David Bowie, Let’s Dance (1983)
I reckon this record gets a rough deal – it’s not that shit. It’s actually great. It’s got a bunch of great singles, great production (for/of the time). It’s a sharp pop record. The albums that followed are shit – but anyone that cuts David Bowie off at Scary Monsters or earlier is doing themselves a disservice. You might not always want to hear Let’s Dance, but have a heart – and – get real. There’s a lot to like here. I first heard this – when it was released. On vinyl. Well, not quite when it was released. You see my aunty had a shopping addiction. She would buy tapes and records and clothes. And she’d hide them from her husband, particularly the clothes. She’d buy a new top or dress – and the thrill was in the purchase. So she’d buy it, take it home, look at it and then put it back in the bag, tape it up and chuck it under the bed. He’d never look there. And after a week or two – or three – she’d lift out the bag and slowly, surely integrate the new costume-item into her wardrobe. That’s probably a sad story, but I was six years old – and fascinated by this. She stashed handbags and so many clothes there. A book. Some presents for my uncle. All sorts. But mostly clothes for herself. One day she was lifting out some of the bags with recent purchases in and she showed my mum (her sister) what she had. In one bag there was a dress and the new album – at the time – by David Bowie, Let’s Dance. We put it on. And the songs blew my mind. I’ve been hooked on the album ever since.

Sample Track: Cat People (Putting Out Fire)

The Vinyl Countdown is a document of every LP I listen to, brand new discoveries and old-old favourites; extremely pre-loved, previously abandoned or with the shrink-wrap having just been removed it’s all here at The Vinyl Countdown