coffee table book with lots of nice pictures and quotes. The text is all over place though and doesn't contain any new information. Updated now with a section on Blackstar
February 2, 2019
Amazing insight into everything but Bowies last 2 albums. Loved it. On to my next Bowie biography
January 18, 2021
Any Bowie fan should read this. Lots of fabulous pictures peppered throughout, and it really does take you through Bowie’s full history and puts his songs in context.
April 29, 2021
Enjoyable and simplistic
For me this is what an album to album, song by song book should be. Straight to the point and not too deep with irrelevant waffle.
For me this is what an album to album, song by song book should be. Straight to the point and not too deep with irrelevant waffle.
September 14, 2021
4.5 - Enjoyable, but brief...
November 11, 2021
disappointed there were no photos in kindle edition
August 13, 2023
A good overview, but a little too celebratory in places for my taste. Still, it'll get you listening to old albums and finding new things in them, and that's to the good.
March 10, 2017
This might just be the best way to write a musician’s biography ever. The author organizes the book based on the albums David Bowie released throughout his lifetime, but besides an in-depth discussion of Bowie’s music he also touches on Bowie’s personal life, his inspirations, the tours, and artistic development as a whole. This technique produces snapshot pictures of Bowie’s life paired beside the music that resulted throughout his lifetime, and gives readers a logical way to enter into the life and music of an extraordinary man. I was also quite impressed with how well designed the layout of the book was as a whole. Many similar books have a hard time balancing text and imagery and in finding the right tone to engage the reader, but Hewitt keeps his language casual (he veers into gushing fan mode a few times, but I feel like just proves his motivation to write an engaging biography) while showing that he has done his research and the combination of text and images is as close to flawless as I’ve ever seen. It’s too bad that the book was published before Bowie’s final album was released, but I hope that Hewitt decides to go back and add a chapter to round things out once and for all!
August 7, 2024
las imágenes y como está maquetado es una fantasía. demasiado extenso eso sí.
August 5, 2023
Muy buen broli de Bowie en el que se repasa toda la discografía de Bowie en orden cronológico, con info muy completa y detallada. Es también una biografía (incluso filmografía), pero siempre centrada en la música. Además tiene muy lindas fotos.
El libro ideal e imprescindible para todo fan de Bowie.
El libro ideal e imprescindible para todo fan de Bowie.
January 18, 2015
Cierto es que la mayoría de las fotografías son espectaculares, a excepción de aquella última que un paparazzi le robó a Bowie mientras esperaba un taxi en una calle de NY.
En cuanto a datos biográficos anda un tanto escaso y se omite todo lo malo que ha podido rodear a Bowie durante toda su trayectoria musical y, eso, lo deshumaniza en cierta forma. También se omiten datos sobre aquellos conciertos con Morrissey y la información que da sobre lo que versa tal o cual canción no deja de ser un punto subjetivo desde la perspectiva del autor.
He visto una línea que decía "'I Know Its Gonna Happen Someday' es Bowie cantando a Morrissey de la manera que Morrissey canta al estilo de Bowie". que me ha indignado bastante, como si le estuviese atribuyendo a Bowie la autoría de una canción que no es suya y, por si fuera poco, la primera versión del tema es la que realiza Morrissey, por lo tanto es prácticamente imposible que Morrissey la cantase al estilo de Bowie.
En conclusión diré que si eres uno de esos fans que aún piensan que David Bowie tiene un ojo de cada color, te encantará.
En cuanto a datos biográficos anda un tanto escaso y se omite todo lo malo que ha podido rodear a Bowie durante toda su trayectoria musical y, eso, lo deshumaniza en cierta forma. También se omiten datos sobre aquellos conciertos con Morrissey y la información que da sobre lo que versa tal o cual canción no deja de ser un punto subjetivo desde la perspectiva del autor.
He visto una línea que decía "'I Know Its Gonna Happen Someday' es Bowie cantando a Morrissey de la manera que Morrissey canta al estilo de Bowie". que me ha indignado bastante, como si le estuviese atribuyendo a Bowie la autoría de una canción que no es suya y, por si fuera poco, la primera versión del tema es la que realiza Morrissey, por lo tanto es prácticamente imposible que Morrissey la cantase al estilo de Bowie.
