Earlier today, Warner Music Group and the Estate of David Bowie announced a new partnership in which WMG will now have worldwide rights to Bowie's entire career-spanning catalogue [save a few early releases such as his self-titled 1967 Deram album]. Currently, WMG's agreement spans the period of 1968-1999, but the new deal will bring the late superstar's 2000-2016 recordings under the Warner umbrella, too, including his latter-day triumphs Heathen, Reality, The Next Day, and Blackstar. These albums will become part of the Warner catalogue in 2023.
Since WMG's acquisition of Parlophone Records in 2013, archival releases from the Bowie vaults have been released with frequency. Among the most notable projects is the series of Era box sets collecting his albums discography, of which there have been four to date. The announcement this morning confirmed the upcoming arrival of the fifth Era box after a three-year hiatus in the series. Brilliant Adventure (1992-2001) is set for release this fall. While the exact date and contents are to be announced, one can expect the box to include the core albums Black Tie White Noise (1993), 1. Outside (1995), Earthling (1997), and hours (1999), and more. While it appears that the discography of Tin Machine will be overlooked in the Era series, it's hoped that the unreleased Toy (2001) will premiere as part of the collection.
Max Lousada, CEO of Recorded Music for Warner Music Group noted in the press release, "It's an incredible honor to have been chosen as the stewards of one of the most important and dynamic bodies of creative work in modern culture. The impact of Bowie's repeated reinvention and endless experimentation continues to resonate around the world - through the genres he transformed, the timeless songs and sounds he invented, and the immeasurable influence he's had on music, art, and fashion. We're excited that our expanded partnership with the Bowie estate will help us deliver innovative, career-spanning projects and attract new generations to his extraordinary musical universe."
Kevin Gore, WMG's President of Global Catalog, remarked, "To be entrusted with this phenomenal body of work is truly gratifying. For the past eight years, we've enjoyed a wonderful relationship with the Bowie estate, collaborating on a fantastic series of releases. Nigel [Reeve] and our entire catalog team have taken great care to be thoughtful and steadfast in our promise to stay true to his artistic vision, while revealing previously unheard music and framing his genius in fresh contexts. With the addition of his immensely powerful later work to the Warner Music portfolio, we're looking forward to bringing Bowie's music to fans across the globe for many years to come."
Watch this space for more news on Brilliant Adventure (1992-2001) and future David Bowie releases from WMG/Parlophone.
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In other news, Rod Stewart has announced a new studio album for November 12. His 31st studio set, Tears of Hercules features nine original songs as well as three covers from the songbooks of Johnny Cash ("These Are My People"), Soul Brothers Six ("Some Kind of Wonderful"), and "Rhythm of My Heart" author Marc Jordan (title track "The Tears of Hercules").
Tears of Hercules is co-produced by Kevin Savigar, a key Stewart collaborator since 1978 and the co-producer of his last three albums. Savigar and Stewart co-wrote the lead single "One More Time" (streaming now on YouTube and all streaming services) as well as "Hold On," "All My Days," and "I Can't Imagine," the latter with guitarist Emerson Swinford. "Born to Boogie (A Tribute to Marc Bolan)," celebrating Rod's late friend, was penned by Stewart and Swinford.
Rod Stewart plans on returning to the road next July for a North American tour of nineteen dates. He's currently planned to take the stage at Las Vegas' Caesars Palace next month for a residency of Rod Stewart: The Hits. Tears of Hercules is due November 12 from Warner Records in CD, LP, and digital formats. It's available now for pre-order from Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada.
The Weekend Stream: October 12, 2024
Release Round-Up: Week of October 4
I thought I read somewhere that Rod was doing a reuniting with the Faces? Now that might be a worthwhile adventure, but beyond, no thanks.
I know many people loathe Tin Machine, but it is part of David's career, like it or not. Maybe Warners will release a Tin Machine stand-alone set, so those who enjoy the band can buy it, whilst those who hate it can safely ignore the period.
I already have the old Sony Records box of David's albums spanning Outside through to Reality, so it will be interesting to see what new is dug out of the vaults if anything. The prospect of Toy getting a proper release is certainly enticing. You don't mention it, so will 'Buddha of Suburbia' form part of this deal?
To allow Warner Music to have control of most of David Bowie's catalog is a gross disservice to Bowie fans around the world. Rhino/Warner's terrible handling of Bowie's releases in the Brilliant Live Adventures series still has me fuming. My orders were incomplete or damaged or both. They claimed that there were no more copies to replace damaged LP's. I am still waiting for a replacement LP since March of this year. Rhino/Warner's customer service stopped phone call complaints and claimed that would not be able to immediately respond to customer's complaints due to Covid......even though they were working from home on a computer. Their gouging of fans with not releasing boxes with the set was exactly why Warner Music Group should NEVER have been considered to have release control of Bowie's catalog. I am disgusted with the decision to penalize true Bowie fans by allowing the inept and greedy WMG/Rhino to have control over his product without planning for potential damaged or incomplete orders.
Rhino has been on this slippery slope for many years. For many artists.
Stewart’s voice is practically down to a whisper on that (awful) new song. Can’t imagine the upcoming Faces stuff is going to “rock” like it should. Pack it in, Roderick.
When will this be out in November
In my humble opinion rods voice has tammed down, who's voice wouldn't at that age , it's like anything in life it gets more difficult to perform , would linford Christie be able to run 100metres in under 10 seconds but he'd probably be able do better than most
The David Bowie estate has missed so many tricks, see the way Dire straits have re-issued the back catalogue on double vinyl half speed masters, sounds amazing.
What do we get with Ziggy,Hunky Dory? Just colour vinyl versions,and then untold live performances, and joke products like Bowie Monopoly!! Money money money talks, the great man's memory continually tarnished
I have followed rod as a fan since1969 and have always liked him more so when he had a band behind him. In the 80,s he had "the rod stewart band and in the late 60 s the one and only faces. But his mate ronny wood went and joined the "stones" drummer kenny jones joined "the who" sadly ronnie lane passed away.yamuchi the bass guitarist split and was never heard of again.but i,m all for new and would love rod to form a new faces band.you never know?
rods manager stopped the reunion of the faces years ago when ian mac passed then rod decieded that he ,ronnie and kenny would do a benefit show. it stunk 4 songs dat it. UGH. rod was way out in front and the band very far behind.this guy has tried every trick in the book. ballads, new wave, MOR. when maggie may went big the faces as a 5 piece unit were DONE. hang it up rod the sun has set.
Never ceases to amaze that Rod's fans want him to stick to maggie mae type songs. Good for him for stretching out.
not a fan of any of rods solo output but the rod stewart album(first lp) recorded before him rejoing the beck group for beckola is all killer no filler. he has jumped on every trend but has lost what cred he had in rock music field.in fact most of his audience is female.