You probably have a whole brain library of David Bowie memories that have formed your impression of the man. He was so many things: creative, brilliant, otherworldly, intense, completely unique… but goofy may not be a word you’d immediately have thought to apply to Bowie. Not that he didn’t clearly have a sense of humor. But his kooky fun side wasn’t the one we saw the most of.

That’s why this recording studio goof-off banter is so magical. Musician Zach Staggers (from the band So So Gloss) found this amazing track of Bowie messing around during a session for the soundtrack to the movie Absolute Beginners, dug out from an old iPod, and has generously shared it with us. It features Bowie recording impersonations of various musicians— Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, and Anthony Newley.

As Staggers describes it,

The recording is so human, a funny and personal piece of studio magic that I think many musicians can relate to. I can’t tell you how many hours my band has spent doing impressions and fucking around during sessions. It’s such a thing.

This fun, personal, goofy side of Bowie is so beautiful to hear. You can read the story of the session here, along with a beautiful tribute from the session’s producer, Mark Saunders.

From The Talkhouse via Vanity Fair.