BW COMPETITION 8 WINNERS
28th April 2001Congratulations to the 3 winners of the BOWIEWONDERWORLD competition number 8, who each receive an advanced promotional copy of the excellent RUSTIC OVERTONES new album VIVA NUEVA.
The album is scheduled for release on 5th June, which features DAVID BOWIE'S vocals on two tracks... 'Sector Z' and 'Man Without A Mouth', along with Tony Visconti producing, recording and playing.
The three winners drawn at random are:
Ian Parker, Alison Webster and Phil Curran Check out the official www.rusticovertones.com website.
THE BITS FLEW FAR AND WIDE...
27th April 2001Gail Ann Dorsey and Joan Osborne gig tonight at the Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main Street, Tarrytown, New York at 9:00pm and tomorrow (Saturday) at The MDC Hatchshell, Boston, MA at 3:00pm...
The Jean Genie tribute band play Dublin, Eire tonight... Currently running is the 'Life On Mars' theatre play in New South Wales, Australia... The Mick Rock 'Blood and Glitter' exhibition at the Proud Galleries, in London... Final day of the BW Competition - winners announced at midnight tonight...
Eve will be the next Special Chat Guest on BowieNet on 1st May at 7:00pm EST (midnight GMT) - see worldclock for local time zone...
A DEEPER SHADE OF BLUE
27th April 2001Rednik recommends... If you get the chance, try to get hold of a copy of SCOTT WALKER: A Deeper Shade Of Blue by Mike Watkinson and Peter Anderson.
It's a wonderful read with several mentions of DAVID BOWIE along the way. Sadly, the book is now deleted, but you may find it at your local library, secondhand store or over oneBay.
Although a recluse by 1969, Scott Walker attracted the admiration of many of his contemporaries. Successive generations of singers, from David Bowie to Bono, from Julian Cope to Marc Almond, have publicly acclaimed Walker and unashamedly attempted to copy his unique delivery. For his part, Walker has remained silent and hidden, refusing to co-operate with endless requests for interviews or recordings. Yet the public fascination with a man who has not recorded for years continues; a national newspaper once offered a reward for a sighting of Walker. A Deep Shade of Blue looks into the heart and mind of Noel Scott Engel and reveals for the first time why he has lived a life of seclusion. The book uncovers the pain of his lonely childhood in Hamilton, Ohio, the truth about his years of fame, the relationships with his singing partners and lovers, why he drank heavily and, finally, why he disappeared from public view.
All in all, this makes the book as compelling as the man it profiles.
A KNIGHT'S TALE
27th April 2001
Due for release next month on May 8th is the soundtrack to A KNIGHT'S TALE featuring DAVID BOWIE'S hit 'Golden Years'. Released on the Sony/Columbia label (ASIN: B00005EBIL), the tracklisting is as follows:
..1. Queen - 'We Will Rock You'.
..2. War - 'Low Rider'.
..3. Bachman-Turner Overdrive - 'Takin' Care Of Business'.
..4. David Bowie - 'Golden Years'.
..5. Heart - 'Crazy On You'.
..6. Eric Clapton - 'Further On Up The Road'.
..7. Rare Earth - 'Get Ready'.
..8. Sly & The Family Stone - 'I Want To Take You Higher'.
..9. Thin Lizzy - 'The Boys Are Back In Town'.
10. Carter Burwell - 'One Of Your Own'.
11. Robbie Williams and Queen - 'We Are The Champions'.
12. Dan Powell - 'Pieces'.
13. Third Eye Blind - 'Eye Conqueror' (a brand-new track).You can pre order the album here.
Thanks to Chaz for the pointer.
WIN A COPY OF RUSTIC'S VIVA NUEVA!
26th April 2001Two days remaining on the BOWIEWONDERWORLD competition number 8... get your entries in.
This is your opportunity to win an advanced copy of the excellent RUSTIC OVERTONES new album VIVA NUEVA released on 5th June, featuring DAVID BOWIE'S vocals on two tracks... 'Sector Z' and 'Man Without A Mouth', along with Tony Visconti producing, recording and playing.
Answers to all 3 questions can be found either on this site or at the official www.rusticovertones.com.
This is your chance to grab hold of a copy well before the official release date on 5th June on the Tommy Boy Music label.
The competition closes at midnight (GMT) tomorrow Friday 27th April 2001.
EMI RELEASE DATES
25th April 2001The release date for DAVID BOWIE'S 'All Saints' may be changed to July 9th. Ideally EMI want the album released the week before or after the new album, so expect Toy to be released on either 2nd or 16th July.
In addition to 'All Saints', the soundtrack to Christiane F. (The Children of The Bahnof Zoo) is to be released by EMI on CD for the first time, probably on the same day.
All Saints... you may order it now and it will be delivered to you on the day of release. £11.99 from Amazon.
According to Amazon the release date for The Who Tribute album Substitute, featuring David's version of Pictures Of Lily, has been changed to 4th June, and now with Moulin Rouge film soundtrack released on 14th May.
RAREST EVER 45? KONRADS UNLISTED 7"!!
25th April 2001Update: David Bowie has confirmed that he DOESN'T feature on this track in any way, shape or form.
Forget the German 'Love You Till Tuesday' pic sleeve 45. Forget 'Liza Jane' on Vocalion. Forget the 'Station To Station' 7". This could be the rarest DAVID BOWIE 7" single ever offered for sale!!!
The Konrads were David's first professional group. It's well documented that they demoed for Decca in the autumn of 1963. It's equally well known that the band didn't sign a contract, leaving David to have to wait until June 1964 to release his official debut as Davie Jones and the King Bees on the Vocalion label. Which all goes to make this record something of an enigma. What is it? This is a Canadian Decca 45. A side is 'I Didn't Know How Much'. B side is a version of the Ralph Freed song, 'I Thought Of You Last Night'.
There is no date listed anywhere on the record. This record is definitely by the same Konrads that featured David on saxophone and backing vocals, occasionally taking lead. The writers of the A side cut are credited on the label as Neville Wills and Tony Edwards - both original Konrads members, alongside David. The big question, of course, is - is David on this disc? Well - there is only one Konrads single documented, but that is on the CBS label and was recorded and released after David left. This was 'Baby It's Too Late Now' b/w 'I'm Over You' and it came out in 1965 - presumably to cash in on the Dave-less Konrads' UK tour with the rather better known Rolling Stones. That record is rare, but available as CBS 201812. Before that, the band only recorded once for Decca, and that session was not released. Or was it? My guess is this: in the heady days of the 60s UK beat invasion, Decca along with many other labels would have been desperate to release new 45s by British groups. Is it too much of a stretch to think that Decca Canada could have plundered the British Decca vaults for any beat groups going and come up with this? After all - would the band have got to hear about it if they had? Canada is a long way from Beckenham!
I had the opportunity to pose these questions to Roger Ferris, another original Konrads member, a few months ago. He admits to being completely baffled by it. He remembers demoing for Decca, he remembers not signing a contract as well. And he cannot understand what a Konrads record is doing out there on a Decca label. According to legend, the song the Konrads demoed in 1963 was called 'I Never Dreamed' and is an upbeat, jaunty love song typical of that period. This 45 certainly fits that category. The lyrics are along the lines of: "I didn't know how much I loved you. I didn't know how much I cared" etc etc. The harmony voices sound like a handful of hungry young London lads - and one of them could very easily be our 16-year-old friend, David Jones. For the reasons stated above, I think this record is genuine and that it contains David. At the very, very least, it's a fascinating document of David's working band of that hungry early 60s period. It's actually pretty good - great guitar sound on there.
I've been collecting Bowie records for years, and I believe this to be the real thing. So why am I selling? Because I've miraculously since found a second copy! OK, the condition - it's in VG+ to EX- condition. There are light surface marks that do not affect play too badly. Both sides sound great. The label is nice and clean on each side, but there is a drill hole through one edge (see scan). The record comes in a plain sleeve. Catalogue number is 32060 and the credits around the rim read "broadcast under licence only - Compo Co Ltd Canada". The label also states 'Recorded in England', which I believe adds weight to my little British invasion vault-plundering theory. Well, that's all I know. I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have. There is a reserve on this item, but it isn't ludicrous. Best of luck!
