David Bowie - Toy

How soon do you think it will be until the Thin White Duke's people have this pulled? Guess you better grab it quick!

This is Bowie's unreleased album from 2001, consisting primarily of covers of his earliest songs, including his debut, Liza Jane, originally credited to Davie Jones with The King Bees. Some of these songs saw release on the various editions of Heathen and as b-sides, but the whole album has been in limbo since it's cancellation due to Virgin's unspecified issues. Keep in mind, in 2001 Virgin was still dealing with the bruise of an $80 million dollar deal with Mariah Carey in the middle of her Glitter breakdown. Not that this is a valid excuse for their denial of Toy's release, but it gives a better idea of what might have been going through their collective shareholders' minds, what with Bowie's album consisting of re-recorded oldies.

Someone finally leaked the album earlier this year, although rumors abound that this might not be the version Bowie intended for release. Regardless, it's still great to hear. Uncle Floyd sends chills up my back, I Dig Everything is a solid rocker and everything else is wonderful as well. No, it's not Ziggy Stardust, and it's not Heroes or Low 2, but what could be? It's not Let's Dance, for better or worse, so there's something. It should be enjoyed and maybe Bowie will eventually remember it and give it a proper issue, untampered with beyond a proper mastering. Yeah, it's unlikely, but you never know.

Credit to Bowie for being himself and Dan Leroy for the same and having written the excellent The Greatest Music Never Sold which has a chapter dedicated to Toy. It would benefit anyone to find a copy of that book and read it's fascinating details, although I think Matt Stein took far too much, undeserved credit. Still, great book, great men, great album. Enjoy!


David Bowie - Toy

01 Uncle Floyd
02 Afraid
03 Baby Loves That Way
04 I Dig Everything
05 Conversation Piece
06 Let Me Sleep Beside You
07 Toy (Your Turn To Drive)
08 Hole In The Ground
09 Shadow Man
10 In The Heat Of The Morning
11 You've Got A Habit Of Leaving
12 Silly Boy Blue
13 Liza Jane
14 The London Boys


PS - The fabulous sculpture was created by Robert Bradford. It's made entirely from recycled toys. Firmly topic appropriate, eh? You can read more about his work here.