CD REVIEW: WOODY WOODMANSEY’S HOLY HOLY – The Man Who Sold The World: Live in London

Shane | 12 November 2015 | Reply

CD REVIEW: HOLY HOLY featuring Woody Woodmansey & Tony Visconti – The Man Who Sold The World: Live in London
Maniac Squat Records
1 June, 2015
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar
8/10

David Bowie’s ascent to global superstardom was always tinged with sadness at the guys he left behind. As was the case for a number of bands, The Spiders From Mars – Mick Ronson, Woody Woodmansey and Trevor Bolder – was a collaborative effort which saw their frontman move on to a lavish solo career.

Drummer Woodmansey dabbled here & there over the years following the Spiders’ disbandment, but it’s in revisiting and honouring the material he made with Bowie, Bolder and Ronson that he sounds most exciting and alive..

Recorded in September 2014 at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London, and featuring legendary Bowie collaborator Tony Visconti on bass and singer Glenn Gregory, TMWSTW Live In London celebrate the 45th anniversary of that iconic album.

Woodmansey and Visconti’s rhythm section are the stars of the show, and wisely they didn’t opt for a Bowie impersonator out front. Gregory sings these iconic and much-loved tracks well, without trying to stamp his personality over everything. He knows that sometimes less is more and his performance is flawless throughout.

Marc Almond guests on After All and Watch That Man, and Gary Kemp lends his guitar and backing vocals to the second disc of this double set.

Woodmansey & Co end the set with a selection of classics from the Ziggy Stardust years – Lady Stardust, Starman, Five Years and Moonage Daydream are all delivered with the iconic aplomb they deserve, and an encore of Lou Reed’s White Light/White Heat, followed by a raunchy Jean Genie which segues by way of harmonica into Love Me Do ends the set on a playful note.

This is a wonderfully played and produced album, honouring a classic album – and a performance that would be an absolute dream to hear live one day.

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