To view or bid on this item please visit eBay.
From Andy B.
HAPPY 9th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
24th April 2001Very Happy 9th Wedding Anniversary wishes to DAVID and IMAN, who married during a civil ceremony in Switzerland, at the Lausanne Registry Office this very day nine years ago on 24th April 1992. They then later held their wedding ceremony in Florence, Italy on 6th June 1992.
The traditional wedding gifts for the 9th anniversary are pottery and willow, with the modern version being leather.
(Ed. I remember I got a cricket bat for mine!)
THE BITS FLEW FAR AND WIDE...
24th April 2001Happy Birthday wishes to TONY VISCONTI many happy returns of the day.
The Jean Genie tribute band play Dublin, Eire on Friday 27th.
The Moulin Rouge soundtrack which contains two different sung versions of Nature Boy by David Bowie and Massive Attack, as well as Diamond Dogs by Beck, is now available for pre ordering, you can also listen to a RealAudio song sample of David's solo version of Nature Boy... order it now and it will be shipped to you on the day of release.
OH FOR ALL THE SAINTS ALIVE
21st April 2001'All Saints' was originally a double CD compilation of only 50 copies that David had pressed up privately for family and friends for Christmas presents back in 1992. Each of the 'instrumental only' tracks were chosen by David from 'Low', "Heroes", 'Black Tie White Noise', 'Buddah Of Suburbia' and 'Low Symphony' by Philip Glass.
The story goes that David sent out his 50 copies, complete with a stamped message on the inner sleeve stating "Limited Edition of 50 Cd's specifically created for David's Christmas '93. This is number ___" and signed Bo '93. Then there were another 100 or so pressed up for promotional purposes which were sent out factory shrink wrapped and sealed.
If you're after an original copy of this incredibly rare collectors piece you are going to have to dig deep. They now sell in the region of £600 and that's just for a non signed one.
The tracklisting for the 'original' All Saints was:
CD1:
1. Warszawa
2. Some Are
3. Subterraneans
4. Moss Garden
5. Sense Of Doubt
6. Neuköln
7. Art Decade
8. The Mysteries
9. Ian Fish U.K. HeirCD2:
1. Abdulmajid
2. South Horizon
3. Weeping Wall
4. Pallas Athena
5. A New Career In A New Town
6. The Wedding
7. V-2 Schneider
8. Looking For Lester
9. All SaintsMembers of Bowienet community are being given the opportunity of choosing the album cover. From a selection of eight pieces of artwork one will be chosen as the album artwork for this first ever all instrumental release ever.
The 16 tracks listed on some of the pieces of artwork are: Warszawa / Subterraneans / Sense Of Doubt / Moss Garden / Neuköln / Art Decade / The Mysteries / Crystal Japan / Ian Fish U.K. Heir / Abdulmajid / Weeping Wall / Brilliant Adventure (taken from 'hours...') / V-2 Schneider / A New Career In A New Town / All Saints / Some Are.
Logic says these are the tracks to be used on the new album, but your guess is as good as mine.
All Saints is scheduled for release by EMI on 11th June (cat. no. 5330452). You may order it now and it will be delivered to you on the day of release. £11.99 from Amazon.
Info via BowieNet and TotalBlamBlam.
WIN A COPY OF RUSTIC'S VIVA NUEVA!
20th April 2001Here we go... BOWIEWONDERWORLD competition number 8...
This is your opportunity to win an advanced copy of the excellent RUSTIC OVERTONES new album VIVA NUEVA released on 5th June, featuring DAVID BOWIE'S vocals on two tracks... 'Sector Z' and 'Man Without A Mouth', along with Tony Visconti producing, recording and playing.
Answers to all 3 questions can be found either on this site or at the official www.rusticovertones.com.
This is your chance to grab hold of a copy well before the official release date on 5th June on the Tommy Boy Music label.
The competition closes at midnight (GMT) next Friday 27th April 2001.
NEW BOWIE RELEASES COMING UP
20th April 2001News of several new DAVID BOWIE releases coming up... Due for release by EMI on 11th June is ALL SAINTS. Single CD (Catalogue number 5330452. ASIN: B00005BCGY). You may order it now and we will ship it to you when it arrives. £11.99 from Amazon.
Also tentatively scheduled for release in June 2001 is the CHRISTIANE F. soundtrack, and around September time the remastered versions of DAVID LIVE and STAGE also released by EMI.
PRESS RELEASE: RUSTIC OVERTONES
20th April 2001RUSTIC OVERTONES
"Being from Maine, we're kind of naive," explains Rustic Overtones singer-guitarist Dave Gutter, lying like a fox.
Sure, Gutter and his five band-mates do come from Portland, a little seacoast city better known for lobsters and moose than music. But the swelling waves of sound they make are always smart and satisfying, packed with the kind of thrills - terrific melodies and hooks, pure rock energy, cool lyrics - that great bands are made of.
"In our approach to our instruments and our music, we draw on a lot of different interests," explains Gutter. "We listen to anything we can get our hands on - jazz, hip-hop, Cuban and Bulgarian music - and we find that when we create music we somehow draw on all of that, whether it's for inspiration or for some kind of phrasing. But we always do that within the boundaries of rock 'n' roll. Otherwise it could get chaotic with six of us bringing in ideas.
"As a rock band," he continues, "we believe in keeping arrangements simple across the board. That allows everyone's ideas, what everyone plays, to be heard in the music - whether that's some unorthodox lyric, a keyboard melody that carries an entire song, or the way the horn section works."
Rustic Overtones' Tommy Boy debut, Viva Nueva - produced by longtime David Bowie-collaborator Tony Visconti, Barenaked Ladies producer Dave Leonard and Rustic Overtones themselves - captures the fresh and unique blend of rock, funk, jazz and space-age pop they've developed touring some 200 dates a year. Fueled by slinky grooves and smart lyrics, spiked by fluid guitars and powerhouse horns, sweetened by the breathy beauty of the Hammond B-3 organ, Rustic Overtones have built an adoring fan base in clubs and colleges. They sold more than 30,000 copies of their earlier CDs on the indie label Ripchord and have a near-legendary reputation for incendiary live shows. Onstage the band is like fireworks: explosive horn lines punctuating the bedrock of Gutter's guitar and the rhythm section, keyboardist and engineer extraordinaire Spencer Albee spraying B-3 rainbows through the air as he leaps over his mountain of instruments. And the fans ignited by the group's contagious energy.
Sure, maybe the band were naive once - about nine years ago when Gutter and bassist Jon Roods started smacking out punk and ska tunes in their parents' basements. But in a city where, as Albee relates, "you don't tend to get caught up in the hype of the day because trends just kind of miss us," Gutter, Roods, Albee and the rest of the Rustics - drummer Tony McNaboe, alto saxist Ryan Zoidis and baritone saxist Jason Ward - were able to develop on their own.
"Our originality stems from solitude, in a certain way," Gutter explains. "When we were recording Viva Nueva in New York City, we found a lot of outside influences telling us what is good and hip and what we should be listening to. But in Portland, you can escape from anything you want - including the styles of today and the media's effect on music. That kept us innocent from the trends. That helped us solidify our own sound before we got out there and started touring."
So they absorbed not only the roar of local punk bands and modern rock radio, but the classic rock, soul, jazz and funk in their parents' record collections. "We had really cool parents who turned us on to Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Roberta Flack - old '60s soul, which sounds soooo good," says the charismatic Gutter. At the mention of soul, all the Rustic Overtones - who hang with the easy fraternal cool of a new-millennium Rat Pack - nod their heads in agreement.
Soul is the life's blood of all their songs. Not just as a musical signature, but as the essence of what they do. Gutter's singing and the enticing flow of the arrangements of tunes like "Hardest Way Possible," which sounds like a lost Marvin Gaye gem, and the pumping "Check" echo back to the heyday of early '70s soul and funk. But even in the ironically space-age "Sector Z," which, along with "Man Without A Mouth," features David Bowie on backing vocals, there's an open-hearted quality in the playing and in Gutter's voice. The first single "C'Mon," is a joyful burst of R&B-charged positivism, it's unforgettable chorus declaring "If I try, I'm half-way to triumph" over supercharged guitar chords and an infectious groove that bristle with rock power.
