Tony Visconti believes David Bowie’s posthumous ‘Toy’ album is some of his best work.
The project was originally recorded in 2001 and ultimately shelved but, 20 years on, the LP – which features three new songs as well as new versions of some of the late legend’s early material – will finally get an official release as part of the ‘Brilliant Adventure (1992–2001)’ boxset.
Speaking to Uncut, Tony opens up on the project, sharing: “Some of them were so old they dated even before my time with him. I think many artists would love to go back and remake certain albums.
“This gave David the perfect opportunity to rework those old songs, which, from the beginning, proved that he was always a great songwriter.
“It meant he could go back and shine a light on his earlier stuff. It’s a bit of a ghost album, it’s a transitional album.
“And I’m so glad people are now getting to hear it, because I think some of David’s finest work is on ‘Toy'”
The producer first worked with the Heroes star on his 1968 single In the Heat of the Morning / London Bye Ta-Ta.
They parted ways following 1980’s ‘Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)’, but reunited for ‘Toy’.
“We hadn’t spoken to each other for a long time. I got a call from someone, saying that David was trying to contact me,” he added.
“It was like, ‘He wants to know if you’re friendly’ or ‘mentally competent’, something like that. I don’t know, it was a weird message.
“This was the beginning of David and I working together again, until the day he died. I was a trusted friend and we had a method of communication that was near-on telepathic.
“It was as natural as putting your shoes on in the morning.”
‘Toy’, due January 7, is available to pre-order on CD and vinyl, along with the ‘David Bowie 5: Brilliant Adventure‘ box set.
