Reader's Poll Strikes Again

Cheers to the Hot Press Readers! The most recent reader's poll in Ireland's Hot Press put Bowie at #3 in the 'Best Male' category behind David Gray and Beck, but ahead of Robbie Williams! Hot Press is Ireland's leading music/youth culture magazine.

Go to Hot Press Online

Also, in Hot Press Online's 'New Music' section, the first band listed is one called 'Larocca', and in the band description, they had this to say:

"[The band] is a supercharged blend of high-octane guitar and keyboard-driven melody topped off with the harmonic punch of Supergrass, the sexy swagger of Bowie and - where required! - more balls than Prince and AC/DC combined."

That sounds like quite the mixture! Check them out if you can.

from BNet teenage correspondant, A_Girl

Woops, Please Excuse Me!

A Lard insane makes his point.
(Hang on, didn't we use that caption yesterday?)

Wild Is The Wind, Something In The Air, When The Wind Blows? What on earth can link these splendid tunes? Well, you can always rely on the BBC's hopelessly failed 'Care In The Community' programme that masquerades as The Mark 'n' Lard Show to find a way. In a regular feature entitled 'Cheesley Chart Challenge', where a popular news item of the day is illustrated via song, David Bowie's magnificent performance of Wild Is The Wind was given a peak Radio One airing, here in the UK yesterday. And I like to think that I had some part in the playing of this Bowie classic.

Yesterday's story was of the hapless partner of a young lady that suffers from unreasonable attacks of flatulence! It is alleged that the poor chap regularly takes the blame for his partners uncontrollable outbursts in a chivalrous attempt to perpetuate the myth that 'women don't do that sort of thing'! To cut a long story, after the master computer had processed all of the contenders, my own e-mailed suggestion of 'Wild Is The Wind' reached a healthy #3 in the top ten, narrowly beating both 'Something In The Air' and 'When The Wind Blows'! The #2 slot was taken by The Cranberries 'Linger' and the top slot was filled by the current Oasis single, (which coincidentally also sits at the top of the national single's chart this week) 'Go Let It Out'.

The majesty that is The Mark 'n' Lard Show can be heard daily on Radio 1 between 2:00pm and 4:00pm. Try it out by clicking on the picture of the gorgeous Marc Riley and the scrumptious Mark Radcliffe, (Steve K's slightly hommy words, not mine) above.

Total Blam Blam - (European Correspondent)

This Day In Bowie History

You've got your mother in a whirl...

This day in Bowie history sees the release of three David Bowie singles. The most recent of these was the title track to the film 'Absolute Beginners' in 1986, to my mind one of Bowie's most emotionally charged ballads, with that heart-wrenching chorus....'If a love song, could fly over mountains....' Beautiful.

Absolute Beginners

This was preceded by the release on Feb 15th 1980 of the 'Alabama Song'/'Space Oddity' single. A wonderfully quirky cover of the old Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht song made famous by The Doors but taken that one step closer to strange by this version recorded by David's 1978 touring band. The flip side was a sparse piano, drums, guitar and vocal re-recording of 'Space Oddity'. Dismissed by the horribly hairy Radio 1 DJ DLT as a con at the time, this was a rather brave stripped down version of the song that I have to say I prefer to the original. DLT's denouncement of the song only proving further what a stylish version it must be!

'Alabama Song'/'Space Oddity'

The third of these classic releases 26 years ago was the sublime teen anthem 'Rebel Rebel'. Claiming to be a Valentine day release, (click on the top image for original press ad.) but actually released the following day, 'Rebel Rebel' was issued as two different singles. A mix of the album version was the standard release, but a completely different mix quietly escaped in very limited quantities in the US. Closer to the live '74 version, this was the general favourite among fans.

Hot tramp I love you so...

Total Blam Blam - (European Correspondent)

Valentine News: Cock N Roll

Well well well. This months Playgirl (March) features David B. in the "Cock n' Roll Hall Of Fame" ??? Haven't seen it yet, but I'm sure you'll tell us all about it!

