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David Bowie / Ziggy Stardust album in Dolby Atmos

First Atmos Mix available on blu-ray audio

By Paul Sinclair

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70

Quick pre-order via the SDE shop

David Bowie’s 1972 album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars has been mixed in Dolby Atmos and will be released physically, on a standalone blu-ray audio in September.

David’s breakthough album features numerous classic songs such as ‘Starman’, ‘Moonage Daydream’, ‘Ziggy Stardust’, ‘Five Years’ and ‘Suffragette City’, was Bowie’s first hit album, reaching number five in the UK chart in 1972, while ‘Starman’ was a top 10 single.

This is the first Dolby Atmos Mix of a Bowie studio album. Since the start of the ‘eras’ campaign with Five Years box set in 2015, Parlophone have not released any of David’s albums in surround sound. It has actually been 14 years since the last release, which was Station to Station, within the big box set. Before that, there was a 5.1 mix of Young Americans in 2007 (as part of a now out-of-print CD+DVD set) and prior to that was a Ziggy Stardust SACD in 2003.

The blu-ray contains the first ever Atmos Mix of a Bowie studio album

The blu-ray will feature the following audio streams:

  • 2024 Dolby Atmos Mix
  • 2024 Stereo MIx (96/24)
  • Original 1972 Stereo Mix – 2012 Remaster (192/24)
  • Original 1972 Stereo Mix – 2012 Remaster (48/24)

The Atmos mix was created by Emre Ramazanoglu with original producer Ken Scott at RAK Studios, London. This, along with a new 2024 stereo mix, are unique to this physical product – neither are included on the blu-ray in the forthcoming Rock ‘n’ Roll Star! box set. Parlophone have chosen not to include Ken Scott’s 2003 5.1 mix on this Atmos blu-ray, which is a bit of a shame.

If you don’t have an Atmos-compatible amp/receiver but do have a 5.1 set-up, it ‘down mixes’ to what is a new 5.1 mix on your system.

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars blu-ray audio will be issued on 6 September 2024, via Parlophone. Secure your copy via the SDE shop, the home of blu-ray audio! Pre-order using this link or the button below.

Tracklisting

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars David Bowie / blu-ray audio

    • 2024 Dolby Atmos Mix, New 2024 Stereo Mix (192/24), original Stereo Mix (96/24)
      1. Five Years  – 4:42
      2. Soul Love  – 3:34
      3. Moonage Daydream  – 4:40
      4. Starman  – 4:10
      5. It Ain’t Easy  – 2:58
      6. Lady Stardust  – 3:2
      7. Star  – 2:47
      8. Hang On to Yourself  – 2:40
      9. Ziggy Stardust  – 3:13
      10. Suffragette City  – 3:25
      11. Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide – 2:58

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70 Comments

70 thoughts on “David Bowie / Ziggy Stardust album in Dolby Atmos”

  1. Delighted to see this on a stand alone blu-ray.
    Curious whether Emre Ramazanoglu and Ken Scott have a track record in how they treat the vocals (perhaps on the 360RA versions mentioned below?).
    Would love to hear the ‘centre channel vocal’ per the Steven Wilson approach.

  2. Paul, firstly, well done for being involved in the release of this bluray (whatever form that takes)
    Secondly, and I know you get this ALL the time (it must get a bit tiring) but now Bowie is out there in this format, any chance of Bolan & T.Rex getting a go? I know I’m not the only one, I noticed Jonathan Cornell of Immersive mentioned them in his interview….
    I have a lot of Bolan friends that would leap on any release.
    But anyway, all the best & keep up the good work…

  4. It might be the first, but I’m pretty sure it won’t be the last. Not that I’m complaining. I love Atmos soundtracks, me.

  5. I’m a little surprised the label are releasing the Atmos to this now. I thought they’d at least complete the box run before they began any Atmos campaign. (Agreewith others that it’s odd they haven’t sought to include the extant 5.1 mix.)

    For the record, this is what I think Universal will do with the Abba catalogue. Complete the 2 x 45rpm series, and then …. give us an opportunity to buy everything again in hi-res/Atmos.

  6. Not sure why they only include the Dolby Atmos and not the 5.1 mix like most other blu-rays? I hope the “down mix” to 5.1 is good. My audio equipment is Atmos and 7.1 capable, and I usually prefer the original 5.1 mix over Atmos.

    Pre-ordered to see how that “down mix” works. It’s Bowie and this is an album I wouldn’t want to miss on high res audio. Looking forward to Scary Monsters, Let’s Dance and Tonight in blu-ray.

  8. Can I ask here more generally about listening to atmos. Are people mostly listening on soundbars? How intrusive would an alternative set up be for use at home.

    1. I am lucky to have a 7.1.4 set up but it has evolved over 20 years from 2.0, step by step as technology has changed. I love the immersive feel it provides. The sound comes from all directions.

