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David Bowie – ★ (Blackstar)

David Bowie - ★ (Blackstar) album cover

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Label:ISO Records – 88875173871, Columbia – 88875173871, Sony Music – 88875173871
Format:
Vinyl, LP, Album, MPO Pressing, 180 Gram
Country:Europe
Released:
Genre:Electronic, Jazz, Rock
Style:Art Rock, Experimental, Jazz-Rock, Prog Rock, Glam

Tracklist

A1★ (Blackstar)
Arranged By [String Arrangement] – David Bowie
Strings – Tony Visconti
9:57
A2'Tis A Pity She Was A Whore
Backing Vocals – Erin Tonkon
4:52
A3Lazarus
Electric Guitar [Fender Guitar] – David Bowie
6:22
B1Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime)
Percussion – James Murphy
4:40
B2Girl Loves Me
Percussion – James Murphy
4:51
B3Dollar Days4:44
B4I Can't Give Everything Away5:47
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Credits

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 David Bowie - ★ (Blackstar). Recognisable by "© & ℗ 2015 ISO Records" on the back cover, 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 download 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), administered by RZO Music, Inc.
Except for Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime) Nipple Music (BMI) administered by RZO Music, Inc.
MSF Music (ASCAP) administered 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
download
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)LabelCat#CountryYear
Recently Edited
★ (Blackstar) (LP, Album, Limited Edition, Clear, 180g)ISO Records, Columbia, Sony Music88875173871Europe2016
Recently Edited
★ (Blackstar) (CD, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo, Blu-spec CD2, Digipak)ISO Records, Sony Records Int'lSICP-30918Japan2016
★ (Blackstar) (CD, Album, Stereo)ISO Records, Columbia, Sony Music88875173862Europe2016
★ (Blackstar) (CD, Album)Columbia, ISO Records88875173862US2016
Recently Edited
★ (Blackstar) (7×File, MP3, Album, VBR 279 kbps)Columbia88875173862US2016

Recommendations

Reviews

  • 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 upload Darkstar to my Discogs collection what can we say about this album. Released on his Birthday two days before he passed. 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 downloading 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?
                • LordRockingham's avatar
                  LordRockingham
                  Edited 8 years ago
                  Anyone tried the sunlight trick yet? Leave the cover (sans vinyl and booklet)t out in the sun and you might be in for a delightful suprise!
                  • thatlukefletcher's avatar
                    thatlukefletcher
                    Edited 8 years ago
                    Can anyone verify please. I've picked up a copy of the black vinyl 2016 (c) 2015 pressing and I've found a number of minute tiny white specs and marks in the booklet. Has anyone else come across these blemishes?

                    Apart from these physical issues the album itself is truly deserving of being the final piece of the complex puzzle that was Bowie. While some may break down and experience denial facing death, Bowie stared it right in the face and made an album about it.
                    • virginvinyl's avatar
                      virginvinyl
                      is there a us pressing ?
                      i have a copy with similar identifiers but no mpo in the deadwax

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