Due November 25, the 4-CD/Blu-Ray and digital equivalent package – subtitled “An Alternative Journey Through Hunky Dory” – contains home demos, BBC radio sessions and live and studio recordings, including 48 previously unreleased tracks/demos from the period, and new alternative mixes by original co-producer Ken Scott.
Two books accompany “Divine Symmetry”: a 100-page hardback book featuring exclusive memorabilia and photos alongside a 60-page replica composite of Bowie’s notebooks from the era featuring handwritten lyrics, costume drawings, recording notes and set lists.
The sleeve notes have been written for the release by Bowie expert Tris Penna, along with contributions from Ken Scott, lifelong Bowie friends Geoff MacCormack and George Underwood, singer Dana Gillespie, guitarist Mark Pritchett, Friars Aylesbury promoter David Stopps, publisher Bob Grace and photographer Louanne Richards.
1971 was a pivotal year for Bowie: he signed a record deal with RCA, met Andy Warhol, Lou Reed, and Iggy Pop while in New York, became a father and penned the song “Kooks” as a show of paternal pride, played live for the first time that June with Mick Ronson, Woody Woodmansey and Trevor Bolder, the band that would later be christened The Spiders From Mars and recorded the classic album “Hunky Dory.”
Bowie’s team is launching “Divine Symmetry” with a version of “Kooks” that was recorded by Bowie and guitarist Mick Ronson for the BBC’s Sounds Of The 70s program presented by Bob Harris and first broadcast by BBC Radio on October 4, 1971.
Bowie will release a vinyl edition of “Divine Symmetry” on February 24, 2023.
Check out the box set here.
See also:
David Bowie streams rare video of 1972 UK TV performance
David Bowie previews Moonage Daydream soundtrack album
David Bowie streams trailer for Moonage Daydream documentary
David Bowie shares landmark 1972 UK TV performance of Starman
Search David Bowie at hennemusic
