A Reality Tour

(Iso/Columbia/Sony 88697588272; EU 01/2010)

Format: 2CD

Release notes: multi-fold-out cardboard cover with insert and sticker

Tracks: Rebel Rebel / New Killer Star / Reality / Fame / Cactus / Sister Midnight / Afraid / All the Young Dudes / Be My Wife / The Loneliest Guy / The Man Who Sold the World / Fantastic Voyage / Hallo Spaceboy / Sunday / Under Pressure / Life on Mars? / Battle for Britain (The Letter) // Ashes to Ashes / The Motel / Loving the Alien / Never Get Old / Changes / I'm Afraid of Americans / "Heroes" / Bring Me the Disco King / Slip Away / Heathen (The Rays) / Five Years / Hang On to Yourself / Ziggy Stardust / Fall Dog Bombs the Moon / Breaking Glass / China Girl

Other notes: live, Point Depot, Dublin, Ireland, 22-23/11/2003

Collector's notes: Finally, the overdue audio release of this album, which had been available as a DVD for years. The last three tracks are bonus tracks not included on the DVD issue. What is particularly interesting to collectors is the inclusion of Sister Midnight. Bowie had originally produced this track for Iggy Pop's album The Idiot (1977), and occasionally played it himself during his 1976 tour, before finally using the backing track for Red Money from his own Lodger album. I was quite surprised when I heard him play it during the Reality tour. Here is the first official (audio-only) release of a Bowie performance of the track!

David Bowie - Deluxe Edition

(Universal-UMC/Deram 531 792-5; EU 01/2010)

Format: 2CD

Release notes: multi-fold-out digipak, booklet, wraparound plastic case with sticker

Tracks: Uncle Arthur / Sell Me a Coat / Rubber Band / Love You till Tuesday / There Is a Happy Land / We Are Hungry Man / When I Live My Dream / Little Bombardier / Silly Boy Blue / Come and Buy My Toys / Join the Gang / She's Got Medals / Maid of Bond Street / Please Mr. Gravedigger / Uncle Arthur* / Sell Me a Coat* / Rubber Band* / Love You till Tuesday* / There Is a Happy Land* / We Are Hungry Man* / When I Live My Dream* / Little Bombardier* / Silly Boy Blue* / Come and Buy My Toys* / Join the Gang* / She's Got Medals* / Maid of Bond Street* / Please Mr. Gravedigger* // Rubber Band** / The London Boys*** / The Laughing Gnome° / The Gospel According to Tony Day° / Love You till Tuesday°° / Did You Ever Have a Dream°° / When I Live My Dream°°° / Let Me Sleep beside You*** / Karma Man*** / London Bye Ta-Ta# / In the Heat of the Morning## / The Laughing Gnome### / The Gospel According to Tony Day### / Did You Ever Have a Dream### / Let Me Sleep beside You### / Karma Man### / In the Heat of the Morning+ / When I'm Five++ / Ching-A-Ling+++ / Sell Me a Coat% / Love You till Tuesday%% / When I Live My Dream%% / Little Bombardier%% / Silly Boy Blue%% / In the Heat of the Morning%%

Other notes: disc 1 CD re-issue of album David Bowie (UK/Germany issue) (stereo mix, except: *mono mix); **mono single versions; ***from the album The World of David Bowie, but in true mono; °from the 1967 single; °°from the 1967 single; °°°unreleased single version (mono), recorded 03/06/1967; #early mono studio version, 12/03/1968; ##mono version, 12/03/1968, different vocals to previously released versions; ###previously unreleased stereo mixes of single tracks or tracks from the album The World of David Bowie (1970); from the album The World of David Bowie (stereo version, 1970); ++mono, from the album Love You till Tuesday (1984); +++full length version, previously unreleased stereo mix; %movie version from the album Love You till Tuesday (1984); %%Top Gear BBC programme, Piccadilly Studio 1, 18/12/1967

Collector's notes: For a long-time collector, there isn't a lot of exciting stuff on these discs, but then again, not everybody can keep several hundred Bowie records in his home... From that point of view, this is an overdue release, since it contains practically everything Bowie ever recorded for Deram.
Moreover, there is at least some moderately interesting stuff, especially the early recording of London Bye Ta-Ta and the 1967 radio session. Furthermore, it is interesting that after decades original stereo tapes of some songs have turned up, especially since at least two of the tracks included here (Karma Man and Let Me Sleep beside You) had previously been released in fake stereo! The funny thing is that the true stereo mixes sound extremely odd to me. The strings have been mixed into the background, possibly to give the songs a more down-to-earth, up to date feel. I would have preferred more 1960s-like mixes...
Note that disc 2 contains something like a hidden track: after some time of silence at the end you hear the spoken words "Your mind, blow it", familiar from the lyrics of The Gospel According to Tony Day - studio chatter?

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

(RCA SF-8287; EU 02/2010)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: pirate release, marbled pink vinyl

Tracks: see original issue

Other notes: re-issue of album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

Collector's notes: A not particularly interesting re-issue of the UK version of the Ziggy album, available in various colours. The quality is so-so (annoying drop-outs on It Ain't Easy). Many copies came with a lyric insert.

David Bowie

(Universal-UMC/Deram 532 760-1; EU 08/2010)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: 1 LP mono, FOC, 2 OIS, sticker on cover

Tracks: Uncle Arthur / Sell Me a Coat / Rubber Band / Love You till Tuesday / There Is a Happy Land / We Are Hungry Man / When I Live My Dream // Little Bombardier / Silly Boy Blue / Come and Buy My Toys / Join the Gang / She's Got Medals / Maid of Bond Street / Please Mr. Gravedigger // Uncle Arthur* / Sell Me a Coat* / Rubber Band* / Love You till Tuesday* / There Is a Happy Land* / We Are Hungry Man* / When I Live My Dream* // Little Bombardier* / Silly Boy Blue* / Come and Buy My Toys* / Join the Gang* / She's Got Medals* / Maid of Bond Street* / Please Mr. Gravedigger*

Other notes: re-issue of album David Bowie (UK/Germany edition): mono version, except: *stereo version

Collector's notes: Unfortunately, the vinyl issue does not contain any of the bonus tracks of the CD version, but it's nice nonetheless. The stereo mix has been re-issued before, but the full-length mono version - originally available only in the UK - is re-released here for the first time since 1967.
In addition, the cover design is quite attractive: whereas the outer cover looks like the original UK sleeve (front and back), the inner sleeve of the stereo album is a faithful reproduction of the US stereo cover.

Station to Station - Deluxe Edition

(EMI BOWSTSD2010 5099964760124; EU 10/2010)

Format: 3LP, 5CD, DVD-audio

Release notes: padded box, 2 FOC (1 with insert), booklet, 2 folders with inserts, poster, 2 badges, insert on back of box

Tracks:

Station to Station

LP1 tracks (original analogue master) (EMI BOWSTSL2010):

see original issue

CD1 tracks (original analogue master) (EMI BOWSTSA 2010):

see original RCA CD issue

CD2 tracks (1985 RCA CD master) (EMI BOWSTSR 2010):

see original RCA CD issue

CD3 tracks (singles versions E.P.) (EMI BOWSTSE 2010):

Golden Years (single version) / TVC 15 (single edit) / Stay (single edit) / Word on a Wing (single edit) / Station to Station (single edit)

DVD-audio tracks (BOWSTSV 2010)*:

Station to Station / Golden Years / Word on a Wing / TVC 15 / Stay / Wild Is the Wind

Live Nassau Coliseum '76**

LP2/3 tracks (EMI BOWLIVE032376LP):

Station to Station / Suffragette City / Fame // Word on a Wing / Stay / Waiting for the Man / Queen Bitch // Life on Mars? / Five Years / Panic in Detroit° / Changes / TVC 15 // Diamond Dogs / Rebel Rebel / The Jean Genie

CD4/5 (no separate numbers):

Station to Station / Suffragette City / Fame / Word on a Wing / Stay / Waiting for the Man / Queen Bitch // Life on Mars? / Five Years / Panic in Detroit° / Changes / TVC 15 / Diamond Dogs / Rebel Rebel / The Jean Genie

Other notes: *original analogue master in 96/24 LPCM stereo and new Harry Maslin mix in 96/24 DTS 5.1 surround sound, 48/24 Dolby 5.1 AC3 surround sound and 48/24 stereo LPCM; **live, Nassau Veterans' Memorial Coliseum, New York, 23/03/1976; °edited version

Collector's notes: Uh, that's really all the Station to Station you can ever want... The most enjoyable feature is, of course, that the Nassau 1976 concert, which had been on a lot of bootlegs, beginning with Resurrection on 84th Street, finally got an official release, and even one on vinyl. The sound quality is much better than that of the vinyl and CD bootlegs that are circulating, but, sadly, the drum solo on Panic in Detroit is radically edited. Whether all the different masters and mixes of Station to Station (especially the audio DVD) are actually necessary is once more a matter of personal taste... nothing exciting for long-time collectors. In 2016 the Nassau Coliseaum album was re-distributed (with a new catalogue number) as part of the Who Can I Be Now? box set, and in the following year as a standalone item.
Anyway, with all its facsimile prints and inserts, this is an enjoyable (and expensive!) release.
The pictures show the front and back of the box, the insert originally covering the back, the poster, the two folders (I haven't shown all the inserts etc. contained), and the badges. Next we have the front, inside and back of the Station to Station cover, the insert of that cover (the back is plain white), one of the vinyl labels, one of the CDs and the audio DVD. Finally, there is the front, inside and back of the Nassau Coliseum album, one of the vinyl labels, and one of the CDs.

Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy

(Collector's Choice CCM2163; US 11/2010)

Format: 7"

Release notes: mono, red vinyl, PS, limited edition of 2.000

Tracks: David Bowie/Bing Crosby: Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy* // Bing Crosby/Ella Fitzgerald: White Christmas

Other notes: *called The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth on cover and label; Bing Crosby's Merry Old Christmas TV special, 11/09/1977; broadcast 26/11/1977

Collector's notes: Although the cover or label doesn't explicitely say so, Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy seems to be mono, just as on the 1982 releases. I haven't tried to figure it out in detail, but the B-side (from 1953) seems to be mono, too.

David Bowie

(Deram/King DL 44 PD; Japan 2011)

Format: LP

Release notes: pirate release, picture disc, fold-out insert

Tracks: see original issue

Other notes: re-issue of 1967 album

Collector's notes: The first Japanese issue of Bowie's debut was released in 1973 with the catalogue number DL-44. This beautiful pirate re-release was the first picture disc of this album. The sound quality is astonishingly good for a picture disc.
The record comes with an insert that has a kind of "flap" mimicking the original OBI. The back of that flap (and the area of the insert that it covers) are plain white. The rest of the insert shows most of Bowie's Japanese record releases up to the early 1980s. Both the relative rarity of this issue in the USA and Europe and the good knowledge of Japanese releases indicate that this was actually a Japanese issue (and not one that pretends to be, like numerous other unofficial records).
An official picture disc of the album was released ten years later.

Toy - The Lost Album

(The Godfatherecords G.R. 649; 05/2011)

Format: CD

Release notes: bootleg, multi-foldout cardboard cover

Tracks: Uncle Floyd / Afraid / Baby Loves that Way* / I Dig Everything* / Conversation Piece* / Let Me Sleep beside You* / Toy (Your Turn to Drive) / Hole in the Ground / Shadow Man* / In the Heat of the Morning* / You've Got a Habit of Leaving* / Silly Boy Blue* / Liza Jane* / The London Boys*

Other notes: recorded at Sear Sound Studios, New York, Looking Glass Studios, and Alice's Restaurant, New York, 5-10/2000; *re-recorded versions

Collector's notes: After Toy had leaked through to the internet, it was only a question of time until somebody turned the mp3 files into a bootleg. Whether or not the album was such a great loss at the time is left to everybody's personal taste. Be that as it may, it closed a gap in Bowie's discography. The mixes of the songs that had been officially been released before are not identical to those presented here, so this might not actually be the final version that had been intended for release (as Pegg points out).
Toy (Your Turn to Drive) is simply listed as Your Turn to Drive on the cover, and was later released as a digital track under that shorter title. However, when the Toy album was finally released officially (albeit in a different version) in 2021, they used the title given here.

Golden Years

(EMI 12BOWGY2011 5099902736112; EU 06/2011)

Format: 12"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Golden Years (single version) / Golden Years (Anthony Valadez KCRW remix) / Golden Years (Eric J. Lawrence KCRW remix) // Golden Years (Chris Dourida KCRW remix) / Golden Years (Jeremy Sole KCRW remix)

Collector's notes: Another collection of remixes...

Toy

(Iso/Columbia COL 502001 1; UK? 09/2011)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg

Tracks: Uncle Floyd / Afraid / I Dig Everything* / Let Me Sleep beside You* / Toy (Your Turn to Drive) / Hole in the Ground // Shadow Man* / In the Heat of the Morning* / Silly Boy Blue* / Liza Jane* / The London Boys*

Other notes: recorded at Sear Sound Studios, New York, Looking Glass Studios, and Alice's Restaurant, New York, 5-10/2000; *re-recorded versions

Collector's notes: It was great to get a vinyl issue so soon after the release of the first CD bootlegs. Even if the album is not complete - it omits Baby Loves that Way, Conversation Piece and You've Got a Habit of Leaving - it is a really well-made bootleg. The cover is fantastic, and so are the mock labels that create the impression of an official release. The only sad thing is that the B-side runs a bit off centre, which turns listening to Liza Jane and The London Boys into a truly... extraordinary experience.
There are also copies in coloured vinyl.

