David Bowie – Diamond Dogs (LP) (NM/NM)

David Bowie – Diamond Dogs
LP, Album (Reissue) | RCA | Cat. No. AYL1-3889 | Canada | 1980

Canadian RCA reissue of Bowie’s landmark 1974 concept album — pressed by Cinram; mastered at McClear Place, Toronto; printed by Ever Reddy. Diamond Dogs (1974) was Bowie’s post-Spiders transition record — originally conceived as a stage adaptation of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four before rights were denied, leaving the dystopian narrative framework intact across the album’s eleven tracks. Produced, arranged, and largely performed by David Bowie himself — who plays guitar, saxophone, Moog synthesizer, and Mellotron throughout, taking direct control of the production for the first time without the Spiders From Mars. Recorded at Olympic Studios, London, Island Studios, London, and Studio L Ludolf; mixed by Keith Harwood (engineer on Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti and Presence) and Tony Visconti — Bowie’s most significant long-term collaborator, who produced Space Oddity, The Man Who Sold The World, Young Americans, Heroes, Lodger, and Scary Monsters. Keyboards by Mike Garson — the jazz pianist who joined the Spiders From Mars for Aladdin Sane and whose improvised piano solo on that album’s title track is one of the most celebrated moments in Bowie’s catalogue. Bass by Herbie Flowers — the London session bassist who played the iconic walking bass line on Lou Reed’s Walk On The Wild Side. Drums by Aynsley Dunbar and Tony Newman. Cover painting by Guy Peellaert — the Belgian artist whose hyper-realistic rock mythology paintings defined a particular strand of 1970s rock imagery; his Rock Dreams book (1973) preceded this commission and was a significant cultural artifact of the era. Design by AGI. Rebel Rebel (A6) is not listed on the Side A label though it appears on the jacket and plays on the record — a well-documented pressing quirk of this edition. The album bridges the Ziggy Stardust era and Bowie’s later experimental and soul phases; essential glam/art-rock. Exceptionally clean copy — strong glossy vinyl surfaces throughout.

Condition

• Media: Near Mint (NM or M-) — excellent; strong glossy surfaces
• Sleeve: Near Mint (NM or M-) — stunning vintage cover presentation

Tracklist

Side A
A1. Future Legend (1:00)
A2. Diamond Dogs (5:50)
A3. Sweet Thing (3:29)
A4. Candidate (2:39)
A5. Sweet Thing (Reprise) (2:32)
A6. Rebel Rebel (4:21)

Side B
B1. Rock ‘N Roll With Me (3:54)
B2. We Are The Dead (4:48)
B3. 1984 (3:24)
B4. Big Brother (3:25)
B5. Chant Of The Ever Circling Skeletal Family (1:48)

Credits
Produced & Arranged By: David Bowie
Mixed By: Keith Harwood & Tony Visconti
Keyboards: Mike Garson | Bass: Herbie Flowers
Drums: Aynsley Dunbar & Tony Newman
Cover Painting: Guy Peellaert | Design: AGI

Details

• Format: LP, Album (Reissue)
• Label: RCA (AYL1-3889)
• Country: Canada (RCA Inc. / Cinram)
• Released: 1980 (original 1974)
• Weight: 230 g
• Recorded: Olympic Studios & Island Studios, London
• Mastered: McClear Place, Toronto
• Style: Glam Rock, Art Rock, Classic Rock

Photos shown are of the actual item.

As with all vintage records, minor signs of age and handling are to be expected and are reflected in the grading above.