David Bowie The Prettiest Star - Conversation Piece (1970 Germany) estimated value € 160,00
Label: Mercury – 6052 011
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single Mono
Recorded at: Trident Studios in St Anne's Court, Soho, London.
Recorded date: January 8–15, 1970
Released: April 1970
Country: Germany
Informatie
"The Prettiest Star" is een nummer van David Bowie, oorspronkelijk uitgebracht als single in maart 1970.
In januari 1970 nam Bowie een herwerkte versie op van "London Bye Ta-Ta", bedoeld als opvolger van "Space Oddity". Uit dezelfde sessies kwam echter ook een nieuw nummer voort: "The Prettiest Star", dat hij schreef voor Angela Barnett. Hij speelde het naar verluidt via de telefoon als onderdeel van zijn huwelijksaanzoek. Het nummer is geïnspireerd op de Griekse hasapiko-dans als eerbetoon aan Angie's Cypriotische afkomst.
De track bevat gitaarwerk van Marc Bolan, Bowie's latere glamrockrivaal. Producer Tony Visconti bracht hen samen in de studio. De opnamesessie verliep goed, tot Bolans vrouw June zei: "Marc is too good for you, to be playing on this record!"
Ondanks positieve reacties verkocht de single minder dan 800 exemplaren. Een glamrockversie werd later opgenomen voor het album Aladdin Sane.
Tracklist
Side A – The Prettiest Star (3:11)
Written-By – David Bowie
Side B – Conversation Piece (3:05)
Written-By – David Bowie
Description
Media & Sleeve Condition
Media: Plays nicely (VG+)
Sleeve: Very Good (VG+)
Ring wear: —
All seams perfect: Yes
Picture sleeve near mint: No
Creases/folds: Yes
Stamps or writing: No
Production Credits
Producer: Tony Visconti
Musicians (Original Single Version)
- David Bowie – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
- Marc Bolan – electric guitar on "The Prettiest Star"
- Tony Visconti – bass guitar, string arrangement
- John Cambridge – drums
- Derek Austin – Hammond Organ
Key Details
The Single Version (1970): This version is famous for featuring Marc Bolan of T. Rex on lead guitar. It was written as a love song for Bowie's first wife, Angie Barnett. It was produced by Tony Visconti and released on March 6, 1970.
The Album Version (1973): Bowie rerecorded the song for the Aladdin Sane album. This version features a glam-rock arrangement with Mick Ronson recreating Bolan's original guitar part nearly note-for-note.
Musicians (1973): The rerecording featured The Spiders from Mars (Ronson, Bolder, Woodmansey) and Mike Garson on piano.
Production: The 1973 version was co-produced by David Bowie and Ken Scott.
Release: While the original was a standalone single in 1970, the 1973 version was released as part of the Aladdin Sane LP and later as a B-side
The Prettiest Star
David Bowie
Cold fire, you've got everything but cold fire
You will be my rest and peace child
I moved up to take a place, near you
So tired, it's the sky that makes you feel tried
It's a trick to make you see wide
It can all but break your heart, in pieces
Staying back in your memory
Are the movies in the dark
How you moved is all it takes
To sing a song of when I loved
The prettiest star
One day though it might as well be someday
You and I will rise up all the way
All because of what you are
The prettiest star
Staying back in your memory
Are the movies in the past
How you moved is all it takes
To sing a song of when I loved
Prettiest star
One day though it might as well be someday
You and I will rise up all the way
All because of what you are
The prettiest star