Starman - The Photography of Mick Rock

(EMI 978190787014; EU 10/2011)

Format: 7"

Release notes: red vinyl, die-cut PS, metal box, book, limited edition of 5.000

Tracks: Starman // Suffragette City

Other notes: re-issue of 1972 single

Collector's notes: Basically a book by photographer Mick Rock with an additional single. Nice, but not essential.

Hunky Dory (A Pedir de Boca)

(RCA LSP-4623; EU 2011)

Format: LP

Release notes: pirate release, marbled purple vinyl

Tracks: see original UK issue

Other notes: re-issue of 1972 album

Collector's notes: A pirate re-issue of the Spanish Hunky Dory album that would qualify as a counterfeit if there wasn't the coloured vinyl. The record is available in several colours. Since most sellers of this album seem to be based in France or the UK, it is certainly a European release. In fact, the cover (with an additional sticker) was also used for the 2008 picture disc pirate LP, so that this pseudo-Spanish issue was probably made in France, too.

Space Oddity

(RCA LSP-4813; EU 2012)

Format: LP

Release notes: pirate release, red vinyl

Tracks: see original US issue

Other notes: re-issue of 1972 UK album

Collector's notes: Again, if there wasn't the coloured vinyl, this would qualify a counterfeit of the 1972 UK issue of the album. I don't know which month it was released, but it was probably in early 2012. It is also available in other colours.

Space Oddities

(EMI DB 116; EU 02/2012)

Format: 10"LP

Release notes: bootleg, picture disc, numbered limited edition 216/250

Tracks: Space Oddity* / Lady Stardust** / Tired of My Life*** / How Lucky You Are*** / Rupert the Riley° // All the Young Dudes°° / Dodo°°° / Footstompin'/Wish I Could Shimmy like My Sister Kate+ / Somebody Up There Likes Me++ / Under Pressure+++

Other notes: *live, Ivor Novello Awards, Talk of the Town, London, 10/05/1970; **demo, Radio Luxembourg Studios, London, 09-10/03/1971; ***demos, Radio Luxembourg Studios, London, c. 11-12/1970; °studio recording, 23/04/1971, Mickey King on lead vocal; °°recorded during the Aladdin Sane sessions, 12/1972; °°°duet with Lulu, basic track recorded during the Diamond Dogs sessions, Olympic Studios, 12/1973-01/1974; +Dick Cavett US TV show, 02/11/1974; ++demo, Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, 08/1974; +++performed by David Bowie & Queen, possibly alternative mix with radio comments, Mountain Studios, Montreux, Switzerland, 07/1981

Collector's notes: It was fascinating to see that after more than a decade new vinyl bootlegs started turning up (see the Toy LP from the previous year).
Optically, this was one of the most beautiful Bowie bootlegs ever. The sound quality is also very good to excellent throughout. Most of the tracks had been widely available before, but some of them were certainly released on vinyl for the first time on this album. Of particular interest are the Ivor Novello Awards version of Space Oddity and the strange version of Under Pressure (which is incomplete). It runs at a wrong speed (it's a bit too fast), has a different instrumentation and what sounds like radio comments (by Brian May, as I've read).
In 2016 this album was re-released as All the Young Dudes.

Space Oddity/Moonage Daydream

(RCA EP-45-103; EU 02/2012)

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: mono, 33 1/3 rpm, marbled blue vinyl, pirate issue, label says "stereo", wraparound PS

Tracks: Space Oddity* / Moonage Daydream // Life on Mars? / It Ain't Easy

Other notes: *unique promo edit; re-issue of 1972 promo-only EP

Collector's notes: This pirate EP, which is available in several colours (including black), can easily be distinguished from the original by the following criteria: the cover is a wraparound sleeve (unlike the regular cover of the official release), and the RCA logo and catalogue number are in a different position. The pictures on the cover back and front are identical, whereas the original had different pictures. Moreover, the label colour is cream (similar to the colour of later US promo labels) instead of yellow, as on the original. And, finally, the re-issue plays at 33 1/3 rpm, whereas the original played at the speed of 45 rpm. So even the copies in black vinyl can hardly be confused with original copies.
Again, many copies were sold from France, so I suspect that the record was pressed there (possibly by the same people who made the similar Hunky Dory pirate LP in coloured vinyl).
Note that there is another pirate release. That one is more faithful to the original in that it has the different design of the cover back. However, since all copies are in coloured vinyl, even those can't be confused with the original.

Heroes in Montreal 3-6-1990

(Virgin Vinyl Records VVR 007; 03/2012)

Format: 3LP/2CD/DVD

Release notes: bootleg, blue (LPs 1 and 2) and purple (LP 3) marbled vinyl, box, fold-out insert, sticker on box: limited edition no. 244/300

Tracks:

LP tracks:

Space Oddity* / Changes* / TVC 15* / Rebel Rebel* // Golden Years* / Be My Wife* / Ashes to Ashes* / John, I'm Only Dancing* / Queen Bitch* // Fashion* / Life on Mars?* / Blue Jean* / Stay* // Ziggy Stardust* / Sound and Vision* / Station to Station* / Alabama Song* // Young Americans* / Panic in Detroit* / Suffragette City* / "Heroes"* // The Jean Genie* / Pretty Pink Rose* / Modern Love* / Rock'n'Roll Suicide*

CD tracks:

Space Oddity* / Changes* / TVC 15* / Rebel Rebel* / Golden Years* / Be My Wife* / Ashes to Ashes* / John, I'm Only Dancing* / Queen Bitch* / Fashion* / Life on Mars?* / Blue Jean* / Stay* // Ziggy Stardust* / Sound and Vision* / Station to Station* / Alabama Song* / Young Americans* / Panic in Detroit* / Suffragette City* / "Heroes"* / The Jean Genie* / Pretty Pink Rose* / Modern Love* / Rock'n'Roll Suicide*

DVD tracks:

Space Oddity** / Rebel Rebel** / Ashes to Ashes** / Life on Mars?** / Stay** / Sound and Vision** / Ziggy Stardust** / China Girl** / Young Americans** / Suffragette City** / Fame** / "Heroes"** / Changes** / Modern Love** / The Jean Genie/Gloria** / intro*** / Rebel Rebel° / Pretty Pink Rose° / Blue Jean° / Let's Dance° / Ziggy Stardust° / China Girl° / Young Americans° / Changes° / The Jean Genie (incl. Baby What Do You Want Me to Do)° / Modern Love° / Space Oddity°° / Rebel Rebel°° / Ashes to Ashes°° / Pretty Pink Rose°° / Blue Jean°° / Let's Dance°° / Sound and Vision°° / Ziggy Stardust°° / China Girl°° / Panic in Detroit°° / Young Americans°° / Suffragette City°° / Fame°° / Changes°° / The Jean Genie/Baby What Do You Want Me to Do/Gloria°° / Modern Love°° / Fashion°°

Other notes: *live, Forum, Montreal, Canada, 06/03/1990; **live, Alvalade Stadium, Lisbon, Portugal, 14/09/1990; ***featuring music from Let's Dance (studio version); °live, Sambodromo de Rio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 20/09/1990; °°live, Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile, 27/09/1990

Collector's notes: After a long time without any vinyl bootlegs, we now got "deluxe editions", it seemed. A beautiful box including an excellent soundboard recording of the Montreal show (albeit in a rather strange mix with the instruments a bit too far in the background sometimes), and a DVD of three shows from the same tour in good audio and video quality (all professionally shot and obviously taken from video tapes recorded from TV broadcasts).
However, a bit of criticism is necessary: they say they use virgin vinyl, but they don't manage to press LPs that play without skips (unless you play around with the pickup weight and antiskating settings of your turntable)?
The pictures show the box with two of the LPs, the outside of the insert, one of the labels, one of the CDs, and the DVD.

Starman

(EMI DBSTAR 40; EU 04/2012)

Format: 7"

Release notes: picture disc, limited edition of 2.000, plastic NC with sticker

Tracks: Starman // Starman*

Other notes: *mono, Top of the Pops TV show, 05/07/1972, backing track recorded at Trident Studios, London, 29/06/1972, broadcast 06/07/1972

Collector's notes: A limited issue for "Record Store Day" 2012, giving the TOTP performance of Starman its first official release.
They seemed to have underestimated the demand at the time. This record later became a very rare item.

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars - 40th Anniversary Heavyweight Vinyl & Hi Res Audio Edition

(EMI 5099946361417 (DBZSX 40/DBZSD 40); EU 06/2012)

Format: LP/DVD-audio

Release notes: FOC, OIS, DVD cardboard cover, sticker on shrinkwrap

Tracks:

LP tracks (2012 stereo remaster) (DBZSX 40): see original issue

DVD-audio tracks (DBZSX 40):

Five Years*° / Soul Love*° / Moonage Daydream*° / Starman*° / It Ain't Easy*° / Lady Stardust*° / Star*° / Hang on to Yourself*° / Ziggy Stardust*° / Suffragette City*° / Rock'n'Roll Suicide*° / Moonage Daydream (instrumental)°# / The Supermen°## / Velvet Goldmine°### / Sweet Head°+

Other notes: *2012 stereo remaster in 96/24 PCM; °2003 Ken Scott mixes in 5.1 48/24 DTS, 5.1 Dolby Digital and 48/24 PCM stereo; #recorded during the Ziggy Stardust sessions, Trident Studios, 12/11/1971; ##from the Revelations various artists album (1972); ###recorded during the Ziggy Stardust sessions, Trident Studios, late 1971; +recorded during the Ziggy Stardust sessions, Trident Studios, 11/1971

Collector's notes: And another anniversary re-issue. The quality of the vinyl is very good, but if you really need an audio DVD with numerous mixes is another issue. Be that as it may, from the musical point of view this release is superfluous - the only new thing it brings is an instrumental version of Moonage Daydream. Oh, well... What is interesting, though, is that the cover of this issue is the first to credit Dana Gillespie for backing vocals on It Ain't Easy.

John, I'm Only Dancing

(EMI DBJOHN 40; EU 08/2012)

Format: 7"

Release notes: picture disc, plastic NC with sticker

Tracks: John, I'm Only Dancing (original version)* // John, I'm Only Dancing (sax version)**

Other notes: remastered versions; *studio recording, Olympic Studios, London, 26/06/1972; **re-recorded studio version, Trident Studios, London, 20/01/1973

Collector's notes: A nice re-issue...

BBC Archives 1968-1972

(no number; 10/2012)

Format: 3LP

Release notes: pirate issue, marbled grey (greenish), marbled pink and marbled dark blue (greenish) vinyl, plain white FOC with front and back insert, plain silver labels

Tracks: In the Heat of the Morning* / London Bye Ta-Ta** / Karma Man** / Silly Boy Blue** / Let Me Sleep beside You*** / Janine*** / Amsterdam° // God Knows I'm Good° / The Width of a Circle° / Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed° / The Cygnet Committee° // Wild Eyed Boy from Freecloud°° / Bombers°°° / Looking for a Friend°°° / Almost Grown°°° / Kooks°°° / It Ain't Easy°°° / Memory of a Free Festival° // Hang On to Yourself## / Ziggy Stardust# / Queen Bitch# / Waiting for the Man# / Five Years# / The Supermen## // White Light/White Heat### / Moonage Daydream### / Hang On to Yourself### / Suffragette City### / Ziggy Stardust### / Starman+ // Space Oddity+ / Changes+ / Oh! You Pretty Things+ / Andy Warhol++ / Lady Stardust++ / Rock'n'Roll Suicide++ / Eight Line Poem##

Other notes: *Top Gear BBC programme, Piccadilly Studio 1, London, 18/12/1967, falsely assigned to the 13/05/1968 session on the cover; **Top Gear BBC programme, Piccadilly Studio 1, London, 13/05/1968; ***Dave Lee Travis Show BBC programme, Aeolian Hall Studio 2, London, 20/10/1969; °The Sunday Show BBC programme, Paris Cinema Studio, London, 05/2/1970; °°Sounds of the 70: Andy Ferris BBC programme, Playhouse Theatre, London, 25/03/1970; °°°In Concert: John Peel BBC programme, Paris Cinema Studio, London, 03/06/1971; #Sounds of the 70s: Bob Harris BBC programme, Maida Vale Studio 5, London, 18/01/1972; ##Sounds of the 70s: Bob Harris BBC programme, Kensington House Studio T1, London, 21/09/1971; ###Sounds of the 70s: John Peel BBC programme, Maida Vale Studio 4, London, 16/05/1972; +Johnny Walker Lunchtime Show BBC programme, Aeolian Hall Studio 2, London, 22/05/1972; ++Sounds of the 70s: Bob Harris BBC programme, Maida Vale Studio 5, London, 23/05/1972

Collector's notes: A pirate vinyl release of Bowie at the Beep, with an altered order of tracks. This is what happens if record companies don't put out vinyl issues themselves. The sound quality is almost excellent, but could be better, given the source that the records were taken from. Be that as it may, at the time it was good to have the Beep album on vinyl, at least until there was an official release.
I've read that some copies come with a sticker sheet, which my copy lacks. There are also copies in other colours. Note that I don't show the inside of the plain white gatefold cover here.

Birthday Celebration - Live in NYC

(Vinyl Passion VP 80501; Netherlands 11/2012)

Format: 3LP

Release notes: semi-official release, mono, FOC

Tracks: Little Wonder / The Hearts Filthy Lesson / Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)* / Fashion* // Telling Lies / Hallo Spaceboy** / Seven Years in Tibet*** / The Man Who Sold the World // The Last Thing You Should Do° / Quicksand° / Battle for Britain (The Letter) / The Voyeur of Utter Destruction (as Beauty) // I'm Afraid of Americans°° / Looking for Satellites // Under Pressure / "Heroes" / Queen Bitch°°° // Waiting for the Man°°° / Dirty Boulevard°°° / White Light/White Heat°°° / Moonage Daydream // Happy Birthday# / All the Young Dudes## / The Jean Genie## / Space Oddity / I Can't Read### / Repetition+

Other notes: live, Madison Square Garden, New York, 09/01/1997; except: ###rehearsal version using the same basic backing track as the CD-single with different vocals, said to be a dressing room recording, Madison Square Garden, New York, 09/01/1997; +said to be a dressing room recording, Madison Square Garden, New York, 09/01/1997; *featuring Frank Black; **featuring The Foo Fighters; ***featuring Dave Grohl; °featuring Robert Smith; °°featuring Sonic Youth; °°°featuring Lou Reed; #sung by Gail Ann Dorsey; ##featuring Billy Corgan

Collector's notes: Another nice live album on vinyl. Like the Glass Spider Live double album from 2009, which had also been issued by Vinyl Passion, it has a dubious legal status. Great sound and pressing quality! The only problem is that the album plays mono.
Note that the claim that this version of I Can't Read is a dressing room rehearsal still appears a bit strange to me: is it really likely that Bowie uses his dressing room to sing over an existing backing track? The whole story seems to be made up. It appears more plausible to me that the song (including the new vocal track) was pre-recorded. The same argument applies to Repetition, of course.

The Rise of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars/Just the Beer Light to Guide Us

(K. West Records KWEST1984; EU 11/2012)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: bootleg, dark blue and marbled light blue vinyl, plain white labels , FOC, OBI, limited edition sticker: 119/150

Tracks: Ode to Joy / Lady Stardust / Hang On to Yourself / Ziggy Stardust / Life on Mars? / The Supermen / Changes // Five Years / Space Oddity / Andy Warhol / My Death // The Width of a Circle* / Wild Eyed Boy from Freecloud / Starman (incl. Somewhere over the Rainbow**) / Moonage Daydream // Queen Bitch / Suffragette City / White Light/White Heat / Waiting for the Man

Other notes: live, Rainbow Theatre, Finsbury Park, London, 20/08/1972; *includes a section recorded live, Rainbow Theatre, Finsbury Park, London, 19/08/1972; **not listed on cover

Collector's notes: A beautiful bootleg that pretends to be a Japanese issue. Apart from 150 copies in blue vinyl there were also 50 in white. Later further issues were released (see next entry). The Rainbow show had been available on CD before, but was released on vinyl for the first time here. The sound quality is astonishingly good for an audience recording of the time.
Note that the first title is on the cover, while the second title is on the OBI. Frifelt lists it only under the second title.

The Rise of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

((no number); EU 11/2012?)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: bootleg, very light blue vinyl, picture labels

Tracks: see other issue

Collector's notes: This issue comes in a "stripped-down" single cover without an OBI and isn't numbered. However, unlike the original issue it has beautiful picture labels. The stripped-down cover and the fact that the records have a bluish tint make me doubt that this is the white vinyl issue mentioned in the previous entry. I suspect that it is a later re-issue, especially because according to Frifelt there are also 250 later copies in red vinyl.
Note that this issue adds to the confusion about the title. Since the OBI is missing, the only title found on the cover is The Rise.... The labels, in contrast, say David Bowie at the Rainbow. Further note that the lack of the OBI also means that this issue doesn't have a catalogue number.

Subway to Seattle

(Sister Midnight Records TWD15; EU 11/2012)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: bootleg, marbled white vinyl, plain white labels , FOC, OBI, limited edition sticker: 84/200

Tracks: Intro / Station to Station / Suffragette City / Waiting for the Man // Word on a Wing / Stay / TVC 15 // Sister Midnight / Life on Mars?/Five Years / Panic in Detroit // Fame / Changes / The Jean Genie / Queen Bitch / Rebel Rebel

Other notes: live, Center Coliseum, Seattle, Washington, 03/02/1976

Collector's notes: Another double album in a beautiful cover - obviously from the same guys who produced the bootleg in the previous entry. It's an audience recording with a sound quality that is so-so. It's quite bad at the beginning, but gets better in the course of the show. The quality of the pressing is rather poor (lots of clicks and crackle). There are also copies in blue and purple marbled vinyl, the number of 200 copies seems to refer only to those in white.

The Jean Genie

(EMI DBJEAN 40; EU 11/2012)

Format: 7"

Release notes: picture disc, plastic NC with sticker

Tracks: The Jean Genie (original single version) // The Jean Genie (Top of the Pops version)*

Other notes: *recorded for Top of the Pops TV show, 03/01/1973, broadcast 04/01/1973

Collector's notes: Another release from the 40th Anniversary series. The TOTP recording of the track includes a short harmonica sequence from The Beatles' Love Me Do. Unlike the officially unreleased version from the 1973 Hammersmith Odeon show, this recording has only an instrumental sequence.

The Next Day

(Iso/Columbia 88765 46192 2; EU 03/2013)

Format: CD

Release notes: deluxe edition, multi-fold-out digipak, fold-out insert, sticker on cover

Tracks: The Next Day / Dirty Boys / The Stars (Are Out Tonight) / Love Is Lost / Where Are We Now? / Valentine's Day / If You Can See Me / I'd Rather Be High / Boss of Me / Dancing Out in Space / How Does the Grass Grow? / (You Will) Set the World on Fire / You Feel So Lonely You Could Die / Heat / So She / Plan / I'll Take You There

Other notes: recorded at The Magic Shop Studios and Human Studios, New York, 02/05/2011-23/10/2012

Collector's notes: Bowie's first new album in ten years. The last three songs are marked as bonus tracks and not included on the regular edition.

The Next Day

(Iso/Columbia SICP 3788; Japan 03/2013)

Format: CD

Release notes: multi-fold-out digipak, fold-out insert, Japanese booklet, CD OBI, sticker on shrinkwrap

Tracks: The Next Day / Dirty Boys / The Stars (Are Out Tonight) / Love Is Lost / Where Are We Now? / Valentine's Day / If You Can See Me / I'd Rather Be High / Boss of Me / Dancing Out in Space / How Does the Grass Grow? / (You Will) Set the World on Fire / You Feel So Lonely You Could Die / Heat / God Bless the Girl

Collector's notes: The Japanese edition does not include the tracks from the deluxe edition, but an exclusive bonus track, God Bless the Girl.

The Next Day

(Iso/Columbia 88765461861; EU 03/2013)

Format: 2LP/CD

Release notes: FOC, 2 OIS, sticker on shrinkwrap

Tracks:

LP tracks:

The Next Day / Dirty Boys / The Stars (Are Out Tonight) / Love Is Lost // Where Are We Now? / Valentine's Day / If You Can See Me / I'd Rather Be High // Boss of Me / Dancing Out in Space / How Does the Grass Grow? / (You Will) Set the World on Fire // You Feel So Lonely You Could Die / Heat / So She / Plan / I'll Take You There

CD (88765 49048 2) tracks: see deluxe CD edition

Collector's notes: The vinyl issue, which was released a few weeks after the European CD editions, contains all the tracks of the deluxe issue. The album is also included as a CD (last picture, marked "Promo CD").

A Tripper to the Last - The Complete BBC Sessions Part 1

(Gato Gordo 000023; EU 04/2013)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, clear vinyl, sticker labels

Tracks: Interview* / Penny Lane** / A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You** / Love You till Tuesday*** / When I Live My Dream*** / Little Bombardier*** / Silly Boy Blue*** / In the Heat of the Morning*** // When I'm Five° / Interview°°# / Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed°° / Let Me Sleep beside You°° / Janine°° / Lady Stardust°°° / Right On Mother+ / Moonage Daydream++

Other notes: *recorded live at the Marquee, 1966; **not Bowie; ***Top Gear BBC programme, Piccadilly Studio 1, London, 18/12/1967; °Top Gear BBC programme, Piccadilly Studio 1, London, 13/05/1968; °°Dave Lee Travis Show BBC programme, Aeolian Hall Studio 2, London, 20/10/1969; °°°demo, Radio Luxembourg Studios, 09/03/1971; +demo, Radio Luxembourg Studios, London, 09-10/03/1971; ++taken from the 1971 Arnold Corns 7"; #not listed on cover

Collector's notes: This is the first of six LPs (which had already been available as a box set in 2011) that were intended to chronicle Bowie's entire BBC sessions. The positive thing is that the album contains some interesting songs in very good to brilliant sound quality. However, apart from that (and the beautiful cover), the album is a mess. Neither does it include all BBC recordings from the era in question, nor are all of the recordings from BBC sessions. Penny Lane and A Little Bit Me... are once more the two Tony Steven tracks (see here for more information) sold as Bowie recordings - for the first time on vinyl here. Right on Mother and Lady Stardust are the familiar demos (although the latter has a strange and possibly fake false start), and Moonage Daydream is the official Arnold Corns release.
The labels appear to be stickers pasted over white labels.

The Sun Machine Is Coming Down - The Complete BBC Sessions Part 2

((Gato Gordo); EU 04/2013)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, blue vinyl, plain white labels, cover sticker: limited edition no. 55/100

Tracks: Amsterdam / God Knows I'm Good / Buzz the Fuzz / Karma Man / London Bye Ta-Ta / An Occasional Dream / The Width of a Circle / Janine // Wild Eyed Boy from Freecloud / Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed / Fill Your Heart / The Prettiest Star / The Cygnet Committee

Other notes: The Sunday Show BBC programme, Paris Cinema Studio, London, 05/02/1970

Collector's notes: The second part of this series is basically a re-issue of the old Janine bootleg. The sound quality is the same, but the quality of the pressing was better on the original.
The records from this series came in different editions. Unlike my copies of the clear vinyl LPs, this blue one has a limited edition sticker and no pasted-on labels. Since the label name "Gato Gordo" only turns up on the labels of the other records, there is no label name identifiable here. However, the record was obviously made by the same people, so I have adopted "Gato Gordo" as the label here, too.

God's a Young Man Too - The Complete BBC Sessions Part 3

((Gato Gordo); EU 04/2013)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, blue vinyl, plain white labels, cover sticker: limited edition no. 10/100

Tracks: Waiting for the Man* / The Width of a Circle* / Wild Eyed Boy from Freecloud* / The Supermen* / Queen Bitch** // Bombers** / The Supermen** / Looking for a Friend** / Almost Grown** / Kooks** / Song for Bob Dylan**° / Andy Warhol**°° / It Ain't Easy**

Other notes: *Sounds of the 70s: Andy Ferris BBC programme, Playhouse Theatre Studios, London, 25/03/1970; **In Concert: John Peel BBC programme, Paris Cinema Studio, London, 03/06/1971; °George Underwood on lead vocals; °°Dana Gillespie on lead vocals

Collector's notes: Another one in blue vinyl. The first of the two sessions is complete, the second omits only Oh! You Pretty Things. The sound quality is excellent throughout, but the pressing could be better (lots of minor clicks).

It's the Freakiest Show - The Complete BBC Sessions Part 4

(Gato Gordo 000023; EU 04/2013)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, clear vinyl, sticker labels

Tracks: The Supermen* / Oh! You Pretty Things* / Eight Line Poem* / Kooks* / Fill Your Heart* / Amsterdam* / Andy Warhol* // Ziggy Stardust** / Queen Bitch** / Waiting for the Man** / Lady Stardust**

Other notes: *Sounds of the 70s: Bob Harris BBC programme, Kensington House Studio T1, London, 21/09/1971; **Sounds of the 70s: John Peel BBC programme, Kensington House Studio T1, London, 11/01/1972

Collector's notes: Part 4 or the series presents the entire 21/09/1971 session in brilliant sound quality. Side 2 has four (of five) tracks from the elusive 11/01/1972 session. Since these four tracks have survived only on an off-air tape, it is not surprising that the sound quality of this session isn't as good as that of the other sessions, but it's still quite listenable (and, in fact, better than on the official Rock'n'Roll Star! CD set).
Strangely, this record has the same catalogue number on the labels as the first part of the series. Maybe that's due to the fact that these records had originally been sold as a box set.

Layin' on 'Lectric Dreams - The Complete BBC Sessions Part 5

(Gato Gordo 000023; EU 04/2013)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, clear vinyl, sticker labels

Tracks: Hang On to Yourself* / Ziggy Stardust* / Waiting for the Man* / Queen Bitch* / Five Years* / Five Years** // Oh! You Pretty Things** / Queen Bitch** / White Light/White Heat*** / Moonage Daydream*** / Hang On to Yourself*** / Suffragette City*** / Ziggy Stardust***

Other notes: *Sounds of the 70s: Bob Harris BBC programme, Maida Vale Studio 5, London, 18/01/1972; **recorded for Old Grey Whistle Test TV programme, BBC TV Studios, 07/02/1972; ***Sounds of the 70s: John Peel BBC programme, Maida Vale Studio 4, 16/05/1972

Collector's notes: A nice compilation of three complete sessions, of which one (the Old Grey Whistle Test recording) is not a BBC session, of course. Excellent sound quality throughout!
Again, this record has the same catalogue number on the labels as the first part of the series.

Jamming Good with Weird and Gilly - The Complete BBC Sessions Part 6

((Gato Gordo); EU 04/2013)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, blue vinyl, plain white labels, cover sticker: limited edition no. 93/100

Tracks: Starman* / Space Oddity* / Changes* / Oh! You Pretty Things* / Andy Warhol** // Lady Stardust** / White Light/White Heat** / Rock'n'Roll Suicide** / John, I'm Only Dancing*** / Lady Stardust° / Star°

Other notes: *Johnny Walker Lunchtime Show BBC programme, Aeolian Hall Studio 2, London, 22/05/1972; **Sounds of the 70s: Bob Harris BBC programme, Maida Vale Studio 5, London, 23/05/1972; ***original version, edited; °album versions

Collector's notes: Excellent sound quality. The last three tracks are from a tape on which a BBC DJ talks to Rick Wakeman. The DJ claims that these tracks are BBC recordings and calls them "collectors' items". However, the recordings are the officially released versions.

The Stars (Are Out Tonight)

(Iso/Columbia 88883705557; UK 04/2013)

Format: 7"

Release notes: white vinyl, PS

Tracks: Tracks: The Stars (Are Out Tonight) // Where Are We Now?

Other notes: Orange RCA label on side 2.

Collector's notes: Promo-only CDRs left aside, this release for "Record Store Day" was the first physical single from The Next Day. There are two different issues, both made in the EU. The scarcer issue for the UK had a nice nostalgic orange RCA label on side 2, whereas the version for the rest of the world had a black label in that place.

The Stars (Are Out Tonight)

(Iso/Columbia 88883704917; EU 04/2013)

Format: 7"

Release notes: white vinyl, PS

Tracks: Tracks: The Stars (Are Out Tonight) // Where Are We Now?

Other notes: Black label on side 2.

Collector's notes: This is the commoner "rest-of-the-world" pressing of the single.

Drive-In Saturday

(EMI DBDRIVE 40; EU 04/2013)

Format: 7"

Release notes: picture disc, NC with sticker

Tracks: Drive-In Saturday // Drive-In Saturday (Russell Harty Plus Pop version)*

Other notes: *recorded for Russell Harty Plus Pop TV show, London Weekend Television Studios, London, 17/01/1973, broadcast 20/01/1973

Collector's notes: Another release for "Record Store Day".

Bowie 1965!

(Parlophone GEP 8968; EU 04/2013)

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: mono, PS

Tracks: Tracks: The Manish Boys: I Pity the Fool / The Manish Boys: Take My Tip // Davy Jones: You've Got a Habit of Leaving / Davy Jones: Baby Loves that Way

Other notes: re-issue of 1979 7"EP

Collector's notes: A very tasteful re-issue for "Record Store Day", in original mono, with a beautiful picture sleeve and nostalgic Parlophone labels.

White Light 1978

(Virgin Vinyl Records VVR-021; 04/2013)

Format: 4LP/2CD/DVD

Release notes: bootleg, red (LP 1) and blue (LP 3) marbled vinyl and green (LPs 2 and 4) vinyl, box with sticker, fold-out insert, limitited numbered edition 56/500

Tracks:

LP tracks:

Warszawa* / "Heroes"* / What in the World* / Be My Wife* // The Jean Genie* / Blackout* / Sense of Doubt* / Speed of Life* / Breaking Glass* // Beauty and the Beast* / Fame* / Five Years* / Soul Love* / Star* // Hang On to Yourself* / Ziggy Stardust* / Suffragette City* / Rock'n'Roll Suicide* / Art Decade* // Station to Station* / Stay* / TVC 15* // Rebel Rebel* / Warszawa** / "Heroes"** // What in the World** / Be My Wife** / The Jean Genie** / Blackout** / Sense of Doubt** // Speed of Life** / Sound and Vision** / Breaking Glass** / Fame** / Beauty and the Beast**

CD tracks:

Warszawa* / "Heroes"* / What in the World* / Be My Wife* / The Jean Genie* / Blackout* / Sense of Doubt* / Speed of Life* / Breaking Glass* / Beauty and the Beast* / Fame* / Five Years* / Soul Love* / Star* / Hang On to Yourself* / Ziggy Stardust* / Suffragette City* / Rock'n'Roll Suicide* / Art Decade* // Station to Station* / Stay* / TVC 15* / Rebel Rebel* / Warszawa** / "Heroes"** / What in the World** / Be My Wife** / The Jean Genie** / Blackout** / Sense of Doubt** / Speed of Life** / Sound and Vision** / Breaking Glass** / Fame** / Beauty and the Beast**

DVD tracks:

What in the World*** / Blackout*** / Sense of Doubt*** / Speed of Life*** / Hang On to Yourself*** / Ziggy Stardust*** / Warszawa° / "Heroes"° / Fame° / Beauty and the Beast° / Five Years° / Soul Love° / Star° / Hang On to Yourself° / Ziggy Stardust° / Suffragette City° / Station to Station° / TVC 15°

Other notes: *live, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 11/04/1978; **live, Earls Court, London, 01/07/1978; ***live, Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, Texas, 10/04/1978; °live, Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, 12/12/1978

Collector's notes: Another beautiful box set from the makers of the Heroes in Montreal box. This time even the LPs are flawless (there are no skips). The Baton Rouge show is a good quality audience recording, and the Earl's Court concert is an even better soundboard cut. Sound and Vision from the latter show had once been released (in comparable quality) on the semi-legal Rarest One album. Almost the entire soundboard recording of the Earls Court show was later released on the Last Night Earls Court bootleg, and some of the recordings on the official Welcome to the Blackout album. As in the case of the Montreal box, the DVD is also a high-quality affair.
Note that the colours of the vinyl seem to distributed randomly among the individual copies: there are copies of the box that include LPs in only two colours, and there are also copies with LPs in four colours, with yellow being the fourth.
The pictures show the box with the LPs, the outside of the insert, one of the labels, one of the CDs, and the DVD.

High

(Way of Wizard Records WOW LP-019/WOW-DVD 03; EU 05/2013)

Format: LP/DVD

Release notes: bootleg, green vinyl, sticker on cover, DVD with cardboard cover

Tracks:

LP tracks:

Sense of Doubt / Beauty and the Beast / "Heroes" / Stay // The Jean Genie / TVC 15 / Alabama Song / Rebel Rebel

DVD tracks:

Sense of Doubt / Beauty and the Beast / "Heroes" / Stay // The Jean Genie / TVC 15 / Alabama Song / Rebel Rebel

Other notes: live, Bremen, Germany, 30/05/1978, for Musikladen Extra TV show

Collector's notes: A nice release which was also available in numerous other colours. It's basically a re-issue of the Live in Bremen bootleg with the same great sound quality, but accompanied by a DVD with the same recording, also in very good quality.

The Next Day

(Iso/Columbia 88765461861; EU 05/2013)

Format: 2LP/CD

Release notes: red vinyl, FOC, 2 OIS, sticker on shrinkwrap, limited edition of 1.000

Tracks:

LP tracks: see original issue

CD (88765 49048 2) tracks: see deluxe CD edition

Collector's notes: A very limited issue by the Victoria and Albert Museum that hosted a Bowie exhibition in 2013. It is of course nice, but apart from the colour it is identical to the standard release in any respect. I wonder what exactly was designed by "Paul Smith for David Bowie" (as the cover sticker says). The people who were happiest about this issue were probably those who managed to pre-order a copy in time and sell it on the internet for large sums of money.

Live Nassau Coliseum '76

((DBL001; ?? 06/2013)

Format: LP

Release notes: pirate release, red vinyl

Tracks: Queen Bitch / Life on Mars? / Five Years / Panic in Detroit* / Changes // TVC 15 / Diamond Dogs / Rebel Rebel / The Jean Genie

Other notes: live, Nassau Veterans' Memorial Coliseum, New York, 23/03/1976; *edited version

Collector's notes: At first glance, this looks like a counterfeit of the officially released album from the Station to Station box set, but it isn't. It is only a single LP that contains the second part of the concert. Interestingly, this LP is neither identical to the second LP of the official issue, nor to the second disc of bootleg releases like Resurrection on 84th Street, since it starts with Queen Bitch. Be that as it may, the sound quality is great.
I classify this record, which is also available in other colours, as a pirate issue since it contains only material which is also available on an official record, albeit at a rather high price. Maybe this album was meant to be an addition to the bootlegs, because it contains three tracks which were missing from these (Queen Bitch, Life on Mars? and Five Years). But why, then, did they not include Waiting for the Man?

Life on Mars?

(EMI DBMARS 40; EU 06/2013)

Format: 7"

Release notes: picture disc, plastic NC with sticker

Tracks: Life on Mars? (2003 Ken Scott mix) // Life on Mars? (live)*

Other notes: *live, Music Hall, Boston, 01/10/1972

Collector's notes: Sadly, this issue from the "40th Anniversary" series has a rather poor pressing quality.

Heathen

(Iso/Columbia/Music on Vinyl MOVLP470; EU 06/2013)

Format: LP

Release notes: orange marbled vinyl, insert, sticker on protective plastic sleeve: limited edition 97/500

Tracks: see original issue

Collector's notes: Another issue by the Victoria and Albert Museum, this time released in an even more absurdly limited edition for the benefit of internet dealers.

The Toy Soldier EP

(Acid Jazz AJX329S; UK 06/2013)

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: mono, PS

Tracks: Little Toy Soldier* / Silly Boy Blue** // Waiting for the Man* / Silver Tree Top School for Boys***

Other notes: *studio recordings, Decca Studios, 05/04/1967; **acoustic demo, mid-1967; ***studio recording (demo?), mid-1967, not featuring Bowie on lead vocals

Collector's notes: Finally, the two Riot Squad tracks from the Little Toy Soldier bootleg got an official release. Silly Boy Blue does not seem to feature anyone but Bowie, and the singer on the Bowie-penned Silver Tree Top School for Boys seems to be mimicking Bowie's vocal style of the time.

The Next Day

(Iso/Columbia 88883741287; EU 07/2013)

Format: 7"

Release notes: white square disc, 6 1/2" playing surface, plastic NC with front and back stickers and number sticker on back, limited edition

Tracks: The Next Day // The Next Day

Collector's notes: An interesting release. The only sad thing is that they put the same song on both sides.

El Hombre Que Vendio el Mundo

(Mercury MANODIOS86; EU 07/2013)

Format: LP

Release notes: pirate release, green vinyl, colour sticker on cover back

Tracks: see original issues of album The Man Who Sold the World

Collector's notes: Among all the coloured vinyl pirate releases of familiar Bowie records this one is the most interesting, since it pretends to be something like a counterfeit of a record that has never existed: it claims to be an Argentine pressing, but neither has there ever been an original Argentine release of TMWSTW with the Spanish title, nor an Argentine release on Mercury. I suspect it's from Spain, not only because of the Spanish title, but also because this is where I ordered my copy. The record is available in various colours.

Excerpts from Outside

(Iso/Arista/Music on Vinyl MOVLP500; EU 07/2013)

Format: LP

Release notes: marbled green vinyl, booklet, sticker on protective plastic sleeve: limited edition 132/500

Tracks: see original issue

Collector's notes: And yet another release by the Victoria and Albert Museum... Note that the album lacks the printed inner sleeve that came with the original issue.

Valentine's Day

(Iso/Columbia 88883756667; EU 08/2013)

Format: 7"

Release notes: picture disc, plastic PS with sticker

Tracks: Valentine's Day // Plan

Low Live

(Gato Gordo 000023; EU 09/2013)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, blue cover with vinyl colour sticker, marbled clear grey vinyl

Tracks: Speed of Life / Breaking Glass / What in the World / Sound and Vision / Always Crashing in the Same Car / Be My Wife / A New Career in a New Town // Warszawa / Art Decade / Weeping Wall / Subterreneans

Other notes: live, Rosemund Ballroom, New York, 11/06/2002

Collector's notes: Apart from the Birthday Celebration triple LP, this was the first vinyl bootleg with material from Bowie's post-Tin Machine phase in many years. It was also available in orange and blue vinyl. The sound quality is okay, comparable to what was circulating on the web (taken from a lossy format like MP3, though). Sadly, the quality of the pressing isn't very good. My copy has lots of clicks and crackle, particularly towards the end of side 1.
In late 2014 this album was re-issued with an orange cover.

Sound and Vision 2013

(Parlophone; UK 10/2013)

Format: CDS

Release notes: promo-only, CDR with computer print, wraparound PS in plastic NC with sticker

Tracks: Sound and Vision 2013* / Sound and Vision (original)

Other notes: *remix of original track

Collector's notes: This was the only physical (and uncompressed) release of this really beautiful remix from a smartphone ad. Apart from this issue, the track was only available as a download. It was officially released on 7" in 2017, but on a rather bad pressing.

Time May Change Me...

(AYL-71; EU 10/2013)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, pink vinyl, limited edition of 100

Tracks: Intro / Fill Your Heart / Buzz the Fuzz / Space Oddity / The Supermen / Oh! You Pretty Things / Eight Line Poem // Changes / Song for Bob Dylan / Andy Warhol / Queen Bitch / Looking for a Friend / Round and Round / Waiting for the Man

Other notes: live, Friars, Aylesbury, 25/09/1971

Collector's notes: A very nice release. The sound quality is so-so. There are dropouts in some of the songs, the sound is slightly distorted and lacks higher frequencies. But given that this is the second-oldest complete Bowie live set that had turned up so far (the older one being the 1970 BBC set found on the Janine bootleg, for example, and, officially, on The Width of a Circle), one shouldn't be too harsh. A fascinating document from the pre-Ziggy era!
I originally wrote that this was an audience recording, but I'm not so sure anymore. In 2023 the show (minus Queen Bitch) was officially released in much better sound quality on Divine Symmtry. That recording is definitely based on a soundboard tape, so it might well be the case that this bootleg is based on a bad copy of a bad copy (etc.) of the original tape.
There were 100 copies in pink, blue and clear each, and 30 copies on multicoloured vinyl. As I've read there were also 5 white label test pressings.

