THE BITS FLEW FAR AND WIDE
31st May 2001
Baz Luhrmann's movie MOULIN ROUGE has become the highest grossing opening day movie in Australian history, the highest grossing first weekend movie in Australian history, the Lady Marmalade single is #1 in the singles chart and the Moulin Rouge OST is #1 in the albums chart... Full story here (from Simon).
In the USA the soundtrack debuted at number 5 and dropped to 10 in its second week. The movie opens nationally in the US this weekend... which may boost the soundtrack back up... (from Bonster).
Win a Ziggy print by Mick Rock - BOWIEWONDERWORLD Competition number 9 ends TONIGHT at midnight....
REEVES GABRELS live gig tonight at House Of Blues, Boston, MA...
Tribute band YOUNG AMERICANS play New Roscoe in Leeds today...
'From Ibiza To The Norfolk Broads' theatre play in Germany at Galerie "Alte Kegelbahn" (hinter dem UNIKUM)....
DAVID BOWIE TO WRITE MEMOIRS?
30th May 2001
The memoirs of DAVID BOWIE are currently being offered for sale by Jim Fitzgerald of the Carol Mann Agency in New York. As yet, nothing has been written - not even a proposal - and publishers are being asked to bid blind and put forward a marketing plan. Publication of the 54-year-old's book would be in 2003, to coincide with a tour and a new album.
Bowie's biggest market is the UK and Europe; he is less significant in the US, which will impact on the price in any world rights deal. While the man who was Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane and the Thin White Duke has much to write about (drugs, an ambiguous sex life, management conflict, a settled middle age and his interest in painting), he is not considered as immediate a superstar as Gerri Halliwell or Victoria Beckham, though they have less to write about. However, Fitzgerald told PN this week that the price was going "sky high" and all offers were now with Bowie's management, ready for the singer to consider when he returned from Cannes, where he has been accompanying his wife. No decision has been made on whether the book will be sold on a World or WEL/translation basis. "That depends on the kind of marketing proposals put forward," said the agent.
From publishingnews.co.uk.
Thanks to BraveApollo for the pointer.
(Ed. Update: Apparently this ain't happening... I didn't expect it to).
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUNCAN!!!
30th May 2001
Wishing you a very Happy 30th Birthday Dun :)
Have a wonderful day and I hope you get everything you wish for
Many happy returns and best wishes fromPaul - aka 'Rednik' and everyone at Wonderworld
THE BITS FLEW FAR AND WIDE
30th May 2001
Today APRA - the Australian Performing Rights Association - voted 'FRIDAY ON MY MIND' as the best Australian-penned song of the last 100 years. Released originally by The Easy Beats in 1966 written by band members George Young and Harry Vanda, DAVID BOWIE of course, must take some of the credit for recording his excellent version of the song which appeared on his Pin Ups album in 1973. (from Simon)...
You've only one day left to enter the BW Competition number 9 to win of of two beautiful limited edition Ziggy Stardust prints signed by Mick Rock. Competition ends tomorrow night at one minute past midnight (12:01am) 1st June.
Enter the COMPETITION here. Good luck everyone :)
BW COMPETITION: ONLY TWO DAYS LEFT
29th May 2001
Just two days left to enter the current BW competition number 9... to be one of TWO lucky winners of the superb limited edition ZIGGY STARDUST print. Both prints signed by legendary photographer MICK ROCK which incidentally are worth over £110 each.
You can send your competition entries now. Please answer all six questions, the answers can be found in various places on this website. (Hint: use the search engine).
If competitions aren't your thing and or you're desperate to get hold of a print now, you can purchase them through Showcase Editions, call 01242 680012 or e-mail sales@showcaseeditions.com
Enter the COMPETITION here. Good luck everyone :)
MORE OF BRITAIN DARKENED AND DISGRACED
29th May 2001
DARKNESS AND DISGRACE the musical cabaret show of DAVID BOWIE songs created by DES DE MOOR and RUSSELL CHURNEY and directed by BARB JUNGR, builds on its successful run at The Rosemary Branch earlier in the year with appearances in Brighton and Wimbledon during June - and a run at the Edinburgh Fringe!
The show is an intimate and emotionally dynamic musical cabaret excursion, reflecting Bowie's own inspirations from figures like Tony Newley, Brecht/Weill and Jacques Brel and the unashamed theatricality he brought to the early 1970s rock concert stage. The duo trace Bowie's oeuvre from its roots in the soul-soaked creatively explosive london of the 1960s and onwards through a landscape peopled by mod Newley-wannabes, sexually ambivalent science fiction apo-calypse prophets, brel-fixated trash theatre queens, drug-stupefied cold war romantics, pre-millennial art murderers and wild-eyed aliens from Bromley.
"Fascinating" - The Times.
"Intelligent and moving...providing new insights at every turn" What's On In London.
"An endless stream of compelling vignettes" - The Stage.
"A touching show... [that] proves the concept of cabaret based on English songs has a healthy future" - Highbury & Islington Express.
"Inspired... a very clever and entertaining piece" - Bowienet.
"A fascinating and moving show... See it!" - Bowie Wonderworld.Thursday 7th June:
Komedia Cabaret Bar, 44-47 Gardner Street BN1 1UN.
Bookings +44 (0)1273 647101. www.komedia.co.uk.Sunday 17th June:
Wimbledon Studio Theatre, The Broadway, London SW9 1QG.
Tel +44 (0)20 8540 0362.Monday 13th - Monday 27th August: (except Sunday 19th).
Full details about the show are on Des de Moor's website @ www.commex.org/dirkje.
The Pleasance Dome, Edinburgh. Showtime: 00:15. More information will follow.
THE BITS FLEW FAR AND WIDE
28th May 2001
EMM GRYNER plays tonight at the Metro Cafe, Cambridge, MA...
The YOUNG AMERICANS tribute band play the Boot & Shoe in Ackworth, Yorkshire, UK at 3:30pm...
Showing on the WE Movie channel tonight in the US is INTO THE NIGHT at 10:00am...
There's a new section been added to the site for David Bowie MISHEARD LYRICS if you've got any howlers that either you or your friends used to sing, or still do ;) LOL please feel free to post them up on the BW Message Board or email them in. Don't be shy, my lips are sealed...
