Switch on the TV we may pick him up on France two…
As I mentioned in yesterday’s Carson Daly piece, French TV station, France 2, are showing a two hour Bowie special produced by Trafic.Musique tonight at 23:05 local time. I would double-check that time though, just in case there has been a schedule change since I received that information.
David performed a great seven-song set, interspersed with some fascinating interviews and guest appearances, and I think by now it’s common knowledge that David was joined by a very special guest onstage when he performed Fashion with Blur front man, Damon Albarn.
I was privileged to be at the taping in Paris back on September 4th, and I had the chance to have a quick chat with Damon, who told me it was great to finally be able to perform a song that he had spent so much of his youth practising in front of a mirror!
Rock & Folk staff writer, and all-round Bowie expert, the very French Jerome Soligny, understood a little more of what was going on than I did… especially seeing as how my typically ignorant Englishness means that my French stretches to “Ouvre le Chien”, and, as you might imagine, I don’t get to use that particular line too often. Over to you Jerome:
French host Guillaume Durand, a long-time fan, was really happy to welcome David Bowie on the set of his show. The performance of the seven songs was brilliant and most of the talking, despite a few translation problems, was very interesting. The idea was to have others artists on the set, maybe not all Bowie-connected, but all fully aware of DB’s music. Among them were Damon Albarn, Air and Françoise Hardy.
The duet with Damon and DB is real slice of history. “Fashion”, on that special night, sounded more modern than ever! The chat between David and Damon was also great and David insisted on the fact he considers “Think Tank” as one of the best albums of the year.
Françoise Hardy, very famous singer during the sixties/seventies and now living icon, was delighted to finally meet David. She’d been saying for the last fifteen years how much she loved him as songwriter, singer and performer and was now able to meet the man in the flesh! David also seemed very happy and even more when she said “Outside” was her favourite album. She had also worked with Damon and Blur in the past.
Air played “Another Day” from their next album, out early next year and also had an interesting chat with David. He’s been aware of their work since the magnificent “Moon Safari” and confirmed he couldn’t wait to hear the new album.
Other artists “on” the show were Moby (live from New York, telling nice things about last year’s US tour), Dandy Warhols (rehearsing for the tour, they sent a video message from LA), Too, Many DJs and Mick Rock, live from London, who talked about his “Moonage Daydream” book with our man.
The chat did include some fantastic moments, (even though David couldn’t always hear the questions properly) among them the bits about Salvador Dali and Elvis Presley.
Thanx for that Jerome. As Jerome says, apart from the interviews and guest appearances, David performed seven songs that included: New Killer Star, Never Get Old, She’ll Drive The Big Car, Modern Love, Fashion (with Damon Albarn), Days and Fall Dog Bombs The Moon… all of which should be broadcast tonight.
I don’t think I need to caption these pics, just remember that David wore white jeans for rehearsals… and the tasty bird with the blonde hair is the delicious Françoise Hardy.
BowieNetters can see more of my pictures on the MBs by going
If you weren’t at the taping back on the 4th, you’re in for a special treat tonight, in fact you’re still in for a treat even if you were there. Oh, wot jolly good fun!