David Bowie: "The World of David Bowie" Album (1970)

David Bowie's The World of David Bowie was released on March 6, 1970, in the UK by Decca Records as part of their The World of... series, following Bowie's success with the "Space Oddity" single. It mainly features material he recorded in 1967 for Decca's subsidiary Deram, including all but four tracks from his debut album David Bowie, along with three previously unreleased songs — "Karma Man", "Let Me Sleep Beside You", and "In the Heat of the Morning" — and the 1966 B-side "The London Boys". The tracklist was approved by Bowie himself, while David Bebbington provided the sleeve photo. The album was reissued in April 1973 with a Ziggy Stardust-era sleeve photo.

WORLD OF DAVID BOWIE (Decca, PA-mono, SPA-stereo 58; 19s 1ld).

Pleasantly sung 14-tracker, by this avant garde guitarist-singer, who writes all his own songs. He has big orchestral backing. His diction is good and he makes you hear every word, though sometimes he puts on a bit of a BBC accent, as in Rubber Band. His range is from folk to folk-rock, as in Let Me Sleep Beside You. Interesting tracks vary from Come And Buy My Toys to Karma Man to She's Got Medals. AE

Other titles: Uncle Arthur, Love You Till Tuesday, There Is A Happy Land, Little Bombardier, Sell Me A Coat, Silly Boy Blue, London Boys, In Heat Of Morning. When I Live My Dream.

Album review, NME 21 Mar 1970