DAVID TOPS VIRGIN POLL
26th May 2001
The 4,000 people who took part in the poll named DAVID BOWIE as the greatest rock star over the age of 50 with Rolling Stones star Mick Jagger second. Sir Cliff Richard should bow out of music gracefully by retiring, according to music fans in a new poll. The star is currently headlining a string of shows at the Royal Albert Hall after returning from a year-long break. But many want to see him quitting for good as he topped a Virgin.net web poll of the wrinkly rockers who Britons would most like to see retire. Half those polled mentioned Sir Cliff, who has scored No 1s in each decade between the 50s and 90s and took his Millennium Prayer to the top 18 months ago despite limited radio airplay. Gravel-voiced Rod Stewart was runner-up in the poll, ahead of Phil Collins.
The 4,000 people who took part in the poll named David Bowie as the greatest rock star over the age of 50 with Rolling Stones star Mick Jagger second. The survey of music veterans was commissioned to mark the 60th birthday of Bob Dylan. Three-fifths of those who took part said music was less exciting today than in the 60s and 70s. Oasis were judged to be the worst present day rock act cited by more than two-thirds of those polled - double the number for second placed Blur.
Esther Sadler, music producer of Virgin.net, said: "Bob Dylan's 60th birthday and recent high profile releases from the likes of Rod Stewart and Aerosmith show that rock 'n' roll is not just a young man's game. "It's good to see that there's still an interest and appreciation of rock of all ages."
From Zigster via PA.
(Ed. We already know David is, was, and always will be, the great rock star ever at whatever age he happens to be).
IN MEMORY OF MICK RONSON
26th May 2001
Today marks the birthday anniversary of the immortal MICK RONSON. Born 26th May 1946 - 29th April 1993 - Love on ya Mick, rest in peace.
When Mick Ronson died of cancer on 29th April 1993, the music world lost a man of many talents: songwriter, arranger, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and a brilliant guitarist whose searing lead style provided the earthly grounding for a new generation of rock flamboyance in David Bowie's character of Ziggy Stardust.
Check out these two great Ronno websites: Only After Dark and The Mick Ronson Website.
THE ITALIAN CONNECTION
26th May 2001
The Italian Bowie fan club site Velvet Goldmine sponsors another DAVID BOWIE night tonight, 2001: A Bowie Odissey, today Saturday, May 26th, 10:00 pm, at MAGO DI OZ, Via Senofane 119 (in front of the drive-in), Casalpalocco, Rome.
Special live guests will be the cover band Mr. Ziggy and The Glass Spiders. The music on the dance floor will be "only Bowie" and the party will last all night.
(Ed. Have fun everyone! Enjoy yourselves)..
EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL UPDATE
25th May 2001
The full programme of events for this year's EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL will be released on 5th June. The event, which runs from 5th August to 27th August, will feature 1,500 shows.
Clive James and Emo Philips are among the artists so far confirmed to be appearing at the festival. Along with the DAVID BOWIE cabaret show 'Darkness and Disgrace' on 13th-27th August at te Fringe's premier venue The Pleasance venue at 12.15pm every night. Tickets will be £7.50. Read the show reviews here from the London performances at Rosemary Branch Theatre.
Copies of the Fringe programme, which will cost around £2, can be ordered by calling the hotline number 0907 159 2001, and the full listings will be available at www.edfringe.com from 5th June.
If there are any David Bowie fans out there running successful companies, who would like to help sponsor the production in return for their company logo etc to be placed on all publicity material please contact Mike Leigh.
The festival is visited by over 1 million people from all over the world), as the show is costing a small fortune to put on!! If anyone would like any more info on the production or sponsorship opportunities they can contact me via my email address @ beige@bowiewonderworld.com
Also appearing at the festival is the play FROM IBIZA TO THE NORFOLK BROADS written and directed by Adrian Berry, which runs every night from 1st-26th August at 11.00pm for 26 performances at: C (Venue 34), Adam House, Chambers Street, Edinburgh. Tickets priced £7.50 / £5.50 conc - Box Office: 0131 225 5105.
Read past reviews and interviews here:
No Control - an interview with Adrian Berry. When I Live My Dream - an interview with Alex Clarke.
SLOW DOWN ARTHUR MOVIE
25th May 2001
As mentioned here back in January, Pulp front man JARVIS COCKER is to direct the movie version of 'Slow Down Arthur, Stick To Thirty', the novel written by Harland Miller.
In this week's issue of NME Jarvis said: "It's at a very early stage of development, but a friend of mine, Harland Miller, wrote a book called Slow Down Arthur, Stick To 30, which is about a David Bowie impersonator in York in the early 80s. He sold the rights to DNA who are the people who made 'Trainspotting', and I am trying to pitch to direct that. I would really like to do it, especially since I came down here (London) to study film. I would love to make a feature film, it's whether they think I'm capable of making it and whether they let me do it the way I want to."
There will be a full exclusive interview in next week's issue of NME.
Click here and you can re-read the January news and reviews on Slow Down Arthur, Stick To Thirty.
BW COMPETITION: 7 DAYS LEFT
24th May 2001
You can send your competition entries now. Please answer all six questions, the answers can be found in various places on this website. (Hint: use the search engine).
If competitions aren't your thing and or you're desperate to get hold of a print now, you can purchase them through Showcase Editions, call 01242 680012 or e-mail sales@showcaseeditions.com
Enter the COMPETITION here. Good luck everyone :)
DAVID BOWIE EXPERIENCE LAUNCHED
24th May 2001
Danish tribute band DAVID BOWIE EXPERIENCE launched the international version of their site yesterday. www.davidbowieexperience.com features both an English and German version. We decided to launch the site, because of the enormous amount of mail we received from all over the world regarding the versions of 'Hearts Filthy Lesson', 'Strangers When We Meet' and 'Starman' that we have recorded. After listening to these (real-audio) tracks people (who obviously didn't understand Danish) wanted to know when David recorded these version and which bootleg albums they were featured on. We hope that this site will answer a lot of all the questions we have received.
All band members of 'David Bowie Experience' are professional musicians, playing with the Danish top recording artists. This project has arisen from the love and respect of David Bowie's music. We now look forward to spread Bowie's music throughout Germany, Holland and Belgium as we are a planning a tour in these countries.
www.davidbowieexperience.com features beautiful webart, a lot of information on the tribute band as well as real-audio and video files. As the site is only in its beginning we hope that people will help us in the future development by telling us what they would like to see! For further information please use following email contact@davidbowieexperience.com
From Rolf Nordahl @ David Bowie Experience.
