Black Tie White Noise
Encyclopedia
Black Tie White Noise is an album by David Bowie
. Released in 1993, it was his first solo release in the 1990s after spending time with his hard rock band Tin Machine
, retiring his old hits on his Sound+Vision Tour, and marrying supermodel
Iman Abdulmajid. This album featured his old guitarist from the Ziggy Stardust
era, Mick Ronson
, who died of cancer later in the year. This album was inspired by his own wedding and includes tracks such as "The Wedding" and its reprise at the end of the album as a song reflecting the occasion. The album hit number one in the UK album charts two weeks after its release.
verdict was read, which resulted in the the riot in Los Angeles
. This inspired Bowie to write the track "Black Tie White Noise," which he recorded with a tough, edgy quality to avoid it ending up like "an "Ebony and Ivory
" for the Nineties." Singer Al B. Sure!
collaborated with Bowie on this track. Of landing in LA to the riots, Bowie said:
The track "Jump They Say" is a loosely autobiographical track about Bowie's half-brother, Terry, who committed suicide after being hospitalised for schizophrenia
in the 1980s. "It's the first time I've felt capable of addressing it, and, as always, when I'm taking the first step toward a situation I address it in terms of illusionistic images" Bowie said.
Bowie had reconnected with Mick Ronson partly due to Ronson's involvement in Morrissey
's most recent album Your Arsenal
, which Bowie was impressed with enough that he recorded a "totally camp" cover of the album's Bowie-esque "I Know It's Gonna Happen Someday." "It's me singing Morrissey singing me," Bowie said.
Bowie also reconnected with Nile Rodgers
in New York after a 1991 concert with his band Tin Machine
, whom Bowie had worked with previously on his Let's Dance album in 1983. However, Bowie pointed out that they were not looking to do a rehash of their previous success. "If Nile and I wanted to do Let's Dance II, we would have done it years ago, when, perhaps, it would have made more sense. Working together again, we avoided falling into that trap at all costs." Nile Rodgers agreed, stating "Half the fun of working with David is that you never know what the fuck he's going to come up with." Of wanting to work together again, Bowie continued, "We both basically missed the same element, with what was happening with the new R&B, which is now hip-hop and house, and what we were missing was the strong melodic content that was apparent in the '60's. I wanted to see if we could establish a new kind of melodic form of house."
Bowie and Gabrels had previously written the song "You've Been Around" together when they were with Tin Machine
, but the track never came out satisfactorily, so Bowie revived it when working on this album. "What I like about it is the fact that for the first half of the song, there's no harmonic reference. It's just drums and the voice comes in out of nowhere and you're not sure if it's a melody line or a drone or whatever and there's a really ominous feel to it that I like a lot. But one of the most satisfying things about making that particular track was working with Reeves on it because I had the chance, because it was my album, not Tin Machine's, to mix Reeves way into the background, so I knew that that would doubtlessly really irritate him, which indeed it did." Bowie also appreciated the sexuality of the song, saying "It's the texture of a song, for me, that almost comes above the lyrical content. The sex is in the rhythm, and being a very sexual person, that's very important for me, that it moves me."
Bowie also recorded the song "Bring Me the Disco King," which Bowie described as "a depressing song summing up the sad late Seventies with a Philip Glass
refrain running through it." This track would not end up on the album, however, and would remained buried in Bowie's vault until its release on Bowie's 2003 album, Reality.
Bowie, who had written 5 pieces of music for his wedding ceremony to Iman, put two of them on the album: "Pallas Athena" and "The Wedding Song / The Wedding:"
's "I Feel Free
," which Rolling Stone magazine called a "wild, funked-up cover of a well-known Sixties FM chestnut." Bowie was feeling good about the record, saying "I'm so proud of this record. At the risk of blowing my own horn, I don't think I've hit this peak before as a performer and a writer."
One reviewer called this album "arguably his best since Scary Monsters
."
Though considered by some critics to be musically far superior to Let's Dance, the public was still unsure whether or not it was ready to be receptive to Bowie again. The album, however, reached the number one spot on the UK charts with singles such as "Jump They Say" and "Miracle Goodnight". However, until re-releases later in the 1990s, the album was extraordinarily rare after the fledgling Savage Records on which it had been released suddenly went bankrupt. Though often considered Bowie's oddest departure, Black Tie White Noise marks the beginning of his modern era.
