A new archival David Bowie compilation called The Width of a Circle, conceived as a companion piece to the late rock legend's recently reissued 1970 studio album, The Man Who Sold the World, will be released on May 28.
The two-CD collection features non-album singles, a live BBC radio performance, music Bowie created for a TV play, and remixes of select 1970 recordings by David's longtime studio collaborator, Tony Visconti.
The first disc features a performance by Bowie and his backing band The Hype that was recorded and aired in February 1970 on the BBC's The Sunday Show program. Bowie's 14-song set included renditions of most of the tunes from his 1969 self-titled debut, and a version of "The Width of a Circle" from The Man Who Sold the World.
The second CD features four songs featured in the TV play The Looking Glass Murders, aka Pierrot in Turquoise; rare early mixes and versions of the songs "The Prettiest Star," "London Bye, Ta-Ta," "Memory of a Free Festival" and "Holy Holy"; Visconti's 2020 mixes of those same tunes, as well as of The Man Who Sold the World's "All the Madmen"; and a four-song performance that aired on the BBC in April 1970.
Also on May 28, a vinyl The Man Who Sold the World picture disc will be released, featuring the 2015 mix of the album and the black-and-white cover photo that appeared on the 1972 reissue of the record. You can pre-order The Width of a Circle and the picture disc at Rhino.com.
In addition, a limited-edition 10-inch vinyl disc featuring four of Visconti's aforementioned 2020 mixes is available exclusively at Bowie's online store.
Here's the track list for The Width of a Circle's two CDs:
CD 1
The Sunday Show Introduced by John Peel (Recorded on February 5, 1970, and broadcast on February 8, 1970):
"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"
"Cygnet Committee"*
"Memory of a Free Festival"*
CD 2
The Looking Glass Murders, aka Pierrot in Turquoise:
"When I Live My Dream"
"Columbine"
"The Mirror"
"Threepenny Pierrot"
"When I Live My Dream" (Reprise)
Singles
"The Prettiest Star" (Alternative Mix)
"London Bye, Ta-Ta"*
"London Bye, Ta-Ta" (1970 Stereo Mix)*
"Memory of a Free Festival" (Single Version Part 1)*
"Memory of a Free Festival" (Single Version Part 2)*
"Holy Holy"*
Sounds of the '70s: Andy Ferris Show (Recorded on March 25, 1970, and broadcast on the April 6, 1970):
"Waiting for the Man"
"The Width of a Circle"
"The Wild Eyed Boy from Freecloud"*
"The Supermen (Bowie at the Beeb vinyl only)"*
2020 Mixes
"The Prettiest Star" (2020 Mix)
"London Bye, Ta-Ta" (2020 Mix)
"Memory of a Free Festival" (Single Version – 2020 Mix)
"All the Madmen" (Single Edit 2020 Mix)
"Holy Holy" (2020 Mix)
* = previously released.
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