Dandy in the Underworld (Dlx) [Original recording remastered]

Marc Bolan & T Rex | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 8, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B000BH4YF4
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,578 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Dandy In the Underworld

2. Crimson Moon

3. Universe

4. I'm A Fool For You Girl

5. I Love To Boogie

6. Visions of Domino

7. Jason B. Sad

8. Groove A Little

9. Soul of My Suit

10. Hang-Ups

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Dandy in the Underworld

2. Tame My Tiger

3. Celebrate Summer

4. Dandy In the Underworld

5. Crimson Moon

6. I'm A Fool For You Girl

7. I Love To Boogie

8. Funky London Childhood

9. Jason B. Sad

10. Groove A Little

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

This edition has been digitally re-mastered from the original analog master tapes. Included are non-album singles following the original record's order. There's also a newly produced bonus CD with a "work-in-progress version" of the album. These songs are rare versions (previously unreleased in the U.S.) arranged to mirror the original running order of the record.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Marc Bolan back to his best making music for himself, July 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Dandy in the Underworld (Audio CD)

Dandy in The Underworld, is Bolan back to his best. This a clean and mature sounding album from a clean and mature person. the craziness in his life has gonw and his music is back to where it should be. Dandy in the Underworld the title track, very clever about himslef. Groove A Litle a good tight funky number. Perhaps the inclusion ofI Love To boogie seems out of place, but it was a hit single in the UK, so it had to go on. Teen rioy Structure is classic Bolan Boogie, whilst the atmospheric Pain & Love shows that Marc could right songs a a deeper level if needed and make them truly haunting. Perhaps the album lacks the raw sex appeal of Slider and Electric Warrior, but then this was a much saner and happier Bolan than the Bolan of 71 and 72. bBolan's voice has returned and is on top form, the lyrical madness is stll there and the production is smooth. Also worth a mention is the excellent hang Ups an simple number that has an excellent feel. Please don't believe those eho say only buy Slider and Electric Warrior, Bolan was far more than that. Dandy really shows Marcs universal ability as a song writer and true individual, there are some very beautiful songs on here, don't let anyone tell you other wise. Pleae feel free to E Mail me, I currently writing articles on all the Bolan Albums and would like any thoughts or comments, especially to do with the lyrics

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Final Bebop, Boogie And Jive, August 31, 2009

By 

Mike B. - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dandy in the Underworld (Dlx) (Audio CD)

If you buy only one T.Rex album, it should be "Electric Warrior". But may I suggest "Dandy In The Underworld" for a second purchase? For my money, it was his strongest and best effort since that groundbreaking classic. Sadly, it was also his swansong. Marc Bolan died shortly after its release in a car crash - just two weeks shy of turning 30. In death he became a legend, as forever young as James Dean.

The Bolan/ T.Rex story is well known, despite their limited stateside success. From '70 to '73, T.Rex singles and albums dominated the British charts. T.Rextasy (as it was dubbed) was considered the biggest thing to come along since Beatlemania. Even Ringo Starr fell for the hype, and filmed the band in concert at the height of fan hysteria (see the "Born To Boogie" DVD).

So, what was it all about? Slinky, strutting, 3-minute rockers that wedded Chuck Berry/ Eddie Cochran backbeats and riffs to cosmic, mythological lyrics. Catchy as all-get-out. Satin clothes, glitter, and a stovepipe top hat. It was the birth of glam rock, and a whole lot of fun. Ultimately, Bolan lost the race to his friend and rival David Bowie. While Bowie kept the press intrigued with new personas and forays into other sounds, Bolan struggled to remain relevant. He tried injecting some funk and wailing female backing vocalists for a while, but was generally viewed as an artist who had lost his way and seen better days. In 1977 Bolan stopped trying to force change on himself, and embraced his strengths. That's precisely why "Dandy In The Underworld" is so enjoyable. It's a return to form, and he sounds completely comfortable. There's not one bad song. The album was favorably reviewed, and Marc began hosting a TV music show. Until fate intervened, all signs pointed toward a successful comeback.

Disc Two of this reissue is comprised of demos, out-takes, and a few "live" performances. They're all sequenced to replicate the running order of Disc One. We get to hear the songs in their formative stages. Most aren't as good as the finished product, but several are outstanding. The slower, longer "Soul Of My Suit" is one, and the concert recording of "Hang-Ups" is even better than the studio version. I also prefer the demos of "City Port", "Tame My Tiger", and "Celebrate Summer". On the completed takes (which are bonus tracks on Disc One) it sounded like he was trying too hard to fit in with the then-emerging punk scene.

I miss Marc Bolan, but I'm thrilled he went out on a high note with such a great album. Rock music doesn't get more fun than "Dandy In The Underworld".

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Marc Bolan's Swan Song, December 2, 2003

By 

James Choma - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dandy in the Underworld (Audio CD)

By the time "Dandy in the Underworld" was released, Marc Bolan had gotten his life back in order. He had a new son, his television series was proving to be very popular, and several of the new Punk bands on the scene were citing Bolan in reviews as an influence. Sadly, it was not to last. On September 16, 1977, Bolan was killed when the car he was riding in stuck a tree.

"Dandy in the Underworld" is arguably better than Marc's last two offerings, "Futuristic Dragon" and "Bolan's Zip Gun." While both of those albums had their merits, they didn't seem as cohesive, nor as enjoyable as "Dandy."

The album opens with one of the most overtly autobiographical songs Marc ever wrote, "Dandy in the Underworld." "Distraction he wanted, to destruction he fell..." It sums up Marc's life to 1977. The single version (on disc two) is a little shorter and switches the line "cocaine nights" for "T. Rex nights."

Bolan was always good at fitting his boogie mind poems into his music. "Crimson Moon," "Universe," "Groove a Little" and my favorite track on the album, "Visions of Domino": "This woman is a perfumed breeze, Greek gods recline upon her knees..."

The rest of the album is very strong with a few exceptions. While most of the material is exceptional, the production isn't all it could be. Potentially powerful songs like "Hang-Ups," "Crimson Moon," and "Visions of Domino" come off sounding weak, while their live versions show what could have been with more of a technical whiz behind the controls. That's not to say Marc didn't do a decent job with other aspects of the album's production. The orchestration behind "Visions of Domino" is top notch.

One of the biggests suprises to come off this album was "I Love to Boogie," included on the Billy Elliot soundtrack twenty five years after the album's release! I'll give credit where credit's due -- decades after his passing, Marc's still in the public eye!

Also with this album you'll get the singles from that year: "City Port," "To Know You is to Love You," "Celebrate Summer," and the excellent "Tame My Tiger".

Disc two give you some alternate versions of the album's songs along with a live versions of "Groove a Little," "Dandy," and "Hang-Ups" from the '77 Tour disc.

While it does have a few production issues, this was an excellent album. And after such a good album, it leaves one to wonder, What other gems could the man have produced had he lived? Oh well...

All in all, it's a great package if you don't have the CD or "Prince of Players: The Alternate Dandy in the Underworld." If you're a T. Rex fan and you don't have Marc's last official album, press that order now button and get it!