Although Gutter's voice - which seems cloned from the same genetic material as Bowie's when they perform together yet possesses a falsetto cry inherited from Gaye or Stevie Wonder - leads the way through Viva Nueva, Rustic Overtones are a genuine partnership of vital, creative musicians all around. Gutter provides lyrics, but the band collaborate on the music for every song they write and visibly click into synch during their sweaty, joyful concerts. Off-stage, a breeze of relaxed, funny conversation follows them everywhere. "We truly are friends all the way across the board," says Gutter.
That helped Rustic Overtones thrive in the past two years, when the release of Viva Nueva turned into a record industry soap opera. A&R man Kurt St. Thomas had originally signed the band to Arista in 1998 and helped team them with producer Visconti, but management shake-ups at the company put the release on hold. As Rustic Overtones waited, they toured and wrote more songs. The band cut two new tunes with Leonard, but did more recording on their own in Portland as Albee's engineering talents grew. The excellent tracks "C'Mon," "Love Underground," "Combustible" and "Boys and Girls" come from these homegrown sessions.
Early this year St. Thomas moved to Tommy Boy and made Rustic Overtones his first priority. "The whole experience just made us stronger as a band," says Albee. "It might sound cliché, but our friendships really did become tighter, we grew together as musicians and as people - and we're better for it. That includes Kurt, who kept working with us all the time. He's our A&R guy, but he's also a close friend."
For that reason, Rustic Overtones chose to call their album Viva Nueva. Although the name's also a nod to their former road manager Christian Villanueva, it's pigeon Spanish for "new life," Albee explains. "It boils down to a simple thing - a new life for the band, a new start after all the waiting. And we're really excited."
Rustic Overtones - Viva Nueva
..1. C'Mon #!
..2. Gas On Skin $+
..3. Love Underground #!
..4. Hardest Way Possible *!
..5. Crash Landing $@
..6. Smoke $+
..7. Baby Blue #=
..8. Revolution AM $@
..9. Sector Z $+
10. Combustible %!
11. Valentine's Day Massacre $@
12. Hit Man $@
13. Check *!
14. Boys and Girls %!
15. Beekeeper $@
16. Man Without A Mouth $+All songs written by Rustic Overtones Lyrics by Dave Gutter.
Published by Trailer Park Players/EMI-Blackwood Music Inc. (BMI).Dave Gutter - Lead Vocals and Guitar.
Frankenstein - Keyboards and Backing Vocals.
Jon Roods - Bass and Guitar on "Smoke".
Tony McNaboe - Drums.
Ryan Zoidis - Alto and Tenor Saxophones.
Jason Ward - Baritone Saxophone.Additional Musicians:
David Bowie - Vocals on "Sector Z" and "Man Without A Mouth".
Funkmaster Flex - Scratches on "Smoke".
Dave Noyes - Trombone on "Revolution AM", "Hardest Way Possible", "Check", "Valentine's Day Massacre", "Sector Z", "Beekeeper", "Man Without A Mouth", "Gas On Skin", "Hit Man", and "Baby Blue".
Imogen Heap - Vocals on "Valentine's Day Massacre".
Martha Bernard - Vocals on "Smoke".
Tony Visconti - Upright Bass on "Beekeeper".
Scott Pederson - Trumpet on "Hardest Way Possible".David Bowie appears courtesy of Virgin Records America, Inc.
Funkmaster Flex appears courtesy of Franchise Records.$ Produced by Tony Visconti.
* Produced by David Leonard.
# Produced by Rustic Overtones.
% Produced by Rustic Overtones and Steve Drown.@ Mixed by Tony Visconti.
! Mixed by David Leonard.
+ Mixed by Steve Thompson and John Goodmanson.
= Mixed by Frankenstein.Recorded by Roger Sommers, Tony Visconti, David Leonard, Steve Drown, Frankenstein, Ryan Zoidis, Jon Wyman.
Assistant Engineers: Scott Young, Paul Conaway, Brian McConkey, Alex Chan, Ryoji Hata, Chris Mazer.
Recorded at:
Longview Farms, North Brookfield, MA.
Avatar, New York, NY.
The Studio, Portland, ME.
Star Struck, Nashville, TN.
The Practice Space, Portland, ME.
Looking Glass, New York, NY.
Room 6, Portland, ME.
Big Sound, Portland, ME.Mixed at:
Avatar, New York, NY.
East Iris, Nashville, TN.
Water Music, Hoboken, NJ.
Longview Farms, North Brookfield, MA.A&R Kurt St. Thomas.
Mastered by George Marino and Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound, NYC.
Management: Bill Beasley and TJ McNaboe at Ripchord Artist Management.
www.rusticovertones.comRUSTIC OVERTONES - VIVA NUEVA - AVAILABLE IN STORES JUNE 5 Check out the official www.rusticovertones.com website.
MOULIN ROUGE SOUNDTRACK UPDATE
19th April 2001The MOULIN ROUGE soundtrack album opens and closes with DAVID BOWIE singing the 1940s standard 'Nature Boy'. The opening draws on Moulin Rouge score composer Craig Armstrong's score version of the song. (Armstrong has also composed and arranged for Madonna, Massive Attack and Björk.) The album closes with Bowie's collaboration with Massive Attack on the same song. The two interpretations of the song, with its central lyric - "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is to love and be loved in return" - bookend the film.
Moulin Rouge new tracklisting:
Nature Boy - David Bowie.
Lady Marmalade - Christina Aguilera, Pink, Mya & Lil' Kim.
Because We Can - Fatboy Slim.
Sparkling Diamonds - Nicole Kidman.
Rhythm of the Night - Valeria.
Your Song - Ewan McGregor.
Children of the Revolution - Bono, Gavin Friday & Maurice Seezer.
One Day I'll Fly Away - Nicole Kidman.
Diamond Dogs - Beck & Timbaland.
Elephant Love Medley - Ewan McGregor & Nicole Kidman.
Come What May - Ewan McGregor & Nicole Kidman.
Le Tango de Roxanne - Cast with Jose Feliciano.
Compliante De La Butte - Rufus Wainwright.
Hindi Sad Diamonds - Nicole Kidman & Cast.
Nature Boy - David Bowie & Massive Attack.The album is released on the Uni/Interscope label; ASIN: B00005BJ2O, you may order it now and it will be shipped to you on the day of release. Alternatively you can also pre order here from CDNow.
Check out the official Moulin Rouge website.
BOWIEWONDERWORLD COMPETITION TOMORROW
19th April 2001Tomorrow night (Friday) sees the start of the next BOWIEWONDERWORLD competition... this time you can win an advanced copy of the RUSTIC OVERTONES new album VIVA NUEVA which features DAVID BOWIE'S vocals on two tracks... 'Sector Z' and 'Man Without A Mouth', along with Tony Visconti producing, recording and playing.
This is your chance to grab hold of a copy well before the official release date on 5th June on the Tommy Boy Music label.
BOWIELAND BIRTHDAY BASH 2001
19th April 2001Charlie over at BOWIELAND is to host a party on Saturday 23rd June 2001 to celebrate the life and times of Mr. Bowie. They aim to raise money for two very worthwhile charities, 'Save The Children' and 'The National Canine Defence League'.
The party is to be held at: The Red Lion Hotel, Long Street, Atherstone, Warwickshire, England.
For full information please head on over to Charly's Bowieland where you can get full info on how to obtain tickets, venue details and so on.Starts early - finishes late! Tickets only £10. Please support this event whilst having some fun and at the same time helping a good cause.
Welcome Drink On Arrival Buffet and Disco with the legendary TonyDay! Ticket Prize Draw and Prize Quiz Lyric Game Raffle (Proceeds to 'Save The Children' and 'The National Canine Defence League') Sponsor a Dog for the NCDL! Vote for your 5 favourite Bowie records So, if you fancy spending the evening with like minded David Bowie fans, listening to nothing but Bowie music and having fun, maybe even winning a prize, come along to the Bowieland Birthday Bash 2001!
