Bowie Shortlisted In 100 Greatest Britons

Illustration for 100 GREAT BRITONS from this morning's Times newspaper.

Battle For Britons...

What do Aneurin Bevan, Winston Churchill, Aleister Crowley, John Lennon and Emmeline Pankhurst all have in common? Well apart from the fact that they all make an appearance in the lyrics of David Bowie songs*, they are also all listed in the BBC's 100 greatest Britons shortlist, along with David Bowie himself.

Great Britons, is "a major new series this Autumn on BBC TWO that begins by revealing the British public's top 100 nominations. The top ten will then feature in a series of one-hour programmes asking: what does it take to be seen as the greatest?"

All of this morning's press in the UK have large features on the top 100 list, even if they have taken the whole thing a little too seriously. I'm staying tight-lipped on the selection myself, though I have to say it's nice to see the inclusion of Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, without whom etc., etc.

Here's that full list, and no, they're not my descriptions in brackets:

Alfred the Great (Former monarch)
Julie Andrews (Entertainer)
King Arthur (Former Monarch)
David Attenborough (Wildlife expert)
Jane Austen (Author)
Charles Babbage (Inventor)
Lord Baden Powell (Founder of the Scouts)
Douglas Bader (Spitfire pilot)
David Beckham (Soccer player)
Alexander Graham Bell (Inventor of telephone)
Tony Benn (Former Labor leader)
Tim Berners Lee (Father of the internet)
Aneurin Bevan (Politician)
Tony Blair (Prime Minister)
William Blake (Poet)
William Booth (Salvation Army founder)
Boudicca (Warrior Queen)
David Bowie (Entertainer)
Richard Branson (Entrepreneur)
Robert the Bruce (Scottish )
Isambard Kingdom Brunel (Inventor: locomotive)
Richard Burton (Actor)
Donald Campbell (Waterspeed record)
William Caxton (Printing press inventor)
Charlie Chaplin (Entertainer)
Geoffrey Chaucer (Canterbury Tales)
Leonard Cheshire (Advocate for ill/disabled)
Winston Churchill (Former PM))
James Connelly
Captain James Cook (Explorer who claimed Australia)
Michael Crawford (Entertainer)
Oliver Cromwell (Warrior statesman)
Aleister Crowley (Magician)
Charles Darwin (Scientist)
Diana, Princess of Wales
Charles Dickens (Author)
Francis Drake (Explorer)
King Edward I (Former monarch)
Edward Elgar (Composer)
Queen Elizabeth I
Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother
Michael Faraday (Physicist)
Guy Fawkes (Tried to burn down Parliament)
Alexander Fleming (Inventor penicillan)
Bob Geldof (Singer/activist)
Owain Glyndwr (Welsh activist)
George Harrison (Beatle)
John Harrison (Mathematician)
Stephen Hawking (Astro-physicist)
King Henry II (Former monarch)
King Henry V (Former monarch)
King Henry VIII (Former monarch)
Paul Hewson (Bono)
Edward Jenner (Discovered vaccination)
TE Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia)
John Lennon (Beatle)
David Livingstone (Explorer)
David Lloyd George (Former PM)
John Logie Baird (TV inventor)
John Lydon (Johnny Rotten)
James Clerk Maxwell (Physicist)
Paul McCartney (Beatle)
Freddie Mercury (Queen lead-singer)
Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery
Bobby Moore (Soccer player)
Thomas More (Chancellor/author)
Eric Morecambe (Entertainer)
Admiral Horatio Nelson
Isaac Newton (Scientist)
Florence Nightingale (Nurse)
George O'Dowd (Boy George)
Thomas Paine (Anti-slavery activist)
Emmeline Pankhurst (Suffragette)
John Peel (Broadcaster)
Enoch Powell (Politician)
Walter Raleigh (Explorer)
Steve Redgrave (Olympic Rower)
King Richard III (Former monarch)
Cliff Richard (Entertainer)
JK Rowling (Author)
Robert Falcon Scott (Explorer)
Ernest Shackleton (Arctic explorer)
William Shakespeare (Author)
George Stephenson (Inventor: steam engine)
Marie Stopes (Family planning pioneer)
Margaret Thatcher (First female PM)
William Tindale (New Testament)
JRR Tolkien (Author)
Alan Turing (Mathematician)
Queen Victoria (Former monarch)
William Wallace (Scottish nationalist)
Barnes Wallis (Aircraft engineer)
James Watt (Inventor)
Unknown soldier
Duke of Wellington
John Wesley (Founder of Methodist church)
Frank Whittle (Father of the jet engine)
William Wilberforce (Anti-slavery activist)
Robbie Williams (Singer)

* For those of you that can't place all of the names to a Bowie lyric, here ya go:

Aneurin Bevan ? "Bevan tried to change the nation" ? Star
Winston Churchill ? "Living proof of Churchill's lies" ? Quicksand
Aleister Crowley ? "Immersed in Crowley's uniform" ? Quicksand
John Lennon - "'Cause Lennon's on sale again" - Life On Mars?
Emmeline Pankhurst - OK, so she's not mentioned by name, but David did write Suffragette City! };-)

Best Of Bowie - 23 Versions Worldwide!

