The Return Of Smith And Jones...sort Of

Hear this Robert Smith...

You may be aware that Mark Plati has been in the studio with The Cure to record four new songs and help the band "look for those two elusive new singles" for a forthcoming Cure greatest hits collection, due for the end of the year. But it would seem that Mark has also been teaching Robert Smith some classic Bowie licks too. Go here and click on day three for the evidence...You will have to go right to the end of the clip to see it though..."This week dragged past me so slowly."

Many thanks for the pointer to Chris, who is webmaster of his own French language Bowie site, Man of Music

Bowiephiles

Genius : The Times : 08/25/01 In an interview with Timothy Spall ( who could forget that face? - above) he names his favourite films, sports, books and music :- "I think that Bowie is a genius. He is superb as a balladeer; his voice is beautiful and heart-rending."

Christiane F : Dot Music : Aug 2001 From their review of the album :- Some of Bowie's very best music is compiled here. There are the obviously cinematic tracks - the steely proto-techno glide of 'V-2 Schneider', the dark ambience of 'Warszawa' and 'Sense Of Doubt' - alongside the jagged pop of 'Boys Keep Swinging'.

Good boy and adoring husband : Evening Standard : 08/23/01 In a lifestyle article about a new women's advice booklet called "The Boyfriend Training Kit", David is listed among the "Good Boys" for his qualities as an adoring husband.

Awesome : Undercover : 08/03/01 : Ian McCulloch of Echo and the Bunnymen tells of his plans to record a solo album :- He says he would like to write with Courtney Love for it but hasn't talked to her yet, and he would also like to have David Bowie on the album although he thinks he would be too much in awe of Bowie in the studio.

Genre-straddling : New York Times : 08/26/01 In an article about the 10th anniversary of the death of Serge Gainsbourg:- Increasingly, though, critical consensus is placing Gainsbourg in the more esteemed company of pop craftsmen like Burt Bachrach and genre-straddling innovators like David Bowie.

Artist : The Guardian : 08/03/01 From a profile of the artist, Gavin Turk :- Beyond such post-modern musical mayhem, there is always David Bowie. "David Bowie is the other man in my old girlfriends' lives," Turk explains. For many years, I went out with a string of girls who all worshipped David Bowie, so the only reason I listened to him myself is because these girls went on about him all the time. Maybe there were just a lot of female Bowie fans around at the time. It was always the album Hunky Dory. But it made me realise that he was a true artist before he realised that he was making art.

(contributors : rochelle, bonster, spaceface)

:))

Only Two Hours Left To Win Tickets For Fittnb

"Of all of the shows on this tour, this particular
show will remain with us the longest...
because not only is it the last show of the tour,
but it's the last show that we'll ever do."

To my mother, my dog, and clowns*

This is your very last chance to win one of two pairs of tickets for the last performances of 'From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads'. Three shows this weekend (Saturday September 1st & Sunday the 2nd at 8pm, plus a matinee on Sunday at 4pm) at The Bull, 68 High Street, Barnet, London, will be the final performances of Adrian Berry's best selling show.

To enter, please make sure you can definitely attend and then tell me the real name of the play's lead character Martin. The information you need can be found on this site. Send your answer with preferred date to me at MrTotalBlamBlam@AOL.Com with a subject heading of: 'FITTNB Barnet tickets'. We will announce the winners tomorrow.

(*And anybody else who fancies their chances actually)

Bowie Plaque On Beckenham High Street

David Bowie is set to have a plaque erected in his honour outside a South London pub where he played 30 years ago. The Rat & Parrot on Beckenham High Street near Bromley will unveil the memorial in November. At that time it was called The Three Tuns and frequently played host to Bowie and his 'Arts Lab' sessions. It was here that the 'Ziggy Stardust' character and concept was conceived.

The pub manager told NME.COM that although the exact wording of the plaque had not been agreed, it would say something close to David Bowie, Rock Legend, played here 1969-1973'. Unlike English heritage distinctive blue plaques, erected in memorial of the dead, Bowie's plaque will most likely bered. Locals have recently written to the star to tell him about the plaque and are currently awaiting a response.

Win Tickets For Fittnb Home Run

"No! Not more freebies, we want some wages!"
Martin (Alex Clarke) and cast in rehearsals.

To the seat with the clearest view...