It has been suggested by many critics that it was Bowie's name rather than the music which prevented a bigger commercial success; to prove a point, in 1993, anonymous club remixes of the album track "Pallas Athena" were released to American dancefloors and became big hits.
After finishing the album, Bowie said he planned to take some time off to spend with his wife as well as go back into the studio with Tin Machine for a 3rd album in 1993, but the Tin Machine project failed to come together and Bowie's next effort was to be his solo soundtrack effort, The Buddha of Suburbia
.
Side Two
" (a song from the Cool World
film soundtrack released as a single in 1992) and "Lucy Can't Dance" (a bonus track on the original album) were included alongside dance mixes of many of the album tracks.
The CD was not well received. David Bowie himself did not like the release, and was quoted in 1995 saying:
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
. Released in 1993, it was his first solo release in the 1990s after spending time with his hard rock band Tin Machine
Tin Machine
Tin Machine was a hard rock band formed in 1988, famous for being fronted by singer David Bowie. The group recorded two studio albums before dissolving in 1992, when Bowie returned to his solo career...
, retiring his old hits on his Sound+Vision Tour, and marrying supermodel
Supermodel
The term supermodel refers to a highly-paid fashion model who usually has a worldwide reputation and often a background in haute couture and commercial modeling. The term became prominent in the popular culture of the 1980s. Supermodels usually work for top fashion designers and labels...
Iman Abdulmajid. This album featured his old guitarist from the Ziggy Stardust
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars is a 1972 concept album by English musician David Bowie, which is loosely based on a story of a rock star named Ziggy Stardust. It peaked at number five in the United Kingdom and number 75 in the United States on the Billboard Music...
era, Mick Ronson
Mick Ronson
Michael "Mick" Ronson was an English guitarist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and producer. He is best known for his work with David Bowie, as one of The Spiders from Mars...
, who died of cancer later in the year. This album was inspired by his own wedding and includes tracks such as "The Wedding" and its reprise at the end of the album as a song reflecting the occasion. The album hit number one in the UK album charts two weeks after its release.
Album and song development
Bowie and Iman, newly married, had arrived in Los Angeles to look for a new home together on the day that the Rodney KingRodney King
Rodney Glen King is an American best known for his involvement in a police brutality case involving the Los Angeles Police Department on March 3, 1991...
verdict was read, which resulted in the the riot in Los Angeles
1992 Los Angeles riots
The 1992 Los Angeles Riots or South Central Riots, also known as the 1992 Los Angeles Civil Unrest were sparked on April 29, 1992, when a jury acquitted three white and one hispanic Los Angeles Police Department officers accused in the videotaped beating of black motorist Rodney King following a...
. This inspired Bowie to write the track "Black Tie White Noise," which he recorded with a tough, edgy quality to avoid it ending up like "an "Ebony and Ivory
Ebony and Ivory
"Ebony and Ivory" is a 1982 number-one single by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder. It was released on March 29 of that year. The song is featured on McCartney's album Tug of War. The song reached number one on both the UK and the U.S. charts...
" for the Nineties." Singer Al B. Sure!
Al B. Sure!
Albert Jason Brown III is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He grew up in Leonia, New Jersey and Mount Vernon, New York. During the late 1980s under the stage name Al B...
collaborated with Bowie on this track. Of landing in LA to the riots, Bowie said:
The track "Jump They Say" is a loosely autobiographical track about Bowie's half-brother, Terry, who committed suicide after being hospitalised for schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
in the 1980s. "It's the first time I've felt capable of addressing it, and, as always, when I'm taking the first step toward a situation I address it in terms of illusionistic images" Bowie said.
Bowie had reconnected with Mick Ronson partly due to Ronson's involvement in Morrissey
Morrissey
Steven Patrick Morrissey , known as Morrissey, is an English singer and lyricist. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as the lyricist and vocalist of the alternative rock band The Smiths. The band was highly successful in the United Kingdom but broke up in 1987, and Morrissey began a solo career,...
's most recent album Your Arsenal
Your Arsenal
Your Arsenal is a 1992 album by British singer Morrissey, which was released through HMV Records. The album was regarded by many fans and critics as his strongest and heaviest effort yet upon its release...
, which Bowie was impressed with enough that he recorded a "totally camp" cover of the album's Bowie-esque "I Know It's Gonna Happen Someday." "It's me singing Morrissey singing me," Bowie said.
Bowie also reconnected with Nile Rodgers
Nile Rodgers
Nile Gregory Rodgers is an American musician, producer, composer, arranger, and guitarist.-Biography:...
in New York after a 1991 concert with his band Tin Machine
Tin Machine
Tin Machine was a hard rock band formed in 1988, famous for being fronted by singer David Bowie. The group recorded two studio albums before dissolving in 1992, when Bowie returned to his solo career...
, whom Bowie had worked with previously on his Let's Dance album in 1983. However, Bowie pointed out that they were not looking to do a rehash of their previous success. "If Nile and I wanted to do Let's Dance II, we would have done it years ago, when, perhaps, it would have made more sense. Working together again, we avoided falling into that trap at all costs." Nile Rodgers agreed, stating "Half the fun of working with David is that you never know what the fuck he's going to come up with." Of wanting to work together again, Bowie continued, "We both basically missed the same element, with what was happening with the new R&B, which is now hip-hop and house, and what we were missing was the strong melodic content that was apparent in the '60's. I wanted to see if we could establish a new kind of melodic form of house."
Bowie and Gabrels had previously written the song "You've Been Around" together when they were with Tin Machine
Tin Machine
Tin Machine was a hard rock band formed in 1988, famous for being fronted by singer David Bowie. The group recorded two studio albums before dissolving in 1992, when Bowie returned to his solo career...
, but the track never came out satisfactorily, so Bowie revived it when working on this album. "What I like about it is the fact that for the first half of the song, there's no harmonic reference. It's just drums and the voice comes in out of nowhere and you're not sure if it's a melody line or a drone or whatever and there's a really ominous feel to it that I like a lot. But one of the most satisfying things about making that particular track was working with Reeves on it because I had the chance, because it was my album, not Tin Machine's, to mix Reeves way into the background, so I knew that that would doubtlessly really irritate him, which indeed it did." Bowie also appreciated the sexuality of the song, saying "It's the texture of a song, for me, that almost comes above the lyrical content. The sex is in the rhythm, and being a very sexual person, that's very important for me, that it moves me."
Bowie also recorded the song "Bring Me the Disco King," which Bowie described as "a depressing song summing up the sad late Seventies with a Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass is an American composer. He is considered to be one of the most influential composers of the late 20th century and is widely acknowledged as a composer who has brought art music to the public .His music is often described as minimalist, along with...
refrain running through it." This track would not end up on the album, however, and would remained buried in Bowie's vault until its release on Bowie's 2003 album, Reality.
Bowie, who had written 5 pieces of music for his wedding ceremony to Iman, put two of them on the album: "Pallas Athena" and "The Wedding Song / The Wedding:"
Album release and reception
In interviews given prior to the album's release, Bowie was especially coy, refusing to divulge either the name of the album nor the tracks he was recording, such as his version of CreamCream (band)
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
's "I Feel Free
I Feel Free
"I Feel Free" is a song first recorded by British rock group Cream. The song's lyrics were written by Pete Brown, its music by Jack Bruce. It was the first track on the US issue of their debut album, Fresh Cream , and the band's second hit single...
," which Rolling Stone magazine called a "wild, funked-up cover of a well-known Sixties FM chestnut." Bowie was feeling good about the record, saying "I'm so proud of this record. At the risk of blowing my own horn, I don't think I've hit this peak before as a performer and a writer."
One reviewer called this album "arguably his best since Scary Monsters
Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)
Scary Monsters is an album by David Bowie, released in September 1980 by RCA Records. It was Bowie's final studio album for the label and his first following the so-called Berlin Trilogy of Low, "Heroes" and Lodger . Though considered significant in artistic terms, the trilogy had proved less...
."
Though considered by some critics to be musically far superior to Let's Dance, the public was still unsure whether or not it was ready to be receptive to Bowie again. The album, however, reached the number one spot on the UK charts with singles such as "Jump They Say" and "Miracle Goodnight". However, until re-releases later in the 1990s, the album was extraordinarily rare after the fledgling Savage Records on which it had been released suddenly went bankrupt. Though often considered Bowie's oddest departure, Black Tie White Noise marks the beginning of his modern era.
