David Bowie - The Bewlay Brothers - Rare Live Performance

[@joebowieaddick]

The original footage of this recording had parts of the audio and video missing…I added the slow motion parts towards the end to replace some annoying black screen, but more importantly to complete the audio for this great rare performance! A handful of people have moaned about the edit, but good to see that the vast majority of you are enjoying the video, and appreciating my efforts. Thank You!

[@jimeddard5767]

So efffenn good thank you sir!

[@jimeddard5767]

Love this❤

[@joebowieaddick]

Thank you, Jim!

[@JCarrera_ll]

Thanks🖤🖤👏

[@zillatov.v550]

You could probably fix the slow frames by using some weird IA 60fps method which most of the time works well but idk how it would look with this one

[@jonsa270]

The one song I’d always wanted him to perform live whenever I saw him. Truly a masterpiece. Hauntingly beautiful.

[@ChosenHandle117]

OMG! One of my favourites ever.... love the man, loved the song for more than 50 yrs..... vote it up!

[@Lyndanet]

It’s such a beautiful song

[@stevelaw3886]

Possibly the best song that was never a single - although there are other serious contenders... The takeaway here is that Bowie is God-tier artist.

[@Bowieredcat]

I was there💖

[@joebowieaddick]

I’m sure you had a great night…This was such wonderful surprise.

[@tylerdurden4368]

...I would give my left arm for watching that song live.

[@stuartwhitmore4223]

Fecking awsome. Im 64 . Bowie is my total musical hero.

[@marktime9235]

67 here and still luvin it!

[@01aleph]

This song is pure gem, one of his best songs from his huge catalog, too bad he didn't play it live more, brilliant live version with his band, miss you so much.

[@ChosenHandle117]

Just to say to the Bowie-loving community.... and I still think that Hunky Dory is the best album ever made by anybody, played that plus TMWSTW, Ziggy and Aladdin constantly in east Surrey in the early/mid 70s.... now I live in Beckenham, on the same side as Haddon Hall was.... and last Fri, I went to the opening of the Bowie Bandstand ('69 festival) in the Croydon Rd Rec Grd.... it's been restored beautifully. We also have The Flash in 'bus lane tarmac' on the pavement outside Zizzi, which was the Three Tuns/Arts Lab back in the day. Sent on behalf of the Beckenham Tourist Office!

[@paolacelletti2056]

From The Bowie Bible (just to know...) The closing track on David Bowie’s fourth album Hunky Dory, ‘The Bewlay Brothers’ remains one of his most intriguing and lyrically opaque songs. "He was always willing to jump on things. There’s a track on Hunky Dory called ‘The Bewlay Brothers’ - it was the last song we recorded for the album and I remember David coming in and saying, ‘I’ve just written this new song, we’ve got to record it but don’t listen to the lyrics.’ I said, ‘Why?’ He said, ‘Because they don’t mean anything. I wrote it specifically for the American market to read things into it.’ I must’ve heard 10 or 15 different stories as to what ‘The Bewlay Brothers’ was supposed to be about, and I know that David would have agreed with every single one. He took what was given to him and ran with it, quite often." Ken Scott David Bowie: Ultimate Record Collection (Uncut) - - - - - - - - - - - - "The Bewlay Brothers" And so the story goes, they wore the clothes They said the things to make it seem improbable The whale of a lie like the hope it was And the good men tomorrow Had their feet in the wallow And their heads of brawn were nicely shorn And how they bought their positions with saccharin and trust And the world was asleep to our latent fuss Sighing they swirl through the streets like the crust of the sun The Bewlay Brothers In our wings that bark Flashing teeth of brass Standing tall in the dark Oh, and we were gone Hanging out with your dwarf men We were so turned on By your lack of conclusions I was stone and he was wax So he could scream and still relax Unbelievable And we frightened the small children away And our talk was old and dust would flow Through our veins and lo! It was midnight back at the kitchen door Like the grim face on the cathedral floor And the solid book we wrote cannot be found today And it was stalking time for the moon boys The Bewlay Brothers With our backs on the arch And the Devil may be here But he can't sing about that Oh, and we were gone Real cool traders We were so turned on You thought we were fakers Now the dress is hung, the ticket pawned The factor max that proved the fact is melted down And woven on the edging of my pillow And my brother lays upon the rocks He could be dead, he could be not, he could be you He's chameleon, comedian, Corinthian and caricature Shooting up pie-in-the-sky The Bewlay Brothers In the feeble and the bad The Bewlay Brothers In the blessed and cold In the crutch-hungry dark Was where we flayed our mark Oh, and we were gone Kings of oblivion We were so turned on In the mind-warp pavilion Lay me place and bake me pie I'm starving for me gravy Leave my shoes, and door unlocked I might just slip away, hey Just for the day, hey Please come away, hey Just for the day, hey Please come away, hey

