Month: November 2015

 

“We’re choosing the path between the stars”

 

Lots of ★ street advertising going on around the globe in the last couple of weeks. First there were posters for the ★ single and now the ★ album is getting some exposure too.

Our montage shows posters for the single in New York and a huge billboard in London at the corner of Hammersmith Road / North End Road (next to Olympia exhibition centre).

Meanwhile, Jonathan Barnbrook talks about the creation of some of that imagery with Emily Gosling over on It’s Nice That.

 

#Blackstar  #imablackstar  #BlackstarSingle  #BlackstarAlbum  #BarnbrookBowie

 

“Closer than others I was your, I was your man”

 

On November 23rd 1975, David Bowie appeared in a fifteen minute segment for CBS TV’s Cher show.

The Bowie performances commenced with him sporting slicked back hair (Thin White Duke colouring and style) in blue jacket and shirt with grey slacks, singing his first US #1 single, Fame, which had peaked a couple of months earlier in September.

Fame was followed by a moving rendition of Can You Hear Me, performed as a duet with Cher. Both Fame and Can You Hear Me were live vocals sung over a pre-recorded backing track.

Bowie wore the same outfit for Can You Hear Me as he had for Fame, while Cher wore a black number and a black bob, which may have been a wig. Cher was as famous for her wigs as Bowie was for his actual hairstyle changes.

The fifteen minute performance concluded with a six and a half minute medley duet, which featured snippets of no less than thirteen different songs, and it’s one of the strangest bits of Bowie TV of all time.

The pair wore all white for the duet, aside from Bowie’s tweed jacket and Cher’s red wig, echoing Bowie’s own hair colour.

It seemed the more conservatively Bowie dressed during this period, the more bizarre he looked. Though it has to be said that his apparel remained beautifully stylish without a trace of irony.

The same can be said of the medley itself. On paper it looks a little cheesy, but if you’ve not seen it we think you’ll agree that both singers’ performances are sincere and heartfelt.

It shouldn’t have worked, what with Cher’s house band performing the backing and the choice of snippets performed, but it did.

Here’s a list of the songs featured in the medley.

 

Young Americans Medley

 

Young Americans

Song Sung Blue

One

Da Doo Ron Ron

Wedding Bell Blues

Maybe

Mabye Baby

Day Tripper

Blue Moon

Only You (And You Alone)

Temptation

Ain’t No Sunshine

Young Blood

Young Americans

 

You can watch the full thing here on YouTube:

 

Finally, here’s a great piece by Gavin Edwards on RollingStone.com from last year, wherein Gavin accuses Bowie and Cher of taking the medley to “someplace glorious and insane”. Fair cop.

 

#BowieCher 

 

“I can still hear some Classic Pop…popular musics”

 

The December 2015/January 2016 edition of Classic Pop magazine boasts a fair bit of Bowie.

First up there’s a double-page spread announcing the arrival of the ★ album on January 8th next year, then there’s a 4 out of 5 full-page review of it by Rudy Bolly, who describes the album thus: “Blackstar is a genre-hopping return to his experimental prime.”.

David Bowie and Tony Blair at The Brits in February 1996 are the focus of the mag’s regular Classic Pop Moments item, and Let’s Dance and Tonight are both listed in a TOP 100 ALBUMS OF THE 1980s special feature.

Also, the Bowie & Bing duet of Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth gets a favourable mention in a piece titled: The Classic Pop Of… Christmas.

Finally, the red vinyl iSELECT album is listed in the Buried Treasures section at £300 for a sealed copy. Blimey!

Classic Pop is on sale now.

 

#Blackstar  #imablackstar #BlackstarSingle  #BlackstarAlbum

 

“Had to cram so many things to store everything in there”

 

The January 2016 edition of MOJO magazine (Issue 266) contains 16-pages dedicated to David Bowie, not to mention the front cover and two quality A4 art prints, all housed in a rather tasty glossy card envelope.

