Ken Scott answers your questions!

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In May we asked you to send in your questions about Aladdin Sane, the album you voted the one you would most like to know more about from its co-producer the legendary Ken Scott…

David Bowie News asked:

What are your fondest memories of recording with David?

K S: There are so many. Everything from his amazing vocals, usually one take from beginning to end, unlike most of today’s artists, to the first time I heard a track from Ziggy blasting out of someone’s bedroom window as I walked down the street.

Russell Jones asked:

Hi is there a longer version of Cracked Actor with Mick Ronsons guitar ??

K S: Not that I recall.

Leander Christian asked:

Who or what was the inspiration for the beautiful and yet gloomy
track, “Lady Grinning Soul”?

K S: I have often wondered that myself, but it must have been someone very special to him as it was only one of two songs that he came to the studio for the mix.

Mike Meehan asked:

A messege to Ken relating to Aladdin Sane: regarding one of the
session out-takes ‘Zion’, fans will have undoubtedly heard, via a
pirate release, the backing track (without David’s finished vocals);
however, did David compile any lyrics and/or get as far as recording
the final vocal track for the song? In my minds visual/audio
dreamscape, I can hear Zion’s guitar riff intro’ following on from the
piano outro’ of the title track… one can only dream on. Kudos to you
K S for your brilliant production work btw. Love on dude.

K S: I can assure you that David never did a final vocal track. The recording was over and done with SO quickly that I don’t even remember a thing about it. That’s how I know he never sang it for real.

Tim asked:

I’ve always wondered how the intro chords (G, C+9) of Watch
That Man are heard faintly around a half-second before the track
begins … ? My theory is it arises either from, tape print through,
or residuals from a prior take that was so strong it didn’t fully
erase ? Any which way, it adds something quite gripping to the very
start of another seminal work. Every time I play Aladdin Sane; I
listen eagerly for that faint, yet very distinct, re-assuring
pre-intro. It somehow foretells the magnificent performances to come,
so skillfully conceived, played and captured, as if such errant chords
were the very essence of those sessions and times … I’d be quite
disappointed were they missing … Best regards, Tim … aka: joethelion

K S: If it’s on CD then it’s certainly print through on the tape, but, if it’s only on vinyl it’s the same kind of thing but it’s a slight reading of the next groove, if that makes sense. I’m pleased you like WTM but for me it’s the worst piece of work I did with David. More in a bit.

David Tullett asked:

To ask Ken is it true Prettiest Star written about Bolan and was an old song?

K S: An old song yes, but whether it’s written about MB, I really don’t know.

John Mather asked:

Tony DeFries had originally wanted Phil Spector to do this album ,
were you under pressure to mix AS any way different to normal ?

K S: WHAT?????????? I have never heard that, If true it’s the funniest piece of trivia I’ve ever heard about Deepfreeze. I mixed the album exactly as I did every other track I worked with David on, the way I felt the song would be best put across.

John Mather also asked:

Mike Garson is heavily involved on AS ! How crucial was his involvement ?

K S: Let’s be honest, without Mike’s participation on the title track and LGS the album would have been very different. And what about Time. Wow.

Erik Davidkov asked:

Which of the four albums you produced with David are you most proud of?

K S: Different bits of every one. There is no particular album.

John Simpson asked:

Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently during
production?

K S: Ha ha ha. Watch That Man without a doubt. I mixed it in a way I thought it came across most powerfully, which was with David’s vocal back, almost as one of the instruments. I was asked twice, by both Mainman and RCA, to do a new mix with David up and with each one they agreed it worked better with the original mix.I listen to it now, VERY rarely, and wonder where all of our heads were at. It’s awful. Ha ha ha.

(This competition is now closed, the winner has been notified by email, thanks to everyone who entered)

COMPETITION!!

For your chance to win the above signed by Ken Scott, postcard, simply answer this question:

What was the first single that was released from Aladdin Sane in the UK?

Answers by email to competitions@davidbowienews.com

Closing date is Sunday July 13th at midnight (UK) time.

Good Luck

(As always the competition is open worldwide)

Many thanks to Ken Scott.