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“Just about the best you can hear”
Congratulations are due to Rowan Jennings, Karl Mainzer and Adam Scourfield on receiving a BAFTA this evening.
The much deserved award is for their sound work (pun intended) on Francis Whately’s superb David Bowie – Five Years: The Making Of An Icon documentary, which aired on BBC2 back in May of 2013.
Television Craft | Sound – Factual in 2014
WINNER
David Bowie – Five Years
Rowan Jennings
Karl Mainzer
Adam Scourfield
“If we can sparkle he may land tonight”
If you’ve not already seen it, there are only a few hours left for your chance to win three David Bowie 40th Anniversary picture discs, courtesy of Parlophone Records.
The records up for grabs are: John, I’m Only Dancing, Drive-In Saturday and Life On Mars? That’s a third of the discs so far released to help you get started.
The contest ends at midnight UK time today (appropriately enough, the 42nd birthday of the original Starman 45 in the UK) and you can enter here right now.
In case you can’t read it in our montage, the text in the 1972 US “David Bowie Is The Starman” advert reads thus…
“He’s thin and he’s English. He’s got orange hair and he sings and plays electric guitar. He’s got a hit record called “Starman” which is from his new album called “The Rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.” David Bowie. He’s Ziggy Stardust and he’s beautiful.”
And who here could disagree with that, even if it is 42 years later?
“Now hear this Rob Stringer”
The Music Week Awards 2014 took place in London tonight. Columbia US chairman Rob Stringer picked up the prestigious Strat Award at the ceremony, and was congratulated by artists and executives from across the industry, including David Bowie who sent the following message.
When I first knocked on the door of his office at Sony, New York, you can imagine my surprise when a member of Daft Punk opened it. In silence he brought me in and indicated that I should take a seat on the comfy armchair to the right of the chairman’s desk, around which he moved and took his place in the chairman’s chair.
He removed the shiny helmet.
It was Rob.
‘This,’ he said ‘is how far I will go for my artists.’ I found out that during the course of that day Rob had not only guested as an executive third Daft Punk member at a lunchtime gig at a club in Manhattan, but had also led a Dylanology symposium at Barneys clothing store, sung falsetto on a new London Grammar track and choreographed a touching interpretive dance number to One Direction’s ‘They Don’t Know About Us’ for the cast of Glee.
Knowing him for the man he is, it came as no surprise that he had won tonight’s most prestigious award, The Strat.
If you become the object of his enthusiasm an artist will find a genuine long-term support that is sadly missing in the recording industry.
When he asked me if I minded if he took a few Saturdays off from his duties as percussionist on my new album this year in order to catch the Luton Town football club fixtures, how could I refuse? It’s the least I could offer to the man who with his own hands pulled my album to number one throughout the world.
Congrats for The Strat, Rob. You’re a star.
David Bowie 2014
“Just another future song”
Following hot on the stack heels of ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SUICIDE and 1984 (both released on April 19th for Record Store Day 2014), June 16th brings the next in the series of special DAVID BOWIE limited edition 7″ picture disc releases: the 40th anniversary edition of DIAMOND DOGS.
Diamond Dogs is the tenth release in this continuing run of 40th anniversary 45s, except that this is the first in the series that isn’t a 45 as it will actually play at 33 1/3 rpm.
Originally released in June 1974 DIAMOND DOGS was the second single to be taken from the album of the same name with REBEL REBEL being the first.
The ground breaking six minute track was originally backed by the re-recording of Holy Holy. But, for its fortieth anniversary it will be a double A side with the vinyl debut of the live version of the song taken from the 2005 mix of DAVID LIVE.
The image on the A side of the picture disc is an outtake from the famous session shot by photographer Terry O’Neill and the AA side features a previously unpublished image from the 1974 US tour.
DAVID BOWIE – DIAMOND DOGS LIMITED EDITION 40th ANNIVERSARY 7″ PICTURE DISC 33 1/3RPM
A-Side Diamond Dogs
Arranged & produced by David Bowie
Mixed by David Bowie & Tony Visconti
Recorded at Olympic & Island Studios, London
AA – Side Diamond Dogs (David Live – 2005 mix)
Produced & mixed by Tony Visconti
Recorded live at Tower Theater, Philadelphia, July 1974
Catalogue Number DBDOGS 40
DIAMOND DOGS is released on Parlophone June 16th 2014, with the usual regional variations.
