If I were going name a singer/songwriter from the last forty-odd years who had truly helped to change the face of modern music then David Bowie would have to be one of my first choices. He has done so many songs in so many styles; he has set trends and broken down boundaries. Rather than trying to think of what genres he has worked in it would be far easier to try and list the ones that he has not. For all intents and purposes, Bowie is one of the most influential musicians to have ever been in the business.

And out of the huge amount of his studio albums, I would cite ‘Diamond Dogs’ as his very best of all. Just having the initial idea of creating a concept album around George Orwell’s ‘1984’ is ultra-cool; but when you consider just how damn good an album it is, then it really does demand your respect.

Bowie actually approached Orwell’s widow and asked her for the rights to the novel. She refused, but he was not going to be put off that easily. David Bowie may not have been able to name his album after the classic book by Orwell, but he could still base it around it.

‘Diamond Dogs’ really is an absolute belter of an album. Bowie managed to capture the bleak mood of the novel perfectly and balanced it with eleven exceptional songs and some wonderful growling guitar. The whole thing is steeped in the atmosphere of a dark Science Fiction tale and the lyrics are made to measure.

It has the rock of ‘Ziggy Stardust’, the emotional detachment of ‘Low’ and the quiet insanity of ‘Aladdin Sane’. Every song is brilliantly written and the sequence of tracks is perfection uninterrupted. When David Bowie recorded ‘Diamond Dogs’ in 1974, he transcended everything he had previously done; it is pure genius.

Before I run, the val d isere ski bookings for our New Years trip have been sorted out. Next monday is the cut off for the overall cost, please get it to me when you have it.