Made in the Shade

(Way of Wizard Records WOW LP-033-034/WOW-DVD 06; EU 10/2013)

Format: 2LP/DVD

Release notes: bootleg, red vinyl, FOC, sticker on cover, DVD with cardboard cover

Tracks:

LP tracks:

Intro* / Look Back in Anger / Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) / Diamond Dogs / The Hearts Filthy Lesson / Outside // Aladdin Sane (1913-1938-197?) (incl. On Broadway*/All Day and All of the Night*/Where Have All the Good Times Gone*) / Andy Warhol / The Voyeur of Utter Destruction (as Beauty) / The Man Who Sold the World / Telling Lies / Baby Universal // Hallo Spaceboy / Breaking Glass / We Prick You / Jump They Say / Lust for Life // Under Pressure / "Heroes" / band intro* / White Light/White Heat / Moonage Daydream / All the Young Dudes

DVD tracks:

Intro* / Look Back in Anger / Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) / Diamond Dogs / The Hearts Filthy Lesson / Outside / Aladdin Sane (1913-1938-197?) (incl. On Broadway/All Day and All of the Night) / Andy Warhol / The Voyeur of Utter Destruction (as Beauty) / The Man Who Sold the World / Telling Lies / Baby Universal / Hallo Spaceboy / Breaking Glass / We Prick You / Jump They Say / Lust for Life / Under Pressure / "Heroes" / band intro* / White Light/White Heat / Moonage Daydream / All the Young Dudes

Other notes: live, Loreley, Sankt Goarshausen, Germany, 22/06/1996; *not listed on covers

Collector's notes: Another great release from Way of Wizard Records, again also available in other vinyl colours. Of course the show had been available before, but this was the first time it was released on vinyl. The quality of the DVD is so-so (better versions are circulating on the web) but acceptable. The sound quality of the records is very good, though not as good as that of the earlier CD release.

Sorrow

(Parlophone DBSOZ 4030; EU 10/2013)

Format: 7"

Release notes: picture disc, plastic NC with sticker

Tracks: Sorrow // Sorrow*

Other notes: *live, Pacific National Exhibition Center, Vancouver, Canada, 12/09/1983

Collector's notes: Note that this is the first release in the 40th Anniversary series that is on EMI's Parlophone sub-label.

The Next Day - Limited Edition

(Iso/Columbia 88883787812; EU 10/2013)

Format: 2CD/DVD

Release notes: box with insert attached to back, 3 cardboard covers, 3 booklets, film rating insert, sticker on shrinkwrap, limited edition

CD tracks:

The Next Day / Dirty Boys / The Stars (Are Out Tonight) / Love Is Lost / Where Are We Now? / Valentine's Day / If You Can See Me / I'd Rather Be High / Boss of Me / Dancing Out in Space / How Does the Grass Grow? / (You Will) Set the World on Fire / You Feel So Lonely You Could Die / Heat // Atomica* / Love Is Lost (Hello Steve Reich mix by James Murphy for the DFA) / Plan / The Informer* / I'd Rather Be High (Venetian mix) / Like a Rocket Man* / Born in a UFO* / I'll Take You There / God Bless the Girl / So She

DVD tracks:

Where Are We Now? / The Stars (Are Out Tonight) / The Next Day / Valentine's Day

Other notes: recorded at The Magic Shop Studios and Human Studios, New York, 02/05/2011-23/10/2012; except: *lead vocal for Atomica and overdubs for the tracks recorded 08/2013

Collector's notes: And yet another edition of the album, collecting the bonus tracks from the various issues, two remixes, plus four completely new songs on an additional CD, and the four videos on a DVD.
The pictures show (top left to bottom right) the front and back of the box, the front and back of cover 1, disc 1, both sides of cover 2, disc 2, the two sides of cover 3, the DVD, booklets 1 and 2, the film rating insert and the sticker. I do not show the third booklet here, since its front is completely blank. In fact, it's also blank inside, the only text is the word "You" on the back.

Eart hl i ng

(Iso/RCA/Music on Vinyl MOVLP815; EU 10/2013)

Format: LP

Release notes: transparent green vinyl, FOC, OIS, sticker on protective plastic sleeve, limited edition 436/2.000

Tracks: see original issue

Collector's notes: Earthling was re-released in three different versions: this so-called "first issue" in green vinyl, the "second issue" in blue vinyl (limited to 2.000 copies each) and black vinyl ("unlimited" edition). However, all version were released on the same day, the "first issue" was only announced earlier. Please note that the green of the vinyl is not as blueish as what my scanner has made of it.

Eart hl i ng

(Iso/RCA/Music on Vinyl MOVLP815; EU 10/2013)

Format: LP

Release notes: transparent blue vinyl, FOC, OIS, sticker on protective plastic sleeve, limited edition 906/2.000

Tracks: see original issue

Collector's notes: This is the so-called "second issue" in blue vinyl, released on the same day as the "first issue" in green vinyl. Apart from the vinyl colour, the sticker and the limited edition imprint on the cover back, this issue is identical to that in green.

La Ascendencia y Caida de Ziggy Stardust y las Arañas de Marte

(RCA LSP-4702; EU 11/2013)

Format: LP

Release notes: pirate release, white marbled vinyl, sticker on cover

Tracks: see original issues

Other notes: pirate re-issue of Spanish album

Collector's notes: Note that this album is, in fact, not a copy of the original Spanish release (which didn't have a price code on the back), but of the second issue. Also available in other colours (definitely in blue and clear vinyl).

Blue Eyed Soul in Boston

((no number); EU 12/2013)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: bootleg, light blue marbled vinyl, plain white labels, limited edition sticker: 88/150

Tracks: Memory of a Free Festival* / Rebel Rebel / John, I'm Only Dancing (Again) / Sorrow / Changes // Young Americans / 1984 / Footstompin'/Wish I Could Shimmy like My Sister Kate** / When You Rock'n'Roll with Me / Love Me Do/The Jean Genie // Moonage Daydream / band introduction** / Can You Hear Me / Somebody Up There Likes Me / Suffragette City // Rock'n'Roll Suicide / Diamond Dogs (incl. It's Only Rock'n Roll**) / It's Gonna Be Me*** / Space Oddity***

Release notes: live, Boston Music Hall, Boston, 15/11/1974, except: ***live, Michigan Palace, Detroit, 16/10/1974; *performed by the Mike Garson Band; **not listed on cover

Collector's notes: A very good release! This was one of the few vinyl bootlegs from the "Phillydogs" tour in really good sound quality that I know of. It's also interesting to see how Bowie's set and style had changed since the beginning of the second part of the Diamond Dogs tour (see, for instance, the Strange Fascination bootleg and its official re-release Cracked Actor for comparison). What is particularly interesting is that Love Me Do is used as the intro to The Jean Genie (and not incorporated into the middle of the song as on the 1973 tour), and that Diamond Dogs features an extended part with the chorus of the Rolling Stones' It's Only Rock'n'Roll. Needless to say that the official album I'm Only Dancing represents this leg of the tour in much better sound quality.
This audience recording had been circulating on the internet before, but it's nice to have it in such a great cover. I suspect that it was made by the same people who had released the "Argentine" El Hombre Que Vendio el Mundo LP (and possibly some other recent Bowie records).

Aladdin Sane

(RCA 104.4034; EU 12/2013)

Format: LP

Release notes: pirate release, white marbled vinyl, OIS

Tracks: see original issues

Other notes: pirate re-issue of original Brazilian album

Collector's notes: A nice pirate release that uses the cover design of the Brazilian issue (although the album was probably pressed in Europe). It came in an RCA inner sleeve with the same design on both sides, and was available in other colours, too.

Love Is Lost

(Iso/Columbia 88843016561; EU 12/2013)

Format: 12"

Release notes: 33 1/3 rpm, white vinyl, die-cut embossed PS

Tracks: Love Is Lost (Hello Steve Reich mix by James Murphy for the DFA) // I'd Rather Be High (Venetian mix) / Love Is Lost (Hello Steve Reich mix by James Murphy for the DFA - edit)

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture

(Republic B0019678-01; USA 12/2013)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: FOC, 2 OIS, sticker on shrinkwrap, limited edition of 1.000

Tracks (Bowie): - // - // - // Space Oddity (Mitty mix, featuring Kristen Wiig)

Other notes: remix of original version featuring vocal overdubs by Kristen Wiig recorded at Electric Lady Studio, New York

David Bowie '99 - Thursday's Child

(Way of Wizard Records WOW LP-037-038/WOW-DVD 07; EU 01/2014)

Format: 2LP/DVD

Release notes: bootleg, red vinyl, FOC, sticker on cover, DVD with cardboard cover

Tracks:

LP tracks: Life on Mars? / Word on a Wing / Thursday's Child / Ashes to Ashes // Survive / Can't Help Thinking about Me / China Girl / Always Crashing in the Same Car / Something in the Air // Drive-In Saturday / Stay / Seven / Changes // Rebel Rebel / Repetition / The Pretty Things Are Going to Hell / Cracked Actor / I'm Afraid of Americans

DVD tracks: Life on Mars? / Word on a Wing / Thursday's Child / Ashes to Ashes / Survive / Can't Help Thinking about Me / China Girl / Always Crashing in the Same Car / Something in the Air / Drive-In Saturday / Stay / Seven / Changes / Rebel Rebel / Repetition / The Pretty Things Are Going to Hell / Cracked Actor / I'm Afraid of Americans

Other notes: live, Astoria, London, 02/12/1999

Collector's notes: And yet another release from Way of Wizard Records. Not only is this the first vinyl release of a late 1990s Bowie show, but also an album that easily qualifies as one of the best Bowie vinyl bootlegs ever: the pressing is immaculate, it's a great show with a good-humoured Bowie and a partly eccentric choice of songs, and it's a soundboard recording in the best quality conceivable. The quality of the DVD version of the show is also quite good, comparable to what had been available on the internet before. Interestingly, the sound quality of the LPs is much better than that of the DVD. As usual the record was available in various colours.
Frifelt lists this as a 2013 release, but to me it seems that it was first available to the general public in early 2014. Of course, Frifelt's connections might allow him to get such items a bit earlier than the average collector.

Sound and Stage

((no number); EU 02/2014)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, green vinyl, sticker on cover: limited edition 42/150

Tracks: Space Oddity / Rebel Rebel / Be My Wife / Ashes to Ashes / Fashion / band introduction / Life on Mars? // Pretty Pink Rose / Sound and Vision / Blue Jean / Let's Dance / Stay

Other notes: live, Milton Keynes Bowl, Milton Keynes, UK, 05/08/1990

Collector's notes: Basically a re-issue of disc 1 of the Greatest Hits Tour bootleg, but it omits the intro. The sound quality is excellent, but not as good as on earlier vinyl and CD bootlegs. So by and large, it's a superfluous release - the inappropriate cover picture doesn't make it more attractive, even though it's the most complete vinyl issue of the show (if you couple it with the second part).
My copy has a pressing error that results in some loud pops on Ashes to Ashes. The record was also available in other colours.
Again, Frifelt lists this under 2013, but it didn't seem to be generally available before early 2014.

Kiss Me Kate!

(Way of Wizard Records WOW LP-044-045/WOW-DVD 11; EU 02/2014)

Format: 2LP/DVD

Release notes: bootleg, red vinyl, FOC, sticker on cover, DVD with cardboard cover

Tracks:

LP tracks: Fame / Changes / China Girl / Slow Burn // Starman / Let's Dance / I've Been Waiting for You / Slip Away // Ziggy Stardust / "Heroes" / Cactus / 5:15 The Angels Have Gone // Sound and Vision / Ashes to Ashes / I'm Afraid of Americans

DVD tracks: Fame* / Changes* / China Girl* / Slow Burn* / Starman* / Let's Dance* / Slip Away* / Ziggy Stardust* / "Heroes"* / 5:15 The Angels Have Gone* / Sound and Vision* / Ashes to Ashes* / I'm Afraid of Americans* / Fame** / Changes** / China Girl** / Slow Burn** / Starman** / Let's Dance** / I've Been Waiting for You** / Slip Away** / Ziggy Stardust** / "Heroes"** / Cactus** / 5:15 The Angels Have Gone** / Sound and Vision** / Ashes to Ashes** / I'm Afraid of Americans**

Other notes: live, A&E Live by Request TV show, Sony Studios, New York, 15/06/2002; *US broadcast with chat between songs; **UK broadcast; incorrect order of tracks on covers

Collector's notes: One more from Way of Wizard. The sound quality is brilliant. The DVD presents two versions of the show: the US version has the the incoming "request phone calls" and Bowie's reaction to them, but omits two tracks, and the UK version has all the music, but omits the chat between the tracks. The picture quality of both versions is very good, but the US version is slightly better. The records are the "soundtrack" to the UK version, so that they are not simply a vinyl re-issue of the Request bootleg from 2002 - that one also omitted (most of) the chat, but had only the tracks of the US broadcast. The sound quality of this vinyl issue is, in fact, better than that of the Request bootleg. There are also copies in other colours.
And again, Frifelt lists this one under 2013.

