Stage | ||||
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Live album by David Bowie | ||||
Released | 8 September 1978 | |||
Recorded | Spring 1978 | |||
Venue |
Various
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Genre | Art rock | |||
Length | 71:57 (original vinyl release) / 85:30 (2005 CD edition reissue) | |||
Label | RCA Records | |||
Producer |
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David Bowie chronology | ||||
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Singles from Stage | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
Blender | |
Robert Christgau | B+ |
MusicHound | 3/5 |
NME | 8/10 (reissue) |
Pitchfork Media | 7.9/10 (reissue) |
Rolling Stone | (not rated) |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide |
Stage is David Bowie's second live album, recorded on the Isolar II world tour, and released by RCA Records in 1978. First UK pressings were on translucent yellow vinyl and some European pressings were also available on blue vinyl. Though it was rumoured at the time that this would be his final outing with the label, following dissatisfaction over the promotion of Low and "Heroes", Bowie would in fact remain with RCA until 1982.
The recording was culled from concerts in Philadelphia, Providence and Boston, US, in late April and early May 1978. It primarily included material from Bowie's most recent studio albums to that date, Station to Station, Low and "Heroes" but, in a surprise show of nostalgia, also featured five songs from The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Aside from Bowie's core team of Carlos Alomar, Dennis Davis and George Murray, band members included ex-Frank Zappa sideman Adrian Belew on guitar, Simon House from Hawkwind on electric violin, Roger Powell, best known for his work with Todd Rundgren in the group Utopia, on keyboards and Sean Mayes on piano, string ensemble and backup vocals. All would reunite the following year on Bowie's next studio LP, Lodger.