The Man Who Changed the World!!!
I received this in the mail a couple of weeks ago after prepaying months ago. I just got a chance to open and listen to it and I am so happy with this package. I don't care if it cost $[...], I would have paid it. Of course, I'm a huge Bowie fan, and particularly a fan of his Spiders days. The show itself is killer. The lack of crowd noise on this recording makes it seem more intimate. The sound quality is awesome. This show is so full of energy, and this is just a recording! Imagine what it must have been like to have actually been in the audience. If only I wasn't 2 years old in 1972. :-) Mick Ronson is one of my all time guitar heroes. He rips during this performance. He is a rock guitar god, and he is at soaring heights during this period. He may not be the most technical player, but the look, the sound, and the musical energy and creativity.... Bowie was never better than he was with Ronson. Never. That's my opinion of course. :-) Any serious Bowie fan will buy this. I've been rocking out to it all afternoon. This show makes me feel like a kid again.

A Captivating Performance
This was an amazing time in rock-n-roll, especially with the marketing of acts attempting to scale the ladder in what became U.S. arena rock super-stardom.

Carried live over the radio, this is not only Bowie demonstrating the vast potential of performance art through his Ziggy Stardust character, but is the height of Glam Rock as it rode the new wave from Europe.

While available in a variety of bootleg forms over the years, this authorized release gives the recording a feel of being an event through the inclusion of a number of collectible items, a marketing technique that was much more common in the 1970s.

An absolute must for a Bowie fan, it is also an outstanding acquisition for collectors of the Glam Rock sound or for those who want to hear classic rock before it became Classic Rock.

pricey memorabilia
I think this little box set is a tad pricey for what it actually is.
Makes me wish Ronson's dry cleaning bills really were in it!
Sounds good though.

Greatness and a sign of great thinks to come
As a huge fan of David Live and Stage, I was eager to get a copy of this and bought the vinyl on the day of release. I have a copy of the semi-legit bootleg, but the sound quality of this official release is much better, much cleaner.
The David Live and Stage shows were much bigger productions than the 5 man band Bowie assembled for this '72 Tour. This is the Ziggy band plus a pianist. And Bowie, who was at the height of his powers in the early to late 70's, had a lot more great material to work with for Live and Stage. But what Live Santa Monica lacks in polish, it more than makes up for with sheer energy. LSM, reminds me of why I go to see live shows and what a rush a band that totally cooks can be. Everybody was playing great, but Mick Ronson is really on fire, in spite of a couple of missed notes.
Song selection is universally great, but Width of a Circle, Queen Bitch, Life on Mars? are particular favorites. A must have for Bowie or live rock music fans.

A Legendary Show for Sure!
Let me start off by saying that I agree with all the reviews so far. This release is geared to the hardcore Bowie fan. I commend EMI on the deluxe treatment; incredible sound quality and packaging. I know the price tag is quite hefty, but it is worth every cent! Especially for those of us who were around to experience this tour back in 1972. This is a real time piece bringing back great memories and it really shows what a great band the Spiders from Mars really were. For those who weren't around, but read about it and heard all the stories, one listen to this and you'll know what the fuss was all about.
A young David Bowie and his band just tearing it up with increrdible energy. To put it all in perspective, remember that the Ziggy Stardust album was just released. Upon listening to this show you also realize how incredible a guitar player Mick Ronson really was. Mick and David had a special chemistry and it really shows on this recording! This release is a true labor of love and no Bowie fan should be without it. Get it while you can!