DAVID BOWIE FOR PM?
23rd May 2001
TRAVIS reckon Tony Blair should step down and let DAVID BOWIE take over as Britain's Prime Minister... because he has better dress sense. Front man Fran Healey said: "Bowie would be an excellent politician. At least he's stylish. We're going to start an electoral ballot for David Bowie as PM. Or an electro ballot... a special one for David Bowie!"
Meanwhile, the polls show that Labour are stretching their lead and bookmakers odds have been slashed from 33-1 on to 50-1 on. Tory leader William Hague is 12-1 against ending up in Downing Street.
ON THE ROAD FOR $2.2 MILLION
23rd May 2001
The beat generation book that once inspired and influenced a young DAVID JONES On The Road by JACK KEROUAC has just raised in auction at Christie's in New York, a record breaking $2.2 million.
The original manuscript, a 120-foot-long, single-spaced typed scroll was purchased by Jim Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts football team, who said he considered his purchase "a stewardship" of the historic work.
"I don't believe you own anything in this world. It's dust to dust," he said after the auction at Christie's in Manhattan. "I wanted to make sure we kept it in the country, in America, and we give people an opportunity to enjoy it," he added. "It's just enjoyable to make sure it doesn't get locked away or taken somewhere far away."
Kerouac pasted together 12ft strips of paper - which he described at various times as either Teletype or tracing paper - to create a scroll he could feed without interruption into a typewriter. Using no paragraphs and little punctuation, he typed out 'On The Road' in twenty days back in April 1951.
When published six years later, the novel, based on his cross-country wanderings with Neal Cassady and their experiments with jazz, sex and drugs, became a definitive work of the Beat Generation - a group of alienated, youthful writers, poets and artists disillusioned with what they considered the shackles of convention and conformity.
Kerouac passed away in 1969, aged 47. On the Road has sold more than 3 million copies and been translated into 25 languages.
David has mentioned this particular novel many times over the years in interviews, the most memorable one back in October 1972 stating: "When I was a boy we were all fascinated by America. I read Jack Kerouac's On the Road. It was the most important thing that ever happened to me."
THERE'S A BRAND NEW TALK
22nd May 2001
DAVID BOWIE will make an appearance on Monday, June 4th in the BOWIENET chatroom at 6:00 pm EST, that's 11:00pm GMT - see worldclock for your local time zone...
Check out David's official website @ BowieNet.
BECAUSE YOU'RE YOUNG
22nd May 2001
For the people who emailed and enquired "Who's Kristeen Young?"... I remember Tony Visconti mentioned her last year (August 2000) ago during a BowieNet Chat session when questioned who his favourite female singer was. Here is some background information on her I bookmarked a while back.
Not Exactly Your Average Girl Next Door.
"The name of the band is 'Kristeen Young'," claims Kristeen, who at 25 has already earned the right to ascend to rock-star status. This is a woman who has certainly paid her dues. Half-German, half-Apache, born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Kristeen began studying opera and piano in college.
After fronting a couple of successful local St. Louis bands during the early nineties, she eventually met drummer and partner-in-crime Jeff White. In 1997, she released Meet Miss Young and Her All-Boy Band through the now-defunct World Domination label. Even without the use of guitars, Meet Miss Young was well-received, gaining top-ten college radio airplay across the country. No mere riot-grrl, Kristeen Young was already proving to the world that her music was far more progressive and open than the grunge culture surrounding her.
Kristeen's vocals have been compared with the likes of Kate Bush, and upon closer inspection, one might try to imagine the beauty and range of Bel Canto's Anneli Drecker fused with the intensity of Diamanda Galas, but even that would be short-changing Kristeen's talent as a singer. As for the Tori and Fiona comparisons, Kristeen admits that "it's only because of the female-piano-singer thing." Aside from her phenomenal vocal range (Kristeen can snarl, whisper, wail, and still hit that high F all in one breath)-her lyrics delve much deeper, revealing a dark and delicious intellect which rarely seems to cross over into mainstream music these days.
Last year marked the self-released CD, Enemy, which led to Kristeen and Jeff's emigration from the Mid-West to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, along with bassist Brian Ion. There, the trio began playing shows and developing a reputation in both the Philadelphia and New York City areas. Backed by the foundation of Jeff's driving rock beats and Brian's pulsing bass riffs, Kristeen Young has managed to build quite a following. Kristeen can sing, and she can play those keys as if her fingers were made for that purpose, and no other.
More than just a singer and stage persona, Kristeen Young was recently featured on a spoken word compilation called What's the Word Vol. I, available through Invisible Records. Amidst contenders such as Jello Biafra, Jarboe and Alan Vega, Kristeen displays her control of language with a mind-bending piece entitled "The Last Thing You Need to Hear."
Upon hearing "Night Blindness," the second song on the album, Tony Visconti, best known for his work with Marc Bolan and DAVID BOWIE, called Kristeen, and an agreement was made to record and produce a new batch of her songs. Fame is just around the corner for Kristeen Young.
By Mark Steiner Flatiron Magazine @ www.flatirononline.com
Other links and photographs:
The First Kristeen Young Homepage and Ectophile's Guide: Kristeen Young.
THE BITS FLEW FAR AND WIDE
21st May 2001
DAVID turned up to see Icelandic 4 piece band SIGUR ROS at their Irving Plaza gig in New York City and in keeping drank Icelandic Spring water backstage...
DB also made a visit to CBGB's Gallery last Tuesday (May 15th) to see singer KRISTEEN YOUNG who also appears on some of David's recent studio work (info via BNet)...
EMM GRYNER gig tonight at the Metro Cafe in Cambridge, MA...
BW Competition - all six questions now online. Send in your entries before the end of this month.
FILM 2001 MOULIN ROUGE STARS
20th May 2001
This week's edition of FILM 2001 on BBC1 UK TV Thursday at 11:20pm features The Cannes Festival with Jonathan Ross. Stars Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor talk about their new film Moulin Rouge.
Check out the official Moulin Rouge website.
BW COMPETITION: FINAL QUESTION
19th May 2001
You can send your competition entries now. Please answer all six questions, the answers can be found in various places on this website. (Hint: use the search engine).
Q1: Which English University did Mick Rock attend?
Q2: Name two of the three people in this photograph.
Q3: Name four promotional videos that Mick Rock has filmed for David Bowie?