PLEASE NOTE: This release has been put back one week to June 23rd 2014.
“I fear MIS days are numbered”
As we post this, there are two more days for the V&A’s hugely successful David Bowie is Exhibition at the Museum of Image and Sound in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (http://smarturl.it/MIS)
If you’ve still not been and you can get there, get your skates on now!
“Under the moonlight, this serious moonlight”
Though it reached #10 in our album poll last year, such was the global success of Let’s Dance it’s possibly the album that most people are familiar with around the world and it remains Bowie’s best-selling album.
Produced by David Bowie and Nile Rodgers, Let’s Dance was released on this day (April 14th) worldwide, spending 13 weeks in the UK Top 5. The album also made it to #4 on the US chart.
The attendant singles, Let’s Dance, China Girl and Modern Love were also worldwide smashes and you can remind yourself of the reason why here.
“Gimme your hands ’cos you’re wonderful”
Today sees the 40th anniversary of David Bowie’s Rock ’N’ Roll Suicide single in the UK, so what better day to announce the winners of the recent contest on DavidBowie.com in celebration?
You may remember that the contest was to win one of three copies of a specially pressed single-sided vinyl 45 of David Bowie’s Farewell Speech/Rock ’N’ Roll Suicide, signed by David Bowie himself.
Well not only did that prize double to six copies, but David also agreed to personalise each copy too!
Remarkably, and despite several attempts to contact them, one winner has thus far failed to claim their prize. So if your name is Shaun and you entered this contest, check your email now and respond before your prize is put back in the hat!
Here are the other five winners who agreed to have their names published here…
Alan Albury
Gilly Douglas
Jill Munro
Martin Sirl
Pascal Reyreau
Well done folks, a pretty cool prize if ever there was one.
Don’t forget the 40th anniversary picture disc of Rock ’N’ Roll Suicide will be available on RSD 2014 next Saturday the 19th along with 1984.
“You’re face to face with”
David Bowie’s third studio album, the Tony Visconti-produced The Man Who Sold The World, was released on this day (April 10th) in 1971 in the UK.
Issued the previous November in the US, the UK release was delayed in no small part due to problems regarding the sleeve artwork.
Pictured here (clockwise from top left) are the original US and UK versions, the German round cover, and the standard worldwide 1972 RCA reissue.
Four great sleeves, one classic album. Remind yourself here.
“Putting on the black tie, cranking out the white noise”
The David Bowie album Black Tie White Noise was released this day in 1993. (April 6th in the US)
The LP not only reunited Bowie with producer Nile Rodgers but also with the #1 album spot in the UK, which had evaded him for the release of a studio album since 1984’s Tonight.
If you’ve not listened for a while, it really is worth revisiting. Aside from a clutch of great singles: Black Tie White Noise (Featuring Al B. Sure!), Jump They Say and Miracle Goodnight, the album also featured the Scott Walkeresque You’ve Been Around, Nite Flights (a Scott Walker original) the charming Don’t Let Me Down & Down and the closing track, the vocal version of The Wedding Song, a romantic tribute to Iman.
“The music is outside, It’s happening now”
PEPSI MAX®HAILS HEROES ON AND OFF THE PITCH
Pepsi MAX celebrates music and football proving that NOW IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT with global launch of content set to run in 100 countries
2014 #FutbolNow superstar squad led by Leo Messi and music sensation Janelle Monáe
First-ever interactive approach allows consumers to CREATE THEIR OWN NOW by unlocking additional content for a closer look into the lively streets of Rio
PURCHASE, NY, April 02, 2014– #FUTBOLNOW – Pepsi MAX® today globally premiered the latest evolution of the brand’s 2014 football campaign – a new series of shorts and a TV commercial that celebrate football and music proving that “NOW IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT.” The “NOW” creative isset to air in nearly 100 countries. Starring the impressive 2014 Pepsi MAX all-star football lineup – Robin van Persie, David Luiz, Sergio Ramos, Sergio Agüero, Jack Wilshere and four-time player of the year, Leo Messi – the spot fuses the world of football and music through extraordinary singer / songwriter / producer Janelle Monáe as she performs an exclusive, fresh take of David Bowie’s iconic classic, “Heroes” – available today on iTunes worldwide.
