David Bowie ‘The Width Of A Circle’ Companion To ‘The Man Who Sold The World’ Announced
Today the release of David Bowie‘s The Width Of A Circle has been announced, as a companion piece to Metrobolist, celebrating 50 years of The Man Who Sold The World.
This week sees the 50th anniversary of the original UK release of The Man Who Sold The World, David Bowie’s landmark entry into the 70s. The album not only began the collaboration with guitarist Mick Ronson that would continue with such Bowie classics as Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane, it kicked off a 10-year run of indispensable albums stretching through 1980’s Scary Monsters.
The 2020 re-release of The Man Who Sold The World restored the album’s intended title, Metrobolist, while featuring a new mix by original producer Tony Visconti. Taking its name from the album’s opening track, which was named after a painting by Bowie’s friend George Underwood, the new 2CD set The Width Of A Circle acts as a complementary piece to that album. Its 21 tracks feature non-album singles, a BBC In Concert l session, music for a TV play and further Visconti remixes wrapping up David’s recordings from 1970 and revealing the first sonic steps toward Hunky Dory.
Also released on 28th May is a picture disc version of The Man Who Sold The World album featuring the striking black and white imagery of the 1972 reissue.
You can see the full tracklisting for David Bowie The Width Of A Circle below.
DAVID BOWIE – THE WIDTH OF A CIRCLE
CD 1:
THE SUNDAY SHOW INTRODUCED BY JOHN PEEL
Recorded on 5th February, 1970 and broadcast on 8th February, 1970
1. Amsterdam *
2. God Knows I’m Good *
3. Buzz The Fuzz
4. Karma Man
5. London Bye, Ta-Ta
6. An Occasional Dream
7. The Width Of A Circle*
8. Janine
9. Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud
10. Unwashed And Somewhat Slightly Dazed*
11. Fill Your Heart
12. The Prettiest Star
13. Cygnet Committee*
14. Memory Of A Free Festival*
Performed by David Bowie and The Tony Visconti Trio (a.k.a. The Hype)
CD 2:
THE LOOKING GLASS MURDERS AKA PIERROT IN TURQUOISE:
1. When I Live My Dream
2. Columbine
3. The Mirror
4. Threepenny Pierrot
5. When I Live My Dream (Reprise)
SINGLES
6. The Prettiest Star (Alternative Mix)
7. London Bye, Ta-Ta*
8. London Bye, Ta-Ta (1970 Stereo Mix)*
9. Memory Of A Free Festival (Single Version Part 1)*
10. Memory Of A Free Festival (Single Version Part 2)*
11. Holy Holy*
SOUNDS OF THE 70’S: ANDY FERRIS SHOW
Recorded on 25th March, 1970 and broadcast on the 6th April, 1970
12. Waiting For The Man
13. The Width Of A Circle
14. The Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud*
15. The Supermen (Bowie At The Beeb vinyl only)*
16. Performed by David Bowie and The Hype
2020 MIXES
17. The Prettiest Star (2020 Mix)
18. London Bye, Ta-Ta (2020 Mix)
19. Memory Of A Free Festival (Single Version – 2020 Mix)
20. All The Madmen (Single Edit 2020 Mix)
21. Holy Holy (2020 Mix)
(*denotes previously released)
The set will be available on 28th May from David Bowie’s official store and can also be preordered from the Dig! store here.