Thanks to the continued generosity of Tiny Dynamite, we are giving away another two pairs of tickets for a couple more performances of 'From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads', fresh from its astonishing success at the Edinburgh Festival. The play is on at the home of Tiny Dynamite: The Bull, 68 High Street, Barnet, London on Sept 1 & 2 at 8pm (plus a matinee on Sunday at 4pm).

Before you enter, please make sure you can definitely attend. Now all you have to do is tell me the real name of the play's lead character Martin. The information you need can be found on this site. Send your answer with preferred date to me at MrTotalBlamBlam@AOL.Com with a subject heading of: 'FITTNB Barnet tickets'. The competition ends midnight Thursday (GMT) and we will announce the winners on Friday, when we will also be posting a round-up of the reviews of the Edinburgh run of the play. See you there.

Db N Pd Two Weeks To Go

David, left, and P Diddy at 'Daddy's House' studios,
New York, July 22nd 2001. © Mission Pictures.

With you by my side, it should be fine...

You're possibly getting the hang of this one by now...Just two weeks to go before 'American Dream' is released as part of the 'Training Day' soundtrack. Hope we don't run out of pictures before then. };-)

Two Bowie Tracks On Intimacy Soundtrack

Les variations de couverture pour la bande sonore d'Intimité
et d'Intimacy. Please excuse my French...TBB };-)

On another floor, in the back of a car...

A recently released soundtrack CD that includes two Bowie tracks seems to have slipped through the BowieNet, erm... Bowie net. Details are a little sketchy at the moment but this is what I know to be fact. There are at least two versions of the CD (see covers above) one released in Germany and another in France, both versions released through Virgin France. Not sure just yet about plans for the rest of the world.

The two versions have the same tracklisting, including David Bowie's 'Candidate' and 'The Motel'. The latter is the normal album version, but the former is the first time that 'Candidate' has been made available as a track in its own right.

This is a unique mix of the song that fades at the point where 'Candidate' would normally run into 'Sweet Thing (reprise)'. But, as incredible a piece of music as 'Candidate' is, it does sound a little odd out of context like this to be honest, a bit like removing the middle panel of that really famous triptych that everybody knows all about, and showing it without the outer panels...having said that, it probably works in isolation for those not familiar with the full 'Sweet Thing'/'Candidate'/'Sweet Thing (reprise)' track from the 'Diamond Dogs' album which we all know and love.

Other artists on the CD that help make this a pretty stunning line-up include: Tindersticks, The Clash, (the criminally overlooked) Clinic, Dream City Film Club, Iggy Pop ('Consolation Prizes' and the awesome, and appropriately entitled 'Penetration'), Nick Cave (incredible and hard to find version of the Elvis song, 'In The Ghetto') and Eyeless In Gaza. The second half of the album comprises the original score by Eric Neveux, which I don't think would be too lazy to say was ambient in an Eno style at times, and particularly on the last track, 'Last Wednesday In New Cross', which wouldn't sound out of place on Eno's own 'Apollo album.

'Intimacy', or 'Intimité' as it is known to the French, is the soundtrack to Patrice Chéreau's film of the same name, that, despite it's success elsewhere, was made entirely on location in London...The Elephant & Castle, Battersea and Brixton to be precise. The film's cast includes: Mark Rylance, Kerry Fox, Timothy Spall, Alastair Galbraith, Philippe Calvario, Marianne Faithfull, Susannah Harker and Rebecca Palmer.

'Intimacy' is based on a story by Hanif Kureishi, who you will remember was also responsible for 'The Buddha of Suburbia', which is currently being re-run on the BBC's Knowledge channel. (08/23/01 NEWS: BUDDHA OF SUBURBIA ON BBC KNOWLEDGE)

For the German version of the site go here, and go here, for the French version of the site, that has a rather saucy and emotionally charged trailer that is probably only meant to be viewed by the French.

Thanks very much to BowieNetter Markus Michels who pointed out the German version of the CD to me in the first place.

New Gallery Is Here!

We're delighted to announce that the new Gallery is here, and it's better than ever! The previous five categories have been expanded into nine categories including Poetry, Prose, Photography, Paint/Draw, Sculpture/Other Images, Original Music, Bowie Covers, Multimedia and Nomadz! You'll also find a dedicated message board where you can give and receive feedback and exchange ideas. Those of you familiar with the old Gallery will find other subtle improvements as well; we hope you enjoy it!!

