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This morning, Parlophone announced the fifth - and next-to-last - volume of David Bowie's D.I.Y. box set Brilliant Live Adventures. The new Something in the Air (Live Paris 99) was first released as a digital-only title last summer, and now makes its debut on CD and vinyl.
Something in the Air (Live Paris 99) includes all 15 songs performed by Bowie and his band at the Elysée Montmartre on October 14, 1999. Earlier in the day, he was awarded the Commandeurs of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, the highest artistic honor bestowed by the country of France. And while the award recognized his 30 years of musical achievements, Bowie wasn't looking back. He was on the road to promote hours..., his spacy, video game-inspired new album. The energetic show (one of only seven full concerts performed in support of hours...) was filmed and three songs eventually found their way onto various versions of the Survive CD single; the remaining dozen tracks were first issued on the digital version of this album in 2020.
With Page Hamilton on guitar, Gail Ann Dorsey on bass and vocals, Mark Plati on guitar, Sterling Campbell on drums, Mike Garson on piano, keyboards, and synthesizers, and Emm Gryner and Holly Palmer on backing vocals, Bowie performed a diverse setlist spanning decades. Among deep and rarely-played cuts like "Drive-In Saturday," "Word on a Wing," and the 1965 Pye single "Can't Help Thinking About Me" (perhaps on his mind as he prepared the ultimately-abandoned Toy album), the band included five tracks from hours..., including "Thursday's Child," "Survive," "Seven," "The Pretty Things Are Going to Hell," and the live debut of "Something in the Air." Rounding out the setlist were popular favorites such as "Rebel, Rebel," "Changes," "Life on Mars," and "China Girl."
As with past Brilliant Live Adventures titles, Something in the Air (Live Paris 99) will be released on both CD and vinyl. Pre-orders will open Friday, February 26 at Rhino.com and David Bowie's official store. You'll find the track listing below!
David Bowie, Something in the Air (Live Paris 99) (Parlophone, 2020) (Rhino.com / David Bowie Official Store)
- 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
Tracks 1, 3-7, 9, 10, 12-15 previously unreleased
Tracks 2 and 11 released on "Survive" CD single, Virgin 72438 96487 2 0, 2000
Track 8 video released as enhanced content on Survive Collectors' Edition Live CD single, Virgin 72438 96487 2 0, 2000
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The quick unavailability of “Look at the Moon” now means the rest of this series is no longer an automatic buy for me. And there’s no reason for me to spend more money on the empty box to make my own set. Should have taken a longer view, Rhino.
On a positive note, I'm happy Bowie fans are getting plenty of new material. On the other hand, this series is too expensive and to "back to back" for me to try to keep up. I'm not going to be surprised if all the material is released at a later date with additional material. I bought the first cd but may be it for me. I forgot how much it was costing but somewhere around $25 or so per disc once shipping was included. On another positive note, it looks like the setlist varied a bit more on this release.
And not to drag everyone down, but Rhino’s customer service could be better. My copy of “Look at the Moon” was sent over a week ago but still isn’t tracking. Rhino has yet to address the problem. Caveat emptor.
There are definite issues with the tracking system employed by Rhino. A previous order from this collection utilized a tracking number assigned to a completely different person and order from months earlier; thankfully, the item arrived. My "Look to the Moon" is also unable to be tracked. I hope that it, too, will show up.
Misery loves company Joe. Thanks for the info!
Still no joy here. By any chance, did you receive your copy yet Joe? Tx
Unfortunately not...
Got a form letter response from Dr. Rhino indicating individual responses were impossible due to high volume of inquiries. I will be contacting my credit card company.
I hope Rhino will address this, as the problem certainly appears to be large-scale. We'll reach out to see if we can obtain any further information.
Thanks Joe.
This whole campaign has been a disaster IMO. From constant shipping issues, to sold out empty boxes, to scalpers getting involved...it's just a big joke. I never know from one release to another if I'm going to be able to complete my collection. Plus it's a bit too pricey. Sorry to complain, but this just leaves a bad taste.
Can't find vinyl listed on Rhino or Bowie Store.
Found it sold out on EU Bowie store but not listed in either US store.
Nevermind, just popped up on US Rhino site. I actually got the vinyl/CD pre-ordered.
Amazing!
The worst nightmare of a marketing plan a collector could ever ask for. Trying to purchase the individual records that are gone in minutes and then paying on ebay 4x the price of the orginal is fucked up.
EVERY ORDER from Rhino has either been incomplete, or damaged or never received. They need to stop blaming COVID-19 for their ineptness.
I'm so glad this farce is over. I missed #5 because I opened the announcement email 20 mins late and only the CD was available ($150 for the LP on eBay... still waiting for that). Then Rhino didn't even send an email this time round for #6 and only found out when I was wondering when it was due for release... then spent $187 today for the CD and LP from eBay. One seller had already sold 16 copies of the vinyl.
They became harder and harder to get for each installment and now I have the most expensive per disc box set in my collection. Never again. I love Bowie, but Warners have taken a dump on his legacy and the goodwill of his fans.