For further details and how to apply email: party@bowieland.net or telephone: 07790 519404.
I WAS QUICK ON THE BALL...
18th April 2001It's fairly common knowledge amongst the DAVID BOWIE fan fraternity that David was into American Football and American Baseball when he was just a 'limey kid'. 'Limey Kid Digs Yank Football' was one of the headings in several US and British newspapers back in 1962 after he had written to the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square asking for information. He was surprisingly invited down to the Embassy, fully kitted out and a staff photographer took some promotional photographs that were distributed amongst the press.
Also well documented was the fact that David once belonged to the 'Dulwich Bluejays' Baseball team during the school summer holidays of 1962. 'Beckenham Bluejays' might have a nicer ring to it but it was the wrong name.
Well forty-three years later and out of the woodwork comes this school photograph from 1957 of the Burnt Ash Junior School Football team. Can you pick out the 11 year-old David Jones?
Max Batten, a former classmate and football school team player recalled to me three months ago back in January: "I am sorry to admit that I cannot remember where David played. I was on the left wing but... The captain who I think was called Mike Payne and myself also had a trial for the Bromley Schools' team, which he eventually captained, but I went no further. I also remember playing one match with the stud nail coming through the boot (I discovered afterwards!) but otherwise it's all a big blank - it was over 40 years ago! There were, I suppose about 50-60 boys in that year so he must have been a reasonable player."
"I also have a picture of the same vintage showing the recorder group - David isn't in it so I don't know when he "became" musical."
"One thing I do recall though, since you like anecdotes, I believe that David and Chris Britten, back row 3rd from left, were responsible for putting up and removing the climbing ropes in the playground, until Chris fell and broke his wrist. I don't think they would allow that sort of thing today!"
Burnt Ash Juniors in Rangefield Road, Bromley was formerly known as Raglan Infants.
Max Batten has his own Bromley website detailing facts and information about his hometown. You can check it out at thebattens.me.uk.
Thanks to Max for supplying the photograph and his recollections.
BOWIEWONDERWORLD REVAMPED
18th April 2001As you can see BOWIE WONDERWORLD has been spruced up and revamped. Some of the new features to check out are:
David Bowie FAQ and Fill In FormDavid Bowie Biography Four BW Columnists Song Titles David Bowie Lyrics Chords News Scroller, Message Board Scroller, What's New Scroller BW Message Board Hall Of Fame One Inch Thoughts BowieConcentration Reincarnation The Arts Lab (fan contributions)New Searcher How to Link to BW How to make BW your Start Page ... Phew! Is that enough for now?I'd also like to introduce you to four brand new BW Columnists... KelMarSuperVixen, Nevada Kerr, Spud and TheEarWig. All 4 have their first columns online now and ready to get to know. The Archivist will be the archive area for reading past columns. If you would like to be involved in writing a column please feel free to get in touch. There's still room for a few more.
Several web pages and sections are to be moved to different locations over the next few days, the only one you need to re-bookmark is the home page to access your BowieWonderworld Email Accounts - you can now log in directly from the home page.
There are several more brand new sections to be added shortly. Rather than upload them all in one go, I've decided to add them week by week. The Discography and the Collectors Guide hopefully will be added towards the end of next week.
There are a few additions still to complete on the FAQ, Lyrics and Song Titles. Please email me if you come across any broken links or anything that doesn't work properly on your system and I will endeavour to sort it out.
Big thanks to everyone who has helped, tested, advised, encouraged and wrote their columns over the past few months :)
Cheers Paul (aka Rednik).
BOWIEWONDERWORLD COMPETITION THIS FRIDAY
18th April 2001Coming up this Friday is another BOWIE WONDERWORLD competition - watch this space for details...
TOP 100 VOCALISTS OF THE CENTURY
17th April 2001Some make you sing and some make you scream... Over the Easter bank holidays BBC RADIO 2 held their 'Top 100 Vocalists Of The Century' Poll voted by the listeners, with DAVID BOWIE gaining a very respectable number 13 placing.
The top three chosen in order were: Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Nat King Cole.
Check out the Radio 2 website: Top 100.
DAMIAN LOEB ART OPENING
16th April 2001
DAVID BOWIE and IMAN were guests at Mary Boone's when she threw open the doors of her Chelsea gallery for art star Damian Loeb's latest exhibition 'Public Domain' on 3rd April. Also helping Loeb celebrate - without alcohol - were fellow artists Ross Bleckner and Francesco Clemente, fashion plates Plum Sykes, Cecilia Dean, best friend musician Moby and and "X-Men" actress Famke Janssen. The parched party goers finally got to wet their whistles at the after-party at APT.
'Public Domain' is currently on show at the Mary Boone Gallery, 541 West 24th Street, NYC until 5th May 2001.
You can visit Damian's official website @ www.damianloeb.com.
HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!
15th April 2001Wishing everyone everywhere a very Happy Easter Best wishes
From Paul (aka Rednik)
HOLLY PALMER IN NYC TUESDAY
14th April 2001HOLLY PALMER is coming back to New York City to play some of her new songs at The Living Room with Cuong Vu and Robin Macatangay. On Tuesday the 17th April, they start at 10 and will be followed by the delicious Goats In Trees at 11. The Living Room is located at the corner of Stanton and Allen in the city.
From the Holly Palmer official website.
VIVA NUEVA: RUSTICS SIGN TO NEW LABEL
13th April 2001
The Rustics have recently signed up with the Tommy Boy Music label and their next album will be entitled VIVA NUEVA will be released on 5th June 2001.
The new tracklisting will be:
Check out the official Rustic Overtones website...1. C'Mon.
..2. Gas On Skin.
..3. Love Underground.
..4. Hardest Way Possible.
..5. Crash Landing.
..6. Smoke (featuring Funkmaster Flex).
..7. Baby Blue.
..8. Revolution AM.
..9. Sector Z (featuring David Bowie).
10. Combustible.
11. Valentine's Day Massacre (featuring Imogen Heap).
12. Hit Man.
13. Check.
14. Boys And Girls.
15. Beekeeper.
16. Man Without A Mouth (featuring David Bowie).
"SON NOW HERE'S A LITTLE SOMETHING"
13th April 2001DAVID BOWIE, Pearl Jam, Sheryl Crow, Phish, Stereophonics, Cast, Ocean Colour Scene, Paul Weller plus others have all contributed to a WHO tribute album. The collection 'Substitute - The Songs Of The Who' will be released by Edel (Cat No: 0126242ERE) in the UK on May 7th and June 12th in North America on the company's EAR label.
Writing in the album's liner notes, Bowie describes the Who's work as "a major template for so many of us."
David recorded his version of the classic Townsend penned song 'Pictures Of Lily' for the tribute album with himself and Mark Plati producing.
Pictures Of Lily
(Pete Townsend).I used to wake up in the morning
I used to feel so bad
I got so sick of having sleepless nights
Went an' told my DadHe said, "Son now here's some little something"
And stuck 'em on my wall
And now my nights ain't quite so lonely
In fact I, I don't feel bad at allPictures of Lily made my life so wonderful
Pictures of Lily helped me sleep at night
Pictures of Lily solved my childhood problems
Pictures of Lily helped me feel alrightPictures of Lily
Lily, oh Lily
Lily, oh Lily
Pictures of LilyAnd then one day things weren't quite so fine
I fell in love with Lily
I asked my Dad where Lily I could find
He said, "Son, now don't be silly""She's been dead since 1929"
Oh how I cried that night
If only I'd been born in Lily's time
It would have been alrightPictures of Lily made my life so wonderful
Pictures of Lily help me sleep at nightFor me and Lily are together in my dreams
And I ask you, "Hey mister, have you ever seen, Pictures of Lily?"The album was proposed by The Who's long-time studio engineer Bob Pridden, and gained the approval of Pete Townshend. Pridden explains that the set was inspired by a recording session with Liverpool band Cast. After they had suggested recording a version of "The Seeker," which will be on the album, Pridden took the track home and played it to his family, whereupon his daughter Lily hit upon the notion of an entire album. "What a great idea," he writes. "The young bands I had been working with were always telling me what a great influence the Who had been to their careers and this was a great opportunity for them to give something back."
