Pop Culture Roundup: Billie Piper, 1984, Peaky Blinders, Al Williamson


ITEM!
Billie Piper confesses she took a piece of the TARDIS as a souvenir from her time on "Doctor Who."

ITEM! Andrew Scott and Andrew Garfield are providing voice for an audio adaptation of George Orwell's 1984."

ITEM! Cillian Murphy is set to return in a "Peaky Blinders" movie.

ITEM! Spotlighting the art of comic book/strip master Al Williamson.

Sad News: Actor M. Emmet Walsh ("Blood Simple," "The Jerk") is dead at age 88.


Coming Up: 'The Doctor Who Production Diary: The Hartnell Years'


Due out in roughly a year, this will be a big one! Up to 700-some pages of info about the first TV incarnation of the Doctor.

Info from the publisher, Telos Books

In the first of a new series of books, noted Doctor Who historian David Brunt presents the most detailed and comprehensive day-by-day record ever published of the show’s production during the years 1963-1966 when William Hartnell played the Doctor.

Drawing on many years of research and an exhaustive study of BBC archive documentation – including files not previously accessed by any other Doctor Who author – the book includes a wealth of newly-discovered information and explodes some long-standing myths.

Due for publication in April/May 2024. The second volume, covering THE TROUGHTON YEARS, will follow.

600-700pp approx. 6×9-format paperback.

ISBN 978-1-84583-222-3

Published April/May 2024

David Bowie - 'Rock ‘n’ Roll Star!' Box Coming in June


Pre-order now from Amazon.

News release:

DAVID BOWIE - ROCK ‘N’ ROLL STAR!

  • 5CD/BLU-RAY, DIGITAL BOX SET & HALF-SPEED MASTERED LP TO BE RELEASED ON 14TH JUNE, 2024
  • INCLUDES 29 EXCLUSIVE PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED TRACKS

Parlophone Records proudly announces DAVID BOWIE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL STAR!, a 5CD and 1 Blu-Ray Audio set that explores David Bowie’s journey from February 1971 through the creation of the Ziggy Stardust character, the recording of the iconic THE RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS album, and captures the international mania that surrounded the Ziggy phenomenon in the form of UK radio sessions and TV performances, as well as live tracks from Ziggy and the Spiders’ 1st October 1972 show at the Boston Music Hall.

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL STAR!, containing 29 unreleased tracks, covers early songwriting demos, recordings from David’s studio creation, The Arnold Corns, rehearsals at Bowie’s then-home, Haddon Hall, BBC sessions, singles, live performances, plus outtakes and alternative versions from the original album recording sessions, which have been newly mixed by original album producer, Ken Scott.

Unreleased highlights include an alternative version of ‘Lady Stardust’, a version of the deep-cut classic ‘Shadow Man’ and an up-tempo take of The Who’s ‘I Can’t Explain’, which he would later slow down and cover for the PIN UPS album.

The audio-only Blu-Ray disc features the definitive 2012 remaster of the original Ziggy Stardust album in 96kHz/24bit PCM stereo, plus the album and additional mixes from 2003 in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 as well as the singles, outtakes and alternative versions in 96kHz/24 bit PCM stereo.

The Blu-Ray also includes a version of the ZIGGY STARDUST album called WAITING IN THE SKY (BEFORE THE STARMAN CAME TO EARTH) taken from Trident Studio tapes dated 15th December 1971, which features an alternative running order and four songs that didn’t make the final album. This will also be available as a limited vinyl LP on 20th April, 2024 for Record Store Day. In addition, there is a 1-LP version of ROCK ‘N’ ROLL STAR! compiling the alternative takes and mixes.

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL STAR! also contains two books. The first is an extensive 112-page book with detailed liner notes, memorabilia, contemporary reviews and articles, rare photographs from Barrie Wentzel, Michael Putland, Mick Rock, Sukita and Alec Byrne, as well as brand-new notes and interviews with Ken Scott, Mark Carr Pritchett and David’s plugger from the time, Anya Wilson. Accompanying the main book is a 36-page compiled reproduction of David’s personal Ziggy Stardust era notebooks.

