Available for the first time on strictly limited double vinyl
This Friday, August 23rd, marks 20 years since David Bowie played an intimate set for invited guests at The Manhattan Center’s Grand Ballroom in New York for the VH1 Storytellers series. In 2009 a CD/DVD and download of the evening was released, and now 20 years later after the performance, the most complete version will be released as a strictly limited edition double vinyl LP on October 11th via Parlophone.
The VH1 Storytellers TV series debuted in 1996 and featured several of music’s biggest names performing in front of a live audience while telling stories about the inspirations and memories associated with each song. Among the artists the show has hosted are Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam, Bee Gees, Kanye West & Steely Dan.
The Bowie set has long been regarded as one of the most memorable episodes in VH1 Storytellers history, with Bowie delving deep in to his catalogue to perform tracks such as “Can’t Help Thinking About Me” for the first time in 33 years, Aladdin Sane’s “Drive-In Saturday” which he had not performed since 1974 and “Word On A Wing” which received its first outing in 23 years.
“We were used to dealing with legendary musicians. Still, landing David Bowie was more than a big booking,” states VH1 Storytellers Executive Producer Bill Flanagan. “There’s no way to say this without being corny: it was an honor. Bowie has a unique place in rock & roll. He is not only one of the most influential musicians of the era, he does nothing unless he is fully committed.”
2 LP
[one_half]LP 1A:
1. Life On Mars?
2. Rebel Rebel (truncated)
3. Thursday’s Child
LP 1B:
1. Can’t Help Thinking About Me
2. China Girl
3. Seven[/one_half]
[one_half_last]LP 2A:
1. Drive-In Saturday
2. Word On A Wing
3. Survive*
LP 2B:
1. I Can’t Read*
2. Always Crashing In The Same Car*
3. If I’m Dreaming My Life*[/one_half_last]
*Bonus recordings not included on the original CD.