The Talkhouse—wherein musicians and filmmakers write about other artists in their field, which is then followed by a response from the latter—today released previously unheard audio of David Bowie impersonating fellow music icons Bruce Springsteen, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Neil Young, and others during a session for the “Absolute Beginners” soundtrack.
According to the accompanying visuals, “The vocal session was recorded at West Side Studios, Shepherd’s Bush, London.” So So Glos’ Zach Staggers, whose family was friends with record producer Mark Saunders, writes that his father recovered the unreleased recording from an old iPod after Bowie’s passing.
“The recording is so human, a funny and personal piece of studio magic that I think many musicians can relate to,” Staggers says. “I can’t tell you how many hours my band has spent doing impressions and fucking around during sessions. It’s such a thing"
Along with Staggers’ thoughts is an account from Saunders, who was sound engineer that same day, when Mick Jagger showed up to the studio to record “Dancing in the Street” with Bowie for Live Aid.
“[T]hey would only have three hours to finish it,” Saunders recalls, “because he and Jagger would be going straight off to shoot the video for the song, which would have to be finished before sunrise! No pressure!”
Listen to the unreleased recording and read the unreal story behind it here.
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