Shucks, Its Bowie Review: 1971

1971's Pre-Ziggy Mercury Tease

David Bowie’s standalone single “Holy Holy” (Mercury) revie published in the UK on January 9, 1971.

The playful, cowboy-styled review compared Bowie to Jim Bowie and Syd Barrett, calling it a “strangely attractive sound.” A quirky early 1971 Bowie press moment.

Review Overview

Publication Details

Magazine: Scrapbook (UK).

Date: January 9, 1971.

Format: Single review.

Exact Text from the Review

DAVID BOWIE: "Holy Holy" (Mercury). Shucks, Bowie the meanest it's man with a knife in the West. Did yuh see him defending the Alamo on TV the other night? Sure brought a lump to my throat, especially when John Wayne talked about "Republic" and "a baby's cry." And when the Mexicians were being shot down, somehow I felt proud of them, even though I wus KILLING them, I felt proud of them! Holy cow this ain't Jim Bowie, it's that cowpoke from Becken-ham. Dave sounds a bit like Syd Barrett here on this strangely attractive sound.

Do you have this release in your archive? Shucks, it’s Bowie!

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