Now that the news has been announced on Bowienet, I can tell you that it hasn't been quiet around our studio in the past month (or two). EMI and DTS are really hot on releasing David Bowie's classic albums in newly mixed 5.1 Surround Sound. I have mixed David Live and Stage, which are available now. I've just finished mixing the amazing Young Americans in 5.1 Surround Sound, too, for its 30th anniversary (has it been that long?). The release will be in a few months. There will be bonus tracks and a surprise.

All the tracks have been mixed from the master tapes to 96khz high definition digital audio. That translates to 'freakin' scary' quality. Mr. Bowie is front and center, but the backing is now spread 360º with Mr. Vandross hovering over your left shoulder for most of the album. John Lennon's six string acoustic is almost entirely in the right rear speaker on "Across The Universe" and you just might hear a comment from him when the song is over. What really brought it home to me was how great David's vocals were, and a lot of them were live takes with him standing in the same room as the band at Sigma Studios in Philadelphia.

You have never heard "Young Americans", "Fame" and "Across The Universe" like this.

check out what was just posted by tony visconti on his official site (via bowienet):

if the 'surprise' is a dvd with the 'cracked actor' documentary on it, i will be the happiest boy in puppetland.

i'm betting, though, that it's gonna be some kind of lost tapes of bowie with john lennon or something like that.

Anxiety said:

Ah, a fellow "Wonderworld" trawler. I was going to post that myself.

Anyway, this is great news. Better still is the "Station to Station" reissue, due out next year. Features the full 1976 "Thin White Duke" live show from Long Island.

Shapeshifter said:

And we can take your word for that?

calldapplwondery83 said:

Ask me again in March 2006.

Shapeshifter said:

Alright, but then you'll have to remind me asking you!

Ah, a fellow "Wonderworld" trawler. I was going to post that myself.

Anyway, this is great news. Better still is the "Station to Station" reissue, due out next year. Features the full 1976 "Thin White Duke" live show from Long Island.

Shapeshifter said:

well, i got the info from bowienet - and from all i've read, the LI show is a rumor...i've also heard that the STS reissue is going to feature the vancouver soundcheck bootleg. honestly - i don't think they've decided yet.

Anxiety said:

I've got a pal who works for EMI, who are doing the reissues in the UK. The "Thin White Duke" Long Island show makes more sense than the pretty lifeless rehearsal boot (which one have you got? - I've got the one called "Raw Moon"). At the time it was one of the biggest ever selling bootleg albums (outselling "Station to Station" by 2 to 1), and it's probably the most famous Bowie boot. Plus portions of the show were released on the Ryko reissue.

yeah. i don;t know who i get more frustrated with...him for releasing them or me for wanting to buy them. in reality i'll probably copy them from a friend. i can't afford to keep buying the same material over and over again for a few extras. if itunes offers the extras individually i'd definitely buy them! that's what i did for a lot of the u2 digital box set.
[Edited 3/1/05 21:54pm]

if the 'surprise' is a dvd with the 'cracked actor' documentary on it, i will be the happiest boy in puppetland.

i'm betting, though, that it's gonna be some kind of lost tapes of bowie with john lennon or something like that.

as long as he's going the deluxe route, i'll be stupid enough to buy 'em. he's soaked me of all kinds of money over the past few years with all these reissues, and i'm loving every pathetic moment of it. i love the way the 30th anniversary reissues have been designed, and i think they sound better than ever.

I hope the extras suck!

HobbesLeCute said:

Bad news. They won't.

GangstaFam said:

What about the special edition of "Station to Station" - when's that coming out?
Or did it already?

Shapeshifter said:

lifeless? says who?

OK, maybe that's the wrong word, but, "Sister Midnight" aside, the rehearsal versions sound like what they are - run-throughs. I prefer the concerts. More passion, more ... well, LIFE.

i'll grant you the popularity of the LI boot, and i'm sure your friend is quite in the know, but you know how it goes - i guess it's one of those "i'll believe it when i see it" propositions.