Toy (David Bowie album)
Encyclopedia
Toy is an album by the British
rock musician David Bowie
, recorded for release in 2001, and leaked onto the Internet in 2011. Although Bowie had begun recording the album intended to feature new versions of some of his earliest pieces as well as three new songs, its sessions led him to Heathen (2002) and it was never released officially.
/Virgin
seem to have a lot of scheduling conflicts this year, which has put an awful lot on the back burner. Toy is finished and ready to go, and I will make an announcement as soon as I get a very real date. Meantime, I'm already started writing and recording for another album (untitled at the moment). So far I have to say it's back to experimental. But knowing me, it doesn't mean that's how it'll turn out. I shall be writing and recording throughout the summer, but daddyfying is really my priority at the moment."
, and several other versions of these songs were released during Bowie's early career including "I Dig Everything
," "Baby Loves That Way
," as collected on Early On (1964–1966), and "In The Heat Of The Morning," and "The London Boys
," as collected on The Deram Anthology 1966–1968. A version of "Conversation Piece" was recorded and released in 1970.
"Uncle Floyd" (retitled "Slip Away") and "Afraid" were later released on Heathen, “Baby Loves That Way”, “Shadow Man
”, and “You’ve Got A Habit of Leaving” were released as B-sides to Heathens singles, and "Conversation Piece" was released on the Limited edition bonus disc of Heathen in 2002.
Musicians
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
rock musician David Bowie
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...
, recorded for release in 2001, and leaked onto the Internet in 2011. Although Bowie had begun recording the album intended to feature new versions of some of his earliest pieces as well as three new songs, its sessions led him to Heathen (2002) and it was never released officially.
Recording and production
Originally, Bowie had recorded the album Toy for release in 2001 or 2002. This album was meant to feature some new songs and remakes of some his lesser-known songs from the 1960s. Toy remains officially unreleased. In 2001, in his own site, Bowie participated on a virtual chat with fans and when one of them asked about the release of Toy, he replied: "I'm finding EMIEMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
/Virgin
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
seem to have a lot of scheduling conflicts this year, which has put an awful lot on the back burner. Toy is finished and ready to go, and I will make an announcement as soon as I get a very real date. Meantime, I'm already started writing and recording for another album (untitled at the moment). So far I have to say it's back to experimental. But knowing me, it doesn't mean that's how it'll turn out. I shall be writing and recording throughout the summer, but daddyfying is really my priority at the moment."
Alternative versions
"Liza Jane" was Bowie's debut single, released under the name Davie Jones with the King Bees. The original version of "Silly Boy Blue" appeared on Bowie's eponymous debut albumDavid Bowie (album)
-Bonus tracks :# "Rubber Band" – Mono Single A-side # "The London Boys" – Mono Single B-side # "The Laughing Gnome" – Mono Single A-side # "The Gospel According To Tony Day" – Mono Single B-side...
, and several other versions of these songs were released during Bowie's early career including "I Dig Everything
I Dig Everything
"I Dig Everything" is a single by David Bowie.Released in 1966, the track was originally demoed with Bowie's touring band, The Buzz, but Tony Hatch was unhappy with their efforts, and replaced them with session players. The song was performed in 1966-67 as a rewritten version by 1-2-3 , which David...
," "Baby Loves That Way
Baby Loves That Way
"Baby Loves That Way" is a song written by David Bowie in 1965 and released as the B-side of single "You've Got a Habit of Leaving" under the name Davy Jones & the Lower Third.-Other releases:...
," as collected on Early On (1964–1966), and "In The Heat Of The Morning," and "The London Boys
The London Boys
"The London Boys" is a song written by David Bowie. It was first released as the B-side of the single "Rubber Band" in the UK, and as a single of its own in France in December 1966....
," as collected on The Deram Anthology 1966–1968. A version of "Conversation Piece" was recorded and released in 1970.
"Uncle Floyd" (retitled "Slip Away") and "Afraid" were later released on Heathen, “Baby Loves That Way”, “Shadow Man
Shadow Man (song)
"Shadow Man" is a song written by David Bowie in 1971. An outtake recorded at this time has never been officially released. In 2001 Bowie recorded the song for the planned but unreleased album Toy. This version was released on the singles "Slow Burn", "I've Been Waiting for You" and UK single...
”, and “You’ve Got A Habit of Leaving” were released as B-sides to Heathens singles, and "Conversation Piece" was released on the Limited edition bonus disc of Heathen in 2002.
