Letter #2
Two or three weeks old at this stage, but here's the second newsletter
for those of you who subscribed in the last few days. Next newsletter
later.
MAJOR NEWS IN BRIEF
- "Best Of 74/79" finally gets a North American release (Canada only).
- *SCOOP* Bowie set to announce major plans for online fans.
- More mid-price reissues and "Best Of 80/87" coming in October,
proper reissues not coming until 1999
- Rumour: Bowie to appear in his third film this year?
MUSIC NEWS
- "The Best Of David Bowie 1974/1979" was released in Canada on June
23. This has apparently now been held back until June 30. Teenage
Wildlife reported "word is it may have a surprise... "
Which leads us to.....
- *SCOOP* Bowie will shortly announce major plans for online Web fans.
The live album will probably come with an enhanced CD. Earlier this
year, EMI in the US distributed a flyer announcing the re-release of
ChangestwoBowie with an enhanced CD providing a link to the Bowie web
site and an opportunity to download software to access the internet
via davidbowie.net, a new fan-based internet service provider, with
Robert Goodale as Webmaster. Each customer was to receive a free
installation of the internet service, which would offer similar
services as other ISPs (Compuserve, AOL, and so on). Additionally, the
Bowie ISP would provide proprietary services such as a 360-degree
camara of Bowie in-studio, special Bowie live chats, the ability to
download unreleased tracks and other special Bowie links. This will be
the first enhanced CD version of its kind, offering branded web
service tailored specifically to one artist.
Details of the flyer appeared briefly on the main Bowie fansites,
before mysteriously disappearing without explanation. EMI hastily
recalled the flyer, and it was explained as a mistake, that the idea
of davidbowie.net had been considered but rejected.
However, I have been reliably informed by a record company source that
the idea is still a runner, and that the promised enhanced CD will now
come with either the live album or ChangesTwoBowie. An announcement on
this is imminent. In view of the comment at Teenage Wildlife on the
Canadian release of "Best Of 74/79", I believe that release will
contain some material on the forthcoming enhanced CD.
- "David Bowie", the 1967 debut album, was re-released at the end of
May in both the US and Europe.
- Latest news from Bassman's site on forthcoming EMI releases:
-- The last four in the mid-price series will come out in October
later this year, and then be withdrawn in favour of the new releases
in 1999.
-- They are also planning to release the ChangesBowie2 or
ChangesTwoBowie (the name for it doesn't seem to have been decided
yet). This album will be released both in Europe and the US. The
European and US versions will differ a bit as the Singles Collection
did when it comes to songs. More info later on.
-- The last album in the series of Best Of albums is to be named
1980-1987, and release is set for October 1998. It may be abandoned in
favour of the ChangesTwoBowie release, or perhaps just released in the
UK. More info later on.
-- David Bowie's first four remastered albums with new covers is due
for release in February 1999. By then there should not be any of the
old pressings available. Whether they will contain any extra tracks or
not has not been decided yet. More info later on.
- UK dance band Dario G released their "Sunmachine" album in Europe
this week. The title track uses Bowie's voice from "Memory Of A Free
Festival", and is confirmed as the next single from the album, to be
released some time in August. The final track "The End Of The
Beginning", also features the same sample. Bowie is one of the
credited writers on both tracks.
- The Wallflowers performed "Heroes" at the MTV Movie Awards.
FILM NEWS
- Bowie is currently in Italy where shooting is continuing on "Il Mio
West", the spaghetti Western featuring Harvey Keitel, Leonardo
Pieraccioni and (as a bad cowboy) Bowie. Teenage Wildlife reports
"Local press in Aosta, Italy has reported that actors and crew for Il
Mio West are going to move from Garfagnana (Tuscany) to Piccolo San
Bernardo, close to the famous mountain site Courmayeur near the French
border. They will be there June 12-15."
- Various fan sites are speculating on a rumour that Bowie will be in
Vancouver for one week between July 14 and August 14 to film a
children's feature film for The Family Channel.
- The Michael Apted documentary, "Inspirations", which looks at the
creative process of seven artists, including Bowie, screened at
Seattle's International Film Festival a week ago.
- There are as yet unconfirmed rumours that Labyrinth will be
re-released on video later this year.
CONCERT NEWS
- Bowie told fans on the set of "Il Mio West" that no concerts are
planned this year.
OTHER NEWS
- According to Teenage Wildlife, an industry insider has confirmed
that Bowie shot an interview for VH-1's "Legends" feature on him in
the last few weeks.
