Parlophone Records has released an alternate version of David Bowie’s “Lady Stardust” from an upcoming Box Set.

David Bowie Rock ‘N’ Roll Star!, a 5CD and 1 Blu-Ray Audio set, is scheduled for release on June 14. It explores Bowie’s journey through the creation of Ziggy Stardust, and the recording of the iconic The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars album.

The hitherto unknown “Lady Stardust (Alternative Version – Take 1)” took its original producer by surprise.

Producer Ken Scott recalls, “This was a shock when I first heard it. I pulled up the faders and suddenly, what the hell? I had no recollection of it being like that originally, but I guess it was just a guide vocal. But it sounds great, is really interesting and brings a totally different feeling to the song.”

The band line-up for “Lady Stardust (Alternative Version – Take 1)” is Bowie on vocals, Mick Ronson on piano, Trevor Bolder on bass and Woody Woodmansey on drums.

Scott singles out Ronson for praise, saying, “Ronno on piano is very good indeed. The Trident Studio piano was just amazing, a Bechstein grand from around 1850 and I think the hammers had been treated with varnish or something – it was the best rock and roll piano in the whole world.”

Other unreleased highlights on Rock ‘N’ Roll Star! include an unheard version of the deep-cut classic “Shadow Man” and an up-tempo take on The Who’s “I Can’t Explain,” which Bowie would later slow down and cover for the Pin-Ups album.

Source: RTT Music News