The first track taken from ROCK ‘N’ ROLL STAR! is ‘ZIGGY STARDUST’ (DEMO)’ recorded by Bowie on vocal and acoustic guitar in 1971 at Haddon Hall in Beckenham.


DAVID BOWIE - ROCK ‘N’ ROLL STAR!

* PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

Disc 1

1. So Long 60s (San Francisco Hotel recording) *

2. Hang On To Yourself (early demo) *

3. Lady Stardust (demo)

4. Ziggy Stardust (demo)

5. Star (Aka Stars) (demo) *

6. Soul Love (demo and DB spoken notes) *

7. Starman (demo 1 excerpt) *

8. Starman (demo 2) *

9. Moonage Daydream (The Arnold Corns version)

10. Hang On To Yourself (The Arnold Corns version)

11. Looking For A Friend (The Arnold Corns version – rough mix) *

12. Haddon Hall Rehearsals Segue: Ziggy Stardust / Holy Holy / Soul Love *

13. Star (Aka Stars) (Haddon Hall rehearsal) *

14. Sweet Head (Haddon Hall rehearsal) *

Disc 2

Sounds Of The 70s: John Peel

Session recorded on 11th January, 1972 and broadcast on 28th January, 1972

1. Ziggy Stardust *

2. Queen Bitch *

3. Waiting For The Man *

4. Lady Stardust *

Sounds Of The 70s: Bob Harris

Session recorded on 18th January, 1972 and broadcast on 7th February, 1972

5. Hang On To Yourself

6. Ziggy Stardust

7. Queen Bitch

8. Waiting For The Man

9. Five Years

Old Grey Whistle Test Performance

Filmed on 7th February, 1972 and broadcast on 8th February, 1972

except ‘Oh! You Pretty Things’ which was not broadcast until 1982.

10. Oh! You Pretty Things (take 1)

11. Queen Bitch

12. Five Years

Disc 3

Sounds Of The 70s: John Peel

Session recorded on 16th May, 1972 and broadcast on 23rd May, 1972

1. White Light/White Heat

2. Moonage Daydream

3. Hang On To Yourself

4. Suffragette City

5. Ziggy Stardust

Johnnie Walker Lunchtime Show

Session recorded on 22nd May, 1972 and broadcast from 5th – 9th June, 1972

6. Starman

7. Space Oddity

8. Changes

9. Oh! You Pretty Things

Sounds Of The 70s: Bob Harris

Session recorded on 23rd May, 1972 and broadcast On 19th June, 1972

10. Andy Warhol

11. Lady Stardust

12. White Light/White Heat

13. Rock ‘N’ Roll Suicide

Top Of The Pops Performance

Filmed on 5th July, 1972 and broadcast on 6th July, 1972

14. Starman

Disc 4

1. Round And Round

2. The Supermen (Ziggy session version)

3. Holy Holy (Ziggy session version)

4. Velvet Goldmine (Ziggy session outtake)

5. Starman (original single mix)

6. John, I’m Only Dancing (original single version)

Recorded Live At The Music Hall, Boston.

Recorded on 1st October, 1972

7. The Supermen

8. Changes

9. Life On Mars?

10. My Death *

11. John, I’m Only Dancing

Disc 5

1. Looking For A Friend (The Arnold Corns version 2022 mix) *

2. Hang On To Yourself (early Ziggy session take) *

3. Star (take 5 alternative version) *

4. Lady Stardust (take 1 alternative version) *

5. Shadow Man (Ziggy session version) *

6. The Supermen (Ziggy session version 2023 Mix) *

7. Holy Holy (Ziggy session version alternative mix) *

8. Round And Round (alternative mix)

9. It’s Gonna Rain Again (Ziggy session outtake) *

10. Looking For A Friend (Ziggy session version) *

11. Velvet Goldmine (Ziggy sessions outtake 2022 mix) *

12. Sweet Head (Ziggy sessions outtake 2022 mix) *

13. Starman (Top Of The Pops version 2022 mix)

14. John, I’m Only Dancing (alternative Trident Studios version) *

15. I Can’t Explain (Trident Studios version) *

Bonus Mix

16. Moonage Daydream (2003 instrumental mix)

Blu Ray Audio:

