T. Rex : Born to Boogie
At the height of T. Rextasy in England, Marc Boland and his band created a film of a concert at Wembley Stadium. Beatlemania had ended, each member going their separate way, and there was room for a new star in the heavens. It ended up to be T. Rex, a free spirit, poetic and glammed out, ready to become the impetus for a change in rock that would last to this day. Sanctuary recently reissued the soundtrack for that film, along with a bonus concert disc. What it captures is Bolan at his playful trashy best, getting some help from Elton John and even former Beatle Ringo Starr.
The songs on Born to Boogie come from his two biggest and most essential albums and some various singles, such as the twice appearing “Children of the Revolution.” Every collection needs copies of Electric Warrior and The Slider, but hearing Bolan in a live setting is just as, if not more entertaining. Of special note is the accompaniment of a string quartet on a medley of songs including “Jeepster,” “Hot Love,” “Get it On,” and “The Slider.” Poems and a cover of “Tutti Frutti” with Elton and Ringo round out the album, making it not just your everyday concert CD.
T. Rex was never as big in the states as in England, but T. Rextasy may just be hitting its stride over here over thirty years later. Fans of Bowie and other glam acts are being led to Bolan’s work every day, and with the upcoming re-release of three T. Rex out of print titles and a singles collection, his fan base can only grow. There is also a DVD of the film that came out on the same day which I might need to get, because after all, “I need TV when I’ve got T. Rex! Brother you guessed I’m a dude.”
Similar Albums:
The Beatles – A Hard Day’s Night
T. Rex – Electric Warrior
David Bowie – David Live