Celebrating 25 Years of David Bowie Album ‘hours…’

Parlophone Records is proud to announce a series of digital and video releases to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the David Bowie gold-certified album 'hours…'.

Initially released on September 21, 1999, 'hours…' was Bowie's 22nd studio album. He once more proved himself to be a trailblazer as it was the first by a major artist to be made available as a download.

The decision was incredibly controversial at the time, with some established retailers calling for a boycott and a withdrawal of all his albums from their shelves, which, of course, never happened. Speaking at the time, Bowie said, "I am hopeful that this small step will lead to greater steps by myself and others, ultimately giving consumers greater choices and easier access to the music they enjoy." As with so much of his work and expression, this quote envisioned the future with uncanny accuracy.

The album itself saw Bowie harken back to his early career with the 12-string acoustic guitar being at the forefront of key songs on the album, including “Survive” and “Seven,” two of three singles released in the U.K. While Bowie didn't undertake a tour for the album, he played a handful of intimate shows and several live TV performances.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of 'hours…', Parlophone will release two digital EPs featuring four previously unreleased tracks.

LIVE FROM MANHATTAN CENTER ‘99 is out today, September 20, one day before the 25th anniversary, and features three previously unreleased live tracks recorded for the U.K. TV show Top Of The Pops but not broadcast at the time. The recording was made on the same day and at the same venue as Bowie’s VH1 Storytellers performance. Listen HERE. 

The six-track 'hours…' REMIX EP follows on October 11 and features two Beck remixes and an unheard 'hip hop' mix of the album's lead single “Thursday's Child.”

On September 23 and 30, four tracks from the December 4, 1999 performance on the BBC's “Later…With Jools Holland,” including the classics “Ashes To Ashes” and “Cracked Actor,” will be released on the David Bowie YouTube account along with the footage of the three tracks from the LIVE FROM MANHATTAN CENTER ‘99 EP.

‘hours…’ 25th ANNIVERSARY
LIVE FROM THE MANHATTAN CENTER ‘99 DIGITAL EP

Thursday’s Child (Previously Unreleased)
Survive (Previously Unreleased)
The Pretty Things Are Going To Hell (Previously Unreleased)

LATER…WITH JOOLS HOLLAND 04/12/1999 VIDEOS

Ashes To Ashes
Cracked Actor
Something In The Air
Survive

TOP OF THE POPS 03/11/1999 VIDEOS

Survive
Thursday's Child
The Pretty Things Are Going to Hell

'hours...' REMIX EP

Seven (Beck mix #1)
Seven (Beck mix #2)
Seven (Marius de Vries mix - Original Speed)
The Pretty Things are Going to Hell (150 bpm Stigmata Film Mix)
Thursday's Child (Hip Hop Mix) (Previously Unreleased)
Thursday's Child (Rock Mix)