Townshend adds that it was Pridden's involvement that encouraged him to back the project. "Although I'd been approached to do this many times before, for the first time I felt comfortable with the idea of having Bobby at the helm. Since then I've left him to it and I'm amazed and flattered at the number of great artists he's managed to involve."
You can order it now and it will be shipped to you on the day of release.Tracklisting: (not in order).
Cast - "The Seeker".
Ocean Colour Scene - "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere".
Paul Weller - "Circles".
David Bowie - "Pictures Of Lily".
Pearl Jam - "The Kids Are Alright".
Fastball - "The Real Me".
UnAmerican - "Naked Eye".
Stereophonics - "Who Are You".
Phish - "5:15".
Sheryl Crow - "Behind Blue Eyes".
The Who featuring Stereophonics' Kelly Jones - "Substitute".
NATURE BOY RELEASED 14th MAY
12th April 2001
The album opens and closes with David Bowie singing the 1940s standard 'Nature Boy'. The opening draws on Moulin Rouge score composer Craig Armstrong's score version of the song. (Armstrong has also composed and arranged for Madonna, Massive Attack and Björk.) The album closes with Bowie's collaboration with Massive Attack on the same song. The two interpretations of the song, with its central lyric - "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is to love and be loved in return" - bookend the film.
The album is released on the Uni/Interscope label; ASIN: B00005BJ2O, you may order it now and it will be shipped to you on the day of release. Alternatively you can also pre order here from CDNow.
Click to pre order the Moulin Rouge soundtrack here and it will be shipped to you on the day of release.
Nicole Kidman's Moulin Rouge is getting the thumbs up from test audiences that are cheering the film's star-studded soundtrack and easing studio concerns about whether the modern day musical can work at the box office. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor star in the $US52 million ($A106.38-million) love story set in 1890s Paris but shot at the Fox studios in Sydney. The film features music from diverse artists including David Bowie, Madonna, Beck, Lil' Kim and Placido Domingo.
In New York finishing work on the sound track, director Baz Luhrmann said the reaction to the music of Moulin Rouge from test audiences surprised studio executives at Fox. "Their big fear is that audiences will be turned off by the music," Luhrmann told the US entertainment channel, E. "But the big surprise is the music is what test audiences have been responding to. We screened it on video for Cannes, and they asked to enter it into competition because, obviously, it's a solid film, too."
Moulin Rouge will open the Cannes Film Festival on May 9th and will be launched in Australia on May 31st. Luhrmann said audiences should be prepared to see a courageous and funny Nicole Kidman. "You will see Nicole like never before. She's funnier than ever, and Ewan's going to be a bit like Elvis. And not only that, they both sing. They're blowing people away," Luhrmann said.
Twentieth Century Fox will release the film nationally on June 1st, and also will platform the film in a single run each in New York and Los Angeles on May 18th.
Check out the official Moulin Rouge website.
BONO JOINS BOWIE AND BECK ON MOULIN
11th April 2001A track by U2's BONO is the latest addition to the quirky, star-packed soundtrack of the upcoming movie Moulin Rouge, which also includes a hit cover of 'Lady Marmalade' by Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya and Pink. Bono teamed up with a rather less famous Irish rocker, Gavin Friday, and Friday's musical partner, pianist Maurice Seezer, to record a new cover of T-Rex's glam-rock chestnut 'Children Of The Revolution.'
The album also includes a new Fatboy Slim track, 'Because We Can,' a collaboration between Beck and Timbaland on a cover of DAVID BOWIE'S 'Diamond Dogs,' and two versions of the '40s standard 'Nature Boy' - one recorded by Bowie and another by Bowie and Massive Attack.
Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, the stars of "Moulin Rouge," sing on several tracks, including a cover of Elton John's 'Your Song' that finds McGregor going up against Placido Domingo and two other opera stars. McGregor will also sing on a tango version of the Police's 'Roxanne.'
The film, set in a Parisian nightclub in 1899, is expected to hit theaters in a limited run beginning in May, and will open nationwide on June 1st. The soundtrack released on Interscope Records is now due in stores on May 8th. Released on the Uni/Interscope label, you may order it now and it will be shipped to you on the day of release.
MICK ROCKS BORDERS
10th April 2001MICK ROCK signed copies of "Blood and Glitter" at Borders Bookshop, London on Thursday. The Bowie crowd were out in force, with numerous fans and Jane Pollard (who co-produced A Rock 'n' Roll Suicide at the ICA) hosting. Rock was in a cheerful mood and answered questions from the editor of Uncut magazine and the audience about his career and working with Bowie, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop and nearly Elvis! Mick mentioned that there would soon be a Queen book, a Syd Barrett book and an 'erotic' book on the way, along of course with the Ziggy 2002 photo book, but it seems that this will definitely be a limited edition! (Better start saving those pennies...) He also commented on the Velvet Goldmine movie (let's just say he didn't like it much) comparing it to the new Hedwig And The Angry Inch movie, which he has done some promo photography for and highly recommended.
From Marcus.
BOWIE TRIBUTE AT ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL
8th April 2001The Special Events - Icons section of the 16th INTERNATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL of Turin, Italy (April 11th - April 18th) will be tributed to DAVID BOWIE and Marlene Dietrich.
Below you can find the scheduled calendar of the Bowie movies homage - all the movies will be in the original language. More information on the official site: www.turinglfilmfestival.com
SPECIAL EVENTS ICONS: DAVID BOWIE
From Velvet Goldmine.THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH
Nicolas Roeg
Thursday 12th April
One of the last examples of political science fiction.
Great audience and critic success, the film discovered David Bowie as an actor.THE HUNGERTony Scott
Friday 13th April
Glamorous and erotic horror.
With Catherine Deneuve, Susan Sarandon (lesbian vampires) and an almost unrecognisable David Bowie.MERRY CHRISTMAS, MR. LAWRENCENagisa Oshima
Saturday 14th April
The movie is an intense meditation on the irrationality of every war and of every passion. The kiss between Bowie an Sakamoto is to be kept in your film anthology.JUST A GIGOLO
David Hemmings
Sunday 15th April
The last Marlene movie.
THE BITS FLEW FAR AND WIDE
7th April 2001Check out the latest updates at IMAN'S website www.i-iman.com besides a cool new photograph of Lexie in Iman's latest diary entry, there's also a couple of sketches that Iman has discovered by Claire Shenstone.
Live CD due for release on 24th April is THE EARL SLICK BAND Live '76 on the Metal Blade label. You can pre-order the album now.
Lots of new entries, sounds and photos have made it into the BHOF... no it's not some new cow disease in the UK, it's the BW MB HALL OF FAME.
If you are already listed there and haven't filled in your profile questionnaire or sent a photo please do so. Even if you aren't a regular there, go check it out it'll give you something to laugh at... cry at... or just plain pity them ;)
Check them out here on the BW MB HALL OF FAME.
IT'S THE NATURE OF BEING
7th April 2001"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is to love and be loved in return." - from the song 'Nature Boy', which has been recorded by DAVID BOWIE with MASSIVE ATTACK for the forthcoming Baz Luhrmann movie MOULIN ROUGE.
'Nature Boy' was written by eden ahbez, a beatnik before there were beatniks. He spelt his name with small letters because he believed that only God and Infinity should be capitalised. eden got around with long hair and faded clothes. He hopped freight trains in the days when you still could and in his lifetime walked across America several times. He endlessly carved wooden flutes searching for the ultimate sound.
In the 1940s ahbez wrote a song called 'Nature Boy'. The story goes that he was living under the 'L' of the Hollywood sign at the time. He delivered this song to the stage door of a venue where Nat King Cole was playing, with the idea that Cole would be perfect to record it. Cole looked at the music, played it, and loved the song. His recording of 'Nature Boy' (1947) went on to enormous success in the charts - peaking on Billboard at number one for 8 weeks in 1948.
It has been a hit on subsequent occasions since then, recorded by the likes of Frank Sinatra, John Coltrane, Dinah Shore, George Benson and eden himself.
Brooklyn-born eden lived semi-reclusively during his later years in Desert Hot Springs, California, until he unfortunately died on March 4, 1995 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Sky Valley, California.