Track listing
Note: This is the track listing of the version of the album leaked in 2011, which is rumored to be different than the originally intended version.- "Uncle Floyd" - 6:15
- "AfraidAfraid (David Bowie song)"Afraid" is a song written by David Bowie for the album Heathen in 2002. It was originally intended for the unreleased album Toy in 2001 and was even featured in a commercial for XM Satellite Radio that same year....
" - 3:29 - "Baby Loves That WayBaby Loves That Way"Baby Loves That Way" is a song written by David Bowie in 1965 and released as the B-side of single "You've Got a Habit of Leaving" under the name Davy Jones & the Lower Third.-Other releases:...
" - 4:38 - "I Dig EverythingI Dig Everything"I Dig Everything" is a single by David Bowie.Released in 1966, the track was originally demoed with Bowie's touring band, The Buzz, but Tony Hatch was unhappy with their efforts, and replaced them with session players. The song was performed in 1966-67 as a rewritten version by 1-2-3 , which David...
" - 4:53 - "Conversation Piece" - 3:53
- "Let Me Sleep Beside You" - 3:14
- "Toy (Your Turn To Drive)" - 4:46
- "Hole In The Ground" - 3:30
- "Shadow ManShadow Man (song)"Shadow Man" is a song written by David Bowie in 1971. An outtake recorded at this time has never been officially released. In 2001 Bowie recorded the song for the planned but unreleased album Toy. This version was released on the singles "Slow Burn", "I've Been Waiting for You" and UK single...
" - 4:41 - "In The Heat Of The Morning" - 3:51
- "You've Got a Habit of LeavingYou've Got a Habit of Leaving"You've Got a Habit of Leaving" is a song written by David Bowie in 1965 and released as a single under the name Davy Jones . It was the last song that Bowie, born David Jones, released before changing his name to avoid confusion with Davy Jones of The Monkees, and the first of two singles that he...
" - 4:49 - "Silly Boy Blue" - 5:33
- "Liza Jane" - 4:48
- "The London BoysThe London Boys"The London Boys" is a song written by David Bowie. It was first released as the B-side of the single "Rubber Band" in the UK, and as a single of its own in France in December 1966....
" - 3:47
Personnel
- Recorded at Sear Sound, New York. Overdubs and Mix at Looking Glass StudiosLooking Glass StudiosLooking Glass Studios was a computer game development company during the 1990s.The company originally formed as Looking Glass Technologies, when Blue Sky Productions and Lerner Research merged....
, New York. - Mixed by Mark PlatiMark PlatiMark Plati is a New York-based musician, record producer, and songwriter, widely acclaimed for his work in the 1990s with David Bowie. An in-demand producer, Plati also has worked with Spookey Ruben, The Cure, Duncan Sheik, Hooverphonic, Robbie Williams, Joe McIntyre, and Natalie Imbruglia...
. - Engineered by Pete Keppler.
Musicians
- David BowieDavid BowieDavid 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...
: vocals, keyboards, stylophone, mandolin - Earl SlickEarl SlickEarl Slick is a guitarist best known for his collaborations with David Bowie, Jim Diamond and Robert Smith, although he has also worked with other artists , John Waite, and even released some solo recordings.In the early 1970s, Earl Slick gained his...
: guitar - Gail Ann DorseyGail Ann DorseyGail Ann Dorsey is an American musician considered one of the premier bass guitarists and vocalists within the alternative rock scene. With a distinguished career as a session musician, it has been most notably her long association performing in David Bowie's band, from 1995 to the present day,...
: bass - Mark Plati: bass, guitars
- 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 - Lisa GermanoLisa GermanoLisa Germano is an American singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has released seven albums featuring her often-hushed vocal style, confessional lyrics, and distinctive violin. Her 1994 album Geek the Girl received widespread critical acclaim, including being featured as a top album of...
: violin - Holly PalmerHolly PalmerHolly Palmer is an American singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. She has released four albums as a solo artist, and has toured extensively as a vocalist with acts including David Bowie and Gnarls Barkley. She is also the "Cheesecake" partner in Bubbles & Cheesecake, an...
: backing vocals - Emm GrynerEmm GrynerEmm Gryner is a Canadian singer-songwriter and occasional actress.-Biography:Gryner's childhood was spent in Forest, Lambton County, Ontario. Her father was of half Irish heritage and her mother was Filipina....
: backing vocals - Gerry Leonard: guitars
- Mike GarsonMike GarsonMike Garson is an American pianist, most notable for his work with David Bowie, Nine Inch Nails, Billy Corgan, Free Flight, and The Smashing Pumpkins.- Early career :...
: piano