Rock in Rio

(Way of Wizard Records WOW LP-046-047/WOW-DVD 12; EU 02/2014)

Format: 2LP/DVD

Release notes: bootleg, green vinyl, FOC, sticker on cover, DVD with cardboard cover

Tracks:

LP tracks: Space Oddity / Rebel Rebel / Ashes to Ashes / band introduction / Life on Mars? / Stay // Pretty Pink Rose / Blue Jean / Let's Dance / Sound and Vision / Ziggy Stardust // China Girl / Station to Station / Young Americans / Fame // "Heroes" / Changes / Modern Love / Baby What You Want Me to Do*/The Jean Genie/Gloria

DVD tracks: Rebel Rebel / Pretty Pink Rose / Blue Jean / Let's Dance / Ziggy Stardust / China Girl / Young Americans / Changes / Baby What You Want Me to Do*/The Jean Genie / Modern Love

Other notes: live, Sambodromo de Rio, Rio de Janeiro, 20/09/1990; *not listed on covers

Collector's notes: Another one from Way of Wizard. It's a vinyl re-issue of a 2CD bootleg of the same name from 1991. The sound quality of this soundboard recording is excellent, but as pointed out by Frifelt (with respect to the older CD version), the mix is rather odd, since the audience is barely audible - and that same sound is maintained here. The picture and sound of the DVD, which uses a different soundboard mix, are also very good. A pleasant release, which was, as usual, available in other colours, too.

Original Soundtrack - Christiane F. - Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo

(RCA BL 43606 SB; EU 02/2014)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: pirate release/bootleg, marbled dark green and marbled pale pink vinyl

Tracks: V-2 Schneider / TVC 15 / "Heroes"/"Helden" (long English/German version) / Boys Keep Swinging / Sense of Doubt // Station to Station* / Look Back in Anger / Stay (single edit) / Warszawa // Beauty and the Beast (special extended version)** / "Heroes"/"Héros" (long English/French version)*** / Cat People (Putting Out Fire)# / Baal's Hymn## / Remembering Marie A.## // The Ballad of the Adventurers## / The Drowned Girl## / Dirty Song## / Dialogue### / Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy### / Love You till Tuesday/Lieb dich bis Dienstag° / David Bowie's Revolutionary Song (edited)°°

Other notes: *live version from the album Stage (1978); **from the 1978 US promo 12"; ***from the German 1982 12" or the original French "Heroes" album; #from the 1982 12" or the soundtrack album; ##from the Baal EP; ###performed by David Bowie and Bing Crosby, from the 1982 UK 12"; °original version from 1967 with voice overdubs recorded at Trident Studios, 29/01/1969; °°performed by The Rebels, from the Just a Gigolo soundtrack.

Collector's notes: A funny release available in numerous colours (including black). The sound of the Christiane F. album is excellent, but not as good as that of the original. The bonus disc has an excellent sound, too, and comprises a strange mixture of mostly officially released tracks. Revolutionary Song is only the intro, that is, it fades out after Bowie's "la-la-la" part. The most interesting aspect is the inclusion of the English/German version of Love You till Tuesday, which was here available on vinyl for the first time, for all I know.

Rebel Rebel

(Parlophone DBREBEL40; EU 03/2014)

Format: 7"

Release notes: picture disc, plastic NC with sticker

Tracks: Rebel Rebel (single edit) // Rebel Rebel (USA single version)

Collector's notes: The "original single mix", which had also appeared on the 1974 singles, had to be restored from an original record, since the master tape was lost. I've never even realized that it was a different mix, and have always considered it to be just an edit. The version on the B-side is, of course, the one from the second 1974 US release.

Reality

(Iso/Columbia/Music on Vinyl MOVLP875; EU 03/2014)

Format: LP

Release notes: booklet, sticker on protective plastic sleeve

Tracks: New Killer Star / Pablo Picasso / Never Get Old / The Loneliest Guy / Looking for Water / She'll Drive the Big Car // Days / Fall Dog Bombs the Moon / Try Some, Buy Some / Reality / Bring Me the Disco King

Collector's notes: Finally, a vinyl issue of Reality. Apart from this black vinyl release there were also copies in green and orange vinyl, each coloured release limited to 2.500 copies.

Reality

(Iso/Columbia/Music on Vinyl MOVLP875; EU 03/2014)

Format: LP

Release notes: transparent green vinyl, booklet, sticker on protective plastic sleeve, limited edition 1.895/2.500

Tracks: see black vinyl issue

Collector's notes: Apart from the vinyl colour and the details on the sticker, this issue is identical to the black vinyl version.

Reality

(Iso/Columbia/Music on Vinyl MOVLP875; EU 03/2014)

Format: LP

Release notes: marbled orange vinyl, booklet, sticker on protective plastic sleeve, limited edition 475/2.500

Tracks: see black vinyl issue

Collector's notes: Apart from the vinyl colour and the details on the sticker, this issue is identical to the black vinyl version.

Dallas Oddity

((no number); EU 03/2014)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, marbled blue vinyl, sticker on cover: limited edition 97/150

Tracks: Space Oddity / Young Americans / Soul Love / Hang On to Yourself / Fame // TVC 15 / Stay / The Jean Genie / Modern Love

Other notes: rehearsals, Sound Stage, Las Colinas, Dallas, 27/04/1983

Collector's notes: The deceased Stevie Ray Vaughan is listed as the co-artist on the cover since he was the guitarist during these sessions (although he didn't play on the Serious Moonlight Tour). This album is part 1 of three LPs with material from these rehearsals, which had been released on CD before. The sound quality is almost perfect - much better than on the J.R. Is Watching You LP, which consists of recordings from the previous day.

Dallas April 1983

((no number); EU 03/2014)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, marbled red vinyl, sticker on cover: limited edition 106/150

Tracks: Star / Lavender Blue*/"Heroes" / What in the World / Look Back in Anger / Joe the Lion / Wild Is the Wind // Golden Years / Fashion / Let's Dance / Red Sails / Breaking Glass / Life on Mars?

Other notes: rehearsals, Sound Stage, Las Colinas, Dallas, 27/04/1983; *not listed on cover

Collector's notes: Part 2 of the rehearsals set.

Dallas Moonlight

((no number); EU 03/2014)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, marbled blue vinyl, sticker on cover: limited edition 94/150

Tracks: Sorrow / Cat People (Putting Out Fire) / China Girl / Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) / Rebel Rebel / I Can't Explain // White Light/White Heat / Station to Station / Cracked Actor / Ashes to Ashes

Other notes: rehearsals, Sound Stage, Las Colinas, Dallas, 27/04/1983

Collector's notes: Part 3 of the rehearsals set.

Stage and Vision

((no number); EU 04/2014)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, marbled yellow vinyl, sticker on cover: limited edition 30/150

Tracks: Ziggy Stardust / China Girl / Station to Station / Young Americans / Suffragette City // "Heroes" / radio announcers / Changes / The Jean Genie / Gloria / White Light/White Heat / Modern Love

Other notes: live, Milton Keynes Bowl, Milton Keynes, UK, 05/08/1990

Collector's notes: Part 2 of the Sound and Stage bootleg. Although this record contains White Light/White Heat and Modern Love, it is (contrary to what I wrote earlier) not a complete release of this show: Fame is missing.

Unplugged

((no number); EU 04/2014)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, marbled clear vinyl, sticker on cover: limited edition 86/150

Tracks: Scary Monsters* / Seven Years in Tibet* / The Supermen (incomplete)* / Dead Man Walking* / The Jean Genie* / I Can't Read* // The Man Who Sold the World** / The Supermen** / Andy Warhol** / Repetition** / White Light/White Heat** / "Heroes"***

Other notes: *live, Smith's Olde Bar, Atlanta, 08/04/1997; **recorded for Changes Now radio session, Looking Glass Studios, New York, 11/1996; ***live, Bridge School Benefit, Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View, California, 20/10/1996

Collector's notes: An excellent collection of "unplugged" recordings in perfect sound quality. Note two problematic things about the dates given on the cover. First, the cover claims that the first five tracks of side 2 were recorded on 05/01/1997. The usually reliable Pegg doesn't list any sessions for that day, but some for the preceding days, so I originally listed the songs as January 1997 rehearsals from the SIR Studios, New York. However, in 2020 the recordings were released on an official album, and both the cover and Bowie's official website insisted that they were recorded and mixed at Looking Glass Studios in November 1996 - so I suppose that this is correct. Second, the recording of "Heroes" is not from 19/10/1996 (as the cover claims), but from 20/10/1996. It's the same recording as on the official The Bridge School Concerts Vol. One album. Dead Man Walking had previously seen an official release on 99X Live IV "Home".

Rock'n'Roll Suicide

(Parlophone DBROCK 40; EU 04/2014)

Format: 7"

Release notes: picture disc, plastic NC with sticker, limited edition

Tracks: Rock'n'Roll Suicide // Farewell Speech*/Rock'n'Roll Suicide (live versions**)

Other notes: **live, Odeon Hammersmith, London, 03/07/1973; *not listed on sticker

Collector's notes: Another release in the 40th Anniversary series. Since it was released on "Record Store Day", it was (probably) more limited than the usual records in that series.

1984

(Parlophone DB40 1984; USA 04/2014)

Format: 7"

Release notes: picture disc, plastic NC with sticker, limited edition

Tracks: 1984 // 1984 (live version)*

Other notes: *Dick Cavett US TV show, 02/11/1974

Collector's notes: The American counterpart to the above single. This was the first single from the series to be made in the USA.

Diamond Dogs

(Parlophone DBDOGS 40; EU 06/2014)

Format: 7"

Release notes: picture disc, 33 1/3 rpm, plastic NC with sticker, limited edition

Tracks: Diamond Dogs // Diamond Dogs (live version)*

Other notes: *live, Tower Philadelphia, Philadelphia, 10-13/07/1974

Collector's notes: The B-side of this single is a bit disappointing, since it's just the David Live version (albeit it the 2005 remaster).

Hours in Paris

(Way of Wizard Records WOW LP-051-052/WOW-DVD 13; EU 06/2014)

Format: 2LP/DVD

Release notes: bootleg, blue vinyl, FOC, sticker on cover, DVD with cardboard cover

Tracks:

LP tracks: Life on Mars? / Thursday's Child / Something in the Air // Word on a Wing / Can't Help Thinking about Me / China Girl / Always Crashing in the Same Car // Survive / Drive-In Saturday / Changes / Seven // Repetition / I Can't Read / The Pretty Things Are Going to Hell / Rebel Rebel

DVD tracks: Life on Mars? / Thursday's Child / Something in the Air / Word on a Wing / Can't Help Thinking about Me / China Girl / Always Crashing in the Same Car / Survive / Drive-In Saturday / Changes / Seven / Repetition / I Can't Read / The Pretty Things Are Going to Hell / Rebel Rebel

Other notes: live, Elysée Montmartre, Paris, France, 14/10/1999

Collector's notes: Yet another Way of Wizard vinyl/DVD set in the familiar brilliant sound and picture quality. Available in other vinyl colours, too.
Survive had previously seen an official release on the 2000 single, and the full show was finally officially released as Something in the Air in 2021 (minus the DVD, of course).

Low

(NL 83856; EU 07/2014)

Format: LP

Release notes: pirate release, marbled orange vinyl

Tracks: see original UK issue

Collector's notes: A pirate issue of a German 1980s issue of the album. This one was released at the same time as the "Heroes" pirate LP in white vinyl, but appears to be rarer, possibly because the beautiful combination of the colours of vinyl and cover make it more desirable.

"Heroes"

(NL-13857; EU 07/2014)

Format: LP

Release notes: pirate release, marbled white vinyl

Tracks: see original UK issue

Collector's notes: A pirate issue of a 1980s release from the Netherlands, musically identical to the original UK issue.

C'est la Vie - The Ultimate Rare Tracks 1964/2013

(Godfather Records G.R. BOX 25; EU 07/2014)

Format: 6CD

Release notes: bootleg, box, 3 cardboard FOC, booklet, poster, 2 cards

Tracks:

C'est la Vie - The Sixties & the Seventies
Long hair interview¹ / I Pity the Fool² / Take My Tip² / That's a Promise³ / Silly Boy Blue³ / Over the Wall We Go⁴ / The Laughing Gnome⁵ / Little Toy Soldier - Little Sadie⁶ / Silly Boy Blue⁷ / Waiting for the Man⁸ / Silver Tree Top School for Boys⁹ / Everything Is You¹⁰ / Social Kind of Girl¹⁰ / Silver Tree Top School for Boys¹¹ / C'est la Vie¹² / C'est la Vie¹³ / Even a Fool Learns to Love¹⁴ / Ching-a-Ling¹⁵ / April's Tooth of Gold¹⁶ / When I'm Five¹⁶ / Space Oddity¹⁷ // The Supermen¹⁸ / Tired of My Life¹⁹ / Shadow Man¹⁹ / How Lucky You Are¹⁹ / Lightning Frightning²⁰ / Looking for a Friend²¹ / Rupert the Riley²² / Rupert the Riley²³ / Bombers²⁴ / Life on Mars?²⁵ / Oh! You Pretty Things²⁶ / Five Years²⁶ / All the Young Dudes²⁷ / The Jean Genie²⁸ / Young Americans²⁹ / Shilling the Rubes²⁹ / I Am a Laser²⁹ / After Today²⁹ / Can You Hear Me³⁰ / Win³¹ / "Heroes"/"Helden" (long English/German version)³² / "Heroes"/"Héros" (long English/French version)³² / Breaking Glass (extended version)³³