David And Tracey In Dublin...that Transcript In Full

Tracey and David in Dublin by Iman

Conversation Piece...

Last month we reproduced an e-mail correspondence between David Bowie and Tracey Emin from the Guardian newspaper. (07/18/01 NEWS: DAVID AND TRACEY IN THE GUARDIAN) In the same piece we had a link to David's feature about Ms Emin for Modern Painters from the October 1997 edition of the magazine, entitled: "It's Art Jim, but as We Know It", written around a chat with Tracey in Dublin.

Problem was, we only reproduced the introduction to the piece, and not the actual chat between the pair. Now, (thanks to the typing skills of BowieNetter SusanS who has very kindly transcribed the piece) you can enjoy the whole thing, including the pictures taken by Iman that accompanied the original article. So go make yourself a cuppa, put your Saturday feet up, and enjoy this most entertaining conversation here.

Boy George On Dinner With David

Boy George, yesterday, sporting his Button Jacket.

We Are Hungry Men...

Boy George has spoken on line and in print about his recent dinner date with David Bowie. Below is an excerpt from George's 'Dizzy Diary' on his official site: www.veryboygeorge.com, and you can read a longer account of the evening entitled "Bowie still holds a sprinkle of stardust" from George's Sunday Express column here.

"Before I continue my MTV rant, let me tell you about something infinitely more exciting. While in New York, I had dinner with Mr David Bowie, his lovely wife Iman and a couple of guys from Christian Dior. I dragged my friend Michael Cavadis or (Lily of the valley), his drag name, along for company but also because he is a fellow Bowie worshiper. I was terribly nervous all day long because I have never spent quality time with David. We have met a couple of times and once did an internet chat but this was the most intimate meeting. Well, restaurants are hardly intimate but you get my drift?"

"David, is super smart, well read and up on everything from the latest, coolest music, films, art, popular culture and is also very charming and has the ability to put everyone at ease while being perfectly comfortable with his legendary status. He listed a bunch of bands that I need to check out, such as, Mice on Mars, who I had heard of and some guitar groups which I hadn't heard of, shame. A trip to the record store is eminent."

"He was so interesting to talk to and completely fabulous to my friend Michael, who was terrified. I actually wasn't as nervous as I thought I'd be but I did keep thinking - 'Oh my god it's really him'. He said he was about to record with Tony Visconti, which is very exciting and I am really looking forward to hearing what they do. Iman, is gorgeous and very real and they get on so well, it made me feel like I need to fall in love."

"Luck just kissed you hello, When you're a boy..." Indeed.

Buddha Of Suburbia On Bbc Knowledge

Hanif Kureishi catches a few rays backstage
at Glastonbury 2000, by Total Blam Blam.

Vicious but ready to learn...

Hanif Kureishi's acclaimed comedy drama, 'The Buddha of Suburbia', enjoys a re-run on the BBC's Knowledge channel starting tomorrow at 9:00pm (GMT), and continues over the following week, albeit in a bizarrely scattered way. This four-part serial was originally shown on BBC2 back in 1993, and it seems that BBC Knowledge is screening the whole thing a further two and a half times (!)...presuming I have understood their schedule correctly:

21:00 - Friday 24th August - Part One
22:00 - Friday 24th August - Part Two
00:00 - Saturday 25th August - Part One
01:00 - Saturday 25th August - Part Two
21:00 - Saturday 25th August - Part Three
22:05 - Saturday 25th August - Part Four
23:30 - Monday 27th August - Part One
00:40 - Wednesday 29th August - Part Two
23:40 - Wednesday 29th August - Part Three
00:40 - Friday 31st August - Part Four

You all know about David's contribution to the soundtrack of 'The Buddha of Suburbia' and the excellent album of the same name, but if you never caught the TV series the first time around, I suggest you try to this time.

This from the BBC preview page: "The south London suburbs in the 1970s are the setting for a comedy of sexual and political awakening written by Hanif Kureishi. Karim is 17 and looking for trouble, action and sex."

And Karim, played brilliantly by Naveen Andrews, eventually finds all three, after an hilarious voyage of self-discovery that doesn't always go quite to plan.

Kick Out The Jammies And More In Q And Mojo

Let the children use it...