Q4: Where in England was Mick Rock born?
Q5: Who are the publishers of the book 'BLOOD & GLITTER' Glam: An Eyewitness Account' by Mick Rock?
Q6: Which gallery in London held the Blood & Glitter exhibition recently?
If competitions aren't your thing and or you're desperate to get hold of a print now, you can purchase them through Showcase Editions, call 01242 680012 or e-mail sales@showcaseeditions.com
See the competition page for rules and conditions. Good luck everyone :)
THE BITS FLEW FAR AND WIDE
19th May 2001
BowieNet have added Channel 2 on BOWIERADIO which features David's favourite songs from the past 50 years (ten songs per decade). Each choice includes a brief narrative from David about the song and why he chose it...
The competition on BOWIENET to select the artwork for the cover of the forthcoming All Saints instrumental album has now been sorted. Instead of the members choosing a winner from the eight pieces supplied, the idea has been scrapped and David has decided to produce the artwork himself...
Showing today on USA TV on Ovation: The Arts Network at 4:00pm ET is DAVID BOWIE: Black Tie White Noise...
The final question in the BOWIEWONDERWORLD competition to win a Ziggy signed limited edition print by MICK ROCK will be online over this weekend sometime. As soon as question 6 has been added you can start sending your entries in. Good luck :)...
If anyone is interested in writing their own column for BOWIEWONDERWORLD please email me. There is room for several more contributors. If there are no more volunteers, or the numerous people who said they would and haven't, then I'm afraid I'll have to start a column myself, and you wouldn't want that would you? Come on I've got enough to do already...
UPDATE ON ZIGGY STARDUST 2002 BOOK
18th May 2001
For those of you who have already signed up on the mailing list for the forthcoming signed limited edition MOONAGE DAYDREAM: THE LIFE & TIMES OF ZIGGY STARDUST by David Bowie and Mick Rock, will have already received this update in your email box, for those who haven't read on...
Oliver Craske Senior Editor of Genesis Publications states:
We have had a tremendous response to the announcement of the book. Hundreds of people have already signed up on the mailing list, and a large number of those have added messages along the lines of 'I can't wait'. Nor can we - but since this project is being put together over a period of around two years you can rest assured we are taking maximum care over it.
We shall soon be sending you the free advance leaflet which presents the information and pictures you've seen on the website in printed form.
Before publication next year we shall write to you again with the full prospectus for the limited edition (again free) along with final details of the the book and how to order.
Many people have submitted enquiries. In the first instance I would refer you back to the page on our website announcing the book, where you should find most of the answers: http://www.genesis-publications.com/books/bowie/index.html. But I hope you will not mind if I address a few specific questions in the form of this email circular which is being sent to all those who signed up.
1. The limited edition will be published by June 2002, for the 30th anniversary of the release of David Bowie's 1972 album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.
2. We are not in a position to take orders from anyone yet. You can't reserve a copy yet.
3. However, by signing up to this list you will be offered the first chance to order this book. We expect to start taking orders in about March 2002. We are not 'already fully subscribed'. Encourage your friends to join the list if they're interested - they're not too late.
4. The price is not yet fixed. On the web page we quoted a RANGE of £225-295 pounds ($345-445 USD). The exact final price has not yet been set and will depend on the exact specifications of the final limited edition - which will evolve over the next 9 months.
Any further queries please email me here @ oliver@genesis-publications.com
Back to work on the book now!
From Oliver Craske @ www.genesis-publications.com.
MOULIN ROUGE MOVIE REVIEW
18th May 2001
Moulin Rouge, opening Friday, flips the movie musical on its head (AP) - A dizzying, breathtaking achievement, Baz Luhrmann's MOULIN ROUGE flips the movie musical on its head and sends it spinning into a wonderland that makes Alice's adventures seem pedestrian. The pyrotechnics of Moulin Rouge are a breathless assault on the senses. Set in an underworld where physical laws don't apply, the film twists time and space, perspective and proportion, to its own ends.
On one level, the movie is the most elaborate and original music video ever made. On another, the film is a simple story of love and loss cloaked in garish splendour. This is not a descendant of the happy, sappy musicals of yesteryear. The movie is laced with chirpy comedy and absurd machinations, but it's ultimately a tragedy.
Set in 1899 Paris, the film is a variation of the Orpheus myth starring Nicole Kidman as the belle of the lusty Moulin Rouge nightclub and Ewan McGregor as an idealistic writer who journeys into this bohemian abyss to find love. The film originally was scheduled for release late last year, but Luhrmann needed more time. No wonder, considering the complex post-production required for the film's effects and vibrant colours.
Luhrmann combines sets, costumes, visual effects, motion and music into a movie experience that's worthwhile if only because it's so audaciously different, even if you're part of the sizable movie-going audience unable in this day and age to tolerate characters bursting into song. There's the rub. Moulin Rouge requires big upfront concessions from the audience, not only to accept the conceit of century-ago Parisians belting out modern pop tunes, but also to buy into Luhrmann's anything-and-everything-goes cinematic style. They're concessions many won't make. Moulin Rouge had a mixed reception when it opened this year's Cannes Film Festival. It's not as divisive a musical as last year's Dancer in the Dark. But while the whimsy of Moulin Rouge will hook many enthusiasts, the movie will find plenty of detractors who'll find its pretensions too, well, pretentious.
Kidman plays Satine, a woman for whom prostitution and performance are a way of life. Satine is introduced in a radiant rendition of Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend, with a snippet of Madonna's Material Girl. The film fuses songs that span the 20th century, from cancan to The Sound of Music to the jazz standard Nature Boy sung by DAVID BOWIE to U2's Pride (In the Name of Love).
The writer, Christian (McGregor), takes Elton John's corny Your Song as his love theme, with Placido Domingo singing backup as the voice of the smiley-faced moon. Jose Feliciano adds vocals to a slow tango of Sting's Roxanne. Vocals for a cover of LaBelle's Lady Marmalade come from Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya and Pink. The chief supporting players - Jim Broadbent as the club's proprietor, John Leguizamo as Toulouse-Lautrec and Richard Roxburgh as a snivelling villain - bring charming humour to their own numbers.
This show belongs to Kidman and McGregor, though. Fairy-tale romance is never terribly deep or real, but Kidman and McGregor connect in ways that make credible the notion of falling in love over a song, at least within the context of Luhrmann's fantasy world. And it is an exhilarating fantasy world. Not one that everybody will want to spend time in, but if nothing else, Luhrmann's fancifully skewed alternate reality shows just how sit-up-and-take-notice interesting movies can look.
