David Bowie – Toy

I am absolutely in heaven!

I just picked up a still-sealed copy at a local store for $45 CAD on clearance!

This has been on my wantlist, being a Bowie collector and all, but at the time I couldn’t justify the price.

Getting it home, I was a bit worried that maybe a record or two would be scratched, based on a ton of issues I’ve had with Warner and Rhino lately (including the last Bowie boxset!) but luckily all albums are pretty much perfect, save for a couple of hairlines caused by a sleeve scuff (probably in travel)

So far, all records are flat, silent and not defective.

Sound is warm, crisp and open even with 3-4 songs crammed on each side.

Yes it’s a weird way to listen to the album, but for the sake of a “conversation piece” about his older material (of which I adore!) this will make any Bowie fanatic and/or collector very happy.

Despite the minimal presentation in the box (a recording summary or essay should have been included at least!) it is well built, sturdy and well designed and packaged.

If you can find for less than $100, grab it while you can before prices shoot through the roof.

The pressing quality on this is uneven at best. Disc 2 had to be cleaned several times, because of sticky residue in the grooves, plus multiple scratches that indicate poor quality control at either the pressing or packaging stage.

I love this. These reworkings are top drawer. But I suppose when you look at the band Inc Garson, Plati, Dorsey & Slick - we shouldn't be surprised. The box build and presentation is a high standard too.

Fantastic album showing his great late 90’s band in rip roaring form:
Disc one highlights London Boys, Conversation Piece, Shadow Man and the E-Street Band-ish You’ve Got a Habit of Leaving Me are worth it alone.
Disc two has some fascinating variations via Tony Visconti mixes, disc three has stripped back acoustic versions.
Overall, a wonderful, lively set of songs from a band and singer at their peak!

It appears as somehow absurd to me, that hardly anybody seem to know that nearly all of the titles on this album (only 3 of them were never heard before) were re-interpretations of songs that David Bowie wrote and recorded during the mid sixties, being 19 or 20 years old. The original songs are nicely collected on a 2-LP entitled "Images 1966-67" (on Deram Records, 1973) and include the following 21 recordings:

* All twelve tracks from the stereo edition of the US 1967 Deram album "David Bowie"
* The two tracks from the stereo UK 1967 Deram album that were omitted from the US release
* The three outtakes from this period, as first released in 1970 on the stereo edition of The World of David Bowie (two titles are therefore 'electronically reprocessed to simulate stereo")
* The unique titles released on 45s during 1966/67.

I am not the first one here giving careful advice to listen to the original songs... instead to these far inferior re-recordings of old material. Not releasing "Toy" was a very wise decision way back in 2000. Releasing "Toy" in 2022 means money making, and the packaging of that various editions I would name "rip off". I am listening to David Bowie's music since 1977, but as an artist he never recovered from his extremely weak and disappointing 80's period, - risen to great heights again with (Blackstar) as his swansong - and IMHO "Toy" is just another proof of that. Additionally, the recent release shows the worst cover artwork ever given to a David Bowie album.

As a Bowie fan since the 70's, of course I also knew the songs from the 60's. Even back then, I found the original versions of many of the songs "naive" in a certain way, but beautifully playful and Bowie's distinctive voice was formative even then. No one could have predicted that he would later go through so many changes. Toy, in particular this box set, I've listened to several times now. No wonder that the record company rejected the album even then, because "covering" one's own songs (which has become fashionable in recent times) is not a bad idea per se, because these songs led a kind of shameful existence for decades, which only hardcore Bowie fans knew. However, Bowie was unable to credibly interpret the playfulness and naivety of the songs with the "resurrection" of his song selection for Toy. He was just too mellow for that and had way too many other side projects going on. The fact that after his unfortunately much too early death (we all miss him painfully) the scavengers are never far away can be seen from the numerous new and re-releases (see also the completely overpriced "Hunky Dory" picture disc), and always fitting to the anniversary of his death / birthday. That's not necessarily reprehensible either, but it has a stale aftertaste, especially since the Toy Box Vinyl is completely overpriced. In addition to creating a legend for an unnecessary album, because the originals are simply far more authentic, they make big money and many of his countless fans in this circus. And because of that, they willingly give the music bosses the power to cannibalize every little scrap that may have come into with Bowie. By the way, the box set is now available from jpc.de for €130.00. I can only recommend everyone to listen to the old originals, which appeared a few years ago, known as the debut album "David Bowie", as mono and stereo deluxe on CD and vinyl, by the way in excellent sound quality.

Great box set with great album art and great songs.
What's not to like?

This is a fantastic album and VERY vintage sounding Bowie for 2001 when this was supposed to be released. I have no idea why Virgin rejected this as the music is incredible and some of Bowie’s best late career work. If the reason was only because of the cover art that would be so foolish. Yeah, it’s a bit off putting and I would have chosen the booklet cover photo of him instead but that’s Bowie’s design and that’s what HE wanted so who is anyone to tell him otherwise? The 10” vinyl plays immaculately with zero surface noise whatsoever and the mastering is dynamic. I’m not really a huge fan of the 10” format and I do wonder if this set could have just been a 4LP 12” set instead of 6LP 10” set. The 4 extra tracks would have fit great with the original album on 2LPs and the unplugged tracks also on 2LPs. The remix tracks are not that different from the album versions. I have the CD and the double 12” three sided set from the “Brilliant Adventure” box so for convenience I might play those other versions to hear this album more often as it really that good! Better late than never to have “new” Bowie to listen to.

***update! Just noticed that my #3 disc is actually cracked and broken vinyl that goes well into track 2 on both sides. I HAVE A BROKEN TOY! Replacement ordered. Check your discs!

Superb pressing and sound quality. Very clever and creative boxing of this work of art - would have made Bowie proud. Fantastic music allround. A must for Bowie fans.

It’s a beautifully made set, and I actually like the cover as it’s a testament to Bowie’s great sense of humour. The content doesn’t warrant six 10” records indeed, but I guess that just makes this release as much of an oddball as the album itself is. Great stuff and the records sound great, too – didn’t experience any problems.