The album is released on the Uni/Interscope label, you may order it now and it will be shipped to you on the day of release.
Click here (7th March) for more soundtrack information.
Check out the official Moulin Rouge website.
DAVID BOWIE LAUNCHES INTERNET RADIO
6th April 2001FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DAVID BOWIE TO LAUNCH INTERNET RADIO.
New York, NY - April 3, 2001 - In yet another distinguished online initiative, DAVID BOWIE announced that his Internet Community BowieNet (www.davidbowie.com) will launch its first online radio Thursday, April 5. Dubbed 'BowieRadio,' it will utilize RealNetworks technology to stream audio to members of the Bowie community. While BowieRadio will of course include a comprehensive collection of both live and studio recordings from David Bowie's prolific career, it will also feature a selection of 'stations,' many of which will stream non-Bowie material. BowieRadio was conceived, created and designed by UltraStar Entertainment, creator and facilitator of BowieNet. The radio will also utilize a proprietary Internet radio solution from Axispoint that automates reporting to performing rights organizations like ASCAP, BMI and SESAC.
Consistent with his role in BowieNet, David Bowie himself has and will continue to play a significant role in selecting the content for the radio. BowieRadio plans to roll out additional stations in the months ahead, including one in which David Bowie acts as DJ.
"The possibilities are endless," says Bowie. "We have developed programming that not only satisfies the musical tastes and personal requests of our members, but also does not infringe on the rights of the writers and publishers."
The announcement comes in the midst of ongoing deliberations in the realm of music on the Internet as the courts try to regulate the exchange of music online. Unlike file-sharing sources like Napster, however, BowieRadio will not allow users to copy and exchange music, but rather only to listen to pre-selected tracks via streaming audio (similar to conventional AM and FM radio).
David Bowie has long been making news on the Internet, winning the "Best Artist Site" of the year 2000 from Yahoo Internet Life and being honored in the same year with its "Online Pioneer Award." Some of Mr. Bowie's other online firsts include initiating EMI's Digital Download Campaign, hosting a 'FanMix' in July, 2000 (where he asked fans to vote on different mixes of a song in a live streaming event from the recording studio), and his recent decision to offer fans an exclusive live version of Ziggy Stardust via digital download utilizing CD recognition technology. His subscription-based Internet community first launched in 1998 and has paved the way for other artists such as Dave Mathews Band, Hanson and Prince who recently adopted a similar model.
Axispoint (www.axispoint.com) is a technology solution provider offering customized solutions from network infrastructure to database and application programming. The company's Internet radio solution with Digital Rights Reporting is the latest addition to an extensive menu of software licensed by this New York City based corporation.
Back end programming for BowieRadio was also made possible by VillageWorld.com (www.villageworld.com) (OTCBB: VILW). VillageWorld.com manages BowieNet's ISP services and provides connectivity and web hosting solutions to universities, public schools systems, individuals and businesses.
TOPLOADER 60 SECOND INTERVIEW
6th April 2001In a 60 second interview with Joseph Washbourn, singer and keyboardist with TOPLOADER in the Metro Newspaper, he was asked the question:
From Metro Newspaper.'Did your aunt really hand around with David Bowie?'
"She used to go out with him when she was about 16. He was David Jones then and they used to hang around Bromley, but even then he used to be a unique guy and wear skirts sometimes. That's her big story and it comes up every time she's had too many brandies at Christmas."
BLOOD & GLITTER OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
5th April 2001BLOOD & GLITTER - BY MICK ROCK
GLAM: AN EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTApril 5th-May 6th. Opening Night: April 4thWhereas most celebrated music photographers can claim to have documented a moment in music history, MICK ROCK is one of the very few who could claim to have defined an era.
Having lived at the centre of one of the most exciting and outrageous periods in the history of rock, Mick Rock was integral to the Glam story. On the scene at the right time, his pictures both document the moments and defined the era.
Now, for the first time, he has brought together his images and memories of the period 1972 to 1977 in Blood & Glitter: a new exhibition at Proud Galleries and book by Vision On.
Blood & Glitter by Mick Rock - The Exhibition: London's Proud Galleries, April 5th - May 6th.
Blood & Glitter by Mick Rock - The Book: published by Vision On, April 11th (£14.99).
Rock's career took off in 1972 after he met up with Bowie who at the time, "was best known, if at all, for wearing a dress on an album jacket". He soon became Bowie's official photographer, a partnership that thrust them to the forefront of the Glam movement in both musical and photographic terms.
Rock soon became the favourite lensman of many of the Glam scene's leading players such as Lou Reed, Queen, Iggy Pop, Mott the Hoople and David Bowie. Responsible for nearly every image of the Glam period, Rock was instrumental in creating the Image of Glam that captivated the imagination of millions.
Shots (attached) include:
Teatime at The Dorchester with David Bowie, Lou Reed and Iggy Pop (The Dorchester, June 72).
Bowie guitar fellatio with Mick Ronson (Oxford Town Hall, 72).
‘The Bohemian Rhapsody Shot' - Queen II album session (London, Feb 74).
Lou Reed - Transformer album cover (King's Cross Cinema, July 72).
Debbie Harry (NYC, 77).However, Blood & Glitter is more than a ‘Best Of Glam' photographic project. "Like every underground scene that becomes part of pop culture, history leaves out much of the real story - and the full story is much more interesting" comments Rock. "Glam was a mixture of theatre, sexual ambiguity and progressive art that drew in millions of fans whilst retaining its subversive edge."
Consequently, as a comprehensive eyewitness account of the period, Blood & Glitter is not just about the fantastic images of Glam icons we all came to imitate, but also some of the subversive stories and figures around these legends.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show - Rock was on set during entire shoot as the Special Photographer.
Biba's - the legendary Glam Department Store on High Street Kensington and the top floor Rainbow Room where many of the bands performed and the parties happened.
Andrew Logan - sculptor and impresario of the Alternative Miss World.
Derek Jarman (Film Director and one of the first Alternative Miss World's); Duggie Fields (Glam Painter); Fashion Designers Zandra Rhodes, Ozzy Clarke, Bill Gibb; and even Screaming Lord Sutch in his performing days.
Mick Ronson - the no 1 guitar player from the Glam period.
Bands such Roxy Music & Bryan Ferry; New York Dolls; Wayne County; Cockney Rebel; Pointers Sisters.
Angie Bowie - David's wife and primary female glam icon; Amanda Lear - Model / Muse / Singer / Transsexual; Lindsay Kemp - Mime supreme and Bowie's mentor; Pierre La Roche - the Make-up artist.
"This is not intended to be a history, a critique, an apologia for the 'Glam' revolution - but it will indisputably be the most comprehensive single eyewitness account in picture and word. I was not an outsider looking in. I lived it.
"Lou Reed, David Bowie and Iggy Pop remain friends of mine and we often revisit my archives from that magical period to fuel a myriad of retro projects. 'All The Young Dudes'... well, we were all still very young in those steamy days of satin and tat.”
BLOOD & GLITTER BY MICK ROCK - THE BOOK.
Published by Vision On, April 11th; RRP £14.99; IBSN - O953747999.BLOOD & GLITTER BY MICK ROCK - THE EXHIBITION: April 5th - May 6th.
Address: PROUD GALLERIES 5 Buckingham Street, London WC2N 6BP.
Tube: Embankment or Charing Cross.
Opening: 10am - 7pm, Every Day. Prices: Entry £2. Concessions £1.Websites: www.mickrock.com | www.visiononpublishing.com | www.joesbasement.co.uk
BLOOD & GLITTER: BACKGROUND
5th April 2001MICK ROCK: After graduating from Cambridge University, Michael Rock decided to follow his fascination with rock 'n' roll by taking photographs. His earliest key subject was Syd Barrett, founder of Pink Floyd. In 1972, he met David Bowie just before his Ziggy Stardust period and became his official photographer. Work followed with Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Queen, and London's 'glam' scene. His work is featured on some of the iconographic album covers of the 70's, including Transformer, Raw Power, and Queen II. He moved to New York and worked with the seminal punk performers such as Blondie, The Ramones, Dead Boys and Talking Heads. His photo of Johnny Rotten became the Sex Pistols first national US magazine cover. Mick is a multi-award winning photographer. His iconic rock images, along with more recent photo-collage art and erotica, have been exhibited in galleries all around the world. His enthusiasm for rock 'n' roll remains undimmed as he continues to photograph into the new millennium.