You may purchase the Moulin Rouge soundtrack here at Amazon or alternatively you can purchase here from CDNow.
BOWIE TV INTERVIEW ON FRAMPTON BIO
17th May 2001
In case you missed it last night, (or you live in England grrr!) there's a repeat showing of the DAVID BOWIE interview on US television, as part of the PETER FRAMPTON biography on the A&E Network channel in the US at 12:00 am ET.
KelMar caught the show and commented: He looked marvelous. Wearing the sort of yellowish top with the magenta neck and cuffs. Hair nicely done. Looked about 35. Only saw him smoking once. They showed some of the usual old Bowie photos and a short sequence from Glass Spider.
Sailor made one eloquent point I wish Mr. Frampton would heed (and I paraphrase here, sorry but I was into the Merlot by this time): "Peter really should do an album of real Peter Frampton music. A bit of wisdom from the sage." (The show was just discussing how in the 80's and early 90's Peter was trying all sorts of styles such as new wave, etc., to change his image). Interestingly enough, Peter must not have heard that part of Bowie's interview, as he's touring this summer re-hashing old stuff on some nostalgia tour with the likes of Journey...
Frampton came off as a really funny person and I personally want to take his parents home with me. They were adorable. The nicest thing from Peter all night was when he said how eternally grateful he was to Bowie for asking him to gig when he really needed it. He said that Bowie gave him a great gift in doing that.
Bowie's funniest moment was when he was discussing Peter being so young (16 at the time) and in the band The Herd. (paraphrasing again, sorry) He said, "And one day I'm looking at the TV and there's Peter on. I said 'shouldn't he be in detention?'" ROTFLMAO. Great stuff as usual from A&E.
Thanks to KMSV for her comments.
(Ed. Error in TV website listings, repeat showing was 4 hours later duh!).
BW COMPETITION: TWO MORE QUESTIONS
17th May 2001
Here are questions four and five in the current BOWIEWONDERWORLD competition to be one of TWO lucky winners of these superb limited edition ZIGGY STARDUST prints. Both signed by the legendary photographer MICK ROCK and incidentally are worth over £110 each.
Q5: Who are the publishers of the book 'BLOOD & GLITTER' Glam: An Eyewitness Account' by Mick Rock?
Q4: Where in England was Mick Rock born?
Q3: Name four promotional videos that Mick Rock has filmed for David Bowie?
Q1: Which English University did Mick Rock attend?
If competitions aren't your thing and or you're desperate to get hold of a print now, you can purchase them through Showcase Editions, call 01242 680012 or e-mail sales@showcaseeditions.com
See the competition page for rules and conditions. Good luck everyone :)
WRITERS ON ARTISTS
16th May 2001
Due for publication this year is WRITERS ON ARTISTS a hardcover 320 page book published by DK Publishing (ISBN: 0789480352).
Featuring 50 of the century's greatest artists, Writers on Artist brings together the best and brightest of the art and literary worlds. Covering the gamut of modern art the collection includes essays by DAVID BOWIE on Basquiat, A.S. Byatt on Georgia O'Keefe, Patrick Heron on Picasso, Bridget Riley on Mondrian, and Julian Barnes on Bonnard. This stimulating anthology features rare interviews and over 350 stunning full-color reproductions of many rarely seen works.
This book will be published on October 1st, 2001. You may order Writers on Artists now via Amazon and it will be shipped to you when it arrives.
Thanks to Bianca for the pointer.
THE BITS FLEW FAR AND WIDE
16th May 2001
The Australian release of the MOULIN ROUGE soundtrack album has a bonus track. Track 16. 'Come What May' (Josh G. Abrahams Mix) - Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor... (from Simon in Oz).
A DAVID BOWIE interview appears on US television tonight, as part of the PETER FRAMPTON biography on the A&E Network channel in the US at 8:00 pm ET. The show is also repeated tomorrow (17th May) on the same channel at 12:00 am..
EDINBURGH FESTIVAL BOWIE HIGHLIGHT
15th May 2001
I have pleasure of informing you that the DAVID BOWIE based musical cabaret 'Darkness and Disgrace' will be performed at this years Edinburgh Festival between 13th-27th August at The Pleasance venue at 12.15pm every night. Tickets will be £7.50. (The Edinburgh Fringe's premier venue).
If there are any David Bowie fans out there running successful companies, who would like to help sponsor the production in return for their company logo etc to be placed on all publicity material please contact me.
The festival is visited by over 1 million people from all over the world), as the show is costing a small fortune to put on!!
If anyone would like any more info on the production or sponsorship opportunities they can contact me via my email address.
Many thanks for your help and support,
Mike Leigh @ beige@bowiewonderworld.com
MOULIN ROUGE SOUNDTRACK OUT TODAY
14th May 2001
After weeks of waiting, the highly anticipated MOULIN ROUGE soundtrack album is released today on the Uni/Interscope label.
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. 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 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.You may purchase here at Amazon or alternatively you can also order here from CDNow.
Check out the official Moulin Rouge website.
THE BITS FLEW FAR AND WIDE
14th May 2001
DAVID BOWIE world Television round up for today includes...
Bravo Profiles: David Bowie, shown twice on Bravo in the USA at 06:00 am and 11:00 am ET...
David Bowie: Black Tie White Noise, Ovation The Arts Network channel in the USA at 06:00 pm ET...
And if you're completely desperate and need a good laugh, you could always watch the movie Velvet Goldmine on FilmFour, UK at 2:00 am...EMM GRYNER plays a gig at Metro Cafe, Cambridge, MA...
Congratulations to TONY PERRY from Essex on winning the 'Stars In Their Eyes' show on UK TV over the weekend. He's made it to the grand final, after performing 'Ashes To Ashes'...
AND TONIGHT MATTHEW I'M GOING TO BE...
12th May 2001
Appearing on tonight's STARS IN THEIR EYES on ITV UK TV tonight at 8:05 pm... "Tonight Matthew I'm going to be DAVID BOWIE."
Watch TONY PERRY getting from fun to funky. Does he win and get through to the final? Let's see.
(Ed. Good luck Tony)..
PEELLAERT EXHIBITION IN PARIS
10th May 2001
GUY PEELLAERT the graphic artist responsible for DAVID BOWIE'S 'Diamond Dogs' and 'Bowie At The Beeb' album covers, is currently exhibiting in Paris. The newly-rehabilitated Peellaert's computer-generated collages of celebrities are on display at an exhibition entitled '20th Century Chronicle' at Paris' Maison Européenne de la photographie museum sponsored by Lagerfeld's 7L publishing house. Runs till 10th June 2001.
Peellaert takes perverse pleasure in creating confusion. A master of mixed media and a firm believer in hybrid art forms, he exploits the way photography relates to the appearances of reality, proving time and again that the only truth that really exists is the truth of the artist. This series of images constitutes a eulogy to the Lie illustrated by a man who does not believe in what he sees but in what he chooses to show. But perhaps, as Cocteau once said, only lies can tell the truth.
For those of you who can read French... Guy Peellaert 'Chroniques d'un siècle' - Exposition réalisée avec le soutien de 7L. 28 février - 10 juin 2001.
Guy Peellaert prend un malin plaisir à la confusion des genres. Apôtre du métissage, maître de cet art bâtard qu'est le mix-média, usant de la photographie dans son rapport avec les apparences de la réalité, il ne cesse de prouver que la vérité n'existe pas, sinon celle de l'auteur : cette série d'images n'est qu'une apologie du mensonge illustrée par un homme qui ne croit pas ce qu'il voit, qui ne croit que ce qu'il donne à voir. Mais il n'y a que le mensonge, prétendait Cocteau, pour dire la vérité.
Visit www.mep-fr.org/us/ for more details. Click on current events: exhibitions.
WHO SUBSTITUTED TILL 4th JUNE
10th May 2001
Another week... The release date in the UK for THE WHO tribute album Substitute - The Songs Of The Who which features DAVID BOWIE performing a superb version of 'Pictures Of Lily' won't now hit the UK shops until 4TH JUNE.
David Bowie: 'Pictures of Lily'
Written by Pete Townshend.
Published by TRO/Essex.
Producer David Bowie & Mark Plati.
Engineered and Mixed by Mark Plati at Looking Glass Studios New York City (November 2000).
Assisted by Hector Castillo. Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound.
Musicians: David Bowie - Lead and Backing vocals, Stylophone. Sterling Campbell - Drums, Backing vocals. Mark Plati - Bass & Guitars, backing vocals.David Bowie says: "The Who's work became a major template for so many of us. The considered and intelligent use of so-called 'art-theory', actively engaged with rock music, was merely one of Pete's phenomenally important contributions to the new 'language' of rock. Nice trousers too!"
Visit www.substitute-thesongsofthewho.com where you can hear a thirty second clip of David's version of Pictures Of Lily, enter prize competitions and read all the background information on The Who tribute project.
THE BITS FLEW FAR AND WIDE
10th May 2001
Thirty one years ago this very day DAVID BOWIE was awarded an Ivor Novello Award for 'Space Oddity' as Best Original Song at the awards show at the Talk Of The Town in 1970. David performed live on the show that night accompanied by the Les Reed Orchestra. The event was transmitted live via satellite to over 60 closed-circuit outlets in America, including New York's Carnegie Hall. It was also broadcast in France, Spain, Australia, Holland and Venezuela, but not in Britain, where it was broadcast live on Radio 1 and 2 at 10pm-11.30pm...
BowieNet Members Special Chat Guest tonight is drummer STERLING CAMPBELL at 5:00pm EST (10:00pm GMT) - Check the worldclock for your local time zone...
EMM GRYNER plays at The Black Sheep Inn, Ottawa, Canada tonight...
The movie MR. RICE'S SECRET gets another airing on Sky Premier 3 in the UK at 1:05pm...
AN ITALIAN BOWIE NIGHT
9th May 2001
The Italian Bowie fan club site Velvet Goldmine (http://velvetgoldmine.virtualave.net) is sponsoring another DAVID BOWIE night, 2001: A Bowie Odissey, on Saturday, May 26th, 10:00 pm, at MAGO DI OZ, Via Senofane 119 (in front of the drive-in), Casalpalocco, Rome.
Special live guests will be the cover band Mr. Ziggy and The Glass Spiders. The music on the dance floor will be "only Bowie" and the party will last all night.
For more information, you can see the site http://velvetgoldmine.virtualave.net or send email to velvetgoldmine@libero.it.
MOULIN OPENS CANNES FILM FESTIVAL
9th May 2001
The MOULIN ROUGE movie opens the Cannes Film Festival today. Sit back and watch everyone get blown away by the sight of Nicole Kidman in suspenders and on hearing David Bowie's versions of 'Nature Boy'. This better be the next single to promote the movie.
The movie will be launched in Australia on May 31st. Director Baz 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.
Oh I nearly forgot... you can listen to a sneak preview of David's solo version of 'Nature Boy' by simply clicking here.
THE BITS FLEW FAR AND WIDE
9th May 2001
On UK TV tonight on the Horizons channel there's a repeat showing of AIRPORT the documentary about life inside Heathrow Airport. This documentary features DAVID BOWIE leaving Heathrow for New York... or is it Los Angeles?...
Bowie tribute act THE JEAN GENIE play The Venue, London on Friday 8th June, information and bookings tel: 020 8692 4077. The Venue, 2A Clifton Rise, New Cross, London SE14.
BW COMPETITION: TWO MORE QUESTIONS
8th May 2001
Here are questions two and three in the current BOWIEWONDERWORLD competition to be one of TWO lucky winners of these superb limited edition ZIGGY STARDUST prints. Both signed by the legendary photographer MICK ROCK and incidentally are worth over £110 each.
Q3: Name four promotional videos that Mick Rock has filmed for David Bowie?
Q1: Which English University did Mick Rock attend?
If competitions aren't your thing and or you're desperate to get hold of a print now, you can purchase them through Showcase Editions, call 01242 680012 or e-mail sales@showcaseeditions.com
See the competition page for rules and conditions. Good luck everyone :)
WHO SUBSTITUTED TILL 4th JUNE
8th May 2001
Update: The release date in the UK for THE WHO tribute album 'Substitute - The Songs Of The Who' which features DAVID BOWIE performing a superb version of 'Pictures Of Lily' won't now hit the UK shops until 4TH JUNE.
See here for full album details.
