David Bowie’s classic fourth studio album Hunk Dory is being given the re-issue treatment for its 50th anniversary. The album features an alternate mix of the fan favourite song “Changes”, which you can listen to at the link below.
As of yesterday (December 17th), the seminal collection of music celebrated its 50th birthday. The record is hailed as one of Bowie’s best albums, given that it features some of the prolific songwriter’s most well-known and revered tunes, such as “Life on Mars?”, “Queen Bitch” and “Oh! You Pretty Things”.
The re-issue of the album will be released on a vinyl picture disc via Parlophone Records on January 7th, 2022. You can pre-order the physical version here.
In a statement, producer Ken Scott (who has also worked with The Beatles, Elton John and several other Bowie records such as Space Oddity and Aladdin Sane) said of the re-issue in a statement: “The new version of ‘Changes’ is a fresh look at David’s classic… When listening to the original multi-track I discovered a few things that I had eliminated from the original mix and also a completely different sax solo at the end. It was those things that led me to try a new mix, trying for a slightly harder, more contemporary edge to it.”
Originally released on the 17th of December 1971, Hunk Dory was extremely well-received in both the United Kingdom and abroad, with British and American publications producing glowing reviews. Reviewing the album shortly after its initial release, NME’s Danny Holloway said of the record: “[Hunky Dory is] a breath of fresh air compared to the usual mainstream rock LP of [1972]. It’s very possible that this will be the most important album from an emerging artist in 1972, because he’s not following trends – he’s setting them”.
Publications formed in later years have also given the album very positive reviews, with Allmusic’s Stephen Thomas Erlewine saying: On the surface, such a wide range of styles and sounds would make an album incoherent, but Bowie’s improved songwriting and determined sense of style instead made Hunk Dory a touchstone for reinterpreting pop’s traditions into fresh, postmodern pop music.
In other news regarding the legendary British songwriter, January 8th 2022 will mark what would have been his 75th birthday. In celebration, a livestream concert will take place, featuring appearances from various icons of pop culture such as comedian Ricky Gervais, actor Gary Oldman, Simon LeBon of Duran Duran, and Def Leppard. The event was announced earlier this month, and tickets can be found here via RollingLiveStudios