[@joebowieaddick]

Thanks for the info paolacelletti...I'm glad to hear Ken Scott say that the lyrics were purposely written to "mean nothing", because I never ever got any meaning from them...but it's still a magical musical journey. I was in the crowd that night and was knocked out when he said he was going to play it! 🤩

[@paolacelletti2056]

@@joebowieaddick You really are a lucky person. I've heard David twice here in Roma: once on 15 June, 1987 with the Glass Spider Tour - the concert was disrupted by clashes and scuffles between the audience and the police, which were quite frequent at the time - and the other time on 9 October, 1991 with Tin Machine. 👩‍🎤

[@joebowieaddick]

@@paolacelletti2056 yes, we had scuffles at Wembley for the Glass Spider tour as well. Not my favourite tour, but I think it worked and looked better on the DVD release.

[@paolacelletti2056]

@@joebowieaddick I agree.

[@vmax4steve524]

@@joebowieaddick Bewlay is a make of tobacco pipe favoured by the aristocracy, the Bewlay brothers are the aristocracy who own our country and rule us, make of the lyrics what you will be but that's my take on it. His best song in my opinion, deliberately obscure metaphors otherwise the special branch would be raiding his home and planting drugs and such to demonise him like they did to the Stones in the 60's. Someone once said, 'The more I study the aristocracy the more I understand the guillotine'.

[@andydavies1810]

1976 in foster care! A life line, god rest sir!!

[@sillavnitram]

Unbelievably beautiful song that I think gets overlooked because Bowie's catalogue of great songs is so vast. This is definitely one of my favourites. Miss him.

[@susanbrooke8316]

He will always live on this song is definitely one of his most poignant and bares one's soul

[@davidyaxley3]

My favourite Bowie song

[@joebowieaddick]

It is amazing 👌

[@PresidenteBush1337]

Mine too, this is tied with Life on Mars for me

[@leesmith9639]

Couldn't name mine it's like picking your favourite child you just can't do it 😂

[@paulburton1545]

And mine

[@markholland9826]

This is how to put a song across. Amazing and he makes it look so easy. Fantastic.

[@sabiantheomnivore5592]

Off one of the best albums I've ever heard.

[@joebowieaddick]

Absolutely!

[@stuartwhitmore4223]

my favorite bowie song ever. works om so many levels and yesHunky Dory is my top album of all time.

[@mariaceciliafp]

I love him so much

[@pauldrew648]

Just come across this gem was amazing when he performed it. Total surprise worth queuing up for tickets that cold morning at 5am!

[@MartinHonnor]

I was so very lucky to see him play this at a small venue concert in Leeds … he walked on stage playing the opening chords on a 12 string … standing only yards from me performed a full acoustic version… left me in tears

[@graemejenkinson5]

That was Quicksand. Though my memory of that night is hazy, that was what he was doing at the time (and I double checked).

[@isabellebenedens3762]

Beautiful

[@stephenpritchett7920]

Aabsolutely brilliant take me back 50 years

[@shylinh5939]

I almost can't believe he was real Astonishing in so many ways.

[@paolacelletti2056]

This is a daydream for me and for all Bowie nuts. Thanks for uploading and sharing this wonderful viddy. Congrats for the editing ⚡

[@joebowieaddick]

My pleasure paolacelletti...Thanks for appreciating the edit. ;)

[@paolacelletti2056]

@@joebowieaddick Well, yes, it's indeed intriguing and artistic. Cheers from Rome, Italy

[@jayfran5563]

Love it, love it!!

[@firetarrasque4667]

I've always thought that this was a very important song for him. The way the words flow almost without meaning anything, Hunky Dory's themes of madness, religion, and aimlessness - I've always thought that the sing is about Bowie's own half-brother, in a certain way.

[@Tawny6702]

It is….in a certain way partly about his half brother Terry, or more about understanding the relationship he had with him. The word “Bewlay” apparently came from a tobacconist shop chain that was around at the time called “House of Bewlay”

[@ripaulac]

DB’s explanation of the creation of this song is amazing. He suggested the song just tumbled out of him and he had to rush into the studio and record it.

[@allsorts9909]

Possibly one of the only times I’m delighted someone took a phone and filmed it. Thanks

[@kazane4533]

Thank you! I've known this song by heart for many years, I bear it in my mind till the day I die ...and beyond "leave my shoes and door unlocked I might just slip away"

[@tommymorgan4677]

A masterpiece, I love the Hunky album.

[@joebowieaddick]

Agree…I played nonstop when it came out…and it’s still my most played Bowie album.

[@jonathanseed6978]

I can't believe I've only just found this. I was there. It was an incredible night.

[@jossalcraft3123]

So was I - it really was!! I had forgotten the "love it, love it" at the beginning. Ha ha.