En conclusión diré que si eres uno de esos fans que aún piensan que David Bowie tiene un ojo de cada color, te encantará.
December 31, 2016
Thank you to Net Galley for the chance to read and review this book.
This book is exactly what you would expect from the title. An album by album restrospective of David Bowie's musical career. I enjoyed this because it has extensive facts and information about all the albums. It mentions some things going on in his personal life, such as the birth of his children, but it is not a gossip book or personal biography. Those aren't necessarily bad things to be interested in, but do belong in a different sort of book. There is also a lot of information about the other musicians and producers involved in making each album. Also included are many direct David Bowie quotes and plenty of beautiful photos. The book ends with a very in depth index of the albums with a wealth of information on each.
Perfect for a lifetime fan like me, but would also be great for someone curious to learn more about David Bowie works.
This book is exactly what you would expect from the title. An album by album restrospective of David Bowie's musical career. I enjoyed this because it has extensive facts and information about all the albums. It mentions some things going on in his personal life, such as the birth of his children, but it is not a gossip book or personal biography. Those aren't necessarily bad things to be interested in, but do belong in a different sort of book. There is also a lot of information about the other musicians and producers involved in making each album. Also included are many direct David Bowie quotes and plenty of beautiful photos. The book ends with a very in depth index of the albums with a wealth of information on each.
Perfect for a lifetime fan like me, but would also be great for someone curious to learn more about David Bowie works.
February 25, 2016
Paulo Hewitt’s Bowie: Album by Album is a beautiful coffee table sized book that provides a portraiture of Bowie’s entire career up until the the 2013 release of his latest album, The Next Day. I’ve been slowly reading, or rather, browsing through this book for the past year and a half, savoring the fantastic collection of photos from his concerts, recording sessions, and album shoot sessions. The text within the book is just enough for a coffee table book, providing a brief synopsis of the unique styles, experimentation, and personal backstory surrounding the production of each of Bowie’s 26 studio albums as well as the the 3 soundtrack albums he has put together throughout his extensive career. The collection is deeply satisfying to take off my shelf and simply browse while listening to any one of his fantastic albums. For a Bowie fan, this book simply is worth the purchase.
December 5, 2016
I love this book! : )
As the title already suggests, the book focuses on David Bowie’s career chronologically album by album. There is a lot of interesting background information to the songs and lyrics. Although I wished that the author would have talked about some of the lyrics even in more detail. First I thought, I would just adore the beautiful pictures and skim through the text, but it turned out to be so fascinating, that I ended up reading the whole book from the first to the last page.
As the title already suggests, the book focuses on David Bowie’s career chronologically album by album. There is a lot of interesting background information to the songs and lyrics. Although I wished that the author would have talked about some of the lyrics even in more detail. First I thought, I would just adore the beautiful pictures and skim through the text, but it turned out to be so fascinating, that I ended up reading the whole book from the first to the last page.
November 14, 2016
Fans of David Bowie will enjoy this book. It's filled with facts about each of his albums and info on Bowie himself. Not everyone thinks it;s as concise as it could be, but I wouldn't notice, as I am not a huge fan, but have enjoyed his works through the years. It seems well research to me. Loads of photos of Bowie at various stages of his career.
November 23, 2016
If you're a die hard Bowie fan, this book is probably right up your alley. If you're a fan of Bowie, but mostly in the abstract, this is also probably a good book for you to pick up and look at the pictures, and see the quotes.
But as a biography, or a discography, this book is terribly dry. Terribly dry.
But as a biography, or a discography, this book is terribly dry. Terribly dry.
November 4, 2016
I have loved David Bowie since
I heard my first song from him
"Under Pressure"
performed with Queen
This is an incredible look at not just the
albums spanning his decades long
groundbreaking
brilliant career
but at the man and his music
a wonderful retrospective
at a sadly lost talent
I heard my first song from him
"Under Pressure"
performed with Queen
This is an incredible look at not just the
albums spanning his decades long
groundbreaking
brilliant career
but at the man and his music
a wonderful retrospective
at a sadly lost talent
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews