lend us a ‘song’ we can read…
Songs Inspired by Literature – Chapter 2 – a new CD out on March 12th will feature David Bowie’s 1984. David has donated the track to Artists for Literacy an organisation set up in 1999 by singer/songwriter Deborah Pardes as an innovative way to promote reading. As well as raising funds, the discs are offered as teaching tools for adults who cannot read. Their website tells us:-
In the most powerful democracy in the world 1 in 5 adults can’t read.
Just like in Chapter One, the true featured stars of Chapter Two are the books, plays and poems that inspired those songs. The CD booklet features those literary works, highlighting the unique connection that those works share with the songs they’ve inspired.
We are encouraged to support the cause by buying the CD, and there are 5 ways to buy.
Check em out!
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Sweet talking, night walking games…
Gamers on BowieNet may appreciate an early heads-up on the release of Amplitude for Playstation 2. Amplitude is the follow up to the hugely successful FreQuency and includes songs and video content from David Bowie (Everyone Says ‘Hi’), Weezer, Garbage, Quarashi, Logan 7, Blink 182, P.O.D, Mekon, Freezepop, and Dieselboy. The game will be available from March 25th in the USA. The press release tells us:-
The game has been developed exclusively for the PS2 and is described as a fast-paced addictive rhythm action game that will appeal to gamers and music enthusiasts alike.
Players have the opportunity to create custom remixes, along with customizing how each instrument sounds. The game is also online via the Network Adaptor and will challenge the musical talents of those who are interested.
Playing Amplitude online offers new opportunities for gamers to join online communities and share their experiences with other gamers across the country.
You can see a set of great screenshots here, and if you click on the image above you can download an excellent Quicktime movie preview (warning – file is large).
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I’ll give my complete attention to a very good friend of mine…
The exceptional artist John Bellany was the subject of ‘A Life In The Day’ in last week’s Sunday Times. Included in the piece was an anecdote about his close friendship with db:-
I’ve met so many people through the paintbrush… I met David Bowie through an art gallery and we’ve become close friends. Once, he got me front-row tickets for a concert, and I was chatting to him in the dressing room. Then this call came: ‘David Bowie on stage in five minutes.’ He said he’d wait until I’d got to my seat. When I sat down, I saw the curtain twitch and it was him, checking. Then whoosh, the curtain opened and he started charging around – and I’d been talking to him about Rembrandt a few minutes earlier.
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Fascination, oh yeah, takes a part of me…
Once again this week, a David Bowie song is featured in NME’s ‘Burn It’. This week, the CD is compiled by singer Anthony Roman and drummer Greg Collins from NYC’s Radio 4. They choose “Heroes”, and here’s why:-
Anthony: “Quite possibly the best vocal ever put to tape. The peak of the Bowie/Eno relationship which continues to fascinate us all.”
(Thanks Blammo)
:))