Listen to the recently discovered version of the Who's “I Can't Explain” by David Bowie

A different version of David Bowie's cover of the Who's “I Can't Explain”, recorded about a year before the “take the late” icon's release Pin Upshas been discovered for Rock 'n' Roll Star!an upcoming box set focusing on Bowie's Ziggy Stardust era.

Even before he put the Who classic on his 1973 LP covers Pin UpsBowie experimented with the track during recordings between 1972 The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and of 1973 Aladdin Sanewith this cover of “I Can't Explain” recorded on June 24, 1972, at London's Trident Studios, where he recorded the aforementioned LPs:

This version of “I Can't Explain” is more in line with the Who's guitar sound—it doesn't stray too far from that band's original take—and Ziggy Stardustgalloping along at a faster tempo than slowing down, enhanced by a saxophone performance that Bowie would eventually record at the Château d'Hérouville studio in France and release on Pin Ups.

The 5CD/1Blu-Ray Rock 'n' Roll Star!, out June 14, features 29 unreleased tracks, from demos to outtakes to live performances. Highlights include the rare “Shadow Man,” the previously released “Ziggy Stardust” acoustic demo, a hotel recording of “So Long 60s,” Bowie's live performances as Ziggy Stardust and more.

In addition to the Blu-Ray audio, the collection is rounded out with two books: A reproduction of Bowie's notebooks from the era and a 112-page book that includes notes, photos and more. Rock 'n' Roll Star! is available for pre-order here.