C'est la Vie - The Eighties & the Nineties
Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)³⁴ / Ashes to Ashes³⁴ / Cat People (extended remix)³⁵ / Cat People (full length version)³⁶ / Waiata Song³⁷ / Imagine³⁸ / Dancing in the Street³⁹ / This Is Not America⁴⁰ / Dancing in the Street⁴¹ / Al Alba⁴² / Girls (extended Japanese version)⁴³ / Modern Love (The Choice Is Right)⁴⁴ / You've Been Around⁴⁵ // It's Tough⁴⁶ / A Big Hurt⁴⁷ / You've Been Around (Dangers Trance mix)⁴⁸ / Strangers When We Meet⁴⁹ / Unknown: Nothing to Be Desired⁵⁰ / Unknown: I'd Rather Be Chrome⁵¹ / My Death⁵² / I Can't Read⁵³ / Fun Fade 2⁵⁴ / Tryin' to Get to Heaven⁵⁵ / Fun #2 (Clownboy mix 3)⁵⁴ / Fun #3 (Clownboy Mutant mix)⁵⁴ / Fun #5 (Clownboy mix vocal up)⁵⁴ / Fun #7 (Clownboy instrumental)⁵⁴ / Fun⁵⁵ / Mother⁵⁶ / Omikron (New Angels of Promise)⁵⁷ / Awaken 2 (No One Calls)⁵⁷

C'est la Vie - The Thousands & the Collaborations
Silly Boy Blue⁵⁸ / Everyone Says 'Hi' (Metro remix)⁵⁹ / I Took a Trip on a Gemini Spaceship (Deepsky's Space Cowboy remix)⁵⁹ / I Feel So Bad⁶⁰ / One Night⁶⁰ / New Killer Star⁶¹ / Your Turn to Drive⁶² / The Man Who Sold the World⁶³ / Suffragette City⁶³ / 5:15 The Angels Have Gone⁶³ / Try Some, Buy Some⁶³ / China Girl⁶³ / The Loneliest Guy⁶³ / New Killer Star⁶³ / Modern Love⁶³ / Starman (Metrophonic remix)⁶⁴ / Liza Jane⁶⁵ / Life on Mars?⁶⁶ / Wake Up⁶⁶ / Five Years⁶⁶ / The Little Fat Man (with the Pug-Nosed Face)⁶⁷ / Sound and Vision 2013⁶⁸ // Kenny Miller: Take My Tip⁶⁹ / Oscar: Over the Wall We Go⁷⁰ / Ronnie Hilton: The Laughing Gnome⁷¹ / Dee Dee: Love Is Always⁷² / Dee Dee: Pancho⁷² / Slender Plenty: Silver Tree Top School for Boys⁷³ / The Beatstalkers: Silver Tree Top School for Boys⁷³ / Billy Fury: Silly Boy Blue⁷⁴ / The Beatstalkers: Everything Is You⁷⁵ / The Beatstalkers: When I'm Five⁷⁶ / Computers: Ragazzo Solo, Ragazza Sola⁷⁷ / Peter Noone: Oh! You Pretty Things⁷⁸ / Peter Noone: Right On Mother⁷⁹ / Lulu: The Man Who Sold the World⁸⁰ / Lulu: Watch that Man⁸¹ / Ronnie Wood: I Can Feel the Fire⁸² / Mick Ronson: Stone Love⁸³ / Cuddly Toys: Madman⁸⁴ / Queen: Cool Cat⁸⁵ / Queen: Action this Day⁸⁶ / Iggy Pop: Fire Girl⁸⁷ / Kristeen Young: Saviour⁸⁸

Other notes: ¹Tonight BBC TV show, 12/11/1964; ²performed by The Manish Boys, alternative takes, IBC Studios, Portland Place, 15/01/1965, from the Early On CD; ³demos, recorded with The Lower Third, R.G. Jones Oak Studios, 31/08/1965; ⁴demo, 12?/1966 (according to the booklet: R.G. Jones Oak Studios, 01/09/1965); ⁵alternative vocal take, Decca Studios, West Hampstead, 07/02/1967 (excerpt); ⁶demo recorded with The Riot Squad, 1967; ⁷acoustic demo, mid-1967, from the The Toy Soldier EP; ⁸studio recording with The Riot Squad, Decca Studios, 05/04/1967, false start; ⁹demo, mid-1967, not featuring Bowie on lead vocals; ¹⁰demos from an Emidisc acetate, 1967; ¹¹demo from an Essex Music acetate, 1967; ¹²demo, Decca acetate, 10/1967, backing track; ¹³demo, Decca acetate, 10/1967, version with vocals; ¹⁴demo (excerpt), Bowie's vocal dubbed over Claude Francois' original recording, 02/1968; ¹⁵performed with Turquoise, 16/08/1968 (excerpt); ¹⁶demos, 1968; ¹⁷probably an excerpt from an early demo, 1968 or 1969 (see the notes in the entry of the Kiss Away the Darkest Day bootleg, though the speed has been corrected here); ¹⁸Sounds of the Seventies: Andy Ferris BBC programme, Playhouse Theatre Studios, 25/03/1970 (excerpt); ¹⁹demos, Radio Luxembourg Studios, London, c. 11-12/1970; ²⁰recorded at Trident Studios, London, 23/04/1971, unedited mono mix; ²¹performed by Arnold Corns, Trident Studios, 17/6/1971; ²²studio recording, 23/04/1971, Mickey King on lead vocal, no sound effects; ²³studio recording, 23/04/1971, Mickey King on lead vocal, with sound effects; ²⁴live, Glastonbury Festival, 20/06/1971 (excerpt); ²⁵Abbey Road mix, 1971; ²⁶recorded for Old Grey Whistle Test TV show, 07/02/1972; ²⁷Mott the Hoople version with Bowie's guide vocal mixed over the verses (Bowie's voice also in the chorus); ²⁸recorded for Top of the Pops TV show, 03/01/1973, broadcast 04/01/1973, same version as on the B-side of the 2012 single; ²⁹excerpts of early versions from the Young Americans sessions, Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, 13/08/1974; ³⁰demo, Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, 08/1974; ³¹live, The Omni, Atlanta, 01/12/1974; ³²taken from the German and French editions of the "Heroes" album, respectively; ³³taken from the Australian or New Zealand 7"; ³⁴early versions from the Scary Monsters sessions, Power Station Studios, New York, early 1980 (excerpts); ³⁵from the Australian 12"; ³⁶unreleased 10:18 mix of unknown origin; ³⁷recorded 23/11/1983, Porirua, New Zealand, at a meeting with Maori; ³⁸live, Coliseum, Hong Kong, 08/12/1983; ³⁹performed by David Bowie and Mick Jagger, alternative mix without brass section, from the video shown at the Live Aid concert; ⁴⁰performed by David Bowie/Pat Metheny Group, alternative DVD mix; ⁴¹performed by David Bowie and Mick Jagger, live, Prince's Trust concert, Wembley Stadium, London, 20/06/1986; ⁴²studio recording, 1986 (or early 1987), Spanish version of Day-In Day-Out; ⁴³download-only track; ⁴⁴studio recording, 1987, alternative version of Modern Love for a Pepsi commercial, featuring Tina Turner; ⁴⁵performed by Tin Machine, live, The World, New York, 14/06/1989; ⁴⁶performed by Tin Machine, studio recording, 1989-1991, outtake from the Tin Machine II sessions; ⁴⁷performed by Tin Machine, BBC version from the UK Baby Universal 12"; ⁴⁸first released on the UK Black Tie White Noise promo 12"; ⁴⁹alternative version from a Dutch promo cassette; ⁵⁰alternative version from the 1. Outside sessions, Mountain Studios, Montreux, Switzerland, 03-11/1994; ⁵¹outtake from the 1. Outside sessions, Mountain Studios, Montreux, Switzerland, 03-11/1994; ⁵²rehearsal, Elwood Studios, Watford, 08-12/11/1995; ⁵³original version (I Can't Read '97), as on Is It Any Wonder?; ⁵⁴studio recordings, 1998, from in-house promo-only CDRs; ⁵⁵studio recording, 02/1998, alternative mix from a Bowienet members-only CD-ROM; ⁵⁶studio recording, New York 08/1998; ⁵⁷studio recordings, 1999, from the Omikron computer game; ⁵⁸live, Tibet House benefit concert, Carnegie Hall, New York, 26/02/2001; ⁵⁹from the US promo-only 12"; ⁶⁰live, Gorge Amphitheater, George, Washington, 16/08/2002; ⁶¹studio recording, Looking Glass Studios, New York, and Allaire Studios, Glen Tonche, 01-05/2003, alternative version (demo?) from an alternative video clip (excerpt); ⁶²studio recording, Sear Sound Studios, New York, 07-08/2000, and Looking Glass Studios, New York, 10/2000, download-only track in 2004; ⁶³rehearsals, New York, 12/07/2003 (excerpts); ⁶⁴from a 2003 in-house promo-only CDR; ⁶⁵live, PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, New Jersey, 05/06/2004 (incomplete); ⁶⁶performed with Arcade Fire, live, Fashion Rocks Radio City Music Hall, New York, 08/09/2005; ⁶⁷from the BBC comedy Extras, 05-07/06/2006; ⁶⁸from the UK promo-only CDS; ⁶⁹7" A-side, 1965, written by Bowie; ⁷⁰7" A-side, 1967, songwriting and backing vocals by Bowie; ⁷¹7" B-side, 1967, written by Bowie; ⁷²7" B and A-side, respectively, English lyrics by Bowie; ⁷³both 7" A-sides, 1967, written by Bowie; ⁷⁴7" A-side, 1968, written by Bowie; ⁷⁵7" B-side, 1968, written by Bowie; ⁷⁶7" B-side, 1969, written by Bowie; ⁷⁷7" A-side, 1970, cover version of Bowie's Italian version of Space Oddity; ⁷⁸7" A-side, 1970, songwriting, backing vocals and piano by Bowie; ⁷⁹7" B-side, 1971, songwriting, backing vocals and piano by Bowie; ⁸⁰studio recording, 1973, alternative take with studio talk, songwriting, guitar, saxophone, backing vocals and co-production by Bowie; ⁸¹7" A and B-side, respectively, songwriting, guitar, saxophone, backing vocals and co-production by Bowie; ⁸²1974, backing vocals by Bowie; ⁸³1976, cover version of Soul Love, bonus track on the Play Don't Worry CD; ⁸⁴7" A-side, 1980, written by Bowie, Marc Bolan and Harley; ⁸⁵studio recording, Mountain Studios, Montreux, 07/1981, backing vocals by Bowie; ⁸⁶from the 1982 Hot Space album, probably featuring Bowie on backing vocals; ⁸⁷demo version, Mountain Studios, Montreux, Switzerland, 04-??/1986, backing vocals by Bowie; ⁸⁸alternative version with different vocals by Bowie, probably recorded in early 2002, distributed on promo-CDR only; information in booklet partly incorrect

Collector's notes: This is what I call a mixed bag! The most notable thing is that it brings you all the unreleased songs that have been circulating on the internet in recent years on one big CD set. So you don't have to buy any obscure Japanese bootleg CD to get the great C'est la Vie and another obscure bootleg to get Mother, and so on. So if you want to have such tracks on a real CD and save a lot of money, this is the right set for you. Especially because it is a true luxury release, with all its extras. However, it is definitely not the "ultimate" rarities collection. The choice of songs is rather excentric. Who needs the long German and French versions of "Heroes" again? Wouldn't it have been more logical to include the English/German versions of Love You till Tuesday and When I Live My Dream? What about 20th Century Boy? And are all these remixes and song snippets really necessary? And who needs Ronnie Hilton's cover version of The Laughing Gnome? Do we need a track from Queen's Hot Space, just because it is (probably correctly) rumoured to feature Bowie on backing vocals? You can get an original copy of that album in any average second hand record shop.
The sound quality varies. Some tracks are taken from compressed formats, others aren't. Some sound great; I've never heard Tired of My Life or the alternative take of Win in such a quality. Others are an utter disappointment: you can find better recordings of It's Tough on YouTube. The information in the booklet is okay, there are numerous mistakes, but who cares? All in all, it's a recommendable item, despite its flaws. But if you want to have the "ultimate" rarities collection, you'll still have to wait.
The pictures show the front and back of the box, the outside and inside of the three cardboard sleeves, the front and back of the poster, the two cards, and one of the CDs (they all have the same design).

Unreleased Demos 1966-1970

(Philips/EMI DB 1238; EU 08/2014)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, picture disc, limited edition of 200 (?)

Tracks: That's a Promise* / Silly Boy Blue* / Love You till Tuesday** / Over the Wall We Go*** / When I Live My Dream° / Waiting for the Man°° // Little Toy Soldier (edited)°° / When I'm Five°°° / London Bye Ta-Ta+ / Threepenny Pierrot++ / Columbine++ / Harlequin (a.k.a. The Mirror)++ / Love Song+++ / Right On Mother (edited)# / The Supermen##

Other notes: *demos, recorded with The Lower Third, R.G. Jones Oak Studios, 31/08/1965; **demo, 1966; ***demo, 12?/1966; °movie version with different vocals, studio recording, 1967; °°studio recordings with The Riot Squad, Decca Studios, 05/04/1967; °°°Top Gear BBC programme, Piccadilly Studio 1, London, 13/05/1968; +early mono studio version, 12/03/1968; ++from the movie The Looking Glass Murders, recorded 01/02/1970, Gateway Theatre, Edinburgh; +++home demo, c. 04/1969; #demo, Radio Luxembourg Studios, London, 09/03/1971; ##Sounds of the 70: Andy Ferris BBC programme, Playhouse Theatre, London, 25/03/1970

Collector's notes: A really beautiful picture disc in an equally nice cover, probably from the same guys who had made the Space Oddities album in 2012. From the musical point of view, there's nothing exciting to be found, but some of the songs appear on vinyl for the first time here. The sound quality is okay (albeit a bit dull), and the quality of the pressing is so-so, but still quite good for a picture disc. I just wonder why Little Toy Soldier and, in particular, Right On Mother are so drastically edited. Note, by the way, that everything in the title of the album is wrong: neither are all these songs demos, nor are they all from 1966-1970, nor are they all unreleased.