No artwork for 'Best Of Bowie' is available at present, so you
can picture your very own version in the box above instead!

Just about the best you can hear...

EMI have released more details about the 21st October release (UK date) of the Best Of Bowie, which has been tailor made for different territories around the world. This means that there will be 23 different running orders for the album, with quite different track listings and formats. For example, The UK will have a double CD and a cassette, while the USA will have single and double CD versions.

Other peculiarities mean that both Norway and Sweden will have a single CD made up of 7" single edits of each song only, while being completely different track listings for both countries. Another example is Holland who will have the only version of the album with David Bowie and Tina Turner's live version of 'Tonight', as it was a number one hit in that country...lucky things! };-)

This excerpt from the EMI press release explains further:

"Upon compiling a tracklist for global release, it became quickly apparent, there were localised discrepancies in what constituted a definitive Best Of collection, and many key titles were omitted from centrally compiled albums. As a consequence, and in a remarkable initiative, each territory was able to compile it?s own unique tracklisting."

The UK double CD tracklisting (Version 19) can now be confirmed as follows:

CD1
Space Oddity
The Man Who Sold The World
Oh! You Pretty Things
Changes
Life On Mars
Starman
Ziggy Stardust
Suffragette City
John, I'm Only Dancing
The Jean Genie
Drive-In Saturday
Sorrow
Diamond Dogs
Rebel Rebel
Young Americans
Fame
Golden Years
TVC15
Wild Is The Wind

CD2
Sound & Vision
"Heroes"
Boys Keep Swinging
Under Pressure
Ashes To Ashes
Fashion
Scary Monsters
Let's Dance
China Girl
Modern Love
Blue Jean
This Is Not America
Loving The Alien
Dancing In the Street
Absolute Beginners
Jump They Say
Hallo Spaceboy
Little Wonder
I'm Afraid Of Americans (V1)
Slow Burn

While the USA double CD tracklisting (Version 23) can now be confirmed thus:

CD1
Space Oddity
The Man Who Sold The World
Changes
Life On Mars?
Oh! You Pretty Things
Moonage Daydream
Suffragette City
Ziggy Stardust
All The Young Dudes
The Jean Genie
Panic In Detroit
Rebel Rebel
Diamond Dogs
Young Americans
Fame
Golden Years
TVC15
Sound & Vision
"Heroes"
DJ

CD2
Ashes To Ashes
Fashion
Scary Monsters
Under Pressure
Cat People
Let's Dance
China Girl
Modern Love
Blue Jean
This Is Not America
Dancing In the Street
Absolute Beginners
Time Will Crawl
Under The God
Jump They Say
The Heart's Filthy Lesson
I'm Afraid Of Americans (V1)
Thursday's Child
Slow Burn

For those of you still following this, here is the world-wide breakdown of the 23 versions, which we'll be posting the full tracklisting details of shortly.

All versions are Single CD formats unless otherwise stated.

Australia (Version 1)
Belgium (Version 2)
Brazil (Version 3)
Canada (Versions 4 & 22) (Single and Double CDs)
Chile (Version 5) (Double CD)
Colombia/Ecuador/Peru/Venezuela (Version 6)
Denmark (Version 7) (Double CD)
France (Version 8)
Germany/Austria/Switzerland (Version 9)
Greece (Version 10) (Double CD)
Holland (Version 11)
Italy (Version 12)
Japan (Version 13)
Mexico (Version 14)
New Zealand (Version 15) (Double CD)
Norway (Version 16)
South Africa (Version 17)
Sweden (Version 18)
UK (Version 19) (Double CD and Cassette)
Ukraine/Hungary/Slovenia/Turkey/Bulgaria (Version 20) (Cassette)
USA (Versions 21 & 23) (Single and Double CDs)

We will soon be making available David Buckley's excellent track by track notes that were written to accompany the press release too...Phew!

Btw, It's my birthday on September the 3rd if anyone out there feels like putting in a pre-order for the set. };-)

Details on the Best Of Bowie DVD, due for release on 4th November featuring videos, live performances and rare TV appearances, will follow in the next few days.

Best Of Bowie

BEST OF BOWIE TRACKLISTING
EMI Records
Cat no: 539 8222 / 539 8232

EMI are proud to release the Best Of Bowie on 21st October 2002. A double CD, the Best Of is the first time David Bowie's hits and best loved songs have been available together. An authoritative collection for fans old and new. Upon compiling a tracklist for global release, it became quickly apparent, there were localised discrepancies in what constituted a definitive Best Of collection, and many key titles were omitted from centrally compiled albums. As a consequence, and in a remarkable initiative, each territory was able to compile it's own unique tracklisting. As a result, there will be 23 tailored releases including the UK version. All tracklisting details are available now on www.davidbowie.com, and the UK tracklisting can now be confirmed as follows:

CD1 Space Oddity The Man Who Sold The World Oh! You Pretty Things Changes Life On Mars? Starman Ziggy Stardust Suffragette City John, I'm Only Dancing The Jean Genie Drive-In Saturday Sorrow Diamond Dogs Rebel Rebel Young Americans Fame Golden Years TVC15 Wild Is The Wind

CD2 Sound & Vision Heroes Boys Keep Swinging Under Pressure Ashes To Ashes Fashion Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) Let's Dance China Girl Modern Love Blue Jean This Is Not America Loving The Alien Dancing In The Street Absolute Beginners Jump They Say Hallo Spaceboy (PSB remix) Little Wonder

The Best Of Bowie is a career encompassing helicopter ride over one of the most prolific and perennially avant-garde artists of our times.

