A new David Bowie demo collection, which features nine previously unreleased tracks, has been announced.
‘The Mercury’ Demos were recorded live in one take in the late musician’s flat in 1969, and feature Bowie singing and playing guitar and Stylophone. John “Hutch” Hutchinson also appears on guitar and vocals.
The new release, which will be issued by Parlophone on June 28, will be comprised of 10 tracks, including an early version of ‘Space Oddity’. An official announcement notes that the version of the classic track is “presented here in its true context for the first time.”
The rest of ‘The Mercury Demos’ will be made up of Bowie originals including ‘Conversation Piece’ and ‘An Occasional Dream’, a cover of Roger Bunn’s ‘Life Is A Circus’, and Lesley Duncan’s ‘Love Song’. The latter was later recorded by Elton John for his album ‘Tumbleweed Connection’.
One track, ‘Janine’, also features a brief section sung to the melody of The Beatles’ ‘Hey Jude’. The full tracklist for ‘The Mercury Demos’ is as follows:
‘Space Oddity’
‘Janine’
‘An Occasional Dream’
‘Conversation Piece’
‘Ching-A-Ling’
‘I’m Not Quite (aka Letter To Hermione)’
‘Lover To The Dawn’
‘Love Song’
‘When I’m Five’
‘Life Is A Circus’
Recommended
‘The Mercury Demos’ will be released in a replica of the original tape box and will feature one mono 33 1/3 RPM vinyl, one print, two photo contact sheets, and sleeve notes by Mark Adams.
The collection will follow another box-set called ‘Clareville Grove Demos’. That set will also include a version of ‘Life Is A Circus’ and will mark the 50th anniversary of ‘Space Oddity’.
Meanwhile, Vans recently announced the launch of a limited edition range of Bowie themed shoes. The new line take design inspiration from the covers of some of the star’s most iconic albums, including ‘Aladdin Sane’ and ‘Ziggy Stardust’.