PROUD GALLERIES: The exhibition will be showing at Proud Galleries - Britain's most popular private photographic gallery, with over 10,000 paying visitors to the Bob Marley exhibition last year. This exhibition follows other internationally acclaimed shows - 'Underexposed' by Index on Censorship; 'Improperganda' by Mark Borkowski; 'The Art of Barbie'; 'Invisible Lives - Brazilian Street Girls'; 'Rankin: Raw Nudes', 'Muhammad Ali: Float Like a Butterfly' and 'Nirvana: A Retrospective'. Customers have included Liam Gallagher, Gavin Rossdale, Des'ree, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Charles Saatchi.
We aim to make our gallery accessible and fun; every person who comes to an exhibition should leave telling their friends how much they enjoyed it. We not only wish to sell the prints to regular gallery attendees, but also to bring in thousands who have never been to a gallery before. The photography will always be the best in its field, be it pop music, film, fashion, sport or politics. Someone who is interested in the subject should leave in love with the standard of photography as much as someone who is interested in photography should leave fascinated by the subject.
BOWIE RADIO LAUNCHED TOMORROW!
4th April 2001DAVID BOWIE will launch an online radio station, 'BowieRadio' via his BOWIENET Web community tomorrow Thursday (April 5th). Using RealNetworks software, the station will stream Bowie favourites and live performance clips, as well as non-Bowie material. Affirming his hands-on role in BowieNet, the artist himself will eventually launch a channel broadcasting his own DJ mixes.
"The possibilities are endless," Bowie said in a statement. "We have developed programming that not only satisfies the musical tastes and personal requests of our members, but also does not infringe on the rights of the writers and publishers."
From Billboard.
It's planned that BowieRadio will feature different stations that members can listen to while surfing the net...
Station 1 is all David Bowie all day long; the music you know and love from David's extensive catalogue, plus tons of live tracks and even some never before heard performances from David's private collection!
Station 2 will feature David's favorite songs from the 50s to the 90s, ten songs per decade! Each choice includes a brief narrative from David about the song and why he chose it.
Station 3 will be the already infamous Kick Out The Jim-Jams Radio for kids! Hand selected tracks by David and BowieNetters around the globe tailored for tots! From Peter Paul & Mary's Puff the Magic Dragon to Mozart's Magic Flute, it's all here!
Check out BowieRadio at BowieNet now.
BORDERS BOOK SHOP SIGNING
4th April 2001MICK ROCK is also making an appearance at Borders Book Shop in London at the Oxford Street branch, at 6:30pm this coming Friday (6th April) for a book signing and undergoing a question and answers session.
From Marcus.
SORDID DETAILS FOLLOWING...
4th April 2001Monday night's episode of NEVER MIND THE BUZZCOCKS on BBC2 had DAVID BOWIE'S 'Ashes To Ashes' as one of the 'guess the lyrics' question. The lyrics were guessed by Hear'Say's Noel Sullivan, Johnny Vegas and Sean Hughes, along with Mark Lamarr adding his usual wit to the proceedings.
It was quite funny, could have been funnier but I won't spoil it by adding their version of the lyrics here.
If you missed it don't worry, you can catch the repeat next Sunday evening (8th April) on BBC2.
SOMETHING IN OUR BLOOD?...
4th April 2001Some Italian newspapers are reporting today that DAVID BOWIE will be playing the part of Dracula in a fiction movie. It is to be produced by RAI UNO (Italian TV) and the Italian actor Giancarlo Giannini will be acting alongside him. The movie is to be produced by Lux Vide, filming will start this summer in Budapest, Hungary.
From Velvet Goldmine Italian Fan Club.
Bowie to play Dracula? JAM! Music.
David Bowie could play Dracula in an Italian television series. Italian channel RAI said he was considering an offer for the role. Dracula's arch-enemy, the Dutch vampire expert van Helsing, is to be played by the Italian actor Giancarlo Giannini. Filming is set to begin next month and the series is scheduled to be shown on Italian television in the autumn.
According to the producers the series will be a modern adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel. Director Roger Young says the vampire count will lead a group of young people through greed and pride into a fight between good and evil.
From Ananova.
(Ed. Update: More name-dropping publicity... David ISN'T involved).
DAVID BOWIE REMEMBERS GLAM
3rd April 2001'We reinvented culture the way we wanted it - with great big shoes'
- David Bowie remembers glam.Of course, when it comes down to it, glam rock was all very amusing. At the time it was funny, then a few years later it became sort of serious-looking and a bit foreboding. Lots of postmodernist juxtapositions and "significant" ciphers - that kind of twaddle. Now? Well, now it's just funny again, albeit with a certain clout. I still derive immense pleasure from remembering how many hod-carrying brickies were encouraged to put on lurex tights and mince up and down the high street, having been assured by know-it-alls like me that a smidgen of blusher really attracted the birds.
This was true, of course, and has been since woad. However, for the likes of Roxy Music and me, mascara was merely the conveyance by which great globs of non-rock flotsam and jetsam were to be delivered. Japanese kabuki, Dada, Dietrich and Riefenstahl, Piaf and futurism, and above all "elegant gloom", as author Barney Hoskyns has put it. Not for us the couple of pints in the backroom bar after the gig. We were wondering where to lay our hands on absinthe and puzzling through the big question - greasepaint or pancake?
Climbing the heights of what we felt was much-needed pretension, we were above common-or-garden chat-up lines to dodgy slappers. We craved the rarefied stratosphere whence we dropped really heavy names: Burroughs, Brecht and Baudelaire tumbled meaninglessly over Warhol and Wittgenstein in a blur of de- and reconstructed pop.
Let me backpedal for a second. Pretension, or the "School of Pretension" as I pretentiously dubbed Eno and myself in 1978, was a quick-fix category for it all. By 1970 the knock-on effect of The Dice Man, Warhol's culture-flattening and the break dances of Derrida and Foucault had substantially changed the notion of "the absolute", of reality. It was no longer possible to take seriously the history of things as stage-managed by the media and the educational system. Everything we knew was wrong. Burroughs, being the John the Baptist of postmodernism, had proselytised over this point for years. Free at last - or, if you like, at sea without a paddle - we were giving ourselves permission to reinvent culture the way we wanted it: with great big shoes.
Well, all right, if you insist: we couldn't have pounced without Marc Bolan. The little imp opened the door. What was so great, however, was that we knew he hadn't got it quite right - sort of Glam 1.0. We were straining in the wings with versions 1.01 and 1.02, while Marc was still struggling with satin. But boy, he really rocked. He did, y'know.
Annoyingly, Americans often make territorial claims for the US as the spawning ground for this brief movement, as they usually do with punk and television. Yes, we loved American underground music and John Rechy's City of Night, but we really did have our own drag queens and drugs in London, thank you very much.
We also had A Clockwork Orange, Lindsay Kemp, Berlin and Fritz Lang, George Orwell and Nietzsche, Kansai Yamamoto (100% responsible for the Ziggy haircut and colour, by the by), Mishima's gay army and Colin Wilson to draw upon. (I could list ad nauseam, and have been known to do so, as high-glam's ingredients were dizzyingly disparate). And if I read one more self-aggrandising denizen of the Big Apple screaming blue murder over the issue of who established the shaved eyebrow - well, gosh, I'll just hurl.
The truth is, as wonderful as the New York Dolls were, they were just the Stones in lamé. The Americans at heart are a pure and noble people; things to them are in black and white. It's either "rawk" or it's not. We Brits putter around in the grey area. In our minds it's "a little bit rock, a little bit snigger".
British glam rock never made much of an impact on middle America. Before and after, we were bookended by Alice Cooper and Kiss - butch, "manly" glam with lots of guillotines and fireworks, muscle and metal. No mistaking the sexual bent of those fellers: "Nothing ambiguous about our boys." That's the only way Ohio could accept lipstick on males. So we Limeys all swanned off sniffily to the wings where we did make an impression. For a brief moment or two, we ruled in New York and Los Angeles.