      My rear speakers have wires within the wall behind my amp, routes through the ceiling, and down inside the back wall (done during a remodel 10 years ago and thankfully the ceiling joists went the correct way for easier wire pulling). My side speaker wires are not in the wall but run around the room behind bookcases, and under rugs to the speakers. The ceiling speakers are wired in which took another professional installation putting the wires in the ceiling and down the front wall to the amp. I was able to fix the holes in the drywall/sheetrock needed to get the wires from the ceiling to the wall myself which saved costs.

      If you can’t get the wires into walls or the ceiling, having exposed wires, even if in conduits, can be an aesthetic issue for some (especially spouses). The type of wall/ceiling material you have can also be an issue (drywall/sheetrock, lath and plaster, etc.).

      Good luck!

  9. Damn it. I swore I’d never buy another copy of this album!!! I have about 20 already (mainly vinyl). It has always been a beautiful sounding album with so much space in the mix of the original as it was! I have the SACD and vinyl dvd set. Alongside the new Ziggy year CD set, I do think this is an attractive release.

  10. Great news. Exactly what I want….a standalone blu ray of this classic album. I wouldn’t have purchased the box set as I don’t have the space or the cash, but I’ll most certainly be getting this.

  12. I hope you realize Paul how much you contributed to getting these physical Atmos mixes released. You single-handedly showed the world these blu-rays are commercially viable.
    The Bowie estate finally entered the 21st century. Now lets hope they let go of their Bowie 70’s obsession and give us some 80’s reissues.

    1. 80s? You want Tonight in Atmos? They are only really getting going on the 70s with these sets. I expect similar box sets (and possible standalone releases) next for Aladdin Sane then Diamond Dogs (or Pin Ups) etc, right through to Scary Monsters over the next few years

      1. I ve alaways read that Aladdin Sane multitracks has been lost. Thta’s why it was never remixed. So dont hold your breath for a 5.1 mix. By the way when will be the AS Box set? 2 years later, so 2025?

    2. Agree, I think without SDE you wouldn’t have these artists or rather their record companies realising there is a market for blu ray only releases. I doubt we’d have had the recent PSB album for one and am sure Peter Gabriel wouldn’t have included the blu in the 3 CD set of i/o. Mind you Steven Wilson also needs applause as even ignoring his mixes on countless projects his own back catalogue is full of blu only versions.
      Just wish Depeche Mode would take note and give us Memento Mori on the format highly unlikely I know…

    3. To be fair, record companies tried to launch the Blu-Ray audio format (with both LPCM stereo mix and surround mix) about 10 years ago with iconic albums like Songs From TheBig Chair, Let It Bleed, Imagine, etc. and without much success.

      Now, 10 years after that first wave, it seems to be trending and working thanks to the success of soundbar systems. It’s cheaper than a 5.1 surround system, takes less space (no need for a dedicated room for surround sound) and easy set-up.

      You’re right. Paul has been one of the first to see the potential of that format thanks to soundbars. And also the first to add so much content to it (it’s much more than Dolby Atmos and the slipcase was a brilliant idea).
      BR Audio (even with Dolby Atmos) will likely remain a “niche format” but it will last this time around. A bit like the sacd format. Launched 25 years ago and still alive.

      1. A lot of the initial Pure Audio Blu-Ray discs were stereo only, which had a very niche appeal. Some later got another reissue with surround mixes added. Ultimately, the format was intended as a CD successor but never managed that because Blu-Ray depends on more factors than CD and you can’t buy a cheap BD audio player for your kitchen or put it into your car radio.

  14. Just pre-ordered. Excited! I always thought the 5.1 mix was very thin sounding. Hoping for more bottom end on this. Btw, there were also surround mixes of Heathen and Reality.

    1. On Heathen, the endings of Slip away and Slow burn were much improved over the stereo versions. Pity they aren’t more widely available.

        1. I wouldnt hold your breath for a final box. Bowie camp are notorious for not finishing campaigns. They now invested in releasing single album deep dives, until that ends half way through the releases.

    2. I find that using bass management /room eq can often offer a fuller sound that may help with a perceived lack of bottom end and make thin sounding recordings less thin.

  15. I really don’t mind if this was excluded from a box set. Some fans may not have a BR drive to play this or even if they do, maybe just a stereo setup.
    The 5.1 Ken Scott mix would of been welcome but not a show stopper.

  16. Instant purchase. I’ve ordered the Rock & Roll Star! box set too — there are certain artists I’m a complete sucker for when it comes to special editions, and Dave (as we call him in Bromley) is one of them. I really want Diamond Dogs in 5.1/Atmos, so I’m hoping this is the start of a new schedule — as you said, Paul.

    Oh, and I can’t help noticing some of you on here are pronouncing it “Bowie”.

    You’re wrong — it is, of course, pronounced “Bowie”.

    Thank you.

    1. Do you pronounce ” dave” or is it ” dave”? And why do the people of Bromley not just call him David like the rest of the planet??

    2. Bowie is in fact a not-uncommon Scottish surname. As a Scot, I am here to tell you that it is in fact pronounced…wait, you can see where I’m going with this, can’t you?