It has been suggested by many critics that it was Bowie's name rather than the music which prevented a bigger commercial success; to prove a point, in 1993, anonymous club remixes of the album track "Pallas Athena" were released to American dancefloors and became big hits.
After finishing the album, Bowie said he planned to take some time off to spend with his wife as well as go back into the studio with Tin Machine for a 3rd album in 1993, but the Tin Machine project failed to come together and Bowie's next effort was to be his solo soundtrack effort, The Buddha of Suburbia
The Buddha of Suburbia (soundtrack)
The Buddha of Suburbia is a 1993 soundtrack album by David Bowie which accompanied the 4-part television serial The Buddha of Suburbia on BBC2 ....
.
CD version
- "The WeddingThe Wedding SongDavid Bowie's "The Wedding Song" appears on his 1993 album, Black Tie White Noise in two forms, first as an instrumental titled "The Wedding" and then in its shortened, lyrical version, "The Wedding Song"...
" – 5:04 - "You've Been AroundYou've Been Around"You've Been Around" is a song written by David Bowie and Reeves Gabrels in 1993 for the album Black Tie White Noise.Like a few Bowie songs from the 1990s, this piece was originally a song written to be played by Bowie's hard rock band, Tin Machine to perform live; it was never released on a Tin...
" (Bowie, Reeves GabrelsReeves GabrelsReeves Gabrels is an American guitarist, known for virtuosity, versatility, and originality. His compositions and improvisations defy genre and "explore sonic extremes with a great, adaptive intuition for what each song needs most."...
) – 4:45 - "I Feel FreeI Feel Free"I Feel Free" is a song first recorded by British rock group Cream. The song's lyrics were written by Pete Brown, its music by Jack Bruce. It was the first track on the US issue of their debut album, Fresh Cream , and the band's second hit single...
" (Jack BruceJack BruceJohn Symon Asher "Jack" Bruce is a Scottish musician and songwriter, respected as a founding member of the British psychedelic rock power trio, Cream, for a solo career that spans several decades, and for his participation in several well-known musical ensembles...
, Pete BrownPete BrownPeter Ronald Brown is an English performance poet and lyricist.Best known for his collaborations with Jack Bruce, Brown also worked with The Battered Ornaments, formed his own group Pete Brown & Piblokto!, and worked with Graham Bond and Phil Ryan. Brown also writes film scores and formed a film...
) – 4:52 - "Black Tie White NoiseBlack Tie White Noise (song)"Black Tie White Noise" is the title track from David Bowie's 1993 album. Featuring guest vocals by Al B. Sure!, it was released as a second single from the album in June 1993....
" (featuring Al B. Sure!Al B. Sure!Albert Jason Brown III is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He grew up in Leonia, New Jersey and Mount Vernon, New York. During the late 1980s under the stage name Al B...
) – 4:52 - "Jump They SayJump They Say"Jump They Say" is a song by David Bowie from his album Black Tie White Noise. It was released as a first single from the album in March 1993....
" – 4:22 - "Nite Flights" (Noel Scott EngelScott Walker (singer)Scott Walker, born Noel Scott Engel on January 9, 1943 is an American singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, and the former lead singer of The Walker Brothers. Despite being American born, Walker's chart success has largely come in the United Kingdom, where his first four solo albums...
) – 4:30 - "Pallas AthenaPallas Athena (song)"Pallas Athena" is a song written by David Bowie in 1993 for the album Black Tie White Noise.The name is taken from the Greek goddess, Athena, who famously depicted in Athenian statues under the form of Pallas Athena...
" – 4:40 - "Miracle GoodnightMiracle Goodnight"Miracle Goodnight" is a song from David Bowie's album Black Tie White Noise, and was released as the third single from the album in October 1993....
" – 4:14 - "Don't Let Me Down & DownDon't Let Me Down & Down"Don't Let Me Down & Down" is a song by Tahra and Martine Valmont. Tahra is a Mauritanian princess that recorded the song for a French CD release produced by Martine Valmont. Tahra wrote the Arabic lyrics for the song, but it was translated into English by Valmont.Iman came to visit Tahra in Paris...