- Iman is currently in Europe with Bowie and is busying herself
promoting her cosmetic line while Bowie shoots "Il Mio West". She
appeared on French TV channel Canal+ and also made a personal
appearance in Sephora in Paris.
- Austrian TV channel, ORF1, will screen "The Linguini Incident"
(starring Bowie and Rosanna Arquette) at 02.55 on June 12.
CHART NEWS
UK CHARTS
1969/1974: 13, 20, 25, 34, 37, 45, 51, 52, 52, 69, 82, 80, 136, 193,
out of top 200, 137, 116, 96, 108, 112, 122, 131, 114, 116, 115, 91,
95, 120, 134, 173, 170
1974/1979: 39, 47, 81, 132, out
(Internet voting chart): 45, 45, 45, 82, out
Perfect Day: 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 1, 4, 10, 14, 16, 23, 25, 49, 56, 58,
61, 71, 80, 73, 68, 126, 156, 182, 184, 180, out
69/74 actually climbs three this week in the UK. Perhaps the
performance by Boy George of "Suffragette City" on BBC and the TV
commercial featuring Moonage Daydream extensively boosted it?
Perfect Day finally drops off the UK Top 200 this week after exactly
six months on the chart.
WEDDING SINGER SOUNDTRACK (featuring China Girl)
US (Billboard): 90, 26, 9, 5, 9, 7, 11, 11, 19, 20, 25, 35, 52, 60,
70, 78, 65
Canada (Soundscan): 100, 47, 15, 15, 13, 12, 18, 23, 38, 45, 50, out
(alternative Top 50): 28, 12, 2, 2, 1, 1, 3, 4, 9, 11, 12, 14,
17, 21, 22, 21, 23
Australia: X, X, X, X, 13, 2, 1, 2, 2, 3
New Zealand: 25, 29, 16, 8, 3, 5
CDWorld: 17, 27, 2, 5, 5, 14, 27, out
(Soundtrack chart): 7, 9, out
Internet voting chart: 94, 91, 61, 65, 89, 71, 73, out
This soundtrack reverses its recent decline in the US (where it has
already gone platinum) and climbs thirteen to #65 this week. In
Australia (where it has also gone platinum), it drops one to #3.
In New Zealand, it drops two places to #5 from last week's peak. It
still hasn't charted anywhere in Europe.
HEROES (Wallflowers):
US:
(Billboard Hot 100 airplay): 43, 33, 27
(Billboard Modern Rock airplay): 17, 10, 10, 10, 10
(BillBoard Rock Album tracks): 14, 12, 8, 5, 5
(Billboard Adult Top 40): 34, 32, 25
(FMQB Top 40): 21, 21
(MTV Top 20 Video countdown): 20, 17, 15, 14
(Alternative airplay): 13, 9, 8, 9
(Tunes rock airplay): 6, 4, 4, 3, 2
(Tunes Active Rock airplay): 22, 21, 17, 18, 18
(Tunes alternative airplay): 16, 9, 10, 10, 9, 10
(Tunes Adult alternative airplay): 16, 13, 10, 8, 7, 4
(Tunes Adult Contemporary airplay): 29, 28, 23, 21, 20, 19
(Tunes Pop airplay): 26, 23, 21, 22
(Alternative Rock World Modern Rock airplay): 12, 9, 8, out of top 20
(ARC Top 40): 39, 35, 31, 26
(Rick Dees Top 40): 40, 33, 25
(Gavin Top 40): 18, 20
Canada:
(MuchMusic Countdown): 24, 21, 19, 16, 12
(Ottawa Bear Top 20): 15, 11, 8, 2, 2
(Edge Top 30): 29, 26
Japan:
(Osakan Top 100): 88, 65, 41, 31, 33
UK (London FM96 Top 30): 30, 16, 14
Turkey (Capital Radio Top 40): 33, 25, 21, 17, 16
Macedonia (Radio airplay chart): 16, 15, 15
Isle of Man: 23, 24, 6, 3, 3, 6, 13
Austria( 88.6 airplay): 25, 24, 24
Latvia (Radio Top 20): 18
This high profile cover version of a Bowie song for the Godzilla
soundtrack continues to pick up good airplay in the US. In Japan
however, it reverses, dropping two places to #33 from last week's peak
just outside the top thirty.
Mattie reports that it has been released as a single (to retail
outlets) in Australia.
