David Bowie ‎– David Bowie

Pop, Rock

Folk Rock, Country Rock, Space Rock, Psychedelic Rock

1969

This album has been released and re-released with various titles and various cover-design over time. It's generally considered Bowie's first regular album.

The 1969 original european versions released on Philips are titled "David Bowie" while the concurrent US release on Mercury is titled "Man of Words/Man of Music". Both releases use the same 1969 portrait in the cover art.
In 1972 following Bowie's commercial breakthrough, the album was re-released by RCA now titled after the album's hit, "Space Oddity" and with a current facial portrait photo on the cover. This title and cover art version had international re-releases in 1984 by RCA and in 1990 by EMI and Ryko.
In 1999 EMI and Virgin re-released the album with the 30 year old 1969 cover but with the 1972 title.
Finally, in 2009 for the 40th Anniversary edition it was re-released by EMI and Virgin with title and cover art exactly as the original UK release.

The musicians on the album were hired for the sessions and included among others Herbie Flowers, Rick Wakeman, Tony Visconti and members of the band Junior's Eyes, who would act as Bowies band promoting the album. While the album didn't chart in 1969 and was considered a commercial failure, the 1972 re-release charted in 17th position on the UK charts.