The September edition of Q has a half page on Kick Out the Jammies illustrated with a lovely picture of David and Iman at the screening of 'Pollack' back in November 2000, under the heading Radio Ga Ga.

The September edition of MOJO is also in on the act with a piece on the same story, but they have made more of the recent Bowie as Sinatra perennial that we recently exposed as poppycock. Under the heading "Ol' Blue 'N' Brown Eyes", MOJO have used a classic Andy Kent shot of Bowie at his most Sinatraesque. But frankly (pun intended) it's not enough...had they splashed out on a subscription to BowieNet, they may have avoided this embarrassing research blunder!

She's often inclined to borrow somebody's dreams 'til tomorrow...

Syd and Iggy the Eskimo, from The Madcap Laughs sessions - © Mick Rock.

Further on in the magazine, there is a piece about Mick Rock's latest publishing coup, (due in the autumn, via the same people that will be bringing us 'Moonage Daydream') called 'Psychedelic Renegades'. Mr Rock has managed the seemingly impossible by getting Syd Barrett to sign 300 copies of the book, his first public act in three decades!

The 160-page tome (including 80 unpublished shots) reprints four sessions of Syd taken by Mick between 1969 and 1971, the most famous being the 'The Madcap Laughs' session from 1969 at Syd's Earl's Court flat. These signed copies, which will be co-signed by the photographer, are scheduled to retail at around £500, and according to Mick: "David Bowie has already ordered a couple".

Even further on in the mag, tagged on to the end of a review for the enchanting 'All Is Dream', Grasshopper of Mercury Rev gives a very brief interview, from which, this, about the hiring of Tony Visconti:

"We just said 'Be who you are, take it away'. Bowie had called him and Tony said, 'What are you listening to?' Bowie said, 'I heard this band Mercury Rev.' Tony said Bowie was too scared to meet Jonathan!"

As hard as that may be to believe, Jonathan, singer and largely odd frontman of the Revs, is kind of spooky, and looks like the sort of pixie that would have no problem casting a mischievous spell.

Db N Pd Only Three Weeks To Go!

David and P Diddy still at 'Daddy's House' studios,
New York, July 22nd 2001. © Mission Pictures.

A gentle face you've seen before...

Think I've mentioned this already, but just in case...Only three weeks to go before 'American Dream' is released on the 'Training Day' soundtrack via Priority Records. The CD is due on September 11th, ten days ahead of the US release of the film. I am tempted to post yet another picture from the session before then, but we'll just have to wait and see. };-)

Fittnb Competition Winners And Review

Martin faces his tormentors but remains unmoved. Picture by Total Blam Blam
From L to R: Becky (Moshana Khanin), Martin (Alex Clarke) and Beverley (Clare Jackson)

It's about to be writ again...

OK, here are the two winners of the FITTNB competition we posted last week. (08/14/01 NEWS: FITTNB STORMS EDINBURGH - WIN TICKETS AND A PROMO T-SHIRT) The outright winner, who receives a pair of tickets and a promotional only T-shirt is, mac@davidbowie.com. And the other pair of tickets go to the runner-up, justinel@davidbowie.com.

Both of you correctly stated that the name of the play's writer/director is indeed the hugely talented Adrian Berry. Mail me at MrTotalBlamBlam@AOL.Com with a subject heading of: 'FITTNB Edinburgh ticket winners', and I will give you details of how to claim your prizes. Well done to you both, and please drop us a line to let us know what you thought of the play.

BowieNetter Calum Bennie did just that after he saw FITTNB a few days after it opened in Edinburgh. Go here to see what he had to say about 'From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads'. You can also read the programme notes & cast list here.

Ziggy Inspiration On Bbc1 In 40 Minutes!

"He took it all too far..." - Vince Taylor, big in France.

Like a leper messiah...

Erm, a little bit late on this one...sorry, but here goes anyway...

David Bowie has never made secret of the influence of legendary rock 'n' roller Vince Taylor on the creation of Ziggy Stardust. David has dropped Vince into the conversation on more than one occasion while discussing Ziggy. Here's a great quote from 1990:

"The guy was unbelievable. He had this six-day party in some guy's house, that just went on and on. Just the weirdest kind of creature....In his own mind he did become the Messiah...He used to hang out on Tottenham Court Road and I got to know him then. And he had these strange plans, showing where there was money buried, that he was going to get together; he was going to create this new Atlantis at one time...And he always stayed in my mind as an example of what can happen in rock n roll. I'm not sure if I held him up as an idol or as something not to become. Bit of both probably. There was something very tempting about him going completely off the edge. Especially at my age, then, it seemed very appealing: Oh, I'd love to end up like that, totally nuts. Ha ha! And so he re-emerged in this Ziggy Stardust character."