Here’s how MOJO describes the Bowie content…

 

MOJO 266 / January 2016

The new MOJO magazine is a must-have for admirers of David Bowie. The cover story is the exclusive inside skinny on his new album, ★ (Blackstar), backed up with a 35th Anniversary celebration of his 1980 classic, Scary Monsters, while all print issues come equipped with two fabulous Bowie art prints by celebrated portraitists Mick Rock and Duffy, all inside a posh card sleeve.

 

DAVID BOWIE ★ EXCLUSIVE With his new album pending, MOJO enjoys exclusive access to David Bowie’s inner sanctum of collaborators and musicians as we tell the story of its creation, including an interview with Bowie’s trusted lieutenant Tony Visconti. (8 pages)

 

PLUS! SCARY MONSTERS To mark its 35th anniversary, we unveil the inside story of the album that invented the ’80s. (6 pages)

 

The remaining two-pages are taken up with a 4 out of 5 review for the ★ album by Keith Cameron. As ever, all of the new Bowie portraits in the magazine were taken by Jimmy King.

 

The January edition of MOJO magazine is on shelves tomorrow, November 24th. 

 

 

#Blackstar  #imablackstar #BlackstarSingle  #BlackstarAlbum

 

“In the centre of it all”

 

The January 2016 edition of UNCUT magazine contains a 3-page, 8 out of 10 ★ album review by Michael Bonner and a fascinating six-page interview with Donny McCaslin (also by Bonner), on the making of the ★ album. Elsewhere there’s a half-page interview with Jonathan Barnbrook about working with Bowie on the look of ★.

And with phrases like: “Yet another marvellous reinvention for Bowie” and: “Welcome to Bowie’s (latest) YearZero”, you can perhaps get a hint of where the ★ album might take you…or not.

As you can see from our montage, the feature is peppered with lots of wonderful new Jimmy King portraits.

The January edition of UNCUT magazine is on shelves on November 24th.

 

#Blackstar  #imablackstar #BlackstarSingle  #BlackstarAlbum

 

“Putting on the Blackstar cranking out the white noise”

 

The January 2016 edition of Q magazine has a double-page, 4 out of 5 ★ album review by Tom Doyle. Here are a couple of lines from it…

 

“Headgame-playing art-rock Sinatra” – “…it stands alone, unique in his catalogue” – “There are layers upon layers here which will go on revealing themselves, play after play.”

 

Mr Doyle concludes on a note of excited anticipation…

 

“And so, absolutely, the thrill remains and has now been intensified. We eagerly await – if it ever arrives – the next message beamed to us from our mysteriously remote and hidden star.”

 

Q magazine is available digitally now and is in shops from Tuesday, November 24th.

 

 

#Blackstar  #imablackstar  #BlackstarSingle  #BlackstarAlbum

 

“I’m not a popstar”

 

There are a couple of ★ single related bits in the latest NME. (November 20th issue)

First up, in the publication itself, the release is listed in the RADAR section among ‘The Best New Tracks’.

While over on the NME blog pages, Mark Beaumont makes a convincing argument for “how David Bowie is upending Christmas” with the release of his ★ single, concluding thus…

 

“Whether a vision of Major Tom reincarnated as an occult deity, a statement on spirituality being twisted for dark human ends or just a screwdriver dropped into the works of the festive music machine, ‘Blackstar’ is a bold and gloriously out-of-step Grace Oddity, an anti-‘25’ just when we needed one. Have yourself an eerie little Christmas…”

 

You can read the full review here.

 

#Blackstar  #imablackstar #BlackstarSingle 

 

“Just go with me”

 

David Bowie’s ★ single is issued digitally worldwide today, with both iTunes and Amazon giving the release banner adverts.

The song has already entered both their download charts and to celebrate the fact we’re posting the lyrics here so that you can sing and shake along with confidence.

Go here for video and listening links.