" (Tarha, Martine Valmont) – 4:55 - "Looking for Lester" (Bowie, Nile RodgersNile RodgersNile Gregory Rodgers is an American musician, producer, composer, arranger, and guitarist.-Biography:...
) – 5:36 - "I Know It's Gonna Happen Someday" (MorrisseyMorrisseySteven Patrick Morrissey , known as Morrissey, is an English singer and lyricist. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as the lyricist and vocalist of the alternative rock band The Smiths. The band was highly successful in the United Kingdom but broke up in 1987, and Morrissey began a solo career,...
, Mark Nevin) – 4:14 - "The Wedding SongThe Wedding SongDavid Bowie's "The Wedding Song" appears on his 1993 album, Black Tie White Noise in two forms, first as an instrumental titled "The Wedding" and then in its shortened, lyrical version, "The Wedding Song"...
" – 4:29
LP version
Side One- "You've Been Around" – 4:45
- "I Feel Free" – 4:52
- "Black Tie White Noise" – 4:52
- "Jump They Say" – 4:22
- "Nite Flights" – 4:30
Side Two
- "Miracle Goodnight" – 4:14
- "Don't Let Me Down & Down" – 4:55
- "Pallas Athena" – 4:40
- "I Know It's Gonna Happen Someday" – 4:14
- "The Wedding Song" – 4:29
- On the Indonesian release, Bowie sang "Don't Let Me Down & Down" in Indonesian.
- Nile Rodgers was not given a co-writing credit for "Looking for Lester" on the original 1993 release, but his credit was added on the 2003 reissue.
Rereleases
To mark the album's 10th anniversary in 2003, a re-release consisting of the original album, a second disc of remixes and rarities and a bonus DVD of the Black Tie White Noise video was released. Songs like "Real Cool WorldReal Cool World
"Real Cool World" is a song from the soundtrack of the film Cool World, performed by David Bowie. Released in August 1992, it represented his first new solo material since Tin Machine dissolved....
" (a song from the Cool World
Cool World
Cool World is a 1992 American live-action/animated film directed by Ralph Bakshi, and starring Kim Basinger, Gabriel Byrne, and Brad Pitt. It tells the story of a cartoonist who finds himself in the animated world he created, and is seduced by one of his characters, a comic strip vamp who wants to...
film soundtrack released as a single in 1992) and "Lucy Can't Dance" (a bonus track on the original album) were included alongside dance mixes of many of the album tracks.
Bonus tracks on some versions
- "Jump They Say" (Alternate mix) – 3:58
- Same as the "JAE-E edit" from "Jump They Say" EU CD single.
- This mix is not included on the 10th anniversary edition.
- "Lucy Can't Dance" – 5:45
- The Japanese release featured the "Don't Stop Praying" remix of "Pallas Athena" as an additional bonus track.
Bonus tracks on 10th Anniversary version
- "Real Cool WorldReal Cool World"Real Cool World" is a song from the soundtrack of the film Cool World, performed by David Bowie. Released in August 1992, it represented his first new solo material since Tin Machine dissolved....
" – 5:27 - "Lucy Can't Dance" – 5:48
- "Jump They Say" (Rock Mix) – 4:30
- "Black Tie White Noise" (3rd Floor US radio mix) – 3:44
- "Miracle Goodnight" (Make Believe mix) – 4:30
- "Don't Let Me Down & Down" (Indonesian vocal version) – 4:56
- "You've Been Around" (DangersJack DangersJack Dangers is an electronic musician, DJ, producer, and remixer best known for his work as the primary member of Meat Beat Manifesto. He lives in San Francisco.-Career:...
12" mix) – 7:40 - "Jump They Say" (Brothers in RhythmBrothers in RhythmBrothers In Rhythm is a house music duo consisting of producers / remixers and DJs Steve Anderson and Dave Seaman. As a duo and individually, they have remixed and/or produced tracks by Lulu, M People, Secret Life, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, New Order, Pet Shop Boys, Kylie Minogue, Garbage,...
12" remix) – 8:26 - "Black Tie White Noise" (Here Come Da JazzNile RodgersNile Gregory Rodgers is an American musician, producer, composer, arranger, and guitarist.-Biography:...