David And Iman Bowie Confirm The Imminent Arrival Of Their First Child

Rock star David Bowie and his supermodel wife Iman have revealed that they are expecting their first child in August of this year. The couple, who were married in a glamorous ceremony in Florence, Italy on June 6th 1992, are absolutely thrilled at the news.

David spoke for both of them when he said "it's been a long and patient wait for our baby but both Iman and I wanted the circumstances to be absolutely right and didn't want to find ourselves working flat out during the first couple of years of the baby's life. This is a wonderful time in both of our lives".

Both David and Iman Bowie have busy careers, but will be taking time out to ensure that everything is ready for their new arrival. Although Mr. Bowie will perform this summer at a couple of shows, plans for touring for the next couple of years have been put on hold for the moment.

The happy couple were introduced through a mutual friend in Los Angeles and married after a very conventional courtship, both have children from previous marriages. David's son Duncan and Iman's daughter Zulekha are sharing in the excitement and are both equally excited to have a new addition to the family.

David and Iman are not worried whether the child is a boy or a girl, they are just hoping to have a happy healthy child! The couple, who have homes in New York and Bermuda, will be putting everything else on the backburner whilst they concentrate on this long awaited and happy moment!

Contest Update: Inside The Minds Of David And Liz

Today is your last chance to send in your thoughts or captions for the 'Inside The Minds of David and Liz' Contest! You can still get your entry in now, but at midnight tonight, no more...

The winner will be notified seperately, then posted here.

This Day In Bowie History

Aladdin Sane makes his point.

It was 27 years ago to the day that the second David Bowie tour of the US opened with the first of two nights at the New York Radio City Music Hall. Billed as the 'Bowie US Tour II' on posters advertising the shows, (click on the image below to see a trade journal ad.) this is the tour that showcased songs from Aladdin Sane that eventually reached the UK via Japan in what eventually became a 100-day world tour.

Although known among fans as the Aladdin Sane tour it was never officially called that. The UK leg of the '73 tour was the one that Bowie famously killed off the Ziggy phenomenon, apart from a final dusting off at the Marquee later in the year for the 1980 floor show.

This first show at Radio City on Valentines Day was a landmark show for David with glowing reviews that put the Bowie name firmly on the map in the US. David unveiled many new costumes for these shows and new band members to boot, including the familiar face of pianist Mike Garson. Other additions for this tour were old friend John Hutchinson from the Feathers days on rhythm guitar, Geoffrey MacCormack on backing vocals and Ken Fordham on saxophone.

The concert was famous for Bowie collapsing onstage during Rock 'n' Roll Suicide. Reasons for his collapse ranged from reports of exhaustion, naked fear at the sound of a gunshot, and problems with his make up, but who are we to set the record straight once and for all?

Total Blam Blam - (European Correspondent)

Bowie In Nme Best Solo Artist Shock!

The current issue of NME (Feb 12) has a complete listing of the annual NME 'BRATS' award winners. No big surprises generally, apart from the positioning at number eight in the 'Best Solo Artist' section of one David Bowie. The likelihood of a placing in an NME poll for David Bowie these days would seem to those who consider the publication perhaps not overly 'Bowie-friendly', something of a surprise. Until of course one realises that this particular poll is voted for by the readers. It would seem that the young dudes still know where it's at! Well done David.

PS - You may notice that the 'Best Solo Artist' category is bizarrely missing from the online version of the awards?!

Total Blam Blam - (European Correspondent)

Valentine News: Baby On The Way!!!!

What could possibly be a better Valentine's Day gift thanthis exciting announcement! Iman and David Bowie haveannounced that Iman is pregnant, and thusly, a Baby Bowieis on the way!!!!

Congratulations to Iman and David on this day of love.And to Baby Bowie... You're in for a treat. You'regoing to have some pretty cool parents!

Now, for a Spaceface Special!

Spaceface, the news-gathering ace hasbeen commissioned to put together alittle something about the new littlesomething coming to the Bowie household!

Dancin' With Niles

Billboard.com ran an intriguing interview with Niles Rodgers, the producer of 'Lets Dance'. Here is a clip of the story:

Q: Moving on to your other production projects, what would you say was the most striking or memorable element of making "Let's Dance" with David Bowie?

