David Bowie★ (Blackstar)

Label:

Sony Music – 88875173871

Format:

Vinyl , LP, Album , MPO Pressing, 180 Gram

Country:

Europe

Released:

Genre:

Rock

Style:

Glam

Tracklist

A1 ★ (Blackstar)
Arranged By [String Arrangement]David Bowie
StringsTony Visconti
9:57
A2 'Tis A Pity She Was A Whore
Backing VocalsErin Tonkon
4:52
A3 Lazarus
Electric Guitar [Fender Guitar]David Bowie
6:22
B1 Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime)
Music ByPaul Bateman (7)
PercussionJames Murphy
4:40
B2 Girl Loves Me
PercussionJames Murphy
4:51
B3 Dollar Days 4:44
B4 I Can't Give Everything Away 5:47

Companies, etc.

  • Record CompanySony Music Entertainment
  • Record CompanySony Music Entertainment International Services GmbH
  • Phonographic Copyright ℗ISO Records
  • Copyright ©ISO Records
  • Licensed ToColumbia Records
  • Published ByNipple Music
  • Published ByRZO Music, Inc.
  • Published ByMSF Music
  • Published ByArtistShare Music Publishing LLC.
  • Published ByFlex Publishing (2)
  • Published BySherlock Holmes Music Ltd.
  • Recorded AtThe Magic Shop
  • Recorded AtHuman Worldwide Studios
  • Mixed AtElectric Lady Studios
  • Lacquer Cut AtSterling Sound
  • Pressed ByMPO
  • Manufactured ByColumbia Records
  • Distributed ByColumbia Records

Credits

  • Artwork [Star Image]NASA (10)
  • BassTim Lefebvre
  • Design [Album Design By]Barnbrook
  • Drums, PercussionMark Guiliana
  • Engineer [Assistant Engineer At Human Worldwide]Erin Tonkon
  • Engineer [Assistant Engineer At Magic Shop]Kabir Hermon
  • Engineer [Assistant To Tom Elmhirst]Joe Visciano
  • Engineer [Engineer At Human Worldwide]Tony Visconti
  • Engineer [Engineer At Magic Shop]Kevin Killen
  • GuitarBen Monder
  • Lacquer Cut ByRJ*
  • Mastered ByJoe LaPorta
  • Mixed ByTony Visconti
  • Mixed By [Final Master Mix]Tom Elmhirst
  • Photography ByJohan Renck
  • Piano, Organ [Wurlitzer Organ], KeyboardsJason Lindner
  • ProducerTony Visconti
  • Saxophone, Flute, WoodwindDonny McCaslin
  • Vocals, Acoustic GuitarDavid Bowie
  • Words By, Music ByDavid Bowie

Notes

This is the first European release pressed at MPO. Recognisable by "© & ℗ 2015 ISO Records" on the back cover, "MPO" in the runout etching, and three concentric pressing rings on the labels.

Other European First Press version:
- The first European release pressed at Celebrate Records is Celebrate Records GmbH matrix numbering, and no pressing rings.

Other European Repress versions:
- European repress pressed at MPO is David Bowie - ★ (Blackstar). Recognisable by "© 2016 ℗ 2015, 2016 ISO Records" on the back cover, "MPO" in the runout etching, and three concentric pressing rings on the labels. There is also a weight difference in the sealed package between the first MPO release, 517 gr and the second pressing from MPO, 472 gr.
- European repress pressed at Celebrate Records is David Bowie - ★ (Blackstar). Recognisable by "© 2016 ℗ 2015, 2016 ISO Records" on the back cover.

Album title and track 1 title generally referred to as "Blackstar" but printed as "★"
Released in a gatefold sleeve with clear plastic wallet housing the vinyl, and 16 page 12" x 12" square booklet insert.
Includes a coupon with a code for a digital copy of the full album.

Paul Bateman and Bob Bharma appear as Plastic Soul.

All songs published by Nipple Music (BMI), istered by RZO Music, Inc.
Except for Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime) Nipple Music (BMI) istered by RZO Music, Inc.
MSF Music (ASCAP) istered by Artistshare Music Publishing LLC, Flex Publishing / Sherlock Holmes Music Ltd.
This composition contains elements of 'Brand New Heavy' (Bateman/ Bharma). Used by Permission.

© & ℗ 2015 ISO Records under exclusive license to Columbia Records,
a division of Sony Music Entertainment.
Made in the EU.

Catalogue number on front cover sticker:
88875173871 S1

Front cover has 2 stickers:
"David Bowie
The new album
includes
"Blackstar"
& "Lazarus"
180 gram vinyl
plus digital

88875173871 S1"
"Parental advisory explicit content"

[Matrix/Runouts]
- Label matrices for both sides appear on side A.
- Lacquer cut derived from "STERLING" stamp and "RJ" etch in runouts, everything else is etched.

