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1999 EMI ZIGGY STARDUST CD review

The seventeen re-issues from DAVID BOWIE'S back catalogue, including THE RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS (EMI 7243 521900 0 3) were re-released on 6 September 1999 in the UK by EMI Records and later in the US by Virgin. Each album was digitally re-mastered at the world famous Abbey Road Studios. The albums were digitally transferred from, wherever possible, the original analogue masters at 24 bits resolution. They were processed using Sonic Solutions NoNoise technology and mastered to 16 bit for CD using Prism SNS Noise Shaping. While the CDs had no bonus tracks (unlike the 1990 Rykodisc/EMI reissues) they were all "enhanced" - i.e. each included a short multimedia presentation about BowieNet.

See also: Rise And Shine - A review of the new release  - Hot Press Online (October 1999)

Digitally remastered by Peter Mew with Nigel Reeve at Abbey Road Studios
Original front and back photography by Brian Ward
Original front and back cover artwork by Terry Pastor
Inside back tray photography by Brain Ward
Booklet photos pages 2, 3, 4, 8/9, 14, 16 by Brian Ward
Page 7, 11 by Mick Rock
Project co-ordinated by Nigel Reeve and Kevin Cann
Re-package designed by Kevin Cann
Artwork and layout by The Design Team

CD Face

There were no bonus tracks on this release.  The CD cover is a shade lighter and more blue than the 1990 Rykodisc release with the original 1972 title lettering on the cover.  The lettering is smaller and does not extend to covering the building.  The cover also appears clearer with more detail visible and you can see more of Bowie's facial expression. However, a close comparison shows that the cover is very slightly cropped compared to the Rykodisc release (you now see a little less of the right side and top of the building).  

Inside back tray

CD Back

Surprisingly the very famous instruction "TO BE PLAYED AT MAXIMUM VOLUME" is missing from this release.

Page 2

Of note in the PERSONNEL section is that Dana Gillespie is now credited (for the first time ever!) for providing backing vocals on "It Ain't Easy".

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---This page last modified: 03 Jan 2019---