Argentina Captain Leo Messi comments: “Pepsi celebrates the passion and energy of football fans. It is a mesmerizing anthem, uniting us all – on the street or on a pitch – in a celebration of the moment.”
The creative unfolds many surprises as it meanders through the streets of Rio and is told through the eyes of digital beat sensation, Stony – an everyday hero – proving that every day can become extraordinary when you live for now. With the instantly recognizable sound of the Pepsi MAX can as the starting point, Stony takes fans through a colorful, rhythmic journey uniting football, music and art. The intertwined story ends with an electric culmination where Stony steps into an urban pitch filled with a crowd of fans united in a spontaneous moment of celebration.
Much like sports unite the world through friendly competition, Stony unites famous footballers, the city of Rio and Janelle with a simple beat to create a passion that is irresistible.
“I love everything the film stands for. To me, it is all about that extraordinary burst of courage and passion which can embolden everyday people in a moment of spontaneity, which is also the message of David Bowie’s venerable song,” said Monáe. “I was honored to join Pepsi for this campaign and remind people that now more than ever, we can all be heroes.”
The interactive film of the commercial provides an immersive viewing experience, with a series of original moments for fans to unlock. The “now” is put directly into the hands of the fan, unlocking additional interactive content to delve deeper into Stony’s tour through the streets of Rio – allowing them to create their own experience. The compelling, interactive escape offers twists and turns to the story of the footballers, Rio, Stony and Janelle and how their worlds sync up, all brought to life in an engaging, uniquely shareable way, with content vignettes including:
– a Messi sighting, with a crowd excitably gathering around him
– an impromptu Samba dance party
– impressive tricks performed by some of the world’s greatest football talent
– Stony making beats from the street
– a signed ball from Ramos which fans can personalize and share
– picture snapping with Stony and a beautiful girl as they explore the colorful city
– an extended Janelle Monáe performance of “Heroes”
– “The Art of Football” documentary trailer, giving a look into the making-of the unique Pepsi art collection combining street art, photography and football
– behind the scenes on-set in Rio
Kristin Patrick, Pepsi Global Chief Marketing Officer, PepsiCo Global Beverage Group: “We were inspired by the power and unity that sports and music bring to the world. Our content plan to capture this spirit celebrates the creative passion of footballers with music and how both of these awesome forces inspire us to LIVE FOR NOW. We have a long history of working with the world’s best football talent to create stunning creative that sparks conversations and creates indelible moments that engage and excite football fans all over the world. This year, we are giving fans a totally unique and immersive experience of their own – a personalized journey that combines iconic music, our stellar roster of football talent and the ability to create your own NOW – uniting Pepsi fans around the world in a celebration of sport, music, art and everyday moments.”
The “Now Is What You Make It” global commercial and interactive film are the latest pieces of exciting and engaging content to be released from Pepsi MAX as part of its 2014 football campaign, which kicked off in January with the unveiling of its largest-ever, international football squad. It also follows the announcement of the brand’s creative art collection, “The Art of Football.” The yearlong campaign will continue to bring more experiences to fans throughout the year – bringing them closer to the game they love.
Adding an extra, interactive dimension to its Now Is What You Make It campaign, Pepsi MAX is bringing interactive gaming to every Pepsi Max pack. Consumers can unlock exclusive Pepsi video content on their mobile phone and also play an augmented reality football game directly from the pack using the free Blippar app.
For more information on Pepsi MAX and “Live For Now” visit www.Pepsi.com/futbolnow and follow the conversation online with #FutbolNow.
“Heroes” is available on iTunes worldwide at:http://smarturl.it/JMheroes_iTunes
ENDS