So nip over to BBC1 now and fasten your safety belt while you wait for Jukebox Heroes at midnight and: "The true and extraordinary story of Vince Taylor, rock's great pretender, with contributions from David Bowie and Van Morrison, illustrated with rare footage. Widescreen."

Thanx to Rochelle for the pointer, and to whoever it was that mailed me about this a few days ago. Sorry lost the e-mail :-(

V2 Update: New And Improved Gallery!

Coming later this week, behold the new and improved BowieNet Gallery! We are proud to unveil this new section which was developed based on your feedback and suggestions. Among the features to look for in the new Gallery section are an expanded category selection (nine categories instead of the five available now) and a dedicated message board where you can exchange feedback and ideas.

Please note that the new Gallery will start with a clean slate; none of the current archives will be accessible prior to the current week. Please e-mail Saint Alphonzo with any related questions or concerns about archived material.

Urgent Reminders

"I recall how we lived, On the corner of a bed"
Alex Clarke as Martin in FITTNB by Total Blam Blam

It's about to be writ again...

Today is your last chance to win tickets and a T-shirt for 'From Ibiza To The Norfolk Broads' at the Edinburgh Festival. (08/14/01 NEWS: FITTNB STORMS EDINBURGH - WIN TICKETS AND A PROMO T-SHIRT) We will announce the winners tomorrow. There will be another competition for tickets for the September two-day run of the play nearer the time.

David Bowie as Screaming Lord Byron
from the 'Jazzin' for Blue Jean' video.
Watch Channel 4 tonight at 11:10pm GMT.

Remember when we used to go to church on Sundays...

Also you may have missed yesterdays news, (08/18/01 NEWS: BOWIE, BYRON AND EMIN ON TV TOMORROW) which I posted quite late. Go check it out now for details about Bowie on the box in the UK tonight, if you haven't already seen it.

Thanx to SusanS for the Screaming Lord Byron scan.

Bowie, Byron And Emin On Tv Tomorrow

Screaming Lord Bowie by Total Blam Blam
...with apologies to Thomas Phillips

...as romantic as hell

In the concluding part of Hello Culture on Channel 4 here in the UK tomorrow night, (11:10pm GMT) Matthew Collings asks why our present culture is obsessed with fame and discovers how the cult of celebrity began with Lord Byron in the 19th century. Written and presented by Mr Collings himself, Hello Culture is the follow up to the BAFTA award-winning This is Modern Art.

Matthew looks at the links between Byron and David Bowie, meets up with Lily Tomlin and Tara Palmer Tomkinson to ask how they view their celebrity status, and becomes a celebrity himself in the pages of OK! magazine.

Meanwhile on ITV...

Tracey and David in Dublin by Iman

Starting quarter of an hour earlier on ITV, the arts documentary series, The South Bank Show, has a profile of British artist Tracey Emin. In a fascinating look back at her career to date, including revealing glimpses into her formative years in Margate, Tracey realises her childhood dream of being interviewed by the shows host, Melvyn Bragg.

Look out for the current edition of the Radio Times which carries a four-page preview and interview with Tracey, including a tiny picture of David and the queen of needlework herself.

Supervixen Column

Just in case you missed Kelmar's column yesterday, here it is for your perusal over the weekend in between Bowie programs on the BBCA. Don't miss this vital information on how to kidnap your own garden gnome, protecting yourself with laser security and other useful tidbits to share with the kids.

Time To Get Comfy...

Just a reminder that you were reminded on Thursday to remind someone about this little reminder, possibly even yourself...

The BBCA in 'da states' this weekend features a host of Bowie programming including the U.S premiere of David's Bowie at the Beeb concert from June 27 of last year, his appearance on Later With Jools Holland, the fascinating behind-the-scenes documentary, Cracked Actor and the film The Man Who Fell to Earth. Check out the BowieNet Calendar for more details - and make yourself comfortable!!!