I’m no fan of David Bowie, never was. A whole lot of people were/are. They like music the author dislikes, so apparently he feels free to look down his nose at them. He has the right to do that; I have the right to suggest that there might be a bit of snobbery going on.
Are you one of Umm Kulthum’s 4 million fans? If not, you might want to take a look at the author’s nostrils. He’s showing them to you.
I don't "get" Egyptian music, but I know that's one of my many, MANY profound areas of cultural poverty.
“Major Tom”. That was about it. Never bought a single Bowie recording.