A Best Of Bowie DVD will be released on 4th November featuring videos, rare tv appearances and previously unseen footage.

The Best Of Bowie is a career encompassing helicopter ride over one of the most prolific and perennially avant-garde artists of our times.

Your Chance To Attend The 2002 Q Awards

I'm just about the best...

It's time to vote in the 2002 Q awards, and possibly win a place at the star-studded ceremony at a secret London venue on 21 October 2002 while you're about it. Though it's been a while since David won a Q award, (Bowie and Eno won the Q Inspiration Award in 1995) let's show the folk over there the might of the Bowie Online Army.

There are six categories to vote in: Best Single; Best Album; Best Video; Best New Band; Best Live Act; Best Act In The World Today...and I think you'll agree who deserves at least half of those awards!

Click on the image above to take you to the online voting form. The closing date for votes is 1 October 2002.

Hunky Dory Back In Uk Top 50 - 'changes' In Tv Ad

Look out you rock 'n rollers...

Hunky Dory has re-entered the top fifty 30 years after its release here in the UK. Though the album didn't chart on its original release, it has enjoyed a lot of time on the UK album chart since. Peaking at number 3 at the height of Ziggymania in 1972, it re-entered the top 40 in 1981 and 1990, and currently stands at number 42.

Some of these extra sales are obviously down to the fact that Hunky Dory is currently available at a very silly price here, as is most of the Bowie EMI back catalogue. Virgin Megastores are running a promotion for fifteen of the albums (see press ad above) where all but three of the CDs are priced at £5:99, and Hunky Dory, Pin-Ups and Never Let Me Down are a mere £3:99!

If you've not yet got the Bowie back catalogue, I doubt you'll pick these CDs up cheaper at any point in the near future. If you buy all fifteen at Virgin here in the UK, you can get the lot for just over a third of the RRP at £83:85...a total saving of £152!

Personally, I reckon you're best to go get another set even if you already have 'em, what with all the flooding and stuff here in Europe at the moment, it would be prudent to keep a safety set in a high place, such as a bird box etc. Anyway, I digress...

Further sales of Hunky Dory may be encouraged by Virgin's current Summer Sale TV advert, which features the album among lot's of other ludicrously low-priced classics, while 'Changes', Hunky Dory's famous opening track, plays in the background.

Bowie To Write New Musical?

A tenuous link I know, but here's the 1973 French sleeve for Sorrow /Amsterdam.

There's a sailor who sings...

A Bowie musical is something that has been hinted about as far back as 1966, when David apparently planned to work on one with his then musical director, Tony Hatch! Rumours have abounded since, with both the Ziggy and Diamond Dogs (1984) projects originally conceived as musicals.

Since my return from Italy at the weekend, I have heard from a few fans who have seen reports (UK press and SKY TV news) that DB is again planning to write a musical. Well, you know me, always one to grab an exclusive quote from the man himself when I can...so here ya go:

"This 'news-story' was taken completely out of context from some interview or other that I did earlier this year. The interviewer asked me if I would like to do a musical, to which I answered that if I ever did, it would be more along the lines of either Glass's 'Einstein On The Beach' or ' Jacques Brel's 'Alive And Well' rather than 'Mama Mia' or suchlike.

This became 'Bowie to Write Musical'. Needless to say I am not about to embark on a musical at present."

So now you know kidz...It'll be nice if it happens one day, but it's not going to just yet. Thanx for clearing that one up David.

NB - For those of you wondering why I used a line from 'Amsterdam' in today's lyric quote, both 'Amsterdam' and 'My Death' are songs from the original performance of 'Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris'. But you all knew that anyway. };-)

Drew Barrymore Gets The Aladdin Sane Treatment

"Who'll love a lass insane?" Drew Barrymore borrows from the Glam God, Mr Sane.

Don't let me hear you say life's taking you nowhere, Angel...

Just a quick bit of silly Sunday fun for you here. It seems that alien-loving Drew Barrymore is the latest in a long line of celebs who have adopted the Aladdin Sane trademark. According to yesterday's Daily Express here in the UK, Drew has glammed up for her latest role as a female wrestler in Charlie's Angels 2. I make that around eight celebrities who have applied the famous blue and red Aladdin Sane flash, but almost thirty years later..."the original's still the greatest!"

Bowie Does Presley On Last Night Of Area 2

"Are you sure about this Moby...you really think we're going to fill it?"
DB surveys The Gorge before last night's show.

I ain't never did no wrong...

David Bowie ended the Area 2 tour in Rattlesnake-infested Seattle last night, with a brilliant one hour and forty-five minute set at The Gorge. David was in even higher spirits than normal, chatting between songs, and generally enjoying a bit of silliness at every given opportunity.