) – 5:33 - "Pallas Athena" (Don't Stop Praying remix no. 2Meat Beat ManifestoMeat Beat Manifesto, often shortened to Meat Beat or MBM, is an electronic music group originally consisting of Jack Dangers and Jonny Stephens formed in 1987 in Swindon, UK...
) – 7:24 - "Nite Flights" (MoodswingsMoodswings (band)Moodswings is a musical duo composed of Grant Showbiz and James F.T. Hood. Grant Showbiz was a onetime roadie and guitar tech who later produced albums by The Smiths, Billy Bragg, Silverfish, and Gong. James Hood was a former drummer for The Pretenders, The Impossible Dreamers, Kid Creole & the...
Back to Basics Remix) – 10:01 - "Jump They Say" (Dub OddityLeftfieldLeftfield are a British duo of electronica artists and record producers, namely Paul Daley and Neil Barnes, who formed in 1990 in London, England...
) – 6:18
Personnel
- David Bowie – Vocals, Guitar, SaxSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, Dog alto, production - Nile RodgersNile RodgersNile Gregory Rodgers is an American musician, producer, composer, arranger, and guitarist.-Biography:...
– production, Guitar - Jon Goldberger, Gary Tole, Andrew Grassi, Mike Greene, Louis Alfred III, Dale Schalow, Lee Anthony, Neal Perry, Andy Smith – engineeringAcoustical engineeringAcoustical engineering is the branch of engineering dealing with sound and vibration. It is the application of acoustics, the science of sound and vibration, in technology. Acoustical engineers are typically concerned with the manipulation and control of sound....
- Pugi Bell, Sterling CampbellSterling CampbellSterling Campbell in New York City, New York, is an American rock drummer who has worked with numerous high-profile acts. He rose to attention in 1986, touring with Cyndi Lauper on her her True Colors World Tour, in 1986, and in 1987, joined Duran Duran...
– drums - Barry Campbell – bass
- Richard Hilton – keyboards
- John ReganJohn Regan (bassist)John Regan is an American musician, songwriter, producer and bassist. He is notable for being a member of ex-KISS guitarist Ace Frehley's band "Frehley's Comet" from 1984 to 1990. He has also recorded and performed with Peter Frampton 1979 til currently, John Waite, The Rolling Stones, Stephen...
– bass - Michael Reisman – harpHarpThe harp is a multi-stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicularly to the soundboard. Organologically, it is in the general category of chordophones and has its own sub category . All harps have a neck, resonator and strings...
, tubular bellTubular bellTubular bells are musical instruments in the percussion family. Each bell is a metal tube, 30–38 mm in diameter, tuned by altering its length. Its standard range is from C4-F5, though many professional instruments reach G5 . Tubular bells are often replaced by studio chimes, which are a smaller...
s - Dave RichardsDave RichardsSir Dave Richards is the chairman of the FA Premier League, member of the Football Association 's Board, chairman of the FA's international committee, president of the European Professional Football Leagues organisation, chairman of UEFA's Professional Football Committee and former chairman of...
, Philippe SaissePhilippe SaissePhilippe Saisse is a French Grammy Award-nominated Smooth Jazz and New Age music keyboardist, producer and arranger.He was born in Marseille and raised in Paris. After studying at the Conservatoire de Paris he won a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music. He became the protege of Gary Burton...
, Richard TeeRichard TeeRichard Tee was a pianist, studio musician, singer and arranger.Tee graduated from the High School of Music and Art and attended the Manhattan School of Music. Though better known as a studio and session musician, Tee led a jazz ensemble, the Richard Tee Committee, and was a founding member of the...
– keyboards - Gerardo VelezGerardo VelezGerardo "Jerry" Velez is a Puerto Rican musician. Best known for performing with American psychedelic rock musician Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock Festival in August 1969, Velez is a veteran percussionist and drummer who has performed with many artists covering a number of different genres of music...
– percussion - Fonzi ThorntonFonzi ThorntonFonzi Thornton, is an American singer, song writer/producer, stage performer and radio personality.Thornton has provided background vocals on albums by artists which include Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Chic, Sheena Easton, Mariah Carey, David Bowie, Michael Jackson,...