[@stunjamie]

He said fans of this song were special in 2002. Here we are, 22 years later. One of my favourites, along with This is not America. Good work, Joe.

[@joebowieaddick]

Thanks a lot, stunjamie!

[@pds1]

Rip David,you are truly missed,this might be my favorite bowie song..but that could change tomorrow if I listen to Five Years.

[@cynthiacurrie5589]

Thank you for finding this masterpiece.

[@joebowieaddick]

Glad you enjoyed it, Cynthia!

[@bryanheidtman2476]

vocals, man so so so very exquisite.

[@all_I_ever_do]

‘Something happened on the day he died’.. 1 of trillion things that happened since that day is that I can not listen to his brilliant pieces anymore without profound grief. I’m failing to understand why he had leave so soon . Love on Ya

[@dianelaag2944]

Pure genius!

[@Leeftyy-q1m]

What a beautiful video, did not have an idea this was played live. Miss you a lot David.

[@troygaspard6732]

Thank you, any song off Hunky Dory is a treat.

[@NEVAB4]

The greatest song by Music's Master creator.

[@susanbrooke8316]

He's truly an artist in every way, a performer and his alter egos outlive him, yet this proves his simplicity too.

[@Chrisvandenoever]

Thank you for this unique live recording of this beautiful song of my musical hero Mr David Bowie!

[@richardbanker3910]

This song is amazing and David Bowie gave it all in the way he sang it.

[@fml4542]

Bravo. RIP Mr. Jones

[@paolacelletti2056]

The song was performed live for the first time on BBC Radio 2 in 2002. Introducing the song, Bowie told the crowd, "I don't want to do it unless everyone knows this thing. It was from a long time ago. We've never done it on the stage, in a theatre. It's called 'The Bewlay Brothers'." [The crowd applauds.] "You are a bunch of obscurists, aren't you?" Bowie repeats, "We've only ever, ever, ever done this once on a radio show; we've never done this on stage."[8- kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJ-XlHqVjcZ6fKM ]. Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bewlay_Brothers#

[@faywinsper4378]

Your all ways here with us. The man the music lives on in my children and grandchildren

[@rinatmark7969]

This is the gem!

[@marktime9235]

Some months later, watching this again and it brought this classic quote to mind .... "“I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain." .... genius 😥

[@johnbilverstone4160]

I was at this concert. A truly fantastic performance.

[@joebowieaddick]

Agree John…This was a fantastic surprise…Seen Bowie live so many times since ‘73...I so miss going to his gigs.

[@johnbilverstone4160]

@@joebowieaddick Similar. Got to see DB at many concerts, including sleeping on the street for 48 hours to get tickets, in the days before the internet!!

[@joebowieaddick]

I remember doing similar for Brixton….They brought out hot drinks for us there ☕️…It was all just par for the course for us Bowie nuts. Great days!

[@twiggalina]

Beautiful!!

[@Commandamanda]

Thank you for your efforts to bring this to us. Poor Terry was alone for a while, but now he and David are together.

[@ViolaM13]

Blessed one

[@jkelly2926]

Tears, chills, and so greatful❤⚡️❤️

[@thomasbewlay]

Like many, a fan of db from the mid-70's. I didn't know until 4:30 in the afternoon the day of this show that I was going. A remarkable evening and I remembered him performing this, a song I never imagined hearing live. Thanks for posting this.

[@loureed3015]

I love Bowie so much he thawt me so much and thought me so much...lifes an occasional dream...

[@kevinkingsley9353]

Thanks Joe, what a gem to find. Will always be one of my Bowie favourites.

[@joebowieaddick]

Agree Kevin…I was overjoyed when he said he was going to play it. It was a surprise. :)

[@Somer-set]

i wish someone in his Team would clean up this recording and release... ❤

[@joebowieaddick]

That would be difficult…This is an audience recording, with parts of the audio and video missing. That’s why I added the slow motion parts towards the end, so that I could insert the missing audio. As far as I know, no other footage exists.

[@Somer-set]

@@joebowieaddick i know;( xx ty for doing all that.. a lot can be done though.. mixing with the original.? just a thought.. this is so much better than on record.

[@Ducatirati]

I fkn love this track , that was awesome , and I got thru the lyrics with him woohoo , RARARA

[@bleckgilbert7875]

😍c’est mon rêve aussi de l’entendre en live 😃👏👏🕺⭐️🥲⚡️💫

[@birkhatt8969]

At 4:20 his hand goes to his face as he's about to sing "Now my brother lays upon the rocks..." Those lines must have been uncomfortable and difficult for him to sing.

[@gianfrancaatzeni1244]

Ma la bellezza di questo pezzo !!!

[@misterberko]

One of my favourite Bowie songs (even though, to be honest, I have absolutely no idea what he is on about). Thank you for posting.