DB also performed stunning versions of two of Elvis Presley's earlier recordings on what was the 25th anniversary of The King's death. He started the encore with 'I Feel So Bad', which, despite being a top 5 UK hit in 1961, is not the best known of Elvis's recordings, unlike the next song David sang, 'One Night', (possibly better remembered by many as 'One Night With You') which was a number one hit round the world early in 1959.

Moby and Cat get in the mood to rock in Seattle last night.

Those of you familiar with the song know what a very sexy number Presley's version of 'One Night' is, well just imagine what a slice of dirty filth it must have been in the hand's of David Bowie and his band! Sends shivers doesn't it? Anyway, David has very kindly written a few words about last night just for you:

"Moby gave us all one of the most enjoyable tours we've ever been on. Everyone was just a gas and we all made such good friends. Last night left us quite sad as it dawned on us that this was the last of Area 2. The Gorge was just the most splendid location for a finale and, because of its majesty, put me in mind of the mountain Shokan location where it all began last year with the recording for Heathen.

We pushed the time button last night and managed a full hour and forty five minutes, including hasty but enthusiastic renditions of Presley's 'One Night' and 'I Feel So Bad'. Will probably have to do a journal over the weekend, now. And then put thoughts together for the little Euro leg coming up."

David Bowie keeps an eye out for rattlers as he makes his way to
The Gorge stage. Click on the image above if you think I jest!

All of the pictures in this piece were taken by the ever so generous Mark Plati, who also supplied the set list from last night:

Life On Mars?
Ashes To Ashes
Breaking Glass
Cactus
China Girl
Slip Away
Space Oddity (Teaser and Stylophone advert!)
Fame
I?m Afraid of Americans
I?ve Been Waiting For You
5:15 The Angels Have Gone
"Heroes"
Heathen (The Rays)
--------------------
I Feel So Bad
One Night
A New Career In A New Town
Fashion
Hallo Spaceboy
Everyone Says Hi
Let's Dance
Ziggy Stardust

"One night with you, Is what I'm now praying for." - David Bowie during last night's encore.

Ever-present superfan, Simone, managed to throw yet another dress up on stage during 'Cactus' (presumably not the one she was wearing) which, according to Simone, David danced rather suggestively with, he then said something along the lines of "now that's a nice artefact...na maybe not, but could be useful later on" and threw it to a corner of the stage.

Simone also managed to get her Stylophone order to David during 'Everyone Says Hi'...it's a long story, and one that she'll hopefully share with you all on the MBs along with her other anecdotes from the Seattle show. Thanx again for your help over the last few weeks Simone, and also a huge thanx to Spaceface, Susans and H2 for their brilliant work during my last two weeks away in Venice. You did far too perfect a job for my liking...I was meant to come out of this looking good! };-)

Anway, here's to Europe next month...of which we'll have more news very soon...yippee!

San Francisco And 'star Power'

"Oh they was alright, the band was altogether " (well most of em..)
Click on the photograph for a lovely, larger version
Image Mark Plati

He was awful nice - really quite paradise..

San Francisco yesterday joined neighbouring Los Angeles with some excellent reviews of David's set at the Shoreline Area: 2 Show on Wednesday evening.

The Examiner focused on David himself rather than the songs, and said:- "Area 2 was the opportunity to stand (or sit) in the presence of a rock god. ....what was most impressive was the 50-something's ability to win the mostly under-30 crowd's attention and respect just by being Bowie -- simultaneously oozing humility and undeniable star power.

..Using few electronic tricks, he even held the interest of characteristically ADD-suffering dance music fans. ...in under an an hour-and-a-half, Bowie proved that even in 2002, less is still much more.

..In the end, everyone in the audience hoped for a slice of Bowie's ageless cool. (sigh..)

The San Francisco Chronicle led, as many reviewers have, with an examination of the mixture of artistic styles on offer. They decided:- "Opposites do attract" and continued with a quote from Moby:- "If you had come to me when I was 15 years old and told me I'd be sharing a stage with David Bowie," he told the Shoreline crowd at the conclusion of his 95-minute set, "I would never have believed you."

They continued:- "In both present and past incarnations, Bowie epitomizes anti-rock sophistication, carefully choreographed performances and sleek sensuality.

Looking blond and fit and wearing an ensemble -- black vest and trousers, white shirt -- that evoked his Station to Station tour, the still-thin White Duke was in fine voice, easily crescendoing from low croons to his early material's trademark high notes. His seven-piece band, which included stalwart guitarist Earl Slick, was proficient in delivering Bowie's material from his impressive new "Heathen" album and reworked versions of older standards like "Ashes to Ashes," "China Girl" and the still-funkified "Fame."

"This is so '80s; it could not be more '80s," Bowie declared in introducing "Fashion." ...A luminous "Ziggy Stardust" closed the set with a blast from the early '70s; an unexpected "Breaking Glass" nodded to Bowie's Berlin-inspired late-'70s artistic era, which climaxed with a the rock- orchestral sweep of "Heroes."

