"Blackstar" has finally grown on me good and proper. After his death I was preoccupied with revisiting other parts of his catalogue - especially 1969-1980 - and feeling how it was all irreversibly encased in memories of chapters of my own life. For me it didn't really seem the right moment to try to digest new material. But repeated listens to "Blackstar" have now had their way with me. It is a musically substantial and lyrically intriguing work for him to bow out with.
The post that was quoted here has been removedHere is a radio documentary (podcast) that is thoughtful and well-informed and a cut above many of the hastily cobbled together slightly tabloid and well-trodden talking-points tributes that marked his passing.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03fcwcz
This is pretty special ~ released in 2013 and using only elements of the recording of the song that was released in 1977:
"By stripping away much of the original instrumentation to just leave Roy Young's plaintive piano, Mary Hopkin's backing vocal and the lead vocal, the song takes on a new reflective resonance.
Very good. Highly recommended.
Strung Out In Heaven: A Bowie String Quartet Tribute
Blackstar
http://amandapalmer.net/strungoutinheaven/
THE MUSICIANS:
Amanda Palmer – Vocals
Jherek Bischoff – Double Bass/Arrangements/Conducting
Serena McKinney – Violin 1
Alyssa Park – Violin 2
Ben Ullery – Viola
Jacob Braun – Cello
Anna Calvi – Vocals/Guitar (Blackstar)
Jono Manson – Amanda’s Engineer (The Kitchen Sink)
Alex Thomas – Anna Calvi’s Engineer (Bruce Grove Studio)
Chris Fogel – Jherek/Strings Engineer (Hyperion Sound / ELBO Studios)
Bryan Carrigan – Jherek/Strings Asst. Engineer (Hyperion Sound / ELBO Studios)
John Cameron Mitchell – Vocals (Heroes and Helden)
Other tracks here:
http://amandapalmer.bandcamp.com/album/strung-out-in-heaven-a-bowie-string-quartet-tribute