Customer Reviews

T. Rex - Greatest Hits 1972-77-A Sides

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having lived in England during his heyday, I often wondered why he did not get as much acceptance here as he did overseas. For a newcomer, This is one of two albums you must have to start you off.

TELEGRAM SAM was the follow up in the United States to GET IT ON and JEEPSTER as a single, but is classic Marc Bolan, (with a little Flo and Eddie as well). METAL GURU continued this period of music, trying to get that next US hit. THE GROOVER also missed in the US. Don't misunderstand me, these are GREAT songs, as even their flip sides were good. They just did'nt make top 40.

Meanwhile, overseas, he tore up the charts with supurb cuts, (and my favorite) CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION. This was continued with SOLID GOLD EASY ACTION and the now made famous by ISUZU hit 20th CENTURY BOY, (a great cut!).

There are many excellent cuts her covering a good portion of his later career, including : I LOVE TO BOOGIE, TEENAGE DREAM, and CELEBRATE SUMMER. Even a rare duet with "To Know You Is To Love You (To Know Him Is To Love Him)".

To truly get a complete picture of Marc Bolan, you must get this album AND the imported BOLAN BOOGIE collection, which includes GET IT ON, HOT LOVE, RIDE A WHITE SWAN, RAW RAMP, JEEPSTER and others.

With Producer Tony Visconti's immense talent, this would add much to a 70's library. Marc Bolan was not only Glam Rock, but great Rock and Roll, and his music stands up today! Its just a matter of time before other groups discover this and start issuing covers upon end.

A superb collection of Bolan's later hits and some album tracks, but of course doesn't include his masterpieces like Hot Love and Get It On (Bang a Gong)from 1971. These 3-minute poprock tracks have lost none of their appeal and in retrospect, one can see that they might have had some influence on early punk. I don't think all of them were released as singles though: Dreamy Lady, Soul Of My Suit, Celebrate Summer & Dandy In The Underworld couldn't have been hits. My favourites here include the hypnotic Truck On (Tyke), I Love To Boogie and Laser Love, but they're all quite catchy if you like short, sharp pop songs.

T Rex was one of the few bands that really could survive in this hard transition between the music made until 1974 and the new sound of the emerging disco music. His arrangements always kept the essential of his style without abdicating expression. This selection spans the great hits between 1972 and 1977, and specially there are highlights as Celebrated summer, I love to Boogle, Metal Guru and Teenage Dream.

This CD is fabulous!!! I can not stop listening it. I recently watched the film the "Velvet Goldmine" and have been obsessed with "Glam-rock" ever since.I feel this CD is one of several classic examples of what "GLAM" is all about and should not be missed.