David Bowie Alabama Song – Space Oddity (1980 Netherlands) estimated value € 25,00

The “Alabama Song” — also known as “Moon of Alabama”, “Moon over Alabama”, and “Whisky Bar” — is an English song written for Bertolt Brecht by his close collaborator Elisabeth Hauptmann in 1925 and set to music by Kurt Weill for the 1927 play Little Mahagonny. It was reused for the 1930 opera Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny and has been notably covered by David Bowie.

Tracklist

Side A – Alabama Song – 3:50

Music / Text: Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht
Producer: David Bowie, Tony Visconti

Side B – Space Oddity – 4:57

Music / Text: David Bowie
Producer: Gus Dudgeon, Tony Visconti

Description

Bowie recorded this studio version the day after finishing the European leg of his Isolar II tour. Although recorded in 1978, it was not released as a single until February 1980.

Media Condition

Media: Very Good (VG)
Sleeve: Good (G)
Ring wear: Yes
All three seams looking perfect: Yes
Picture sleeve looks near mint: No
Creases or folds: No
Stamps or writing: No

 

 

Bowie, a Brecht fan, incorporated the song into Isolar II, his 1978 World Tour. He recorded the track at Tony Visconti’s studio after the European leg of the tour, and in 1980 it was issued as a single to hasten the end of Bowie’s contract with RCA. With unconventional key changes, the track seemed calculated to disrupt any radio programme on which it was lucky enough to get played. Nevertheless, backed with a stripped-down acoustic version of “Space Oddity” recorded in December 1979, the single reached number 23 in the UK.

Bowie later appeared in a BBC version of Brecht’s Baal and released an EP of songs from the play. He performed “Alabama Song” again during his 1990 Sound+Vision Tour and the 2002 Heathen Tour.

Track listing (additional)

“Alabama Song” (Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill) – 3:51
“Space Oddity” (acoustic version) (David Bowie) – 4:57

The German 1982 rerelease of the single included Jacques Brel’s song “Amsterdam” as an additional B-side.

Production credits

Producers:
Tony Visconti
David Bowie

Musicians:
David Bowie – vocals, guitar
Adrian Belew – guitar
Carlos Alomar – guitar
Simon House – violin
Sean Mayes – piano
Roger Powell – keyboards
George Murray – bass
Dennis Davis – drums

Live versions

A concert performance recorded in spring 1978 was released as a bonus track on the Rykodisc reissue of Bowie’s live album Stage in 1991 and on the 2005 reissue of that album.

Other releases

The song was released as the B-side of the Japanese single “Crystal Japan” in February 1980. The German release of the single “Ashes to Ashes” in August 1980 also featured “Alabama Song” as the B-side. In 1992 it appeared as a bonus track on the Rykodisc reissue of Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) and later on several Bowie compilations.

Key Details

Context: Bowie recorded this studio version the day after the final European show of his Isolar II Tour. The song had been a highlight of his live sets, prompting him to capture a studio rendition with his touring band.

Musicians: The recording features members of his 1978 tour band, including Carlos Alomar (guitar), Adrian Belew (guitar), Simon House (violin), George Murray (bass), and Dennis Davis (drums).

Production: The track was produced by David Bowie and Tony Visconti.

Arrangement: Bowie's version is noted for its unconventional, "un-rock" arrangement, utilizing a distinctive synthesized backing and a chorus that moves from a mechanical rhythm to a more traditional cabaret feel.

Release: Although recorded in 1978, the single was held back and released on February 15, 1980, reaching number 23 on the UK charts.