A: The absolute admiration I had for David as an artistic figure. Of all the people I've worked with, when I'm in the room with David, I feel like I'm in the room with the embodiment of musical art. That's heavy if you think about it. It's different than being with a great musical artist. When we were making "Let's Dance," I felt like I was in the room with the musical equivalent to Picasso.

Go to the interview @ Billboard.com

Omikron Rocks Pioneer Planet

Fresh out of St. Paul, Minnesota, Pioneer Planet spreads the word on Omikron's ins and outs. A very positive review, PP gave the game 4 and 1/2 stars.

Here's a clip from the article:

"And the rock star connection is a nice bonus. David Bowie scored the excellent music, and his electronic alter ego even performs in a bar scene that looks like a rock video."

Check out the article

The Irish Times Are Smilin'

The financial portion of the Irish Times includes an article on BowieBanc.com. A caption relating to an image of a BowieBanc card said this:

David Bowie: funny hair but sound head for business

'Funny' may not adequately define db's hair, but they sure were right about his business sensibilities!

Go to the whole article

Smoking Salon

Watching David Bowie pretend to smoke is a sensual experience.

While one can make a convincing arguement that watching David Bowie do anything is a sensual experience, Leslie Stern, author of "The Smoking Book", and this Salon.com article, is above and beyond the call of sensuality. Smokers and non-smokers alike will like this well-written article wrapped around Bowie's faux-smoke in a scene from "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence."

Go there

Rock's Glory Days

Rock 'n' roll will never die, some say... It might, it might not, but one thing is for sure, people like rock photographer Larry Hulst will keep its spirit alive for generations to come. Hulst's exhibition of his photographs has attracted some 11,000 visitors to the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum in Colorado Springs, CO. Among the shots on display include one of Bowie in action:

"British rocker David Bowie is one of the most elusive figures of rock 'n' roll royalty, Hulst says. He photographed the singer at a 1979 concert in Fresno, Calif."

This Day In Bowie History

Blue, blue electric blue...

It's hard to imagine just how very different 'Sound and Vision' sounded when compared to everything else on its release 23 years ago on the 11th of February 1977. The first single from the incredible 'Low', released the previous month on the 14th, 'Sound and Vision' was the obvious first choice from an album many considered far too inaccessible. Despite clocking in at just over three minutes the single was a hit even though the vocal didn't come in until half way through the track!

The B-side was just as astonishing. The instrumental 'A New Career In A New Town' could have been Bowie's theme tune, along with the A-side and 'Changes' of course. 'A New Career In A New Town' could have been re-christened 'Grooving With Mr Bo'...harmonicas, pianos and swirling synthesisers accompanied by a beat somewhere from deep in the future made this one of my favourite instrumentals of all time, if not the favourite.

The month most of us Bowie fans had to become accustomed to the sound of 'Low', did lessen the 'shock of the new' that was 'Sound and Vision' to some degree. Of course the gated drum is a sound everybody is now used to, but I will never forget how 'other' this record sounded way back then. The US and the UK didn't have a picture sleeve that the rest of the world was treated to, (surprise, surprise) which in most cases was just a re-crop of the 'Low' cover, the Belgian and Thailand versions being the obvious exceptions. Click on the US promo above for a look at the UK, Italian, Japanese and Spanish releases.

Drifting into my solitude........

Total Blam Blam - (European Correspondent)

Hits And Anti-hits

DB placed #9 on 'John Sakamoto's Alternate Top 10', aka, the "Anti-Hit" list from Canada's Canoe.ca, in the JAM! SHOWBIZ section of the site.

9

DAVID BOWIE 'Survive' (Marius de Vries Mix)

A masterful re-tooling of the highlight from the recent "...hours" album that subtly but forcefully improves upon the original. (From "Survive" single, CD1, Virgin U.K.)

Go to Canoe.ca for the full listing

The Hardest Working Rock Star In The World

"Where do you want that manhole cover laid guv?"