Live in Tokyo 1992

(Imortal IMA 104279; EU 09/2014)

Format: 2CD

Release notes: bootleg, multi-fold-out digipack

Tracks: Goodbye Mr. Ed / If There Is Something / Baby Universal / Crack City / I Can't Read / Instrumental / Stateside // Betty Wrong / Go Now / Bus Stop / You Belong in Rock n'Roll / Heaven's in Here (medley) / Shopping for Girls / Sacrifice Yourself

Other notes: live, NHK Hall, Tokyo, 06/02/1992

Collector's notes: Another nice release from Immortal, probably semi-legal due to some strange licensing deal (the album was available in regular record shops). The sound quality is excellent. What is called "Instrumental" on the cover is simply a lengthy introduction to Stateside (including some interaction with the audience).

China Girl

((no number); EU 09/2014)

Format: 7"

Release notes: pirate release, lathe-cut picture disc, 33 1/3 rpm, plastic NC with sticker, limited edition

Tracks: China Girl (single edit) // John, I'm Only Dancing (original version)

Collector's notes: A pirate single, probably made in Italy. According to the seller, this is a "dubplate" (i.e. an "acetate" or a "lathe-cut" record), and I do believe this. If you look at the profile of the record, you clearly see a thick layer of cardboard squeezed in between two layers of transparent vinyl - but not "locked in" between the vinyl layers at the margins as with normal picture discs. So I wouldn't dip this one into water... I guess not many of these were made.
The sound quality is not as that of a normal record, but better than I had expected (I have heard other lathe-cut records that sounded worse). However, from a musical point of view, this single isn't interesting - novelty value only. The seller had more records like that, some with amusing typos in the titles on the sticker - does anyone know the song Eroes?

Knock on Wood

(Parlophone DBKOW 40; EU 09/2014)

Format: 7"

Release notes: picture disc, plastic NC with sticker, ticket stub replica (part of "pre-order bundle"), limited edition

Tracks: Knock on Wood (live) // When You Rock'n'Roll with Me (live)

Other notes: live, Tower Philadelphia, Philadelphia, 12-13/07/1974, 2005 remix

Collector's notes: Another one in the 40th Anniversary series. Nothing of interest from the musical point of view. The "pre-order bundle" came with a replica of a ticket for the 11/07/1974 Philadelphia show.

Freak Out, Far Out, In Out

((Ziggy A/Ziggy B); EU 10/2014)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, orange vinyl, limited edition of 100

Tracks: Hang On to Yourself / Ziggy Stardust / Changes / Moonage Daydream / Space Oddity // John, I'm Only Dancing / Five Years / The Jean Genie / Suffragette City / Rock'n'Roll Suicide

Other notes: live, Shinjuku Koseinenkin Kaikan, Tokyo, Japan, 11/04/1973

Collector's notes: Another nice vinyl bootleg. The quality of the pressing is immaculate, no noteworthy clicks or crackle. But, alas, the sound quality of the recording is exactly what you expect from an audience recording of the time. So this is basically a collectors' item. It was available in blue, orange and yellow (100 copies each), and in multicoloured vinyl (30 copies with regular labels and 30 white label copies).

Peter and the Wolf

(Sony/RCA/Music on Vinyl MOVCL011; EU 10/2014)

Format: LP

Release notes: red gold-marbled vinyl, insert, plastic wallet with sticker, limited edition 001292/2.500

Tracks: see original US issue

Collector's notes: A beautiful re-issue - but who needs it?

"Heroes"

(RCA PL 42 372 AO; EU 10/2014)

Format: LP

Release notes: counterfeit

Tracks: see original UK issue

Other Notes: cover counterfeit of original German issue

Collector's notes: A strange release. The cover is a reproduction of the German issue (listing "Heroes"/"Helden"), but the record actually plays the long English version of "Heroes". Apart from that, it's a well-made copy. Especially the cover is very similar to that of the original German album, although it's made of matt, textured cardboard. The labels, however, can hardly fool any serious collector: they have a heavy red tint and are attached rather clumsily. This album was also released as a pirate issue in coloured vinyl.

Ziggy at the BBC

((ZA-301); EU 11/2014)

Format: LP

Release notes: pirate release

Tracks: Hang On to Yourself* / Ziggy Stardust** / Changes*** / Five Years** / Moonage Daydream* / Queen Bitch** // White Light/White Heat* / Suffragette City* / The Jean Genie° / Starman*** / Lady Stardust°° / Rock'n'Roll Suicide°°

Other notes: *Sounds of the 70s: John Peel BBC programme, Maida Vale Studio 4, London, 16/05/1972; **Sounds of the 70s: Bob Harris BBC programme, Maida Vale Studio 5, London, 18/01/1972; ***Johnny Walker Lunchtime Show BBC programme, Aeolian Hall Studio 2, London, 22/05/1972; °recorded for Top of the Pops TV show, 03/01/1973, broadcast 04/01/1973; °°Sounds of the 70s: Bob Harris BBC programme, Maida Vale Studio 5, London, 23/05/1972

Collector's notes: The sound quality of this compilation is excellent, which is no wonder - all tracks were taken from easily available official sources, which is the reason that I classify this record as a pirate album, rather than a bootleg. The Jean Genie is the B-side of the 40th Anniversary release, and the remaining tracks were taken from Bowie at the Beep. The pressing is okay, with the occasional click and a bit of crackle towards the end of side 2.

Ziggy at the BBC

((ZA-301); EU 11/2014)

Format: LP

Release notes: pirate release, red vinyl, colour sticker on cover

Tracks: see black vinyl issue

Collector's notes: Red vinyl issue of the record in the previous entry. Same labels and (apart from the sticker) same cover as in that entry.

Sue (or In a Season of Crime)

(Parlophone 10RDB2014; EU 11/2014)

Format: 10"EP

Release notes: die-cut PS

Tracks: Sue (or In a Season of Crime)* // 'Tis a Pity She Was a Whore** / Sue (or In a Season of Crime) (radio edit)*

Other notes: *recorded at Avatar Studios, New York, 24/07/2014; **home demo, summer 2014

Collector's notes: Two new tracks to promote Bowie's latest compilation album. The record looks like an old shellac record, but the cover only mocks an old Parlophone company bag. Since it has even got the lyrics of the tracks on it, it is a picture sleeve (in the broadest sense of a sleeve that has record-specific information).

Nothing Has Changed.

(Parlophone 825646205769; EU 11/2014)

Format: 3CD

Release notes: multi-fold-out cardboard box with sticker, 2 jewel cases

Tracks: Sue (or In a Season of Crime) / Where Are We Now? / Love Is Lost (Hello Steve Reich mix by James Murphy for the DFA edit) / The Stars (Are Out Tonight) / New Killer Star (radio edit) / Everyone Says 'Hi' (edit) / Slow Burn (radio edit) / Let Me Sleep beside You* / Your Turn to Drive* / Shadow Man (re-recording)* / Seven (Marius de Vries mix) / Survive (Marius de Vries mix) / Thursday's Child (radio edit) / I'm Afraid of Americans (IV) (radio edit)** / Little Wonder (edit) / Hallo Spaceboy*** / The Hearts Filthy Lesson (radio edit) / Strangers When We Meet (single edit) // Buddha of Suburbia (feat. Lenny Kravitz) / Jump They Say (radio edit) / Time Will Crawl (MM remix) / Absolute Beginners (single edit) / Dancing in the Street (Clearmountain mix) / Loving the Alien (single remix) / This Is Not America° / Blue Jean / Modern Love (single edit) / China Girl (single edit) / Let's Dance (single edit) / Fashion (single edit) / Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (single edit) / Ashes to Ashes (single edit) / Under Pressure°° / Boys Keep Swinging / "Heroes" (short English version) / Sound and Vision / Golden Years (single edit) / Wild Is the Wind (2010 Harry Maslin mix) // Fame / Young Americans (2007 Tony Visconti mix single edit) / Diamond Dogs / Rebel Rebel / Sorrow / Drive-In Saturday / All the Young Dudes / The Jean Genie (original single mix) / Moonage Daydream / Ziggy Stardust / Starman / Life on Mars? (2003 Ken Scott mix) / Oh! You Pretty Things / Changes / The Man Who Sold the World / Space Oddity / In the Heat of the Morning (stereo mix) / Silly Boy Blue / Can't Help Thinking about Me°°° / You've Got a Habit of Leaving# / Liza Jane##

Other Notes: *recorded at Sear Sound Studios, New York, 07-08/2000, and Looking Glass Studios, New York, 10/2000; **based on the "V4" version from the 1997 US 12"; ***Pet Shop Boys remix featuring vocal overdubs by Neil Tennant; °performed by David Bowie/Pat Metheny Group; °°performed by Queen & David Bowie; °°°performed by David Bowie with the Lower Third, mono; #mono; #performed by Davie Jones with the King Bees, mono

Collector's notes: Another compilation, spanning Bowie's entire career (backwards). The choice of songs is okay, given that - naturally - everyone would have preferred a different one (I'm glad they left out Day-In Day-Out, but instead of Time Will Crawl I would have preferred Glass Spider... - you get the point?). The tracks are not always what the cover says. I've corrected some claims (or adapted them to the terms for these edits that I have used so far), but some differences remain. For instance, Starman is simply the "loud bridge" version (and not a "single version", as the cover says). Fashion and Scary Monster are not the original single edits, but newly made edits that attempt to "recreate" those, Diamond Dogs has a different fade-out, etc. There are other minor differences in the mastering and editing, but, to be honest, I don't care. If you're interested in details on these issues, you are referred to the thread "Nothing Has Changed: variations in edits and masters" in the "Albums" section of the forum of the Illustrated db Discography.
The album was available in different formats: this complete one, a 2CD version, a 1CD version and a vinyl version.

Nothing Has Changed.

(Parlophone 825646205639; EU 11/2014)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: FOC, 2 OIS

Tracks: Let's Dance / Ashes to Ashes (single edit) / "Heroes" (short English version) / Changes / Life on Mars? // Space Oddity / Starman / Ziggy Stardust / The Jean Genie* / Rebel Rebel / Golden Years (single edit) / Fame / Sound and Vision / Under Pressure** / Sue (or In a Season of Crime // Hallo Spaceboy*** / China Girl (single edit) / Modern Love (single edit) / Absolute Beginners (single edit) / Where Are We Now?

Other Notes: *original single mix; **performed by Queen & David Bowie; ***Pet Shop Boys remix featuring vocal overdubs by Neil Tennant

Collector's notes: A truncated version of the above CD album.

Low Live

((??/LOW-B); EU 11/2014)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, orange cover, orange marbled vinyl, plain white labels

Tracks: see original issue

Other notes: re-issue of 2013 bootleg

Collector's notes: A modified re-issue of the album from the previous year. Sadly, the quality of the pressing isn't better than that of the original. I really can't decipher the A-side matrix number.

Station to Station"

(RCA APL1-1327; EU 11/2014)

Format: LP

Release notes: counterfeit

Tracks: see original German issue

Other Notes: counterfeit of UK issue of the album

Collector's notes: Another counterfeit, this time based on a UK album. Like the "Heroes" counterfeit released earlier the same month, it was also available in coloured vinyl (as a pirate issue, then). And also like the "Heroes" issue, it had a very professionally made cover, but labels that look quite cheap.

Sue (or In a Season of Crime)

(Columbia 88875028701; US 11/2014)

Format: 10"EP

Release notes: die-cut PS, limited edition no. 4.158

Tracks: Sue (or In a Season of Crime)* // 'Tis a Pity She Was a Whore** / Sue (or In a Season of Crime) (radio edit)*

Other notes: *recorded at Avatar Studios, New York, 24/07/2014; **home demo, summer 2014

Collector's notes: The US issue of this record, which was released a bit later than the European release (for the American Record Store Day), also mocked an old shellac record, but this time on Columbia. According to the information from the Record Store Day website, this issue was limited to 5.000 copies, but this can't be correct, because there are records with numbers higher than 7.000.

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

(EMI 7243; ?? 11/2014)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: pirate release, transparent orange and purple marbled vinyl, 2 inserts

Tracks: Five Years / Soul Love / Moonage Daydream / Starman / It Ain't Easy // Lady Stardust / Star / Hang on to Yourself / Ziggy Stardust / Suffragette City / Rock'n'Roll Suicide // Lady Stardust* / Ziggy Stardust* / John, I'm Only Dancing** / Velvet Goldmine*** / Holy Holy° / Amsterdam°° // The Supermen°°° / Round and Round# / Sweet Head## / Suffragette City### / White Light/White Heat###

Other notes: disc 1 re-issue of 1972 Ziggy Stardust album; *demos from the 1990 re-issue of the Ziggy Stardust album; **original version, from the 1972 7"; ***from the 1975 Space Oddity 7" EP; °re-recording from the 1974 Diamond Dogs 7"; °°from the 1973 Sorrow 7"; °°°from the 1972 Revelations various artists album; #alternative mix from the 1989 Sound + Vision album; ##"Take 4" from the 2002 re-issue of the Ziggy Stardust album; ###BBC 1972, from the 2000 Bowie at the Beep album.

Collector's notes: Another pirate release, similar to the Christiane F. album from the same year. Disc 1 is a re-issue of the original Ziggy album, disc 2 a collection of previously released material from the Ziggy era. The pressing is okay, although there is the occasional minor click. The sound quality is excellent throughout.
Also available in white and (non-marbled) purple vinyl and possibly other colours.