Label: Sigma Sound
Format: CD, silver, promotional item
Country: US
Released: May 2022
Genre: Plastic Soul, Funk, Bowie
Style: Bowie
1. Young Americans [first take] 0:21. An incomplete version with no vocal.
2. Young Americans [second take] 2:52. An incomplete version which ends with David laughing after singing “President Nixon.”
3. Young Americans [third take] 5:37. A complete version with slight lyrical differences to the finished version.
4. Shilling The Rubes 5:16. Complete version. Towards the end of the song David says, “That’s going to be very nice when it’s got its hat on!”
5. I’m A Laser (aka The Gouster) 6:06. Complete version.
6. After Today 4:09. Complete version but played at a much faster tempo than the version released by Ryko in 1989.
7. Sweet Thing 4:43 (Ava Cherry on lead vocals).
8. Take It In Right (Demo)
9. Never No turning Back (Demo)
10. Somebody Up There Likes Me (Unfinished Mix)
11. Across The Universe (Stripped Down Mix)
12. Can You Hear Me? (Stripped Down Mix)
13. Young Americans (Stripped Down Mix)
14. Fame (Stripped Down Mix)
15. Fame (Acapella)
On the 9 July 1974, Ava Cherry recorded 3 songs at Sigma Sound including a version of David’s ‘Sweet Thing’. The musicians came from David’s tour band whilst he provided backing vocals and played saxophone.
Bowie booked 2 weeks at Sigma commencing on the 8 August 1974, with tracks 1-6 being recorded on 13 Aug 1974. He was accompanied by Mike Garson and David Sanborn, Carlos Alomar; Willie Weeks (bass) and Andy Newmark (drums). In addition, Ava Cherry, Robin Clark (Alomar’s wife) and their friend Luther Vandross provided backing vocals.