OTHER SNIPPETS
- Continuing the recent trend of soundtracks with Bowie songs on them
faring well, the "Godzilla" soundtrack is selling very well on the
back of the success of "Heroes". It climbs this week in the US with a
sales increase of over eight thousand on last week. A total of 288,910
copies have been Soundscanned in the US so far. Some key charts:
US: 4, 2
Canada: 2, 3
(Alternative Top 50): 1, 1
New Zealand: 9
CD World (soundtrack chart): 1
Internet Voting chart: 80
- Nirvana's "Unplugged" (which of course features their cover of
Bowie's "The Man Who Sold The World") has been re-issued midprice in
Ireland and the UK and this week makes the Irish chart at #29.
- Puff Daddy's "Been Around The World" (on which Bowie is the first
credited co-writer) is on some key charts:
US MTV Top 20: 9, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 5, 5, out
US Billboard Hot 100: X, X, X, X, X, X, X, X, 5, 5, 5, 5, 10, 14, 16,
23, 33, 35, 42, 46, out of top 50.
Canada: X, X, X, X, X, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 2, 4, 6, 6, 8, 9, 7, 16,
13, 20, 26, 20, 24, 31
New Zealand: 16, 13, 17, 23, 29, 33, 39, 48, out, 49, 50, out
- Bowie has two albums this week on the Tower Records Top 1000 weekly
chart, with Diamond Dogs making a surprise re-appearance. Bowie
entries in recent months:
The Best Of Bowie 1969/1974: 960, out, 757, out, 986, 999, 1000
ChangesBowie: 402, 487, 549, 587, 585, 742, 943, 858, out
Earthling: 553, 580, 735, 780, 776, 875, 806, out
The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars: 967,
out
The Singles Collection: 972, out
Diamond Dogs: 915, 922
There are also four soundtracks featuring Bowie contributions on the
chart:
Wedding Singer: 2, 3, 3, 3, 8, 17, 19, 29, 58, 73, 72, 69, 73
Great Expectations: 15, 21, 21, 21, 53, 96, 108, 120, 222, 245, 254,
246, 252
Grosse Pointe Blanke: 281, 316, 339, 335, 325, 340, 418, 405, 490,
411, 423, 415, 424
Trainspotting: 699, 758, 808, 804, 528, 706, 899, 874, 872, 797, 810,
799, 805
Trainspotting #2: 889, 851, 902, 896, out, 837, out
- You can vote for Bowie on the Internet charts by going to
http://www.worldcharts.com and filling out the voting form. Reinhold
has also simplified the process at his Web page at
http://www.oocities.org/SunsetStrip/Stage/9696/dbvotes.html.
Alternatively,
cut and paste the following:
5 David Bowie - Earthling [1471]
5 David Bowie - The Best Of 1974/1979 [2092]
5 Goldie - Saturnz Return [2005]
5 Various Artists - The Wedding Singer (Soundtrack) [2008]
and email it to albums@worldcharts.nl
You can also vote on the singles chart by cutting and pasting the
following:
5 David Bowie - I'm Afraid Of Americans [2157]
5 David Bowie - I Can't Read [2257]
5 Iggy Pop - The Passenger [2422]
5 Various - Perfect Day [2225]
and emailing it to singles@worldcharts.nl
END CREDITS
Thanks to:
- Dara O'Kearney, without whom this would not have been possible.
- Bonnie Powell who runs the other more extensive and frequent Bowie
newsletter. Bonnie misses nothing that goes on in the Bowie world.
Send her a mail at Dbfan@aol.com if you want in.
- Evan Torrie's Teenage Wildlife site at http://www.etete.com/Bowie/
is pretty much Bowie central on the Web.
- Stefan Bassman also has a great site for Bowie news and information
at tttp://www.algonet.se/~bassman/BOWIE.html
- Paul Kinder has an amazing site at
http://freespace.virgin.net/paul.kinder/BowieWonder.htm which has
everything there is to know about Bowie's art, lots of great trivia,
competitions, latest news, the works.
- If you're a particular fan of Ziggy Era Bowie, then the best Web
site for you is Mike Harvey's at
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/mbh/
- David Priest has an excellent UK Bowie site at
http://website.lineone.net/~musicmaster/Bowie.html
- Michael Liebel has a great site at
http://www.oocities.org/SoHo/Cafe/4723/ with serious analysis of
Bowie's work, regular columns, and latest news.
BORING MAINTENANCE STUFF
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all possible, please state the original source of the news (magazine,
TV, Web site etc.), and any relevant URL.
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