  • THE RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS
  • Original album mix (96khz/24bit Stereo)
  • THE RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS AND EXTRAS
  • 2003 5.1 Mixes (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 - 96khz/24bit)
  • WAITING IN THE SKY (BEFORE THE STARMAN CAME TO EARTH)
  • Early Ziggy Stardust album tracklisting – December 1971 (96khz/24bit PCM stereo)
  • THE SINGLES
  • (96khz/24bit PCM stereo)
  • OUTTAKES AND ALTERNATIVE VERSIONS
  • (96khz/24bit PCM stereo)

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL STAR! HALF-SPEED MASTERED LP

Vinyl tracklisting

Side 1

1 Hang On To Yourself (early Ziggy session take)

2 Star (Take 5 alternative version)

3 Lady Stardust (Take 1 alternative version)

4 Shadow Man (Ziggy session version)

5 The Supermen (Ziggy session version 2023 mix)

6 Holy Holy (Ziggy session version alternative mix)

7 Round And Round (alternative mix) +

Side 2

1 Velvet Goldmine (Ziggy sessions outtake 2022 mix)

2 Looking For A Friend (Ziggy session version)

3 It's Gonna Rain Again (Ziggy sessions outtake)

4 Sweet Head (Ziggy sessions outtake 2022 mix)

5 Starman (Top Of The Pops version 2022 mix)

6 John, I'm Only Dancing (alternative Trident Studios version) *

7 I Can't Explain (Trident Studios version) +*

Produced by David Bowie and Ken Scott except + Produced by David Bowie 

Watch a Preview of the New Disney+ 'Star Wars' Show 'Acoylyte'

Premieres June 4.

Watch Two Trailers for 'House of the Dragon' Season 2

The "Game of Thrones" prequel returns with new episode on Max this June.
 

Pop Artifact: Vintage Superman 'Action Hero' Puppet

New Music I Like: Charles Moothart - 'Roll'

From Charles Moothart's new album, Black Holes Don't Choke

New Character Posters for 'Game of Thrones' Prequel 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 - Launching in June on Max

Watch a Preview of 'Sandman' Universe Series 'Dead Boy Detectives' - Coming from Netflix

 

Details: 

Do you have a pesky ghost haunting you? Has a demon stolen your core memories? You may want to ring the Dead Boy Detectives. In this new supernatural series set in The Sandman universe, two teenagers find each other in death… and they will do anything to stick together – including escaping evil witches, Hell and Death herself. With the help of a clairvoyant named Crystal (Kassius Nelson), they must work together to crack some of the mortal realm’s most mystifying paranormal cases.

Pop Artifact: Vintage 1966 'Doctor Who' Annual

New Comics Collected Editions: Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 2, Captain America Omnibus Vol. 4

Our picks this week. Click the links to order from Amazon.

In the 1970s, legendary creator Jack “the King” Kirby revolutionized the comic book medium with a sweeping multi-series saga that encompassed impossible new worlds, iconic new characters, and sweeping new mythologies. He called it “The Fourth World.”

For the first time ever, DC Comics proudly presents the stories that came after. The Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 2 collects the first 12 years of stories that followed Jack Kirby’s epic, including the legendary Great Darkness Saga and Kirby’s very own return to the Fourth World in Super Powers.

