Beard of Stars [Import]

Marc Bolan & T Rex | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 2, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Universal/Polygram
• ASIN: B000023ZEN
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #393,590 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Prelude

2. A Daye Laye

3. Woodland Bop

4. Fist Heart Mighty Dawn Dart

5. Pavillions Of The Sun

6. Organ Blues

7. By The Light Of The Magical Moon

8. Wind Cheetah

9. A Beard Of The Stars

10. Great Horse

11. Dragon's Ear

12. Lofty Skies

13. Dove

14. Dove

15. Elemental Child

Editorial Reviews

2004 Universal UK reissue of 1970 album. 15 tracks.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical Tunes, November 21, 2003

By 

G. Preston (Baltimore, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beard of Stars (Audio CD)

Years ago I purchased 2 very scratched up old LPs: "Unicorn" & "Beard Of Stars." I think I had read some reviews claiming that these were Marc Bolans' best works before he went electric and morphed into T. Rex. The records were in absolutely terrible shape, but behind the clicks and pops were some of the most spellbinding, beautiful songs I have ever heard in my life.
20+ years later I'm amazed to find that their impact has not diminished one bit. This music falls somewhere between the Beatles and Syd Barrett but I personally find it more evocative and interesting than either. One of the incredible things about the music of the Beatles is the doors that it opened for other artists to expand upon. Truly talented people did not merely mimic the sound of the Fab Four, but actually took that sound into new realms. Nowhere is that phenomenon more evident than on "Beard Of Stars." There's a really strong "mythical beasts and wizards of yore" kinda vibe, but what is really being communicated is a yearning for warmth and innocence, that is very heartfelt and quite powerful. I don't know what else to say but if you're curious about this at all, find a copy of this album!!!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unforgivable that this has not been given domestic release, February 14, 2003

By 

Michael Topper (Pacific Palisades, California United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beard of Stars (Audio CD)

"A Beard Of Stars" followed hot on the heels of the extraordinary "Unicorn" and while very similar in lyrics and general musical style to that album, the addition of electric guitar and bass ended up making it the first of two transitional works from the early acoustic hippie purity of Tyrannosaurus Rex to the full-blooded glam rock of T.Rex. It is also an extremely beautiful and moving album with some of Bolan's best-ever melodies and playing; the replacement of Steve Took with the slightly less talented Mickey Finn shows, but not too noticeably.

Bolan's vocals took a slight step forward here for the first time toward comprehensibility, and the addition of electric guitar lines made his songs (which had always seemed like catchy pop/rock songs down deep, underneath the bizarre acoustic trappings) much more recognizably accessible and direct. Nearly every track is a highlight: the gorgeous opening anthem "A Day Laye" (with a stunning lyric and one of the most entrancing instrumental breaks of its time), the forceful rockers "Woodland Bop" and "Pavilions Of Sun" (which mix acoustic and electric guitars to great effect), the classically-tinged gothic "Wind Cheetah", tear-jerking ballads "Great Horse" and "Dove" and the maniacal closing track "Elemental Child"--with guitar work that, while still technically formative, emits a magical aura and intensity which makes it one of the greatest of all time--all contribute to make this the second masterpiece in a row from the man (of which three more--"T.Rex", "Electric Warrior" and "The Slider"--would follow), but one that is curiously overlooked.

It is unforgivable that the early Tyrannosaurus Rex albums have not been remastered and released domestically (the benefits of remastering having been seen on the stunningly loud and clear
"Best Of Tyrannosaurus Rex" set a few years back); however, this import does at least give one a chance to hear the future UK superstar only a year before his big breakthough.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have for Any T.Rex Fan, October 11, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Beard of Stars (Audio CD)

I bought this CD just because it had a cool title. I was a little disappointed to see that it was just the two man lineup. However, once you listen to the music, it is truly fantastic, essential, enchanting and totally unique. This CD will give you a great look into the progression of Marc Bolan from acoustic to electric. Bolan is no guitar god, but he has a very pleasant sound and enjoyable style. This is one of my absolute favorite T.Rex albums. Listen to it and enjoy!