Personnel: David Bowie (vocals); Stevie Ray Vaughan, Nile Rodgers (guitar); Robert Aaron, Stan Harrison (flute, tenor saxophone); Steve Elson (flute, baritone saxophone); Mac Gollehon (trumpet); Rob Sabino (keyboards); Carmine Rojas, Bernard Edwards (bass); Omar Hakim, Tony Thompson (drums); Sammy Figueroa (percussion); Frank Simms, George Simms, David Spinner (background vocals).

Recorded at Mountain Studios, Switzerland.

Though he continued to evolve throughout his career, Bowie's post-SCARY MONSTERS output was markedly less stellar than his acclaimed '70s work. LET'S DANCE, however, is arguably his most memorable '80s recording. It didn't hurt that he reached out to some talented friends, like Stevie Ray Vaughan (who makes his recorded debut here as lead guitarist) and co-writers Iggy Pop (“China Girl”) and Peter Godwin (of “Images of Heaven” fame, who helps out on “Criminal World.”) Ultimately, though, it's Bowie's unique vision that makes LET'S DANCE a success. His funky, synth-driven avant-pop romps are shot through with a romance and poignancy that sets them apart from much of his later work. “Modern Love,” for example, manages to be irresistibly catchy and ostensibly upbeat while depicting alienation and unfulfilled desires.

What the critics say…

Rolling Stone – Ranked #83 in Rolling Stone's “100 Greatest Albums Of The 80s” Survey.
Q (1/96, p.146) – 3 Stars – Good – “…a splendid comeback, all romance, funk, [and] Stevie Ray Vaughn…”
CMJ (1/5/04, p.12) – Ranked #4 in CMJ's “Top 20 Most-Played Albums of 1983”.