David Bowie’s Shel Talmy Tracks Unearthed in New Album

A new compilation brings together recordings made by David Bowie in 1965, before he became a household name. At the time, he was still known as Davie Jones and was working with Shel Talmy, a producer who had already gained recognition for his work with bands like the Kinks, the Who, and Chad and Jeremy. It was natural for Bowie to collaborate with Talmy, especially since he was part of the Lower Third and the Mannish Boys, two bands he was involved with during that period. The album, The Shel Talmy Recordings, is set to be released on September 18 and features tracks that Bowie recorded with Talmy, including some that featured Jimmy Page on guitar and Nicky Hopkins on piano.

The collection includes 10 previously unreleased songs, starting with “I Want Your Love,” which was released today. This track offers an interesting glimpse into Bowie’s early musical style, which differs from the more refined artistry he would later become known for. The song is an energetic R&B piece with fuzzy guitar riffs and upbeat drums, ending with a dramatic guitar explosion reminiscent of the Who. Bowie’s vocal delivery here sounds like a mix of Van Morrison’s style with a Mick Jagger-inspired energy, reflecting his desire to create a hit without having fully developed his unique voice yet.

According to music historian Alec Palao, who wrote the liner notes for the compilation, the recordings should not be judged against the standards of Bowie’s later career but rather by the context of the British music scene in 1965. He emphasized that these tracks reflect the excitement of London’s music culture at the time and highlight the potential of its future star. By September 1965, Davie Jones had changed his name to David Bowie.

Talmy, who passed away in 2024, once remarked in 2017, “I thought he absolutely was going to make it. The only unfortunate thing is that he and I were about six years ahead of the market.” The collection also features two singles that Bowie revisited later in his career: “You’ve Got a Habit of Leaving” and “Baby Loves That Way.” These were re-recorded for his posthumously released album, Toy.

Here is the full track list for The Shel Talmy Recordings:

1. “You’ve Got a Habit of Leaving” (2026 Remaster)^
2. “I Want Your Love” *^
3. “Cupid” *^
4. “I Pity the Fool” (2026 Remaster)+
5. “Baby Loves That Way” (2026 Remaster)^
6. “Keep Up With the Jones” (Instrumental) *^
7. “Leave Her to Me” *^
8. “I’ll Follow You” ^
9. “You Gotta Tell Her” (2026 Remaster)*^
10. “Take My Tip” (2026 Remaster)+
11. “Certain Woman” *^
12. “Today” (Demo) *-
13. “I Want My Baby Back” (Demo) (2026 Remaster)-
14. “I Live in Dreams” (Demo) *-
15. “Bars of the County Jail” (Demo)-
16. “That’s Where My Heart Is” (Demo) (2026 Remaster)-
17. “I Do Believe I Love You” (Demo) *-
18. “You’ve Got a Habit of Leaving” (Alternative overdub/vocal) (2026 Remaster)^
19. “I Pity the Fool” (Alternative vocal take) (2026 Remaster)+
20. “Baby Loves That Way” (Alternative vocal take) *^
21. “Take My Tip” (Alternative vocal take) (2026 Remaster)+

*Previously Unreleased
^ Davie Jones & The Lower Third
+ The Manish Boys
– Davie Jones