 

#Blackstar  #imablackstar #BlackstarSingle  #BlackstarAlbum

 

★

(David Bowie)

 

IN THE VILLA OF ORMEN

IN THE VILLA OF ORMEN

STANDS A SOLITARY CANDLE

AH AH AH AH

IN THE CENTRE OF IT ALL

IN THE CENTRE OF IT ALL

YOUR EYES

 

ON THE DAY OF EXECUTION

ON THE DAY OF EXECUTION

ONLY WOMEN KNEEL AND SMILE

AH AH AH AH

AT THE CENTRE OF IT ALL

AT THE CENTRE OF IT ALL

YOUR EYES

YOUR EYES

 

AH AH AH

 

AH AH AH

 

IN THE VILLA OF ORMEN

IN THE VILLA OF ORMEN

STANDS A SOLITARY CANDLE

AH AH AH AH

AT THE CENTRE OF IT ALL

AT THE CENTRE OF IT ALL

YOUR EYES

YOUR EYES

 

AH AH AH

 

OO OO OO OO

OOO

OO OO OO OO

OOO

OO OO OO OO

 

SOMETHING HAPPENED ON THE DAY HE DIED

SPIRIT ROSE A METRE THEN STEPPED ASIDE

SOMEBODY ELSE TOOK HIS PLACE AND BRAVELY CRIED:

I’M A BLACKSTAR

I’M A BLACKSTAR

 

HOW MANY TIMES DOES AN ANGEL FALL?

HOW MANY  PEOPLE LIE INSTEAD OF TALKING TALL?

HE TROD ON SACRED GROUND HE CRIED ALOUD INTO THE CROWD

I’M A BLACKSTAR

I’M A BLACKSTAR

I’M NOT A GANGSTAR

 

I CAN’T ANSWER WHY

I’M A BLACKSTAR

JUST GO WITH ME

I’M NOT A FILMSTAR

IMMA TAKE YOU HOME

I’M A BLACKSTAR

TAKE YOUR PASSPORT AND SHOES

I’M NOT A POPSTAR

AND YOUR SEDATIVES BOO

I’M A BLACKSTAR

YOU’RE THE FLASH IN THE PAN

I’M NOT A MARVELSTAR

I’M THE GREAT I AM

I’M A BLACKSTAR

 

I’M A BLACKSTAR I’M WAY UP, ON MONEY, I’VE GOT GAME

I SEE RIGHT, SO WIDE, SO OPEN-HEARTED PAIN

I WANT EAGLES IN MY DAYDREAMS, DIAMONDS IN MY EYES

I’M A BLACKSTAR

I’M A BLACKSTAR

 

SOMETHING HAPPENED ON THE DAY HE DIED

SPIRIT ROSE A METRE THEN STEPPED ASIDE

SOMEBODY ELSE TOOK HIS PLACE AND BRAVELY CRIED:

I’M A BLACKSTAR

I’M A STARSTAR

I’M A BLACKSTAR

 

I CAN’T ANSWER WHY

I’M NOT A GANGSTAR

BUT I CAN TELL YOU HOW

I’M NOT A FLAMSTAR

WE WERE BORN UPSIDE DOWN

I’M A STARS STAR

BORN THE WRONG WAY ROUND

I’M NOT A WHITESTAR

I’M A BLACKSTAR

 

OO OO OO OO

 

I’M NOT A GANGSTAR

I’M A BLACKSTAR

I’M A BLACKSTAR

 

OO OO OO OO

 

I’M NOT A PORNSTAR

I’M NOT A WANDERING STAR

 

OO OO OO OO

 

I’M A BLACKSTAR

I’M A BLACKSTAR

 

IN THE VILLA OF ORMEN

STANDS A SOLITARY CANDLE

AH AH AH AH

AT THE CENTRE OF IT ALL

YOUR EYES

 

ON THE DAY OF EXECUTION

ONLY WOMEN KNEEL AND SMILE

AH AH AH AH

AT THE CENTRE OF IT ALL

YOUR EYES

YOUR EYES

 

AH AH AH

 

“Don’t let me hear you say life’s taking you nowhere, angel”

 

The Golden Years 40th anniversary 7″ picture disc (released worldwide last Friday the 13th), is at #1 on the official UK chart.

