One of David Bowie’s last collaborators rejected the idea that ‘Blackstar’ intended to be the singer’s farewell album.
Bowie’s last album was released just two days before he died of cancer in January 2016 – with many claiming that his lyrics can be interpreted as the singer dealing with his own mortality.
However, Donny McCaslin – who heads the New York jazz ensemble featured on the album – instead claims that Bowie was planning more work before his death.
- READ MORE: An oral history of David Bowie’s ‘Blackstar’ – five years after his death
“There is the narrative of ‘Blackstar’ being this farewell, which I totally understand. But it coexists with the fact that he was so creative. He was planning to do more, ”he said. NME for a new oral history to mark five years of registration.
McCaslin said Bowie was also planning intimate live shows shortly before his death.
“When I went to listen to the album at his apartment in November 2015, the idea for doing some small shows came up. Village Vanguard is like a Mecca for jazz people and I did my first performance there in January, ”he said.
“We talked about doing a little rehearsal and sound check and, of course, it would depend on how he felt. We talked again in December, at the time of the musical and he said he didn’t want to – he was working on a new song and wanted to record in January ”.
But producer Robert Fox, a longtime friend of Bowie’s, says he was very aware of his impending death.
“No, he knew. I think he knew. Certainly, around Lazarus, it was very clear that there would be nothing more than a miracle, ”he said.
“The last time I saw him was when I went to his apartment, two dates after the opening of the musical. It was not an overly dramatic farewell, although it was quite clear that it probably would be. “
Your comments come before you come before A Bowie celebration: just for one day live broadcast tonight (January 8) – with Bowie’s longtime pianist Mike Garson organizing a group of guest stars.
Bowie’s birthday celebration this year also saw the release of two unpublished covers by the later singer, who see him facing Bob Dylan and John Lennon.
It was announced yesterday (January 7) that Bowie’s music is now available on TikTok, with fans being able to access tracks like ‘Modern Love’, ‘Heroes’, ‘Starman’, ‘Rebel Rebel’ and ‘Under Pressure’.