The "Heathen" songs segued remarkably well into this 85-minute retrospective, from the moody "Slip Away" and "5:15 the Angels Have Gone" to a lush cover of the Pixies' "Cactus."

'Anyone for a Stylophone?' ;-) db wows the crowd in SF
Image: Mark Plati

At The Examiner there is also an email interview online, which David gave in advance of the gig. Entitled "The art and times of David Bowie", it is fascinating stuff. Topics range from New York post 9/11 and David's contribution to The Concert For New York City, to the films, books, records and painters which have inspired David lately. (Brits in particular will adore the 'Boys From The Blackstuff' quotes "Giz a job... go on.. gizzit"). David closes with this:-

"It's a satisfying life. My family and I are as happy and content as is possible in these strange days."

Between song banter in San Francisco included more Stylophone fun and David even treated the crowd to a small snatch of 'Space Oddity' on the said instrument! His Stylophone price is dropping rapidly as the tour draws to a close... He greeted the crowd with "Good Evening, Palo Alto" in Californian accent, and asked them to reply "Good Evening, David", this time in his 'English Gentleman' voice. He spent a moment or two with his back to the crowd, and then apologised, saying he had to keep an eye on Sterling as he "wants to learn to play the drums".. :-) (Thanks Simone)

As you can see from the other two shots, we have more images from Mark Plati today, and so we leave you with this great backstage shot of Gail and 'Cat' "doing it for themselves".

Image: Mark Plati

Setlist

Life on Mars?
Ashes to Ashes
Breaking Glass
Cactus
China Girl
Slip Away
Fame
I?m Afraid of Americans
I've Been Waiting For You
5:15 The Angels Have Gone
"Heroes"
Heathen (The Rays)

Encores

A New Career In A New Town
Fashion
Everyone Says Hi
Let's Dance
Ziggy Stardust

Thanks once again to SusanS for all of her help over the past two weeks. We've had a lot of fun! Hope you have too.

:))

Happy 2nd Birthday Lexie!

WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEXIE

WITH LOTS AND LOTS OF LOVE

FROM EVERYONE AT BOWIENET

:-)

Bowie 'astounding' In L. A.

Image: Justin Kahn/Wire Image

They absolutely love you

Los Angeles awoke yesterday morning to a collection of outstanding press reviews for David's performance on Tuesday night. Themes running through reviews for both this show and earlier performances include the timeless nature of David's songs and also his appearance; the way the new and highly acclaimed material from 'Heathen' fits seamlessly alongside more classic songs; and awed reverence for the delivery and artistry he and his band display. Many reviews have described David's set as their 'performance of the year'. There is so much praise within today's reviews, I have been spoilt for choice of quotes.. Here are some of the best, but you will see lots more when you click on the links.

LA Times opened with:- "The suave, sophisticated Bowie looks as if he was anointed a pop star by the heavens. He came into this world with breathtaking good looks that have defied the aging process, a golden voice, superb body language and a great tailor."

They continue:- "..the material, from the icy paranoia of 1975's "Fame" to the glorious idealism of 1977's "Heroes," still seems fresh, both because of the quality of the songs and because the Englishman and his excellent seven-piece band--including longtime sidekicks Earl Slick on guitar and Mike Garson on keyboards--have rethought most of them stylistically.

Equally important, the six songs from the new album held their own in that classy company--reassurance that Bowie remains a vital artist who's not depending on the oldies to hold fans' attention.

But the key new songs, including the wistful "Slip Away" and the delicate "5:15 The Angels Have Gone," touch on a tender, vulnerable strain that has also run through much of Bowie's music. When he went into "Heroes," the audience exploded with cheering that suggested both respect and affection for this veteran figure, whose singing remains as commanding as ever.

Riverside Press Enterprises said David was "Stunning, actually", and focused again on his unique ability to remain contemporary. They added:- ...I can proudly say I saw Bowie in '02. ..(he) was looking pretty contemporary ..in a stylish black suit and vest, his blue leather tie left unknotted, and an almost boyish visage. (Mick Jagger must hate him.)

The dramatic airs of his new material -- the build of "I've Been Waiting for You," the darker atmospherics of "5:15 The Angels Have Gone," the operatic drama of "Heathen" -- fit well with the older selections, perhaps the ultimate testament to Bowie's continuing artistry.

Image: George Campos

Orange County Register described David's set as "one of the great performances of the year ", and added .."Tuesday night's Area2 stop at Irvine's Verizon Wireless Amphitheater was all about David Bowie". They described 'Heathen' as "his acclaimed, emotionally astute new album", and said David looked "more regal than ever".