THE BITS FLEW FAR AND WIDE
7th May 2001
For those db collectors out there like me, who didn't know about the EMI French issue of the 2CD set DAVID BOWIE'S 'Singles Collection' released last year in November 2000 with completely different artwork, here it is for your perusal. Now then, tell me which cover would of you preferred? You can purchase the album via the French Amazon website...
EMM GRYNER gig tonight at the Kendall Cafe, Cambridge, MA, USA...
The newly discovered KONRADS Canadian Decca single 'I Didn't Know How Much' found not once but twice by Andy B raised $202.50 on eBay auctions. See here (1st May) for original news story...
Question two in the current BW Competition Number 9 to win a MICK ROCK Ziggy print will be online tomorrow...
SUBSTITUTE 4-TRACK PROMO
7th May 2001
The four track promotional jewelcase CD for THE WHO tribute album 'Substitute - The Songs Of The Who' album features DAVID BOWIE'S excellent version of 'Pictures Of Lily' along with...
01. Stereophonics (featuring Noel Gallagher on backing vocals) - 'Who Are You'.
Released by Edel, the catalogue number is 0128645EREP.
02. DAVID BOWIE - 'Pictures Of Lily'.
03. Sheryl Crow - 'Behind Blue Eyes'.
04. Paul Weller - 'Circles'.
"SON NOW HERE'S A LITTLE SOMETHING"
7th May 2001
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 David and Mark Plati producing.
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 here and have it delivered to your door.Tracklisting:
01. Cast - "The Seeker".
02. Ocean Colour Scene - "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere".
03. Paul Weller - "Circles".
04. David Bowie - "Pictures Of Lily".
05. Pearl Jam - "The Kids Are Alright".
06. Fastball - "The Real Me".
07. UnAmerican - "Naked Eye".
08. Stereophonics - "Who Are You".
09. Phish - "5:15".
10. Sheryl Crow - "Behind Blue Eyes".
11. The Who featuring Kelly Jones (Stereophonics) - "Substitute" (video live at The Royal Albert Hall London).
GABRELS & KRAMER QUARTET RESIDENCY
6th May 2001
REEVES GABRELS & Wayne Kramer Quartet Residency... You're invited to a Guitar Eargasm every Sunday in May... at Spaceland in Silverlake (1717 Silverlake Blvd.) Introducing, a sonic work-in-progress... with Doug Lunn on bass and Eric Gardner on drums. The Reeves Gabrels & Wayne Kramer Quartet ($7 door).
SUNDAY, MAY 6thFrom AB.
9pm: from Finland: Laika & the Cosmonauts.
10pm: Reeves Gabrels & Wayne Kramer Quartet.
11pm: Deejay & Dancing.SUNDAY, MAY 13th
9pm: The Hangmen.
10pm: Reeves Gabrels & Wayne Kramer Quartet.
11pm: Deejay & Dancing.SUNDAY, MAY 20th
9pm: Rokstar.
10pm: Reeves Gabrels & Wayne Kramer Quartet.
11pm: Deejay & Dancing.SUNDAY, MAY 27th
9pm: Mother Superior (aka Rollins Band).
10pm: Reeves Gabrels & Wayne Kramer Quartet.
11:30pm: Super Bees.
After 12 Midnight: Deejay & Dancing.
AMENDMENT: V MAGAZINE
6th May 2001
It's confusing these days... slight amendment to news (4th May see below) 'Cosh Boys' piece written by DAVID BOWIE and published in V MAGAZINE...
The correct magazine which includes David's piece is the bi-monthly V magazine, which should not be confused with the limited edition Visionaire that is published less frequently and costs about fifty times more than V.
Seek out the March/April 2001 Spring edition that is Issue #10 of V magazine, (view front cover), available in your local artsy type newsagent or booksellers.
Thanks to BLAM.
REEVES GABRELS LIVE SHOWS
5th May 2001
REEVES GABRELS has more US dates lined up... His live band for the tour, which started March 29th in Hollywood will be a trio consisting of Reeves on guitar and vocals, Paul Ill (from a band called Caviar with Kevin Gilbert, who played with Wayne Kramer & Bill Ward) on bass, treated bass, synths and backing vocals, Brock Avery (previously of Liquid Jesus with Wayne Kramer in addition to his work on Zack Wylde's first record) on drums and all manner of treated percussion. This band will redefine the power trio as a viable and flexible alternative to the new millennium musical malaise. There will be many surprises in the form of special guests performing throughout the tour.
Tour dates are as follows:
May 31 House of Blues Boston, MA.From EB.
June 1 The Skinny Portland, ME.
June 2 Pontiac Grille Philadelphia, PA.
June 5 Brownies New York, New York.
BW COMPETITION NUMBER 9 - NOW ON
4th May 2001
BowieWonderworld Competition Number 9 is now up and running. The first of several questions is now online. See below and competition page for rules and conditions. Good luck everyone :)
Big thanks to Mick Rock and Louise for arranging this wonderful competition.
BW COMP 9 - HANG ON TO YOURSELVES...
4th May 2001
Check back later today to see how you can be one of TWO lucky winners and actually own one of these superb limited edition ZIGGY STARDUST prints, which incidentally are worth £110 each and both signed by the legendary photographer MICK ROCK.
BowieWonderworld Competition number 9 - gets underway later today...
If competitions aren't your thing or you're unlucky not to win one, you can purchase them through Showcase Editions, call 01242 680012 or e-mail sales@showcaseeditions.com
If you hurry you still have time to visit the excellent Mick Rock exhibition 'Blood & Glitter' at the Proud Galleries, 5 Buckingham Street, London WC2N 6BP, nearest tubes being Charing Cross or Embankment. The exhibition closes this weekend on Sunday 6th May.
LIFE ON MARS SINGLE RELEASED IN FRANCE
4th May 2001
After the success of DAVID BOWIE'S 'Life On Mars?' track used on the French television commercial for LA Post (the French Post Office), the single has been re-released by EMI in France.
Backed with 'The Man Who Sold The World' and as you can see, features an excellent Brian Ward photograph on the new cover.
It is on sale now at various outlets throughout France. As far as I can tell, there are no listings or mentions on the French Amazon site or at the official EMI David Bowie French site www.emi.fr/bowie/.
While you are there check out the different French artwork for 'David Bowie: The Singles Collection', rather splendid isn't it.
(Ed. This CD single was purchased in a French supermarket.)
