The Man Who Sold the World, David Bowie’s landmark entry into the 1970s, began his collaboration with guitarist Mick Ronson—continued on classics like Hunky Dory, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, and Aladdin Sane—and kicked off a ten-year run of indispensable albums culminating in 1980’s Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps).

The 2020 re-release of The Man Who Sold the World restored the album’s intended title, Metrobolist, and features a new mix by original producer Tony Visconti. Taking its name from the album’s opening track—titled after a painting by Bowie’s friend George Underwood—the two-CD set The Width of a Circle complements that release with 21 tracks: non-album singles, a BBC In Concert session, music for a TV play, and further Visconti remixes that capture Bowie’s 1970 recordings and first steps toward Hunky Dory.

The set includes two early-1970 live performances—The Sunday Show (Introduced by John Peel) and Sounds of the 70s—performed by David Bowie and The Hype. It also features five Bowie songs from The Looking Glass Murders (a.k.a. Pierrot in Turquoise) plus 2020 mixes of five tracks, including “The Prettiest Star.”

Package contents: 2 CDs and a 48-page booklet housed in a hardback book-style package with a textured outer wrap and soft-touch lamination.

Tracklist

CD 1: The Sunday Show (Introduced by John Peel)

Recorded 5 February 1970 • Broadcast 8 February 1970 • Performed by David Bowie and The Tony Visconti Trio (a.k.a. The Hype)

Amsterdam *
God Knows I’m Good *
Buzz the Fuzz
Karma Man
London Bye, Ta-Ta
An Occasional Dream
The Width of a Circle *
Janine
Wild-Eyed Boy from Freecloud
Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed *
Fill Your Heart
The Prettiest Star
Cygnet Committee *
Memory of a Free Festival *

CD 2: The Looking Glass Murders (a.k.a. Pierrot in Turquoise)

When I Live My Dream
Columbine
The Mirror
Threepenny Pierrot
When I Live My Dream (Reprise)

Singles

The Prettiest Star (Alternative Mix)
London Bye, Ta-Ta *
London Bye, Ta-Ta (1970 Stereo Mix) *
Memory of a Free Festival (Single Version, Part 1) *
Memory of a Free Festival (Single Version, Part 2) *
Holy Holy *

Sounds of the 70s: Andy Ferris Show

Recorded 25 March 1970 • Broadcast 6 April 1970 • Performed by David Bowie and The Hype

Waiting for the Man
The Width of a Circle
Wild-Eyed Boy from Freecloud *
The Supermen (vinyl only) *

2020 Mixes

The Prettiest Star (2020 Mix)
London Bye, Ta-Ta (2020 Mix)
Memory of a Free Festival (Single Version — 2020 Mix)
All the Madmen (Single Edit — 2020 Mix)
Holy Holy (2020 Mix)

* denotes previously released.

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The Width of a Circle (2 CD)