Many happy returns of the day to Iman from everybody here at DBHQ.
Iman is pictured with her husband almost twenty-five years ago when they attended a Children's Defense Fund fundraiser in NYC on 26 September 1996.
#ImanBirthday
Vinyl, CD or Digital?
“You like me and I like it all...”
With today’s digital audio release of I’M ONLY DANCING (THE SOUL TOUR 74) and with The Width Of A Circle (TWOAC) 2CD set currently * at #15 in the UK album chart, not to mention the TWOAC 4-track 10" vinyl at #1 in the UK vinyl singles chart (albeit listed as The Prettiest Star), we got to wondering if there’s a format that Bowie fans prefer?
Either way, thanks for continuing to make all the formats a success, it’s very much appreciated.
Here’s the purchase link for TWOAC if you still need it.
* By the time you read this, those positions will no longer be relevant as the new charts are imminent.
FOOTNOTE: The images in today’s montage aren’t necessarily to scale as nobody knows how big digital is.
#BowieTWOAC #BowieIOD74
Labyrinth 35th anniversary 4K Blu-ray limited edition
“I’ll be there for you-ou-ou, As the world falls down…”
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced that it will mark the 35th anniversary of Jim Henson's 1986 Labyrinth movie with a limited edition 4K Blu-ray of the film.
The new set is presented as a 28-page digibook featuring previously unpublished content from the Henson Archives, including rare artwork, photography and early script pages, styled to resemble Sarah's book of The Labyrinth from the film.
Fans of Jareth and Sarah, not to mention a cast of other loveable characters, will be pleased to learn that previously unreleased footage will also be a part of the package...
NEW: Deleted & Alternate Scene Oubliette
NEW: Over 25 minutes of never-before-seen lost and alternate scenes, with all-new commentary from Brian Henson
NEW: Sarah's Screen Tests
The release will be available for purchase on 17th August.
Read more here.
#BowieLabyrinth #Labyrinth35th
Three days left to register for BLA
“Someone passed some bliss among the crowd...”
For those of you that hadn't seen this the first-time round, here’s a reminder that Parlophone are making the Brilliant Live Adventures set available again. Go here to register your interest: bla.davidbowie.com
Please note that registration will close on Monday 14 June.
#DBBLA #BrilliantLiveAdventures
Iman’s anniversary message to David
Today (June 6th), is the twenty ninth anniversary of David and Iman’s official church wedding at Saint James Episcopal Church, in Florence, Italy, in 1992.
We’ve superimposed the message Iman posted today, over one of Brian Aris’s beautiful shots taken on the day.
UPDATE: Iman posted a second message: “Oh, how I miss you!”
#imandaily #WeddingAnniversary #BowieForever #EternalLove
Happy 50th to Duncan Jones
“Soon you'll grow...”
Visit the official Bowie social pages to leave your fiftieth birthday wishes for David’s son, Duncan Jones. We’ll pass them on.
While you’re there, enjoy a random collection of pictures of the birthday boy with his father from across the years.
Hope you’re having a great day, Duncan. Lots of love from everybody here at DBHQ.
#DuncanJones50 #DavidAndDuncan #DuncanJones #CircleOfLife
Brilliant Live Adventures update
As promised, due to unexpected demand, we will be making the Brilliant Live Adventures available again. Go here to register your interest: bla.davidbowie.com
#DBBLA #BrilliantLiveAdventures
Holy Holy (2020 Mix) out now
“Just a little bit evil”
Three weeks ahead of The Width Of A Circle 2 CD set, due 28th May, here’s a taster in the shape of the Holy Holy (2020 mix) streaming single released via your favourite service today, 7th May.
We hope you’ll agree that Tony Visconti has made a jolly good fist of this one.
Pre-order The Width Of A Circle here.
#BowieTWOAC #BowieHolyHoly2020Mix
The Width Of A Circle pre-order now
“Well, I said hello and I said hello...”
As promised yesterday, here’s the link for the exclusive Bowie Official Store 10" vinyl, plus separate links for the 2CD set and the TMWSTW picture disc.
Please be patient if any of the links aren’t live yet, they will be, very shortly.
#BowieTWOAC #Bowie1970 #Bowie1971 #BowieTMWSTW #BowieMetrobolist
The Width Of A Circle due next month
“I said “Do It again, do it again””
Everything you want to know about this one is in the press release below. Stay tuned for pre-order links shortly.
#BowieTWOAC #Bowie1970 #Bowie1971 #BowieTMWSTW #BowieMetrobolist
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DAVID BOWIE - THE WIDTH OF A CIRCLE
COMPANION PIECE TO METROBOLIST CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD
TWO CD SET FEATURING 21 UNRELEASED TRACKS
FOUR TRACK 10” SINGLE / HIGH RESOLUTION (96/24) DIGITAL E.P. FEATURING 4 NON-ALBUM SINGLES NEWLY REMIXED BY TONY VISCONTI
THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD ALBUM PICTURE DISC
RELEASED 28th MAY ON PARLOPHONE
Last week saw the 50th anniversary of the original UK release of The Man Who Sold The World, David Bowie’s landmark entry into the 1970s. The album began the collaboration with guitarist Mick Ronson that would continue with such Bowie classics as Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane.
The 2020 re-release of The Man Who Sold The World restored the album’s intended title Metrobolist, while featuring a new mix by original producer Tony Visconti. Taking its name from the album’s opening track, which was named after a painting by Bowie’s friend George Underwood, the new two-CD set The Width Of A Circle acts as a complementary piece to that album. Its 21 tracks feature non-album singles, a BBC In Concert session, music for a TV play and further Visconti remixes wrapping up David’s recordings from 1970 and revealing the first sonic steps toward Hunky Dory.
Also released on 28th May is a picture disc version of The Man Who Sold The World album, featuring the striking black and white imagery of the 1972 reissue.
DAVID BOWIE – THE WIDTH OF A CIRCLE
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CD 1:
THE SUNDAY SHOW INTRODUCED BY JOHN PEEL
Recorded on 5th February, 1970 and broadcast on 8th February, 1970
Amsterdam *
God Knows I’m Good *
Buzz The Fuzz
Karma Man
London Bye, Ta-Ta
An Occasional Dream
The Width Of A Circle*
Janine
Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud
Unwashed And Somewhat Slightly Dazed*
Fill Your Heart
The Prettiest Star
Cygnet Committee*
Memory Of A Free Festival*
Performed by David Bowie and The Tony Visconti Trio (a.k.a. The Hype)
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CD 2:
THE LOOKING GLASS MURDERS AKA PIERROT IN TURQUOISE:
When I Live My Dream
Columbine
The Mirror
Threepenny Pierrot
When I Live My Dream (Reprise)
SINGLES
The Prettiest Star (Alternative Mix)
Single mix released on 6th March, 1970 on Mercury Records MF 1135. This is the unreleased alternative mix created for promotion in the US market.
London Bye, Ta-Ta*
Originally recorded and rejected as the follow up single to ‘Space Oddity’. This mono mix was finally released on the Sound & Vision box set in 1989.
London Bye, Ta-Ta (1970 Stereo Mix)*
This stereo mix of the above remained unreleased until the reformatted reissue of the Sound & Vision box set in 2003, replacing the mono mix.
Memory Of A Free Festival (Single Version Part 1)*
Memory Of A Free Festival (Single Version Part 2)*
The re-recorded electric version of the closing track from the David Bowie (aka Space Oddity) album released as a single on Mercury Records 6052 026 on 26th June, 1970.
Holy Holy*
This non-album single A side, backed by the album version of ‘Black Country Rock’ from The Man Who Sold The World album, was released on Mercury Records 6052 049 on 15th January, 1971.
SOUNDS OF THE 70’S: ANDY FERRIS SHOW
Recorded on 25th March, 1970 and broadcast on the 6th April, 1970
Waiting For The Man
The Width Of A Circle
The Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud*
The Supermen (Bowie At The Beeb vinyl only)*
Performed by David Bowie and The Hype
2020 MIXES
The Prettiest Star (2020 Mix)
London Bye, Ta-Ta (2020 Mix)
Memory Of A Free Festival (Single Version - 2020 Mix)
All The Madmen (Single Edit 2020 Mix)
Holy Holy (2020 Mix)
(*denotes previously released)
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THE WIDTH OF A CIRCLE 10” SINGLE & 96/24 digital E.P.
Available only from the official David Bowie store.
Side 1
1. The Prettiest Star (2020 Mix)
2. London Bye, Ta-Ta (2020 Mix)
Side 2
1. Memory Of A Free Festival (2020 Mix)
2. Holy Holy (2020 Mix)
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The Man celebrates his 50th birthday
“Oh no, not me, I never lost control”
Last week we posted the newly discovered evidence that the UK version of The Man Who Sold The World (TMWSTW), was released on Thursday 8th April 1971, fifty years ago today.
Judging by today’s celebrations all over Bowie socials, the small detail that we posted the item on 1st April did nothing to make fans suspicious of this new information. And rightly so, it's a good old-fashioned fact.
Also issued on the same day were two compilations containing Bowie tracks. Dimension Of Miracles was a double vinyl Mercury sampler which contained tracks from new and recent releases including The Width Of A Circle.
Meanwhile Philips released The Sound Of The Seventies, not a wholly convincing description of the content seeing as the Bowie track was from the previous decade in the shape of Space Oddity.
Today’s montage is just for fun and features reimagined versions of the front cover of TMWSTW, alongside the released version you all know and love.
#Bowie1971 #BowieTMWSTW #ManDress
Bowie Thing hits #102
Just a note to say that the #DailyBowieThing we started on the official Bowie Facebook and Instagram pages has morphed into #AnOccasionalBowieThing, albeit still with very frequent posts.
Today’s entry is pasted below, for the other 101 entries, try these pages:
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BOWIE THING – #102
“Listen to 8-tracks by Sam Therapy and King Dice...”
We’ve featured a lot of RFs* since we started #DailyBowieThing last November, so it’s surprising it’s taken this long to get around to the 8-track cartridge.
We’ve written enough about them over the years, so we won’t bore you with more detail, suffice to say, this once hugely popular format is no longer in production.
Bowie 8-tracks were produced from 1967 through to 1987 with all the territorial variations a collector would expect. In short, it’s not an area the faint-hearted should embark upon.
However, if this is an area of collecting that appeals, check out John Carroll & Leo Rodia’s exhaustive site: BowieOnTape.com – But, be warned, as brilliant a resource as it is, it may make you think twice before you embark upon this particular endeavour.
We have illustrated this item with the four earliest examples we are aware of, clockwise from top left...
1 = 1967 US Deram album debut, unfortunately missing its outer cardboard slipcase...presuming there was one.
2 = 1970 UK Decca The World Of David Bowie, still in original shrinkwrap.
3 = 1971 UK Mercury The Man Who Sold The World, again, no slipcase but impossible to find these days.
4 = 1971 US Mercury The Man Who Sold The World, in original shrinkwrap and does turn up fairly regularly.
There are suggestions that #4 is a counterfeit, but that’s a can of worms we’ll be opening another day.
* Redundant Fomats
#AnOccasionalBowieThing #DailyBowieThing #BowieOnTape #Bowie1967 #Bowie1970 #Bowie1971
TMWSTW release date correction
“For which my reputation swept back home in drag”
Back in November of last year we said we weren’t sure about the accepted release date of Wednesday 4th November 1970, for Mercury’s US release of The Man Who Sold The World (TMWSTW).
We have since uncovered more information which points to the album coming out sometime in January 1971, though we don’t yet have an exact date. We will do a follow up with some of the ‘evidence’ that led us to that conclusion at some point.
Meanwhile, next week sees the 50th anniversary of the release of the UK version of TMWSTW, also via Mercury. The recorded release date for what is often referred to as the 'drag' or 'dress' sleeve is 10th April, 1971. Being a Saturday, this was another date that didn’t sit comfortably with us.
Tris Penna came to the rescue only yesterday with some items from his impressive collection, namely original release sheets and a reviewer’s copy with a date stamp on the back sleeve. (Look closely, it is there.)
So, here’s hard evidence that TMWSTW was actually released on Thursday 8th April 1971. With Friday 9th April 1971 being Good Friday, this Thursday release makes perfect sense. The release of Aladdin Sane was similarly affected by Easter.
Mercury’s failure to promote the release of TMWSTW won’t have helped the dismal UK sales, prompting Bowie to make this comment later the same year: “It sold like hotcakes in Beckenham, and nowhere else.”
#Bowie1970 #Bowie1971 #BowieTMWSTW #ManDress
Bowie’s first solo single is 55 today
“Thousand years and I’ll return...“
Hot on the heels of Can’t Help Thinking About Me, David Bowie’s Do Anything You Say/Good Morning Girl single was released on the Pye label on this day in 1966.
Bowie penned both songs and though he was backed by The Buzz on these Tony Hatch produced recordings, the single was the first to be credited to Bowie alone.
You can hear an alternate mix of the track along with Bowie’s other 1966 output on I Dig Everything: The 1966 Pye Singles: http://smarturl.it/Bowie1966
Our montage shows Bowie performing Can't Help Thinking About Me the previous month on Ready Steady Go!, and the Pye Records press release lifted from Kevin Cann’s remarkable tome, ANY DAY NOW – The London Years: 1947 – 1974, where you can read the full unobscured release along with so much more.
#Bowie1966 #BowieAndTheBuzz
Brilliant Live Adventures update
We are aware that a number of fans have had a poor shopping experience during the ‘Brilliant Live Adventures’ campaign, and for that we are very sorry. We also recognise that, due to the unexpected demand, unfortunately many of you have been unable to purchase certain titles and subsequently missed out on the opportunity to complete their collection.