Featuring Mister Miracle #19-25; The New Gods #12-19; Adventure Comics #459-460; The Brave and the Bold #112, #128, and #138; DC Comics Presents #12; First Issue Special #13; Justice League of America #183-185; Legion of Super-Heroes #290-294; Legion of Super-Heroes Annual #3; Secret Society of Super-Villains #1-5; Super Powers #1-5; Super Powers (vol. 2) #1-6; Super Powers (vol. 3) #1-4; Super Powers Collection #13-23; Super-Team Family #15; and stories from DC Special Series #10 and Legion of Super-Heroes #287.

Also includes a brand-new introduction and Super Powers essay by famed Great Darkness Saga writer and DC Comics editor (and former president) Paul Levitz, never-before-collected issues, an extensive gallery of never-before-collected art, essays, figures, and more!

It's the return of the King! In 1975, Jack "King" Kirby returned to Marvel and his iconic co-creation Captain America. Serving as writer, artist and editor, it was Kirby unleashed! 

He created an intricate storyline that built month after month toward America's Bicentennial and CAPTAIN AMERICA #200. In the "Madbomb" saga, an aristocratic faction seeks to wrest control of the country by possessing the American people's minds - and driving them to insane outbreaks of violence! 

Then, the Falcon is lost in an other-dimensional asylum - that's run by the inmates! The tale of the Night People and Agron the Unburied One is a tense, sci-fi/horror thriller. And Kirby tops it all off with "The Swine," an action-packed adventure featuring the debut of Arnim Zola - and the return of the Red Skull! 

Collecting CAPTAIN AMERICA (1968) #193-214 and ANNUAL #3-4, MARVEL TREASURY SPECIAL: CAPTAIN AMERICA'S BICENTENNTIAL BATTLES and material from F.O.O.M. #11.

New Music I Like: Libertines - 'Oh Shit'

From the new Libertines album, All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade.

New Music I Like: Kimmi Bitter - 'Vagabond Blues'

A nice bit of throwback country...
 

Pop Culture Roundup: Jonny Quest, James Bond, Patrick McGoohan, Steve Ditko, More


ITEM! A new Jonny Quest comic book series will debut on Free Comic Book Day, May 4.

ITEM! British actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson may be the new James Bond.

ITEM! Remembering Patrick McGoohan – and the comics his characters inspired

ITEM! A nice bit of Western comics work by the great Alex Toth: ""Jim Bowie's Secret" from 1958.

ITEM! A third and "final" "Downton Abbey" film is planned.

ITEM! Brian Cox will voice Santa Claus in the upcoming Netflix animated film "That Christmas."

ITEM! The late comic book artist Steve Ditko, co-creator of Spider-Man, Doctor Strange and more, has been named a "Disney Legend."

ITEM! Action figures based on Gerry Anderson-produced TV shows such as "Thunderbirds" and "Space: 1999" are set to go on sale this summer.

Pop Pic: Walter Brennan

Pop Artifact: Vintage Doctor Who 'War of the Daleks' Board Game

New on Video: 'Lynch/Oz (Janus Contemporaries)'


Out March 19. Click here to order from Amazon and help support Pop Culture Safari! 

Details:

The themes, images, and cultural vernacular of Victor Fleming’s The Wizard of Oz continue to haunt David Lynch’s filmography—from his early short The Alphabet to his recent television series Twin Peaks: The Return. Arguably, no filmmaker has so consistently drawn inspiration—consciously or unconsciously—from a single work. Is Lynch trapped in the Land of Oz? If so, what can we learn about his body of work by taking a closer look at how it intersects and communicates with that legendary fantasy? In turn, what do Lynch’s films have to say about the enduring resonance of one of America’s most beloved classics? Through six distinct perspectives, Alexandre O. Philippe’s Lynch/Oz helps us reexperience and reinterpret The Wizard of Oz by way of David Lynch, delivering new appreciations of both.

INCLUDES

  • Meet the Filmmakers, a new interview with director Alexandre O. Philippe
  • Trailer
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing