David Bowie - Waiting In The Sky (Before The Starman Came To Earth)

Waiting in the Sky (Before the Starman Came to Earth) is a 2024 archival vinyl release featuring an early 11-track sequence of David Bowie's 1972 masterpiece, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Sourced from 1971 Trident Studios tapes, this limited-edition, half-speed mastered album highlights a transitional phase in Bowie's career before the inclusion of major hits.

This collection offers an alternate version of the iconic album, replacing some final tracks with four unique songs—"Round and Round," "Amsterdam," "Holy Holy," and "Velvet Goldmine"—that were originally intended for the album but later moved to B-sides. The release showcases the evolution of the Ziggy Stardust narrative, accompanied by archival photography from that era.

Waiting in the Sky (Before the Starman Came to Earth) offers a fascinating, alternate-universe glimpse into the creation of David Bowie’s seminal 1972 masterpiece. By replicating a provisional 11-track sequence sourced from Trident Studios tapes dated 15 December 1971, this 2024 Record Store Day release captures a legendary artist right on the precipice of his global breakthrough. Because the final puzzle pieces—most notably the anthemic "Starman" and the blistering "Suffragette City"—had not yet been recorded, this LP functions as a compelling, transitional document. It strips away the glossy, cohesive perfection of the definitive Ziggy Stardust mythos and reveals the raw, eclectic ideas Bowie was playing with just months before changing rock history forever.

The sonic journey on Side One remains largely familiar for the first three tracks, anchoring the listener in the bleak apocalypse of "Five Years" and the cosmic romance of "Soul Love" and "Moonage Daydream." However, the album abruptly veers off script with the inclusion of two covers: a raucous take on Chuck Berry’s "Round and Round" and a dramatic rendition of Jacques Brel’s "Amsterdam." While these tracks showcase the Spiders from Mars playing with incredible, loose energy, it becomes instantly clear why Bowie eventually cut them. They anchor the album a bit too heavily in his past influences, threatening to disrupt the highly original, futuristic sci-fi narrative that would define the final 1972 release.

Side Two provides the collection's deepest thrills, specifically through the inclusion of "Holy Holy" and the legendary "Velvet Goldmine." The latter remains one of the finest artifacts of the glam-rock era, and hearing its sultry, swaggering hooks embedded directly into the album's sequence—rather than relegated to a historical B-side footnote—completely alters the pacing and mood of the record's second half. Stripped of "Rock 'N' Roll Suicide" as a grand finale, the album instead closes out with "Lady Stardust." This shift results in a much more melancholic, introspective conclusion, trading a theatrical explosion for a tender, piano-led comedown.

Audiophiles and casual fans alike will appreciate the meticulous care put into the physical presentation and audio quality of this archival release. Half-speed mastered at AIR Studios from original 192kHz digital transfers, the vinyl sounds beautifully crisp, highlighting Mick Ronson's gritty guitar work and Woody Woodmansey's punchy percussion with exceptional clarity. Enhanced by a sleeve that replicates the original Trident Studios tape boxes, Waiting in the Sky is more than just a historical novelty. It is an essential, high-fidelity time capsule that deepens our understanding of Bowie's creative process and the precise curation it took to launch Ziggy Stardust to the stars.

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Side One

1. Five Years (4:42)

2. Soul Love (3:33)

3. Moonage Daydream (4:37)

4. Round and Round (2:41) — Chuck Berry cover; replaced on the final album by "Starman"

5. Amsterdam (3:24) — Jacques Brel cover; cut from the final album to make room for newer material

Side Two

6. Hang on to Yourself (2:37)

7. Ziggy Stardust (3:13)

8. Velvet Goldmine (3:09) — Bowie original; replaced on the final album by "Suffragette City"

9. Holy Holy (2:19) — 1971 Spiders from Mars re-recording; cut from the final album

10. Star (2:47)

11. Lady Stardust (3:20) — Functions as the album closer here, as "Rock 'N' Roll Suicide" had not yet been recorded