David Bowie Live Santa Monica ’72 was originally broadcast on Los Angeles FM radio station KMET before becoming a widely circulated bootleg. The radio introduction give an air of formality before “Hang Onto Yourself” explodes out of the gates. Mick Ronson’s guitar is a highlight of the 17 track disc including the iconic riff from “Ziggy Stardust”. Trevor Bolder’s bass also standouts on several tracks including on the slower “Five Years”
One of the loudest cheers from the audience comes for “Space Oddity”. Ronson adds excellent harmonies on a track where Bowie makes the noises for a spaceship taking off. One of two cover songs, the band wring the grime out of the Velvet Underground’s “Waiting For The Man” with Ronson’s chiming guitar. The show then starts to close on a raucous note with the glam stomp of “Jean Genie” and a snarling “Suffragette City”. Bowie fans and critics love the sound from this radio broadcast and more casual fans will find a solid run through of early greatest hits with more than a few highlights.
7.5/10
The Light Appears 