Despite Bowie and his studio associates drowning in a quagmire of cocaine, the beauty and vibrancy of “Station to Station” is breathtaking. Anyone who knows Bowie’ knows he was desperate to escape Los Angeles (the source of his addiction) and in many ways the album is a narrative for his impending departure to Berlin and his artistic rebirth [resulting in the classic Berlin Trilogy of Low, Heroes, and Lodger]. Had he had remained in the US he might have simply become another rock n roll casualty. Side two’s “Wild Is the Wind” must simply be one of the most beautiful and understated love songs of all time. —Pete