Further impassioned praise included:- "After an attention-seizing opening - a lovely piano- and-voice rendition of "Life on Mars?" into a glittering "Ashes to Ashes" and a smashing "Breaking Glass" - his show flowed in dynamic groupings. The melancholy elegy "Slip Away" spilling into the cool groove of "Stay" and a much heavier version of "Fame." Best of all: the moving trio of "5:15 The Angels Have Gone" to "Heroes" to "Heathen (The Rays)," with Bowie's still-commanding voice collapsing into a series of anguished cries. ..he has our thanks for starting his encore with a majestic "Always Crashing in the Same Car" and ending it with a tremendous "Ziggy Stardust"

The San Bernadino Sun opened with:- 'David Bowie was, to say it simply, astounding Tuesday at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.' They went on to say:- "Bowie enthralled a standing audience by interweaving timeless gems, such as "China Girl," ' "Heroes," ' "Let's Dance," ' "Ziggy Stardust," ' and "Fame," ' with edgier, atmospheric songs from his new CD, "Heathen." '

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And now for more reports of David's hilarious on-stage antics, fresh in from the field :-)

David introduced the band as 'Earl on guitar, Mark on guitar, Gerry on guitar, Cat on guitar, Mike on guitar, Sterling on guitar, Gail really on guitar - and me? I eat em for lunch....!! '

The stylophone saga continues....apparently db is making them out of "electric shavers" and invited the audience to join him in doing so after the show.

He gave the crowd a giggle during a slight technical hitch. He pretended to repair a dodgy microphone, then asked for a replacement or even better, 'a megaphone'. :-) Earlier, he announced they would be performing songs ranging from the 90's to the 20's..and then back further in time into the minus years! Sus tells me this also caused great amusement earlier in the tour where he actually sang a piece backwards!..."rather impressively" ...

He "almost wore shorts"...but it got "too chilly" :-) (Thanks Simone)

You can also check out this journal with pictures from the inimitable 'Shivas Irons', who closes with "David Bowie and your band I salute you. You?ve made an old fan very happy."

Set List

Life on Mars?
Ashes to Ashes
Breaking Glass
Cactus
China Girl
Slip Away
Stay
Fame
I?m Afraid of Americans
I've Been Waiting For You
5:15 The Angels Have Gone
"Heroes"
Heathen (The Rays)

Encores

A New Career In A New Town
Always Crashing In The Same Car (First time at Area: 2)
Everyone Says Hi
Let's Dance
Ziggy Stardust

(Thanks again SusanS)

:))

Area: 2 Reviews Round-up And More

"Image © Kevin Mazur: Wire Image"

You've really made the grade

There are a number of great reviews and interesting articles online relating to David's live dates which we haven't yet brought to you in earlier news items. As promised this week, here is a round-up. You can read an extract from each article below the title, and click on the link to read the whole thing. MTV describe db as 'fantastic looking' and a 'cool cat performer', Billboard say 'Bowie maintains a certain aura of timelessness both musically and even physically', and Concert Live Wire add 'vocally Bowie has never sounded better. ...this man was ON'. Check em out!!

BillBoard on Area: 2 Toronto

With his name literally in lights behind him, Bowie walked onstage with drummer Sterling Campbell and keyboard player Mike Garson to open with "Life On Mars?" Greeted by a standing ovation from the all-ages crowd of 12,000, the artist appeared as if he'd just left work on Wall Street in a smart black suit...

Bowie maintains a certain aura of timelessness both musically and even physically.... Closing the 20-song set with "Ziggy Stardust," he received an enormous applause after a stellar performance.

"..the Bowie lights got even brighter, and the crowd burst into applause"
Image : Mark Plati

MTV on Area: 2, New Jersey

A class act all the way, David Bowie had his name in lights, literally. It was a classic stage set and set the tone for the upcoming performance... Debonair David Bowie stepped onstage alone wearing a black suit vest and an untied blue tie, his blond hair blowing in the breeze. The man is fantastic looking...

As he began singing "Life on Mars?" the rest of the musicians filed onto the stage and the song came to a crescendo, the Bowie lights got even brighter, and the crowd burst into applause...

During "Fame" Bowie shone. Such the cool cat performer, he was acting out blowing on dice and shooting craps, he pretended to be a cowboy and put his guns in their holsters. He did a little shuffle from one side of the stage to the next while the music brought everyone to their feet, including one pregnant woman who said, "I need my baby to hear Bowie."... ..everyone was floored by his set, which ended with "Heathen," the title track of his new album.

Concert Live Wire on Chicago

Great pictures in this one!

Bowie glowed through a refreshing set of his own standards, lesser known gems and newer material... The rail-thin Bowie, looking healthier and happier than ever in a well-tailored suit reminiscent of his 1976 Thin White Duke period along with an age-defying haircut, updated old favs for the audience such as the dramatic "Life On Mars,' featuring Garson's beautiful flourishing piano, "China Girl,' where Bowie slipped in a little James Brown shuffle before Slick tore into a riveting guitar solo, and "Fame,' which was returned to its original Philly funk after his techno treatments of the song from recent tours....

Songs performed from his latest album Heathen, such as "5:15 The Angels Have Gone,' the ear-to-ear inducing smile of "Everyone Says 'Hi',' the ghostly "Heathen' and even the lively covers of The Pixies' "Cactus' and Neil Young's "I've Been Waiting For You,' all married perfectly with his older classic material.

Rather than just an all-hits show, however, Bowie also unearthed a couple of real gems for the jaded from his groundbreaking 1977 album Low. Tossing off his jacket the thin white one and band broke into a shattering version of "Breaking Glass,' before later revisiting the hopeful instrumental "A New Career In Town,' where Bowie joined his bandmates with the promising cries from a harmonica.