, Tawatha Agee, Curtis King, Jr., Dennis Collins, Brenda White-King, Maryl Epps – background vocals - Al B. Sure!Al B. Sure!Albert Jason Brown III is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He grew up in Leonia, New Jersey and Mount Vernon, New York. During the late 1980s under the stage name Al B...
– vocal duetDuet (music)A duet is a musical composition for two performers. In classical music, the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as...
on "Black Tie White Noise" - Fonzi ThorntonFonzi ThorntonFonzi Thornton, is an American singer, song writer/producer, stage performer and radio personality.Thornton has provided background vocals on albums by artists which include Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Chic, Sheena Easton, Mariah Carey, David Bowie, Michael Jackson,...
, Tawatha Agee, Curtis King, Jr., Dennis Collins, Brenda White-King, Maryl Epps, Frank SimmsFrank SimmsFrank Simms is an American singer and voice-over artist known for providing the voices behind such iconic characters as the Kool-Aid Man, the Honeycomb Craver, the bug-eyed, fuzzy mascot of Honeycomb cereal, and the Geico ringtone. He is one of the founding members and songwriters of The Simms...
, George Simms, David Spinner, Lamya Al-Mughiery, Connie Petruk, David Bowie, Nile RodgersNile RodgersNile Gregory Rodgers is an American musician, producer, composer, arranger, and guitarist.-Biography:...
– choirChoirA choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
on "I Know It's Gonna Happen Someday" - Mick RonsonMick RonsonMichael "Mick" Ronson was an English guitarist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and producer. He is best known for his work with David Bowie, as one of The Spiders from Mars...
– Guitars on "I Feel Free" - Lester BowieLester BowieLester Bowie was an American jazz trumpet player and composer. He was a member of the AACM, and cofounded the Art Ensemble of Chicago.-Biography:...
– Trumpet on "You've Been Around", "Jump They Say", "Pallas Athena", "Don't Let Me Down & Down", "Looking For Lester" - Wild T. Springer – guitar
Charts
Album| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Norway album chart | 8 |
| 1993 | UK album chart | 1 |
Black Tie White Noise Video EP
Released in 1993, this video collection was shows Bowie performing 6 of the tracks from his album Black Tie White Noise, recorded "on Saturday May 8, 1993, at the Hollywood Center Studios in Los Angeles." The video includes additional new interview footage with David Bowie as well as 3 of his most recent full-length music videos.Track listing (VHS (16622-3) / Laserdisc (16622-6))
- Only major musical performances are given track numbers; interviews with Bowie are interspersed between the musical numbers.
- "You've Been Around"
- "Nite Flights"
- "Miracle Goodnight"
- "Black Tie White Noise"
- "I Feel Free"
- "I Know It's Gonna Happen Someday"
- "Miracle Goodnight" (music video)
- "Jump They Say" (music video)
- "Black Tie White Noise" (music video)
Track listing (DVD (72434-90726-9-5))
- On the 2003 re-release DVD, the chapter stops were expanded to include the inter-song interviews
- "Introduction"
- "With Lester Bowie"
- "On Reeves Gabrels"
- "You've Been Around" *
- "Expanding and Experimenting"
- "Nite Flights" *
- "Otherness"
- "Miracle Goodnight" *
- "On Marriage"
- "Black Tie White Noise" *
- "With Mick Ronson"
- "I Feel Free" *
- "With Nile Rodgers"
- "I Know It's Gonna Happen Someday" *
- "Miracle Goodnight (promo video)"
- "Jump They Say (promo video)"
- "Black Tie White Noise (promo video)"
- "Credits"
- Tracks marked with an asterisk (*) are musical performances recorded at the Hollywood Center Studios, Los Angeles, 5/8/93
Jump (The David Bowie interactive CD-ROM)
To coincide with the album's release, Bowie commissioned an "interactive CD-ROM" be produced based on the album. Released in 1994, the Jump CD-ROM gave users a chance to remake Bowie's "Jump They Say" video, remix "Black Tie White Noise," and explore a virtual world based on the album (including "hidden animations, sounds, pictures and other surprises.") It also included four complete music videos and excerpts from interviews with David Bowie about the creation of the video and album.The CD was not well received. David Bowie himself did not like the release, and was quoted in 1995 saying: