The sound of revolution is about to reverberate once more from the legendary studios where it all began. Get ready for a sonic time capsule blast back to 1965, when the young Davie Jones – yes, that's David Bowie in his earliest incarnation – laid down tracks with producer Shel Talmy that would shape the course of British music history.
Coming on September 18, 2026, 'David Bowie: The Shel Talmy Recordings' is a game-changer. This meticulously curated collection brings together the most comprehensive set of songs from this pivotal period in Bowie's career, featuring ten previously unheard tracks that will leave fans and music aficionados alike stunned.
Jimmy Page, yes, that Jimmy Page – pre-Led Zeppelin and still forging his own path – lends his signature style to these recordings, as does Nicky Hopkins, the virtuosic session musician who's played with everyone from The Rolling Stones to The Beatles. It's a veritable who's who of 1960s London's musical elite, all brought together by Talmy's vision and Bowie's boundless energy.
Alec Palao's authoritative sleeve notes offer crucial context for these early works, urging listeners to judge them against the vibrant backdrop of '65 London. Rather than measuring them against Bowie's later, globe-spanning fame, we're invited to appreciate their raw power, innovation, and promise – all hallmarks of a talent about to take the world by storm.
This release is the latest chapter in an ongoing effort to shed light on Bowie's early life and career. Following hot on the heels of 2019's 'Finding Fame' documentary, which bravely exposed the brutal rejection letter from the BBC following his 1965 audition (they deemed him "not particularly exciting"), comes a treasure trove of raw, unbridled talent waiting to be unearthed.