What was more evident than anything from his performance, however, was the fact that vocally Bowie has never sounded better. ...this man was ON.

Toronto Sun on Heathen

British music legend David Bowie.. delivered one of the best shows of the year at the Molson Amphitheatre on Monday.

(You have already seen the Toronto Sun review of this show, but this additional article has an interesting quote from David on the success of Heathen. :-))

"The album's been selling not only very quickly but constantly. There's a consistency that is just fabulous. It's really validated the hard work that producer (Tony) Visconti and I put in."

Rocky Mountain News : Moby on David

Getting Bowie was the coup, especially on the heels of his superb new album, Heathen.

"I bought my first David Bowie record when I was 10 years old - Changesonebowie," Moby says. "I can't think of anyone who has influenced me more or been a bigger hero to me. Standing onstage while he plays every night is a dream come true. Whatever he did, he did it well. He looked amazing no matter what he was doing. But his greatest gift is as a songwriter, arranger and singer. He could have invented himself in the most interesting ways, but if he didn't have the music to back it up, he wouldn't have had this legacy. The reason people love David Bowie is because his songs are so phenomenal."

NRK : Norwegian TV interview

A journalist from Norwegian broadcasting met David in NY before the European leg of his tour and in Aarhus the day after his astonishing performance at the Quart festival in Kristiansand, Norway. The two interviews resulted in a 35 minutes program, which was aired last Thursday (the 8th).

The entire interview is published on the Norwegian broadcasting official web site. Look at the section titled "Lyd og bilde".

(Thanks to BowieNetter 'gags' who sent in this link, and describes David as 'open, reflective and funny'.)

And finally a solution to one of the mysteries we encountered in David's on-stage patter last week.

BowieNetter 'kato' emailed me to let me know that of course we should remember Walter.. And if you haven't discovered what 'herbal lobster' is yet, then its probably better that I don't enlighten you..

:))

Detroit Meet And Greet Pictures

l to r, nnmaddox, Dory Ellis, db, Noa Cohen, and.. Miss Gina

Must have been touching close...

To continue today's news round-up of your 'close encounters' with db, you may recall we launched the refer-a-friend program last year (08/09/01 NEWS: BOWIENET REFER-A-FRIEND PROGRAM) and the prize was the chance to meet and greet David backstage at one of his concerts! Our lucky winner, Miss Gina, chose Detroit as the preferred venue and selected three guests to accompany her to meet him. The meet and greet took place on August 6th and this is what Miss Gina had to say about it.. :-)

"We had such a lovely time... He greeted us sooo warmly, and allowed us 15-20 minutes for autographs, pictures, and our own personal greetings. There is one picture of him holding a Ceramic Tile that I had made for him. The Tibetan characters read: "Tibetan Freedom." The way he was holding the tile looked like a mugshot, so I asked him to get his profile picture. He found that very amusing.. I also gave him letters from other BowieNetters and a sealed Legendary Stardust Cowboy Record. One of my guests flew all the way from Israel.. We are all still reeling from this experience, and soo appreciative that he took the time to talk with us..."

If you click on the image above, you will see David with Miss Gina's gift, posing for the 'mugshot'. :-)

Here is one more word from one of Miss Gina's guests:-

"It was fantastic! I was able to get 'The Buddha Of Suburbia' signed (personalized too) and 'Hunky Dory' for a friend." (nnmaddox)

I have to just add.. 15 - 20 minutes!! cor...

( Thanks Miss Gina, for sharing this wonderful experience with us, and again to SusanS. All images : Miss Gina)

:))

Tonight Show Winners Tell All, And More Mp Pix

'Gimme your hand(s)'.. BowieNetters reach for db
Image: Mark Plati

You will be like your dreams tonight

David performed 'Cactus' and 'Everyone Says Hi' on Monday night on the outside stage of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and our seven competition winners were right there in the front row! They were given access to the stage area before the rest of the audience and were able to choose their spot. Lots of other BowieNetters were also lucky with tickets and joined them. Moby joined the band for both songs. He played guitar and sang on 'Cactus', and played some percussion on 'Everyone Says Hi'.

Several of the winners posted journals on the boards as soon as they got home. You can click here to check them out. Here are some extracts which give a real flavour of what seems to have been a very very special day for all. Thanks for sharing, you lucky lot!

What a wonderful day! We sat in the lobby at first and then we were invited into the green room to eat yummy treats and watch the show on TV. Then we were escorted outside to the stage. We were the first people there, so of course, we all ran for the front! Sacheen, spidergirl23, and I were fortunate enough to get the front center area -- right in front of Bowie's mic.

