I've got 'The Best Of T. Rex' on the UK Fly label. The songs are acoustic and dated 1968 - 1970, so perhaps naming the album 'The Best Of Tyrannosaurus Rex' would have been more accurate? It's a pretty good album which I really enjoy when I'm in the mood for some 'hippie-starchild-folky' stuff. Anyway, here's what's probably the best known track on the album.... The erm, far out lyrics are fun.... ....
So grey or whatever area releases now count as official studio albums? Wow. We've come a long way T.Rex Electric Warrior The Slider Tanx Zinc Alloy Bolan's Zip Gun Futuristic Dragon Dandy In The Underworld That's the official T.Rex discography. All of 'em electric.
@greelywinger, I'm, curious. I see you as one of the two biggest T. Rex fan here at SHTV with your amazing Bolan collection. I've read others' opinions, but how do you perceive the sound quality of this vinyl reissue compating all the others (vinyl and cd)?
I still need to find a time to sit down & listen to it on my headphones. I don't however have a UK Fly copy to compare it to. I do have the US Reprise & the German Cube. Darryl
I have a Fly compilation LP, "Flyback: T.Rex", and I wonder if it has the same tracks as what you mention here... only paid $1 for it from the used bin so I had to pick it up. Can't say that I've ever listened to it more than just a few time though. The song "Debora" has a big part in the recent movie Baby Driver - which I thought was cool! (And they give lots of love to Atlanta)
You're splitting hairs a bit, aren't you? Is it really too far a stretch for one to say that Tyrannosaurus Rex and T. Rex are the same basic gig with a different aesthetic (essentially vehicles for Marc Bolan's songwriting and performance)? The folk-hippie stuff had entirely legit releases prior to Bolan shifting his focus. Nothing grey market or unofficial about the acoustic stuff.
Good review. I probably still slightly prefer UK, but the new one is legit. I think the guitar sounds boss.
I just went on the Barnes and Noble website and the only copy of electric warrior listed has a release date of 2014?
Looove Debora. One of Marc's greatest songs imo, and when they used it in Baby Driver I was more than pleased. Lots of great melodies going on in that one
click on 'see all formats and editions' under the $4.99 cd listing and you get a link to the new LP. Weird it doesn't come up in the search results.
Tyrannosaurus Rex and T.Rex are "the same basic gig"? Ooooh, you should tell Steve Took that. Just don't offer him a cocktail
Yeah, pretty much...still a vehicle for a given singer/songwriter. If there had been a completely different lineup change, with a cast of stable band members having been jettisoned, maybe I'd grant the point. Took wasn't even around for "Beard of Stars", which was released 2 years prior to "Electric Warrior". Mickey Finn had a longer run with Bolan than Took did, for that matter. Anyway, back to our regularly-scheduled thread...
Moray from Glasgow has given an answer...My copy shipped Monday..fingers crossed I don’t get hit by our beloved import taxes! Barnes and Noble still showing stock this morning..Good Luck..
"Beard Of Stars" came out in Marc 1970, "Electric Warrior" in September 1971. Not exactly two years later.
I believe the sessions were actually from '69, but sure, not quite 2 years. And with that, I bid you farewell, arrivederci, and all that jazz.
I did try to get this Kevin Gray Electric Warrior from a UK source with no joy. I have bought it from a seller in the USA and will just have to cough up the customs charges etc which should mean the record will be worth it's weight in gold. Anyone on here have the UK vinyl collection?
What became 'T.Rex' was recorded by Tyrannosaurus Rex but released by T.Rex. A Beard of Stars fits the T.Rex name almost as much as the 'T.Rex' album imo. 'King of The Rumbling Spires' by Tyrannosaurus Rex is as much T.Rex as anything on the 'T.Rex' album. At the time the name change signified nothing more than the desire for a snappier name for the band. Those first four tranny albums were at least the artistic equal of anything that came after, again, imo.
Got this today! It's superb!! Really happy with it - thanks so much to the folks on here that recommended it. My 2012 Back To Black issue will be getting sold!!
Picked it up at Barnes and Noble, last night. With the stickers there's no question about which version you're getting if you go to a store to look for a copy.