As 8th Jan, 2019 marks David Bowie's 72nd birthday and the 50th anniversary of the release of Space Oddity, Parlophone records will be releasing nine rare unreleased and unheard songs in 7" vinyl singles box set from the era when Space Oddity was first conceived.
The compilation will include David Bowie's first demo recording of 'Space Oddity' that was originally slated to be duo performance with his friend and veteran collaborator with three of his bands between 1966 and 1973, John 'Hutch' Hutchinson.
Although they were briefly released on streaming website last month, this will be the first time they will be available in a physical format.
The title of the album has been taken from the lyric from a previously unknown song, 'Love all around'. Though most of the titles are known, they all will be released for the first time in this format.
As was stated on the official website of David Bowies, "Due to the nature of some of the solo home demos where Bowie accompanied himself on acoustic guitar, the recording quality isn't always of a usual studio fidelity,". They also stated how David's "enthusiastic strumming" hit the red on a couple of songs, and they cited limitations in the original recording equipment and tape degradation as the reasons.
'Spying Through a Keyhole' will be David Bowies latest posthumous release. Last year, Parlophone records along with BBC studios and Glastonbury Festivals came together and released the musician's legendary headlining set at Glastonbury 2000.
The label has also released the box set, 'Loving the Alien (1983-88), which was followed by three other era-specific compilations, Five Years (1969-73), Who Can I Be Now (1974-76) and a New Career in a New Town (1977-1982).
Spying Through a Keyhole Track List:
1. "Mother Grey" (demo)
2. "In The Heat Of The Morning" (demo)
3. "Goodbye 3d (Threepenny) Joe" (demo)
4. "Love All Around" (demo)
5. "London Bye, Ta-Ta" (demo)
6. "Angel, Angel, Grubby Face" (demo version 1)
7. "Angel, Angel, Grubby Face" (demo version 2)
8. "Space Oddity" (demo excerpt)
9. "Space Oddity" (demo – alternative lyrics, with John Hutchinson)