[@joebowieaddick]

I agree. Who knows.? Bowie’s comments about it were very vague.

[@modernmartyr]

Excellent

[@thin70]

so great!😍🎼🎤❤

[@isjerryzkid]

Thank you Joe💯⚡️💛🎼🫶🏻

[@stuartwhitmore4223]

Best Bowie track/song ever.

[@rachaeldjordjevic5415]

This has to be my fave🦋💕💕💕🙏

[@MadderMel]

Amazing !

[@VictoriaFerland-gu7rb]

Thank you ❤

[@joebowieaddick]

@@VictoriaFerland-gu7rb Thanks for watching Victoria.

[@carmenmusiclover.0532]

The genius David was and sadly he died much ,much to soon.

[@DawnSpires]

Pure gold david did good

[@DawnSpires]

He was my music god on this earth miss him

[@angedras71]

❤ Bravissimo ❤

[@Martine1love]

Beautiful. Thank you. 💝

[@joebowieaddick]

Glad you enjoyed It.

[@robertarthur887]

Mr Addick, this is wonderful. Thank you.

[@joebowieaddick]

Thank you, Robert!

[@robertarthur887]

Just for the day. Yeah, right.

[@MemoriesOfStuff]

One of my favorite Bowie songs, thank you for this

[@jamesmaloy7943]

Awesomeness

[@terrypmusic]

Nice one

[@pyrrho314]

I'm not crying you're crying

[@hughiepearce]

probably his greatest lyrics

[@dawnwhite9187]

We were gone

[@stuartwhitmore4223]

my alll time gretest musicl hero

[@susanbrooke8316]

Yes it sticks with me like glue

[@jaazon1299]

Legendary

[@anaiaarraes1949]

The peace ❤

[@berndgruner8510]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤Danke fürs Senden und Grüße aus Nordhausen und Du.bist unvergessen 😂❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@stujham]

One of my favourites off Hunky Dory 😁

[@astra3694]

❤

[@Ftanftangfnarrr]

Like the grim face on the cathedral floor - for some reason I find that bit really beautiful. Would love to hear 8 Line Poem live too.

[@joebowieaddick]

Did he ever play that one live.? Would’ve been nice!

[@Vrotje]

Elke dag mis ik hem.

[@metalmick]

Miss you, David.

[@berndgruner8510]

❤❤❤❤❤❤Danke fürs Senden 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂❤❤❤

[@davidjazay9248]

My desert island Bowie song.

[@jed6403]

Im here, just for the day

[@fernandoferreira3283]

Uma obra prima esta música do maior de todos os tempos Sir David Bowie.

[@marktime9235]

Who the f**** were the Bewlay Bros .... ??? Nice to see so many likes for this rarity. During my younger years, Bowie was 'the man' ! )))

[@SuperLisalis]

OOH WOW.❤❤❤❤❤😊

[@devinraymond]

How could anyone not know The Bewlay Brothers?

[@joebowieaddick]

I think Bowie was aware that he had attracted a mainstream audience after the Let’s Dance period…and that lots of the new fans wouldn’t have delved into his earlier work.

[@Lopyj]

This is the proof that we humans & the world are not lost & evil!

[@ChosenHandle117]

110% on that!

[@paolacelletti2056]

Besides David I can catch a glimpse of Gail Ann Dorsey and Katherine Russell. Can you get a glimpse of any other band members? This is a really rare viddy!

[@joebowieaddick]

I don't think many can be seen in this video, but the band was... Earl Slick - guitar. Gerry Leonard - guitar, backing vocals. Gail Ann Dorsey - bass guitar, backing vocals, co-lead vocals on "Under Pressure" Sterling Campbell - drums. Mike Garson - keyboards, piano.... Bowie loved the band, and sang their praises in many interviews.:)

[@paolacelletti2056]

@@joebowieaddick Thank you for the lineup.

[@FreshDeath1385]

🖤🖤🖤

[@anthonyhume-ring810]

Coolsville Daddio David!!!

[@stuartwhitmore4223]

fuckimg awesome. puts the hairs up on my arms

[@silentforest7147]

Imagine seeing Bowie do this song live.

[@joebowieaddick]

@@silentforest7147 It was a fabulous surprise.

[@josemanuelhenriquezgalan5843]

The video is super, many thanks Joe, I'd like to know the word he says after pointing "We've never done this on a stage..." I can´t understand, he pronounced the word twice.

[@joebowieaddick]

Thank You, Jose! He says..."We've never done this on a stage...in the theatre.

[@josemanuelhenriquezgalan5843]

@@joebowieaddick Thank you very much. Ufff! ...complicated pronunciation.

[@berndgruner8510]

Du.bist unvergessen mein Engel 😇 ❤😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂❤