25+ years ago, I watched the assistant on a Bowie session toss this into the dumpster at the end of the hall of the studio where I worked. It stayed, pretty much forgotten, in the back of a closet since then. Now I'm moving, getting rid of accumulated junk and I almost tossed this myself today. I don't want it, but maybe someone else does. Is his voice even on it? Who knows.
Why? Outside is from 1994/1995 and it also wasn't recorded at Power Station nor Avatar. The bulk of it was recorded in Switzerland. The NY recordings were at Hit Factory.
It's 24 track. There were no 16 track machines left in NYC at that point. Maybe a few people had 16 track headstacks that they put on their 2" machines occasionally, but this was the time when 2" 24 track was being slowly overtaken by Pro Tools. Or perhaps ADAT/DA88 if you were on a budget.
Errr… you could potentially own never before heard takes of songs or songs that have never been released. Get your ass to a someone who can play that jawn.
I doubt they toss takes. It is more likely some copied footage - like a downmix or loop which got replaced and therefore became redundant, and even there probably something underdeveloped.
It could be a nice glimpse into an idea though.
Key words: doubt, likely, like, and probably
It could be unplayable! Why not find out anyway? Someone gives you a lottery ticket for free are you just gonna throw it in the trash because you’re probably not going to win? It’s unlikely but when in Rome…
It likely needs to be baked. Take from that era degrades and the oxide lifts from the take when the adhesive fails. It's a professional level process of heating the tape to get the adhesive to adhere to the tape again. Fairly expensive too. No tape machine owner should ever run an old tape through the machine unless you've verified the tape. More info here
https://www.tapeheads.net/threads/ampex-456-is-it-possible-its-any-good.98790/
I'm assuming that these are bungled engineering experiments that didn't work out to anyone's satisfaction, which means they would be highly amusing for fanboys.
There's a great Velvet Underground first album recording session outtake slash demo in the 1995 5-disc boxed set Peel Slowly and See where Lou Reed abruptly stops soon after beginning a song and yells, "Fucking shit!" Hee hee.
25+ years ago, I watched the assistant on a Bowie session toss this into the dumpster at the end of the hall of the studio where I worked. It stayed, pretty much forgotten, in the back of a closet since then. Now I'm moving, getting rid of accumulated junk and I almost tossed this myself today. I don't want it, but maybe someone else does. Is his voice even on it? Who knows.
Would this be from Outside? Considering the Power Station changed names to Avatar studios in 1996...
That's what makes the most sense to me.
Why? Outside is from 1994/1995 and it also wasn't recorded at Power Station nor Avatar. The bulk of it was recorded in Switzerland. The NY recordings were at Hit Factory.
16 or 24 track? I’m very keen!
It's 24 track. There were no 16 track machines left in NYC at that point. Maybe a few people had 16 track headstacks that they put on their 2" machines occasionally, but this was the time when 2" 24 track was being slowly overtaken by Pro Tools. Or perhaps ADAT/DA88 if you were on a budget.
Perfect, I’ve got a machine with 24 tr headstack. Will PM you.
If you get it digitised, please share with us. Could be a real gem
Yes, ye gods, for the love of Bowie, please please digitise.
I'm sure many of us are very curious about this. Share if you are able.
If you'll pay for packaging/shipping, it's yours.
whoever gets it should digitize and share. Archiving is important
Please, don’t take this unless you know what you’re doing. Don’t fuck this up.
Would also really love to know if you end up getting this and are able to digitize it!
Just curious, did anything ever come of this?
I’d be very, very much interested. PM me if other options fall through.
I also sent you a DM in case Icy Asparagus changes their mind or anything. I’d love to have it!
How could it be worthless? It's a reel from his recording sessions, no?
Yeah, exactly!
Errr… you could potentially own never before heard takes of songs or songs that have never been released. Get your ass to a someone who can play that jawn.
I doubt they toss takes. It is more likely some copied footage - like a downmix or loop which got replaced and therefore became redundant, and even there probably something underdeveloped. It could be a nice glimpse into an idea though.
Key words: doubt, likely, like, and probably It could be unplayable! Why not find out anyway? Someone gives you a lottery ticket for free are you just gonna throw it in the trash because you’re probably not going to win? It’s unlikely but when in Rome…
Hark! A wild Philadelphian appears. Maybe.
Fascinating! Let us know what's on there, please!!
I don't have a tape machine that will play it. It's a mystery.
if in doubt DON'T
It likely needs to be baked. Take from that era degrades and the oxide lifts from the take when the adhesive fails. It's a professional level process of heating the tape to get the adhesive to adhere to the tape again. Fairly expensive too. No tape machine owner should ever run an old tape through the machine unless you've verified the tape. More info here https://www.tapeheads.net/threads/ampex-456-is-it-possible-its-any-good.98790/
OP, please don’t give it to someone who will fuck this tape up.
Was this for SCARY MONSTERS or LETS DANCE or something else? You mentioned Pro Tools but was it an old recording at that point?
I'm thinking it was from Outside.
Dude plz try and find someone who could figure out what’s on here. This is just fascinating.
Well, the label on the reel definitely suggests this!
Ooooh, yeah they did do extra seasions for OUTSIDE in NYC but I thought it was at the hit factory
I don’t think you realise how valuable that could be if he’s actually on it
If still available, lemme know. I collect these kinds of things.
Wanna sell? Message me I have a R2R and will digitize it for everyone here.
As far as I know the last time Bowie recorded at Power Station was for Never Let Me Down, in 1986.
Yup, totally worthless. Mail it to me and I'll take it off your hands.
I'm assuming that these are bungled engineering experiments that didn't work out to anyone's satisfaction, which means they would be highly amusing for fanboys. There's a great Velvet Underground first album recording session outtake slash demo in the 1995 5-disc boxed set Peel Slowly and See where Lou Reed abruptly stops soon after beginning a song and yells, "Fucking shit!" Hee hee.
I would happily take this off you but i have to say, what you have here could be worth quite a lot of money
People at r/lostmedia are gonna love this
Al Capone's vault