Next week I'll be showing you how to turn all those earrings into a perfectly serviceable chain with which you can anchor yourself for the oncoming tremors of 1975. All you'll need will be a snotty nose, an abused Ziggy haircut and an ability to pronounce "anarchy". Me? I'll be pissing off to Berlin, thanks.
By David Bowie
Foreword of 'Blood & Glitter: An Eyewitness Account'.
MARGARET MARY JONES REST IN PEACE
2nd April 2001David, myself and everyone here at Wonderworld are so sorry to hear of your sad news. You and your family are all in our thoughts
Our wishes and condolences
Margaret Mary Jones rest in peace
POP STAR BOWIE MOURNS FOR MOTHER
2nd April 2001Pop idol DAVID BOWIE is in mourning after the death of his mother. PEGGY JONES who was in her late eighties, is understood to have died at the nursing home in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, where she lived.
Bowie's spokesman Alan Edwards said: "I can confirm it is sadly true. It's just come out of the blue."
Bowie heard the news in the US, he had lost touch with his mother in the 70's but rekindled their relationship in 1992 after marrying model and actress Iman.
BBC News Bowie mourns mother's death.
CNN News: Bowie mourns mother.
MICK 'BLOOD & GLITTER' ROCK
2nd April 2001MICK ROCK'S new publication and exhibition 'Blood & Glitter' An Eyewitness Account received widespread UK news today....
The Guardian: 'We reinvented culture the way we wanted it - with great big shoes' David Bowie remembers glam.
Evening Standard: Rolling with the Rock.
You can tune into a live radio interview with Mick TONIGHT on the The Late Show with Gideon Coe tonight on London Live 94.9FM at around 11:00pm (GMT). You can also tune in online by clicking here.
Mick will be signing copies of his book 'Blood & Glitter' this coming Thursday April 5th at 6:00pm, in the basement of the Piccadilly branch of Tower Records in London.
The 'Blood & Glitter' exhibition at the Proud Galleries, 5 Buckingham Street, London WC2N 6BP, nearest tubes being Charing Cross or Embankment. The exhibition runs daily between 10:00am and 7:00pm from 5th April to 6th May 2001, with a small entrance fee of £2 (£1 concessions).
DAVID TO APPEAR ON LENNON SPECIAL?
2nd April 2001Update: According to BowieNet News David ISN'T appearing on this show...
On May 10th in New York City, Shelby Lynne will perform the song, "Mother," for the TNT Special Come Together: A Tribute To John Lennon. The special will air on TNT beginning of June and will help raise awareness for gun control issues. Dave Stewart from the Eurythmics will head-up an All-Star band and other confirmed performers include: DAVID BOWIE, Moby, Bob Dylan, Cyndi Lauper, Bette Midler and presented by Mary Tyler Moore.
(Ed. This wasn't an April Fool's joke it came from a reliable source... ah well).
EASTENDERS SIGN UP GOLDIE
1st April 2001GOLDIE is joining EastEnders as a villain! He makes his first appearance this summer. Apparently, there's still some fine tuning to be done over the exact nature of his role, but it's a safe bet he won't be appearing as a big softie. Goldie aka Clifford Price will be the third celebrity to be signed up to EastEnders in recent months.
It's a fairly well known fact in certain circles, i.e. the BowieNet chatroom, that DAVID is an avid watcher of EastEnders. He once stated not so long ago "I LOVE Eastenders. Next best to Chekov." He very nearly got into a handbag fight with Boy George during a special guest BowieNet chat, when George claimed the show was the most miserable programme on TV.
Then IMAN confirmed by proclaiming: "That's our favourite show. We watch it religiously. David a little more religiously than me. But we've not yet had the honour to be invited."
MICK ROCK SIGNING AND EXHIBITION
1st April 2001Legendary photographer MICK ROCK will be signing copies of his latest book 'Blood & Glitter' this coming Thursday April 5th at 6:00pm, in the basement of the Piccadilly branch of Tower Records in London.
The 'Blood & Glitter' exhibition at the Proud Galleries, 5 Buckingham Street, London WC2N 6BP, nearest tubes being Charing Cross or Embankment. The exhibition runs daily between 10:00am and 7:00pm from 5th April to 6th May 2001, with a small entrance fee of £2 (£1 concessions).
From Blam via BowieNet.
THE BW MB HALL OF FAME
1st April 2001Fame! What's your name?... the BW HALL OF FAME has well and truly got going. Now complete with sound, it's all in fun. Even David has contributed with a spoken comment ;)
If you are already on the list and haven't filled in your profile questionnaire please do so, before I or KelMar do it on your behalf. If you would like to add yourself to the list please feel free to do so... even if you aren't a regular there, go check it out and start posting.
The first big sorry bunch of BW message boarders are now online and ready to laugh at... cry at... or just plain pity them ;) Check them out here on the BW MB HALL OF FAME.
From Rednik and KelMar.
BOWIE BBC SPECIAL IN USA
1st April 2001Currently showing on BBC America at present is the trailer for DAVID BOWIE'S performance at the Beeb... "coming this summer on BBC America" Bowie BBC Special.
In the meantime, whilst you are waiting to see this wonderful performance, you can view David's performance of 'Fame' from the show by visiting this link.
From Raven.
MOULIN ROUGE TO KICK OFF CANNES
1st April 2001FOX'S MOULIN ROUGE TO OPEN CANNES FILM FESTIVAL, FOLLOWED BY JUNE 1 NATIONAL RELEASE.
The Cannes Film Festival has selected Baz Luhrmann's MOULIN ROUGE as the festival's opening night film on May 9, 2001. The film will be screened in competition. The Cannes response to Moulin Rouge, as well as reactions to early test screenings and showings of a special promotional reel, have led Fox to move the film's release date to place it squarely into the prime summer release period. Twentieth Century Fox will release the film nationally on June 1st.
Fox will also platform Moulin Rouge in a single run each in New York and Los Angeles on May 18th.
Commented Gilles Jacob, President of the Cannes International Film Festival: "I am particularly happy to welcome Moulin Rouge, a major studio film that renews the best tradition of spectacle, as the Opening Night Film of this year's festival, and also, of course, to reconnect with director Baz Luhrmann, whom we know very well from having discovered his first film in 1992."
Commented Baz Luhrmann: "I still have wonderful memories from when Cannes launched my first film, ‘Strictly Ballroom,' so this is indeed an exciting announcement for me. I am particularly gratified that an American-financed film almost completely created in Australia, and specific to French culture and history, has been embraced this way by Cannes."
Added Robert Harper, Vice Chairman, Twentieth Century Fox: "We always knew Baz was creating something very special with Moulin Rouge. But after seeing the film this month, we were completely blown away by what he's done - and we're thrilled that the Cannes Film Festival agrees. Moulin Rouge is a film for everyone, and we wanted to give audiences their best opportunity to experience it for themselves by releasing the picture on these prime summer dates."
Moulin Rouge is a celebration of love and creative inspiration set in the infamous, gaudy and glamorous Parisian nightclub, at the cusp of the twentieth century. Luhrmann ("William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet") brings together gorgeous period design and modern-era pop tunes to create a unique motion picture experience. Nicole Kidman plays the club's most notorious star, forced to choose between a young writer's inspiration and another man's obsession. Ewan McGregor is the writer who finds himself plunged into this decadent world where anything goes - except falling in love.
The film also stars John Leguizamo as Toulouse-Lautrec, Jim Broadbent and Richard Roxburgh. It was written by Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce, and the producers are Martin Brown, Baz Luhrmann, and Fred Baron.
DAVID BOWIE and Massive Attack have recorded their version of "Nature Boy" for the movie soundtrack. This track is a key structural quote from the film - "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is to love and be loved in return".
The album is released on the Uni/Interscope label, you may order it now and it will be shipped to you on the day of release.
Click here (7th March) for more soundtrack information.
| Created: April 2001 © Paul Kinder | Last Updated: 31/4/01 |
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