Barcode and Other Identifiers

  • Barcode (Text): 8 88751 73871 3
  • Barcode (Scanned): 888751738713
  • Rights Society: BIEM/GEMA
  • Label Code: LC00162
  • Other (Sticker #): 88875173871 S1
  • Pressing Plant ID (Runouts): MPO
  • Matrix / Runout (A side matrix, on side A): C-139259/AL88875173871
  • Matrix / Runout (B side matrix, on side A): C-139259/BL88875173871
  • Matrix / Runout (A side runout): MPO 15-0736 A 88875-17387-1A STERLING RJ
  • Matrix / Runout (B side runout): MPO 15-0736 B 88875-17387-1B STERLING RJ

Other Versions (5 of 49)

View All
Title (Format) Label Cat# Country Year
Recently Edited
★ (Blackstar) (LP, Album, Limited Edition, Clear, 180g) Sony Music 88875173871 Europe 2016
Recently Edited
★ (Blackstar) (CD, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo, Blu-spec CD2, Digipak) Sony Records Int'l SI 30918 Japan 2016
★ (Blackstar) (CD, Album, Stereo) Sony Music 88875173862 Europe 2016
Recently Edited
★ (Blackstar) (CD, Album) ISO Records 88875173862 US 2016
Recently Edited
★ (Blackstar) (7×File, MP3, Album, VBR 279 kbps) Columbia 88875173862 US 2016

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Reviews

  • vinylmansion88's avatar
    vinylmansion88
    My copy came with some static, pops and clicks (especially on side A). Still loved to listen to it though.
    • tobbelobe02's avatar
      tobbelobe02
      Wow, truly incredible sound. I am so impressed with both David Bowie and the pressing. I do not know whether to cry or laugh.
      • subhayu.sen's avatar
        subhayu.sen
        I bought this vinyl after seeing a review of it on YouTube. Obviously this is a “first pressing”, and since this album was recorded in analogue, the first pressing has a lot of value since the tapes will degrade over time.

        The album is jazzy, psych sounding and the lyrics are honestly something else - only Bowie can write such stuff!

        Ofcourse the sound is very good , as any (or most) first pressing of an all analogue recording - detailed, wide and rich!

        Get it, even if you are not a Bowie fan
        • Ubangistomp's avatar
          Ubangistomp
          Sunday the 10th January ….Where the F**k did Monday go.
          Having started out on my own Bowie journey with Hunky Dory as a teenager and now about to Darkstar to my Discogs collection what can we say about this album. Released on his Birthday two days before he ed. The only artist to choreograph his own demise.
          I’d only lived with this LP for two days before the news came he was no longer with us and it was like someone very close to me was no more and I filed this album away and still can’t bring myself to listen to it even now. Was it the best album he made, of course not. Was it a new breakthrough, well it was new for him. Does it stand with the best of his work, I think it probably does. There will never be another artist like him that’s a definite.
          • xerfander's avatar
            xerfander
            The sound quality is just incredible. No noise, pops or cracks at all. Bought in brand new and sealed in perfect condition. The sleeve is a work of art. It was even a pity to unpack. My first Bowie album on vinyl, and that was an amazing experience. It's interesting to flip through the artbook inside while listening music. The only disappointment is that the code for ing the digital version has already ended. It was only valid for a year, which is very strange.
            • Vinylophilist's avatar
              Vinylophilist
              I bought this twice. The first one was such a bad print, I sent it back.
              The second one is (only aafter washing twice) acceptable, but still has occasional noise here and there.
              I also dispise the cover. The plastic inner which than makes the record visible through the open star makes me shriek when pulling the record out. Additionally, I think the design itself is a fail: If not put into a protective sleece this cover won't last long.
              I can only understand this as in this attrocity has been committed after the master's demise, I thorougly beliebe he'd not have sanctioned this.
              Well, it's one of his profoundly impressive works, so what can be done, but if there ever was a reissue, I certainly will give it a try.
              • connynimmersjo's avatar
                connynimmersjo
                I still don't get it, I just bought this record, has not opened the shrink wrap yet, 'cause back says C 2016, P 2015, 2016 - So it's a second press, right? (The one I bought was listed as this first pressing). But the weight - shrinked with record and artwork and everything - is 517 g. Here it says the second pressing is 472 g? And, how can I tell the MPO pressing from the Celebrate pressing without opening the shrink-wrap, thank you.
                • Scrade's avatar
                  Scrade
                  This is a pretty decent pressing of Bowie's wonderful swan song album. The provided booklet is made of very nice material, and while hard to read has some excellent printing quality. The pressing quality itself sounds pretty average unfortunately. It gets the job done, but it definitely could've been made more dynamic.
                  • Stevehawk's avatar
                    Stevehawk
                    Today of all days! Just decided to have a look and marvel at the Blackstar vinyl edition which has been carefully stored in my record collection since almost the day of its release. To my horror the inside sleeve ( plastic inner) appears to have stuck to the vinyl making a visible mark, marks, on the record . It now has more than a slightly used , second hand look about it Aaarrgghh. Any one else suffered the same fate?
                    • pthomas92's avatar
                      pthomas92
                      Can anyone comment on the quality of this pressing vs celebrate pressing?

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