New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Universal
Music Enterprises) - The most overlooked album of
David Bowie's career, his self-titled 1967 debut - which even he has rarely commented about since its release - finally receives its due attention with the two-CD
David Bowie -
Deluxe Edition (Decca/UMe), released February 9, 2010. Containing the first CD issue of the original album's mono mix (unavailable in any format since the '60s); 12 previously unreleased recordings, including his first BBC session; the stereo debuts of several non-album tracks; a handful of non-album b-side rarities; and the album's original stereo mix,
David Bowie -
Deluxe Edition marks an important and revealing chapter in the story of one of the most innovative, intriguing and inscrutable artists of the rock era.
Premiering in stereo are "The Laughing Gnome," "The Gospel According To Tony Day," "Did You Ever Have A Dream," "Let Me Sleep Beside You" and "Karma Man." Bonuses solely in mono are the single versions of "Love You Till Tuesday," "When I Live My Dream" and "Rubber Band" as well as "The London Boys" and "London Bye Ta-Ta." To ensure that the recordings sounded as good as possible, in nearly every case the original one-, two- or four-track master tapes were sourced for sound restoration and remastering at Abbey Road Studios. Mint copies of the original vinyl pressings of those tracks that were released were utilized for comparison purposes.
Bowie signed to Decca and its new Deram label in late 1966 after four years working with various bands and six unsuccessful singles on three different labels. Given a career rooted in R&B, jazz, rock and pop, the album was - and four decades later remains - a surprising debut, far different from anything he has done since. David Bowie reveals, for example, his adoration of musical star Anthony Newley, from his vocals to his orchestral arrangements. Not only does the album lack the typical rock or R&B backing but there is a noticeable absence of lead guitar. There is even a sung-through monologue with the macabre "Please Mr. Gravedigger." Recordings on Disc Two include those that helped Bowie get his album deal, the bizarre novelty "The Laughing Gnome," stereo versions of his first songs with producer Tony Visconti, the Christmas Eve 1967 BBC broadcast, and a handful of singles rejected by Decca.
When initially released, David Bowie failed to make any impact on the general public. Not being particularly youth oriented or marketed towards an older demographic, it floundered in a commercial no-man's land. But the album did introduce a challenging new artist to the media. So when he landed another deal with Mercury Records and began to promote a new album two years later, many were ready to welcome him.
In 1the end, David Bowie may be the most curious curiosity in the entire career of David Bowie.
