Month: April 2003

Should’ve took a picture, Something I could keep…

Time for another auction kidz…This time we are making available several of the beautiful items that adorned the walls of the quite brilliant MTR Bowie exhibition last year. (04/26/02 NEWS: BOWIE CAREER RETROSPECTIVE AT MTR, 05/27/02 NEWS: SEE 1969 PERFORMANCE OF SPACE ODDITY, HERE, NOW!, 06/04/02 NEWS: MTR MEMBERS-ONLY PREMIER REMINDER, 06/05/02 NEWS: MICK ROCK AT NY MTR EVENT TOMORROW, 06/10/02 NEWS: WHAT TO DO IN NEW YORK TODAY)

We’re starting with two stunning Mick Rock framed photographs, pictured below. Spend a moment gasping at their beauty, then read the descriptions below.

This first shot is an outtake from a session at David’s home, Haddon Hall in Beckenham. Famous for being used on the reverse of the RCA reissue of the Space Oddity album, this classic image was apparently taken in young Zowie’s bedroom. The session was described by Mick Rock thus:

It turned out to be a magical session for both of us, the results cementing our friendship and guaranteeing my role in the great scheme of things.

This second rather moody shot was taken on October 16th 1972 within the grounds of the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. Mick Rock again:

We did the shoot just before going to see the premier of Andy Warhol’s Heat. David’s clothes were a tryout for the Jean Genie promo (we didn’t call them videos then) that I shot and directed in San Francisco.

These pictures are classic Mick Rock Ziggy shots, both perfect examples of how far ahead of the game David was. The hair in the first shot, and the clothes in the second, greatly influenced the look of Punk Rock in the UK four years later.

Both pictures come professionally mounted and framed, and are approximately 16″x22″. Click on each of the images to be taken to the relevant auction. Good luck if you do decide to go for them.

And I say to myself you’re a fool, fool, fool…

David Bowie has contributed a brand new recording to a tribute album in honour of the late Anthony Newley. The song, What Kind Of Fool Am I?, was recorded during sessions for David’s next album, and was produced by Tony Visconti, who had this to say about the recording of the track:

It really was quite a touching session. David clearly has a genuine affection for the song, and it’s an emotional rendition which boasts one of his very best vocal performances, ever.

Of course, DB is no stranger to the song, he used to perform it live back in the sixties with The Buzz. Neither has he made any secret of his love for the work of Anthony Newley. His first album, David Bowie, released by Deram in 1967 received many comparisons to Newley, and David has spoken of his love for Newley’s bizarre TV production, The Strange World Of Gurney Slade, on this very site.

The 16-track album, POP GOES THE WEASEL – A Tribute To Anthony Newley, is due on April 14th, the anniversary of Newley’s death on the same day in 1999. All of the songs have been recorded exclusively for the CD, and initial copies will include a competition to spend a day going up and down the City Road in London’s Islington.

I don’t yet have a full tracklisting, but here are the songs mentioned in the press release:

DAVID BOWIE – What Kind Of Fool Am I?
BLUR – Pop Goes The Weasel
RAY DAVIES – I Guess It Couldn’t Happen to a Nicer Guy
McALMONT & BUTLER – I Get Along Without You Very Well
THE PRODIGY – I Don’t Want To Set The World On Fire
SUEDE – The Candy Man
PAUL WELLER – Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)
THE WHO – Gonna Build A Mountain

Copyright issues mean that we can’t stream the song online just yet, but those of you who would like to hear a 30-second snippet can e-mail me at TotalBlamBlam@davidbowie.com for an Mp3. };-)