The Spring 2000 issue of the DEBENHAMS magazine has a two page feature on our man this season. Entitled 'Diamond Life' the piece takes the form of an interview on one page and the above picture that fills the other. The article, has a sub-deck that reads: 'David Bowie, master of reinvention and the hardest working rock star in the world, relishes his age and the future.'

David manages to rescue the interview from the rather dull line of questioning, and you can read what he has to say if you purchase something from Debenhams here in the UK. Thanks to Simon 'Girly-cock' Long for my copy, and yes Helen2 I'll see what I can do. David Bowie is available for patios, extensions and new drives after his tea-break!

Total Blam Blam - (European Correspondent)

Gabrels The Nomad Soul

In more Omikron-related news, there is an article in Denver Post Online's 'Computing' section about Reeves Gabrels and his collaboration with one David Bowie on the hit game and its soundtrack.

"For more than a decade [Reeves Gabrels] has collaborated with David Bowie on a half-dozen albums, produced two solo records featuring pals such as actor Gary Oldman and Foo Fighter Dave Grohl, and created scores for numerous films and documentaries. Now, with the release of "Omikron: The Nomad Soul," Gabrels has teamed with Bowie to create the music for an ambitious new computer game."

Go to the story at Denver Post Online

Check Out Omikron!

So we all know Omikron: The Nomad Soul is good. How good? How 'bout not one, but TWO "best game of all time" reviews!! Here are a couple of quotes from the 5-Star review:

"In short, Omikron: The Nomad Soul is not only the best adventure game released this year, but ranks up there with the best of all time."

"You'll find several secret concerts during your quest that present you with a virtual David Bowie, complete with dance moves and inspired camera work. You can also buy new Bowie tracks at various stores and play them in your virtual apartment. Omikron represents the first true blend of music and gaming, and each complements the other successfully."

Here's another snippet from CheckOut.com's All Media Guide 4 and 1/2 Star review of Omikron:

"Having David Bowie as a member of your creative development team, and as one of the major spearheads in your soundtrack most certainly does not hurt a game. Bowie's lulling, soothing, and yet hard-hitting musical style actually sent shivers throughout my body. Hearing title song New Angels of Promise for the first time was what had me; hook, line and sinker. David Bowie and Reeves Gabrels have simply done an astonishing job on the Omikron soundtrack."

"This game is, and remains, one of my most favourite games of 1999 and all time."

Not bad! But that's not all! On the sidebar of CheckOut.com were links to The Man Who Fell To Earth and Hours.... Go check them out!

This Day In Bowie History

"I could make it all worthwhile as a rock n roll star"... Ziggy early '72 by Mick Rock.

It was 28 years ago to this very day that the first Ziggy Stardust tour kicked off in the UK. Although Ziggy had performed publicly twice before, the shows were considered warm-ups for the official tour opener of February 10th 1972 at the Toby Jug in Tolworth, Kinston upon Thames. The first of the two warm-up shows took place on January 28th at the Borough Assembly Hall in Aylesbury and was itself considered a warm-up for an appearance on February 3rd at the Lancaster Arts Festival.

Those of you that regularly visit this site will know that I was not fortunate enough to catch David Bowie live before 1976, and will no doubt be relieved that I can therefore not relate to you my own first-hand account of Ziggy in action. And even though reviews of shows from mid '72 onwards are easy to find, accounts of these early shows are rare indeed. About the most accurate of these is a wonderful review of the Toby Jug appearance by one Stephen King, no, not the 17-year-old Ste K from up north who lurks in the chat room and got into Bowie in 1997, but a man of an age to have seen enough good music at the time to know his eggs. Stephen's account can be found at Mike Harvey's quite brilliant 'The Ziggy Stardust Companion' site. Well done on another exclusive Mike, excellent work. (Be in touch soon btw.)

You can also read an account of the Borough Assembly Hall gig of January 28th by clicking on the book jacket above. This very first Ziggy performance was witnessed by DJ Kris Needs whose autobiography, Needs Must, contains many accounts of his encounters with the fledgling superstar. Go here to read his version of this historical show complete with annotations from the former Ziggy Stardust himself!

Total Blam Blam - (European Correspondent)