I've been mucking around with this for years and finally decided to just put it out there.
In theory it's a list of every known studio version of every Bowie song, running at over 1400 right now.
It stemmed from a desire to make a playlist of everything in order, no idea why.
This is mostly based on Ruud and Nicholas Pegg's work so the credit really goes to them and everyone that has made contributions to the site / book.
Shooky has been a great help running his eye over an early draft and picking up many mistakes, but i'm sure he has kindly left a few in for everyone else.
There are many exceptions, inconsistencies and most likely errors.
It was done in two halves and when i revisited it I made some style changes that I have tried to retrofit over the early work.
And i've formatted it to print quite nicely too.
So, here are the rules i've used.
Date is the earliest known release date (exceptions below).
uncertain dates are listed in red and are just month / year
demos and sessions, if unknown, are listed at the earliest known date of relevant sessions
finished tracks released later as part of anthologies are listed with parent album release
tracks released as b-sides etc are given single release date
so regarding Ziggy for instance...
Star demo gets a red
5/71Starman is listed earlier than the album with its single release date.
Then the album, followed by finished studio tracks (Sweet Head)
Then out of sync singles such as Round and Round and Velvet Goldmine.
And finally remixes such as the Metrophonic Starman which get the remixing release date.
Odd versions of single edits that popped up on compilations I just grouped with the original single.
However, following discussion with Shooky the plan is to strip out random regional fades and only include 'approved' alternate versions.
Which is where the fun will begin.
And example that i have removed is the Brazil Let's Dance which appears to be nothing more than an arbitrary fade most likely made due to limitations at the pressing plant.
Left in is the early fade of the Golden Years UK single which presumably Bowie approved.
Likewise odd versions in Best Of compilations are in because again there was presumably some official sanction.
The German fade of Amsterdam stays because it's most likely a decision that was made to tidy up a messy ending rather than just a random edit.
But everyone might have different ideas so feel free to make edits and upload your own variations.
I've put in a clumsy system for totalling running times etc (97 hours at this stage) but this breaks when you make edits.
And you will see my preferred playing order, again just something to help me sort.
I've included BBC sessions but not TV versions unless officially released.
I might revisit this but as a separate page because it's missing cool stuff like the Cher medley.
I've included odd live tracks but not full albums (not sure why - again will revisit) and tried to capture known live only tracks such as Hurt and Debaser.
There's lots of information in private hands which it would be great to have but i'm not optimistic.
But if you do happen to have a copy of the Ernie Johnson tape and would like to share the running times... please feel free. PM if you want to make anonymous suggestions.
I thought about a shared version of the document but that's going to get messy so perhaps edits / suggestions / errors can be listed here and then I can incorporate after a while and re-upload the list.
Here's a dropbox link, happy to email a copy if this causes problems for anyone.
https://dl.dropboxusercon ... mbers.xlsxChristian