The band came out (Gail looked stunning) followed by Moby and Bowie together. Bowie looked fantastic with his light green jacket and Moby had on dark sunglasses. The second best part of the day was when David looked at us in the front and gave a BIG smile and a look of recognition. He looked right in our faces and it seemed he could feel all the positive energy that we feel for him. I could tell he really appreciated his bnuts!

db is joined by Moby on guitar
Image: Mark Plati

also just want to add that Bowienet is such a great community! Today I met so many very nice people. It's been the best day I have had in a long time. ( Aliza)

This was one of my best Bowie experiences! Aliza said it all but I must add that David looks so incredibly gorgeous up close!! Wow. I'm still on a Bowie high. The folks at NBC were very nice to us and made sure we got to be front and center of the stage. David not only looks good but the man has more charisma than God should allow one person to possess. He just beams like a supernova. Oh...and the guy can sing too! (Taz)

It's hard to describe the feeling of walking up to an empty stage with ten other bnuts knowing that the Man Himself is on his way. Seeing all the regular audience members waiting behind a gate, while we sauntered right up to the stage, was surreal. Once again, A-list treatment courtesy of db. I can't say thank you enough to Sailor for having the presence of mind to include some of his bnut faithful in this appearance. The whole experience was a once in a lifetime thing for me, as I'm sure it was for the others there. It was just so surreal, I can't believe I had the good fortune to be a part of it...so- Thank You Sailor for including us!!!!!!! (pdefalco)

It was so great meeting all the other BowieNetters... It was such a great time! My head is still spinning... Can't believe we were actually that close! Everyone that was there yesterday was so sweet and kind and the people at the Tonight Show treated us so well...

Thanks sailor for such a great and memorable experience!!! (Tiffanie)

Bowie looked great wearing a shimmery jacket over a button-up shirt, some flat-front black pants with a skinny black animal-skin belt and some slick black leather boots. Gail's hair was spectacular - half shaved and half with golden locks. Mike Garson was ultra cool with a bejeweled strip running down the center of his head and those trademark flat, black sunglasses.(mephisto)

WE JUST WALKED OURSELVES RIGHT UP AND STOOD AT THE VERY FRONT! We didn't have to fight, scratch, or step on anyone to get there. LOL So, it was great. At the end, Bowie reached down and posed for a picture with about 27 of us desperately trying to hold onto his one little hand!

Oh, gosh! It was so exciting! SO, you must all watch tonight and look for Aliza and I front and center, grinning ear-to-ear, and screaming like school-girls! (sacheen)

Gail and Mike sporting the very latest in headgear
Image: Mark Plati

Once again, as you can see, we are lucky enough to have some pictures from Mark Plati. You can click on the image above to check out some close-ups of Gail's latest stunning hairstyle.

(Thanks again SusanS)

:))

Moonage Daydream New York Launch Party

Mick Rock, Tony Visconti and one of the images from 'Moonage Daydream'
Image: Helen2

Make me jump into the air

Better late than never, we bring you this inside snippet from BowieNetter Helen2 on the New York launch party for that most sought after and eagerly awaited of books, 'Moonage Daydream' by Mick Rock, ( 06/24/02 : NEWS: ORDER MOONAGE DAYDREAM "MASTERPIECE" NOW).

Helen had this to tell us about one the events of the year for the movers and shakers of New York City:-

"It was a great party, held during a major heatwave, in a wonderful old building in downtown NY with not very effective A/C!

The space was full of models, designers (Alexander McQueen was in attendance), awesome producers (Tony Visconti with his infectious smile) and photographers ( of course Mick was there along with Bob Gruen), and then there were the likes of me along for the ride.

The walls were decorated with large prints of some of the photos from 'Moonage Daydream' on stands. What a temptation they were! Next to the DJ, who was cranking out great Glam rock, was a screen showing a continuous slide show of never before seen images from the Ziggy era. I can't wait to get my hands on this book! They were just amazing...

Food and drink flowed freely, and fun seemed to be had by all. From on the road, David sent a congratulatory email message, which Mick read out.

And her last word:- Only a month or so to go until the book arrives in my mail box, what a joy that will be...."

It sounds like a wonderful evening! For the umpteenth time in my four years on BowieNet, I wish heartily that I owned a 'Star Trek' transporter...

As a consolation, readers in the UK may like to note that Mick will be giving a talk at The Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, 16 Queen Square, Bath, on Thursday 22nd August at 7.30PM, Telephone : 01225 312084. The press release promises he will take you on 'an historical journey through his archive in words and pictures'. Unmissable...

(Thanks a lot to Helen2 for sending in the story and images)

:))

Free Movies And More

Q: What do these movies have in common?

A: Both have at least one Bowie song in them.
A: Tadpole is about older women with younger dudes -- Ziggy is about ALL the young dudes.

Read on for the quick and dirty, click the links for the full skinny and the entry form...

ZIGGY RE-RELEASE CONTEST

-- 10 pairs of tixx in each city will be given away
-- 5 runners up in each city will receive ziggy movie posters
-- Winners will be notified via a provided email address
-- tickets are non transferrable
-- Please only enter if you are certain you will be able to redeem your tickets

TADPOLE TICKET GIVEAWAY

-- Enter to win free tickets to see TADPOLE in NYC or LA
-- Winners will be notified by email
-- Tickets are good throughout the duration of the film's run in the 2 cities.
-- Transportation is not provided
-- Please only enter if you are certain you will be able to redeem your tickets
-- Special "Extra Bonus" if you show up with a "TADPOLE" date