six of one

howdy pop pickers

there is every chance that what i write here is of some exclusive interest purely, and most decidedly, to people quite aware of it. but, measure twice, cut once, look you see. rather let me carry the news here, on the off chance someone has missed this (ahem) "brilliant' news. which is in effect about just as brilliant as most aspects of this sorry affair. 

back, then, to the world of David Bowie's Brilliant Live Adventures. you know, that thing where they, the David Bowie Estate, decided to release six concerts by he (Bowie, for clarification) during  the 90s. some are poorly recorded, one or two feature under par performances, at least one was immediately forgettable with one being truly outstanding and another being exceptional. presumably they did an average and the calculator used somehow said "brilliant" was the best balanced name. 

releasing live recordings so that we, the fans, may give them money for them and in return hear some splendid vibes is, overall, smart. what was less than smart was the inane, insane and stupid decision to make these releases "strictly limited", and just how limited each was seemed to be of a fluctuating nature. they will merrily mass produce remaster after remaster of albums by Bowie that no one wishes to buy in any particular volume - Earthing, for instance - yet make it extremely tough for fans to buy a "new", previously unheard thing. 

after the fiasco of the final release (which i do not have), where it went "live" for sale and was sold out before any of us on the mailing list, etc, got a mail saying it was available, they noticed many were quite cross with them (the Bowie Estate). to their credit they made a vague promise to "fix" things. so here we are, a few months down the road, with their offer to redress here. 

vague is a really, really good word here. it seems, and never has the 90s priapic "db" logo been better used, that instead of just letting us, you know, buy the f*****g records (or discs), they are going to go right ahead and see if they can f*** some of us, or as many of us as possible, over again. 

by following this link (https://bla.davidbowie.com/), you are taken to a site where you are invited to express, or consent, to an "expression of interest" in giving the Bowie Estate some money in exchange for a record or two. maybe. the maybe is a bit clearer in the next picture. for now, note that you have until Monday 14 June (2021) to register or express interest. so, do it soon. 

it would surely be a sensible idea to mail those fortunate enough to have, with a registered account, bought one or more (five) and solicit from them if they had a wish to fill the gaps, or gap. or, failing that, with their carpet bomb approach, intend to press as many copies as verified account holders express a wish to give them money for, plus a realistic X% on top. for example, an extra 20% pressed on top of the hundreds wanting No Trendy Rechauffe, as well as an extra 30% of the thousands wishing to own what is one of the greatest Bowie releases ever, the magnificent Something In The Air. over on the other end, maybe an extra two copies of Live And Well for the one person who for some reason wants it. 

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, no no no no, and again, no, of course not. that would be just too easy, and of no fun for them down at the Bowie Estate. behold, a disclaimer. 

so, we get signed up to a mailing list that we are already f*****g on and is of little use, and there is a disclaimer or waiver saying that you still might not be able to buy the record you want. but, you know, they have lots and lots and lots of copies of Earthling if you are interested. great. 

despite the fact that i bring this subject up, and indeed have been checking the website (more or less) every day to see if they would like my money, to be frank i am just no longer arsed. yes, if i get the chance i will buy it, but they do seem intent on making this tricky. 

yes, i am quite aware that all of them are available "free" on them "Streaming" things, or indeed that i could go pay hundreds of pounds from the virtual car boot of ebay for them. but, with actual record shops being almost a thing of the past, i am settled with the "next best thing" of trying to buy the stuff from the official websites. oh, if only they would take our cash in a fuss free way. 

be excellent to each other!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!