THE BITS FLEW FAR AND WIDE
4th May 2001
The next members only BowieNet special chat guests are: STERLING CAMPBELL on Thursday, May 10th at 5:00pm EST (10:00pm GMT) and NEIL GAIMAN on Thursday, June 14th at 6:00pm EST (11:00pm GMT). See the worldclock for your local time zone...
EMM GRYNER has a gig tonight at Casa Victoria, Jersey City, New Jersey, US...
For the people who have emailed me and asked who is stood next to DAVID BOWIE on the photo of the day, the caption reads: Robert F.X. Sillerman, Executive Chairman of SFX Entertainment and David Bowie, co-founder of UltraStar Internet Services, LLC. BRIAN ENO has collaborated with German DJ percussionist J. Peter Schwalm on his latest album 'Drawn From Life'. You can hear the first 8 tracks right now. Just click through to the Brian Eno Site (http://the-raft.com/brianeno) and go to the webwheel. There is also some amazing live footage of Brian and Peter in the studio. How often do you get to see Brian doing his thing these days??!
JOIN THE 'COSH BOY' GANG
4th May 2001
The current Spring 2001 limited edition of 'V' MAGAZINE published by Visionaire, features a DAVID BOWIE exclusive piece written by the man himself entitled 'Cosh Boys', which concerns gangs. The article also features a new photograph taken by Mick Rock.
The introduction reads: Oh You Pretty Thing: David Bowie was David Jones, Ziggy Stardust, and The Thin White Duke, but he was never a Cosh Boy. Here, Mick Rock who photographed Bowie in all his many incarnations, captures him in his latest style, while Mr. Bowie looks back and tells us why his youth really wasn't all that hunky dory.
Visit their excellent website at www.visionaireworld.com/vis_main.html.
THE VOYEUR: LATEST ISSUE
4th May 2001
The new issue of the fanzine of the international David Bowie Fanclub THE VOYEUR is out now. In this issue: Vol. 16, nr 1 includes reviews and photos from the UK 2000 shows, off-stage photos, photo contest, adverts and more.
For more information go to http://go.to/bowiefanclub...
Their Fanmeeting was scheduled to be on Sunday, May 27th. Due to the spreading of the foot and mouth disease virus in The Netherlands, they have postponed the fanmeeting. It is now planned for October 14th 2001at the Cultureel centrum Azotod, Meerndijk 126, De Meern (near Utrecht).
EMM GRYNER GIGS FOR MAY
3rd May 2001
Singer EMM GRYNER has several gigs lined up this month in the USA and Canada.
May 2nd Cambridge, MA HOUSE OF BLUES (with band).Check out Emm Gryner's official website.
May 4th Jersey City, NJ CASA VICTORIA (filipino Leukemia benefit).
May 5th Bryn Mawr, PA THE POINT.
May 7th Cambridge, MA KENDALL CAFE.
May 10th Ottawa, Canada THE BLACK SHEEP INN.
May 13th Washington, DC METRO CAFE.
May 14th Cambridge, MA KENDALL CAFE.
May 21st Cambridge, MA KENDALL CAFE.
May 27th Washington, DC METRO CAFE.
May 28th Cambridge, MA KENDALL CAFE.
MOONAGE DAYDREAM: THE LIFE & TIMES OF ZIGGY STARDUST
2nd May 2001
Genesis Publications invite you to a pre-publication preview of the forthcoming book MOONAGE DAYDREAM: The Life and Times of Ziggy Stardust here at Pre-Publication Preview.
This eagerly-anticipated autographed limited edition book by DAVID BOWIE and MICK ROCK is to be published by Genesis Publications, and it is the first fully authorised David Bowie/Mick Rock limited edition book ever produced: Moonage Daydream - The Life and Times of Ziggy Stardust.
This is a once-only opportunity to own a unique piece of Ziggy Stardust legend. This beautifully produced edition is strictly limited to 2,500 copies, each personally signed by David Bowie and Mick Rock and individually numbered. Moonage Daydream - The Life and Times of Ziggy Stardust will be published in June 2002 to mark the thirtieth anniversary of the release of the original album.
Gensis Publications is an independent British company specialising in publishing signed, numbered, craftsman-bound limited edition books produced to the highest standards in the tradition of the private press. Founded in 1974, it has become the world's leading limited edition publisher in the field of modern music.
Working with many of the world's leading musicians, artists and writers, Genesis has established a reputation for quality which is second to none, and it was this that led The Beatles to invite Genesis to compile, edit and prepare for press their book The Beatles Anthology which was published to acclaim in October 2000.
Genesis limited editions are produced with the full co-operation of each author or artist concerned and their autographs signify their approval and authentication of each edition.
Visit the pre-publication website for full details.
THE BITS FLEW FAR AND WIDE
1st May 2001
White rabbit, white rabbit... Happy May Day!
EVE is the special chat guest on BowieNet tonight (members only) at 7:00pm EST (midnight GMT) - see worldclock for local time zone...
The MICK ROCK exhibition 'Blood and Glitter' is still on at the Proud Galleries, London until 6th May 2001...
Catch DAVID BOWIE on Saturday Night Live, Comedy Central, USA TV 6:00pm (ET)....
CD SIDE OF CHAS
1st May 2001
Reported in yesterday's MIRROR newspaper was this little snippet...
My, but they're a happening lot, our politicians. As the general election approaches the party leader dudes are stepping up their personal publicity campaigns. First off the mark is the Liberal Democrats' CHARLES KENNEDY.
Canny Scot Charlie opened his London home to cameras from ITV's Tonight with Trevor McDonald. When the programme's interviewer Jonathan Maitland arrived he was surprised to find a pile of David Bowie CDs casually strewn over the coffee table. His first instinct was that it was a cynical attempt by Kennedy to show what a hip guy he was. So he decided to test his host's rock knowledge.
"What's your favourite Bowie album then," he asked.
"Station To Station," Charlie replied, quick as a flash.
Almost makes you want to vote Lib Dem ... almost.
A KNIGHT'S TALE
1st May 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.
RAREST EVER 45? KONRADS UNLISTED 7"!!
1st May 2001
Update: 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 and click here.
From Andy B.
MOULIN ROUGE SOUNDTRACK UPDATE
1st May 2001
The 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.
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.
Check out the official Moulin Rouge website.
| Created: May 2001 © Paul Kinder | Last Updated: 31/5/01 |
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){kind=link}