In the coming weeks we will provide you with further details of how and when we will be making these titles available to you again.
Once again, we apologise and thank you for your patience and continued support.
#DBBLA #BrilliantLiveAdventures
BLA Part 6 - DAVID BOWIE AT THE KIT KAT KLUB (LIVE NEW YORK 99)
“By the time I got to New York...”
Using a process of elimination, it’s possible that some of you saw this one coming. The news is that DAVID BOWIE AT THE KIT KAT KLUB (LIVE NEW YORK 99) will be available for pre-order this coming Friday, 19th March, on CD and double vinyl, with a release date of 2nd April.
Use this link on Friday to pre-order both BLA Part 6 and extra slipcases which will be available at the same time.
Keep reading for the full press release.
#BowieKitKatKlub #DBBLA #BrilliantLiveAdventures
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DAVID BOWIE AT THE KIT KAT KLUB (LIVE NEW YORK 99) TO BE RELEASED ON CD AND 2xLP 2nd APRIL
SIXTH & FINAL RELEASE IN ‘BRILLIANT LIVE ADVENTURES’ SERIES OF SINGLE PRESSING LIVE ALBUMS FROM THE 1990s
LIMITED EDITION BOXES TO HOUSE COMPLETE SETS AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY VIA THE DAVID BOWIE OFFICIAL STORE & WARNER MUSIC GROUP’S DIG! STORE
Parlophone Records is proud to announce DAVID BOWIE AT THE KIT KAT KLUB (LIVE NEW YORK 99), the sixth and final instalment of DAVID BOWIE 'BRILLIANT LIVE ADVENTURES', a series of 1990s era Bowie live albums released as limited one run only vinyl and CD pressings. The albums and limited-edition boxes to house the full vinyl or CD collections will be available only via the David Bowie official store and Warner Music Group’s Dig! store.
Out 2nd April on CD and double vinyl, DAVID BOWIE AT THE KIT KAT KLUB (LIVE NEW YORK 99) is a 12-track live album, recorded on 19th November 1999 in front of an invite-only audience of fans and contest winners.
The show was recorded and filmed for webcast the following month via Liveonline.net. The audio from the show was previously only available as a 12-track promotional CD.
DAVID BOWIE AT THE KIT KAT KLUB (LIVE NEW YORK 99) was recorded live at the Kit Kat Klub, 19th November 1999, produced by David Bowie, mixed by Mark Plati, and features Bowie backed by Page Hamilton - guitar, Gail Ann Dorsey - bass, vocals, Mark Plati – guitar, Sterling Campbell – drums, Mike Garson – piano, keyboards, synthesisers and Emm Gryner and Holly Palmer – backing vocals.
DAVID BOWIE AT THE KIT KAT KLUB (LIVE NEW YORK 99)
CD
Life On Mars?
Thursday's Child
Something In The Air
China Girl
Can't Help Thinking About Me
Always Crashing In The Same Car
Survive
Stay
Seven
Changes
The Pretty Things Are Going To Hell
I’m Afraid Of Americans
LP
Side 1
Life On Mars?
Thursday's Child
Something In The Air
Side 2
China Girl
Can't Help Thinking About Me
Always Crashing In The Same Car
Side 3
Survive
Stay
Seven
Side 4
Changes
The Pretty Things Are Going To Hell
I’m Afraid Of Americans
Young Americans in 60 seconds on Dig!
“I Dig Everything...”
As you may have noticed, we usually only make posts for Bowie related anniversaries in the larger of the five-year increments, five through to fifty five, etc.
However, the folk over at Dig! have decided to mark the 46th anniversary of the release of the Young Americans album with one of their snazzy 'In Sixty Seconds' videos.
Watch a slightly extended version here on YouTube.
For those wanting something a little more substantial, here’s a link to a more in-depth piece over on Dig!:
FOOTNOTE: We are duty-bound to point out that the content we've linked to was all created by Dig!, so we can’t take credit for any of it.
#BowieYoungAmericans
Life On Mars live Paris 99 video
“Rule Brittania is out of bounds”
For those of you who didn’t set a reminder for the YouTube premiere of the official Life On Mars? (Live at the Elysée Montmartre, 1999) video, here it is.
#BowieSomethingInTheAir #DBBLA #BrilliantLiveAdventures
BLA 5 Something In The Air pre-order link
“I've got Friday on my mind”
Yesterday we announced the fact that the Something In The Air (Live Paris 99) CD and double vinyl will be available for pre-order tomorrow morning, Friday, 26th February, with a release date of 12th March.
Here’s the link you will need for Friday morning wherever you are.
#BowieSomethingInTheAir #DBBLA #BrilliantLiveAdventures
BLA Part 5 - Something In The Air (Live Paris 99) Pre-order Friday
“Lived all our best times...”
Some of you have successfully second-guessed BLA 5, on account of it already having been released for streaming last year. The news is that it will be available for pre-order this coming Friday, 26th February, with a release date of 12th March on CD and double vinyl.
Keep reading for the full press release.
#BowieSomethingInTheAir #DBBLA #BrilliantLiveAdventures
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DAVID BOWIE
‘SOMETHING IN THE AIR (LIVE PARIS 99)’
TO BE RELEASED ON CD AND 2xLP 12th MARCH
FIFTH RELEASE IN ‘BRILLIANT LIVE ADVENTURES’ SERIES OF SIX SINGLE PRESSING LIVE ALBUMS FROM THE 1990s VINYL, CD AND LIMITED EDITION BOXES TO HOUSE COMPLETE SETS AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY VIA THE DAVID BOWIE OFFICIAL STORE & WARNER MUSIC GROUP’S DIG! STORE
24th February 2021 London Parlophone Records is proud to announce the newest instalment of DAVID BOWIE 'BRILLIANT LIVE ADVENTURES', a series of six live albums from various 1990s era Bowie performances being released on vinyl and CD as limited one run only pressings. The albums and limited-edition boxes for both vinyl and CD to house the full collection will be available only via the David Bowie official store and Warner Music Group’s Dig! store.
The fifth in the series, out 12th March on CD and double vinyl, is SOMETHING IN THE AIR (LIVE PARIS 99) a 15-track live album, featuring 12 previously unreleased recordings and three B-sides of singles from the ‘hours…’ album. The day of the show was a momentous one for Bowie, as that afternoon he was awarded the Commandeurs of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, the highest artistic honour that France can bestow.
The Elysée Montmartre performance was one of only seven full shows promoting the ‘hours…’ album. For this special limited run of gigs Bowie dug deep into his back catalogue making these shows particularly memorable. Standout tracks include ‘Can’t Help Thinking About Me’ first released in 1966 and not performed live in over 30 years, 'Word On A Wing' from Station To Station reinstated into the set after a 23-year absence, 'Drive-In Saturday' performed for the first time since 1974, and ‘hours…’ track 'Something In The Air’ in its first live performance.
SOMETHING IN THE AIR (LIVE PARIS 99) was recorded live at the Elysée Montmartre on 14th October 1999. It was mixed by Mark Plati, and features Bowie backed by Page Hamilton – guitar, Gail Ann Dorsey – bass, vocals, Mark Plati – guitar, Sterling Campbell – drums, Mike Garson – piano, keyboards, synthesisers and Emm Gryner and Holly Palmer – backing vocals.
DAVID BOWIE - SOMETHING IN THE AIR (LIVE PARIS 99) CD TRACKLISTING
01 - Life On Mars? (David Bowie)
02 - Thursday's Child (David Bowie/Reeves Gabrels)
03 - Something In The Air (David Bowie/Reeves Gabrels)
04 - Word On A Wing (David Bowie)
05 - Can't Help Thinking About Me (David Bowie)
06 - China Girl (David Bowie/Iggy Pop)
07 - Always Crashing In The Same Car (David Bowie)
08 - Survive (David Bowie/Reeves Gabrels)
09 - Drive-In Saturday (David Bowie)
10 - Changes (David Bowie)
11 - Seven (David Bowie/Reeves Gabrels)
12 - Repetition (David Bowie)
13 - I Can't Read (David Bowie/Reeves Gabrels)
14 - The Pretty Things Are Going To Hell (David Bowie/Reeves Gabrels)
15 - Rebel Rebel (David Bowie)
DAVID BOWIE - SOMETHING IN THE AIR (LIVE PARIS 99) LP TRACKLISTING
Side 1
Life On Mars?
Thursday's Child
Something In The Air
Side 2
Word On A Wing
Can't Help Thinking About Me
China Girl
Always Crashing In The Same Car
Side 3
Survive
Drive-In Saturday
Changes
Seven
Side 4
Repetition
I Can't Read
The Pretty Things Are Going to Hell
Rebel Rebel
DAVID BOWIE - 'SOMETHING IN THE AIR (LIVE PARIS 99)' IS AVAILABLE ON ISO RECORDS/PARLOPHONE RECORDS 12th MARCH ON CD AND 2xLP