This fulfils a 40-year-old wish from November 1975, when the UK press advert for Golden Years (hot on the heels of recent chart success for Fame and Space Oddity), made the following bold prediction:

 

October No. 1…Fame…USA

November No. 1…Space Oddity…UK

December No. 1…Golden Years…WORLDWIDE

 

In the event, Golden Years didn’t make it to #1, instead peaking at #8 in the UK. Now however, with Golden Years finally at #1, all is right with the world.

As if this wasn’t enough, Bowie currently has five singles in the Official Vinyl Singles Chart Top 40 in the UK, three of which are in the top 10.

 

Official Vinyl Singles Chart Top 40

20 November 2015 – 26 November 2015

 

#01 Golden Years

#05 Space Oddity

#10 Fame

#26 Young Americans

#32 Rebel Rebel

 

Thanks to all of you who have made this series of anniversary picture discs such a success.

 

#DavidBowie  #GoldenYears40  #OCCvinyl45s

 

“It’s happening now”

 

David Bowie’s new album ★ (pronounced Blackstar) is now available for pre-order in various formats, including CD/Vinyl/Digital and a limited clear vinyl version. There are also special configurations including exclusive lithograph artwork.

 

The album’s title track and first single will be released globally tomorrow, November 20, 2015 on all digital retailer and streaming platforms. The single and film will premiere worldwide today.

 

Swipe/scroll (or click on little dots) for more images and keep reading for further information.

 

#Blackstar  #imablackstar

 

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

 

DAVID BOWIE ★ NEW ALBUM AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW

 

★ SINGLE AVAILABLE GLOBALLY FRIDAY NOVEMBER 20

 

★ SHORT FILM DIRECTED BY JOHAN RENCK PREMIERES TODAY

 

★ ALBUM OUT JANUARY 8, 2016

 

 

David Bowie’s new album ★ (pronounced Blackstar) is now available for pre-order HERE. http://smarturl.it/blackstar_amazon

 

The ★ album will be released January 8, 2016 on ISO/Columbia Records in formats including digital, CD, and a stunning die-cut vinyl LP package  – a video of the vinyl LP can be seen HERE. http://smarturl.it/blackstar_unboxing

 

The album’s title track and first single will be released globally tomorrow, November 20, 2015 on all digital retailer and streaming platforms.

 

The single and film will premiere worldwide today in venues ranging from special theatrical premiere screenings presented in cooperation with Noisey at the Nitehawk Cinema in Brooklyn to a U.S. broadcast premiere on Palladia. Details and RSVP information HERE. http://smarturl.it/BlackstarScreeningNY

 

The full ★ short film will be available online from 16:10 ET HERE. http://smarturl.it/blackstar_video

 

Watch the ★ video teaser trailer HERE. http://smarturl.it/blackstartrailer

 

Music from the ★ single has been featured in the opening title credits and trailers for new TV series The Last Panthers. The series, also directed by Johan Renck, began airing across Europe in late-October and will premiere in the U.S. on SundanceTV in Spring 2016.

 

Pre-order links:

 

CD: http://smarturl.it/blackstar_amazon

 

Vinyl LP: http://smarturl.it/blackstar_vinyl

 

Limited edition clear vinyl LP exclusively at Barnes&Noble: http://smarturl.it/blackstar_clearvinyl

 

Special configurations including exclusive lithograph artwork: http://smarturl.it/blackstar_dbstore

To receive the lithograph(s) by the Christmas holiday (and before the January 8 release date of the music product), please place your order by December 8.

 

Digital album: http://smarturl.it/blackstar_itunes