      1. Well I am born and bred in glasgow, went to both primary and secondary school! Out of thousands of pupils non where called Bowie! Radio Clyde dj George bowie( if that’s his real name) and Kilmarnock construction big shot are the only bowies I have ever heard off.apart from dave of course.

  17. in June 2012, there was also an AUDIO DVD included in the 40th anniversary heavyweight vinyl of Ziggy Stardust (a 2012 stereo remaster – 96/24 PCM and a 2003 Ken Scott remixes 5.1 : 48/24 DTS & DOLBY DIGITAL/STEREO: 48/24 PCM with additional tracks).

  18. Great to see this! But since I already own the SACD version, I think I will pass. I would buy Black Tie White Noise, Earthling and Blackstar in a second, though. And some others as well. Here is hopin‘

  19. The Ken Scott 5.1 mix was also included (along with 4 bonus 5.1 tracks) on the DVD which accompanied the 40th Anniversary vinyl release of Ziggy in 2012.

  20. Well, it seems that those Dolby Atmos Blue Ray standalone réissues are the future of the physical music now !Définitely without me .

  21. Great news! I cancelled my Bowie Rock ‘n’ Roll box and plan to buy this instead. I’ll pick up RNR during the inevitable price drop!

    2. Presumably the same reason it wasn’t deemed worthy of a 30th or 40th anniversary reissue. In fact I don’t even think they did a 45th anniversary coloured vinyl like they have from Ziggy to “Heroes” (so far).

      I don’t really know either.

      1. I have a gold coloured vinyl of Hunky Dory, which I bought (from Sainsburys iirc) at the same time as the Ziggy 45th anniversary vinyl. No indication (e.g. sticker on cover) that it was an anniversary issue though.

  23. Have to admit, I feel bad for Steven Wilson that he didn’t get to make the Atmos Mix knowing what a huge Bowie fan he is.

    This is really making me wish I had the required sound system.

    1. SW is a busy guy. I think he’s working on a second Storm Corrosion album [if not done] and since he finished off the PT tour and then the PT live release, unsure if he had time to do this.
      Maybe in 10 years they will re-release it with his mix. :-)

  24. Not sure if you only accounted for physical releases, but there has been in fact a Bowie album released in Atmos already – the 2019 Visconti mix of the s/t album is streaming in Atmos and 360RA.

    Additionally, new surround mixes of Heroes, the Reality Tour album, The Next Day and Blackstar have been released in 360RA.

  25. Shame about the Ken Scott 5.1 omission (it would have been nice to have everything in one place) but kudos to Parlophone for a physical release and for it being on a standalone disc.

    One question: can anyone tell me if there’s a benefit to having the same mix (Original 1972 Stereo Mix) in two different resolutions? Surely the audiophile audience would always prioritise the higher res version? Or am I missing something?

    1. The 48/24 is there in case your amp/player has a problem with 192/24 so it reverts to the lower res version if there are issues.

  27. Unbelievable that they couldn’t include this on the £150 box set that hasn’t even been released yet. Complete rip off.

    1. Funny yet predictable – same happened for Prince’s Diamonds and Pearls boxset last year.

      Got to make there money somehow – since when did the music industry do anything that make any sense to anyone other than $$$££££

  30. Firstly, this is fantastic news. Secondly, does the Atmos mix fold down into 5.1 if you just have a basic surround system?

      2. No, it won’t. It will play the underlying 5.1 element but it won’t fold down the Atmos extensions. It can’t, because it doesn’t even know they’re there. I explained this before.

        1. Semantics. All people need to know is will they HEAR a 5.1 version of the album from this Atmos Mix, if they only have a 5.1 system. The answer is YES, so stop confusing people.

          1. The question was ‘does the Atmos mix fold down into 5.1’. It doesn’t. That’s not semantics. Why do you think some releases include both an Atmos mix AND a separate 5.1 mix? There would be no point if the Atmos mix folded down into the 5.1 channels. I’m afraid you’re the one spreading confusion.

          2. Using the term ‘fold down’ is succinct marketing language that people understand without having to write a paragraph of techno-babble. The Atmos Mix ‘folds down’ to 5.1, it ‘folds down’ to stereo etc. There is no reason to include 5.1 on Atmos blu-rays because apart from a few notable exceptions, they all tend to be rendered from the Atmos, so when you select ‘5.1’ you are hearing exactly the same thing you’d hear if you selected ‘Atmos’ on a 5.1 only system. That is why Warners haven’t bothered with Ziggy. But the reason I try to make the effort isn’t because it’s needed it’s because it’s reassuring to consumers who might not be clear on whether an Atmos-only blu-ray will work on a 5.1 system. If they actually see ‘5.1’ listed they are reassured. I know you want to die on the hill of “it’s not actually folding down” but no one cares exactly what is happening, all they care about is what they will hear when the play the blu-ray on their specific set-up.

    2. It certainly folds down to stereo and usually gives less compressed sound, which is a bonus if the stereo remastering is loud as is often the case on recent Bowie CDs sadly.

      1. Ah thanks for this. I listen to atoms stuff on Tidal and wondered what happened there. I thought it might default to the stereo mix.

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