Pretty self-explanatory stuff, this, since Best of Bowie collects most of Bowie's hits and a few of his more fetishised songs onto two CDs, rendering previous compilations--notably 1990's ChangesBowie--redundant. Of course, it's fantastic. For this is Bowie's pop genius shrink-wrapped: music notable for both its pretension and its accessibility, brimming with unignorable power and bespangled absurdity. Racing through these 39 songs from "Space Oddity" to "Slow Burn" (from 2002's relative return-to-form Heathen), the surprise is how coherent they sound next to each other. For someone so often portrayed as an artistic shape-shifter, it's the consistency of Bowie's vision that's most apparent, how he stamps his identity on every trend he comes across.

Like the Rolling Stones' similarly enjoyable 40 Licks, things do get a bit sticky towards the end of Disc Two, though there's mercifully nothing from the two Tin Machine albums. Obsessives should note, too, that the tracklisting of Best of Bowie varies from country to country: the albums have been compiled according to the most popular songs in each territory. Wonder which lucky place got "The Laughing Gnome" included on their version? --John Mulvey

david bowie the legend my mam played me him when i was a kid loved him then and even more now so many classic here jean genie life on mars starman rebel rebel ashes to ashes lets dance etc david bowie the icon deffintely he was voted the most influiential artist of all timein guiness world records book!! he is cool but maybe thats a bit too much? my mam played me queen too who i love too freddie mercury surely one of the best rock singers and perfomer ever!! just like elvis presley he had the whole package but i think all three david bowie,freddie mercury,elvis presley are the whole package in my opinion!! buy this its fab

Hasn't anyone noticed that these are remixes? Perhaps you are too young to remember how he used to sound on vinyl and even early CD.

Am I going mad?

Don't let it end like this.

In my books, David Bowie is one of best pop musical icon to emerge from Britain. He burst into the music scene in the 1969 and continued to blossom as an artist throughout the 70's, 80's to present. The album reviewed (The Best of Bowie) combines all his hits in a two disc set. These include mega 69 classic such as Space Oddity to 70's Life on Mars, Ziggy Stardust to memorable 80's ballads such as Under pressure, China Girl and a no 1 Lets dance.

David Bowie music genre can be defined as a combination of punk, rock and pop. He is exceptionally gifted and great artist, with a wonderful voice, good charisma and a great image to back it up. In the music scene in 1970's, image became paramount such as hairstyle and style of clothes in which David Bowie distinctly had his own style and something you can strongly associate with the artist.

The Best of Bowie will certainly satisfy your musical taste if you are passionate about 70'a and 80's music. Britain boost some of the finest musical icons ever to embrace their names in the music scene and David Bowie joins this elite list, alongside Sir Elton John, George Michael, and Phil Collins who are few prime examples. This album is collection of Bowie's hits and a true reflection of his musical achievements.

I am ashamed to say that up until now I wasn't really a David Bowie fan. I was a bit young for the Ziggy Stardust era and apart from Lets Dance and Modern Love I wasn't aware of his past accomplishments. However I am a fan now.

This man is brilliant, I recognised the majority of the songs on this album, but what surprised me is that I never knew they were written and sung by David Bowie.

The diversity of his music is sublime. From bluesy Jean Genie to the sexy but sleazy John I'm only dancing, to the wonderful Life on Mars. This album has everything for everybody. I have played this album over and over again and still, I am not bored.

If you want Bowie's hits then this is for you, and it is a good introduction to the rest of David Bowie's music. The second disc is not as good as the first, but that is not the fault of the CD, it's just that Bowie's career didn't have as much success in later years as it did in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Make sure that you do not buy this album assuming it contains all of the best songs Bowie ever released, these are only the ones that were the most commercially successful. Bowie's albums are another topic altogether and you are advised to check out his albums since many of them are classics in their own right. Some of the most creative and experimental music that Bowie recorded is not to be found on this compilation but in the filler between the tracks found on this CD when they are on their original albums.

Overall, this CD is a good introduction to Bowie, but don't be afraid to dig deeper, there's a lot more gold down there.