Boogie On [Italy] [Digipak]

Performer: T. Rex
Distributor: City Hall

Notes: Liner Note Author: Bill Legend. Recording information: Clifton Park, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England (08/28/1971-02/??/1972); Los Angeles, CA (08/28/1971-02/??/1972). Photographers: Ian Dickson; Rick Walton. The intriguing two-disc set Boogie On includes eight acoustic cuts recorded live during T. Rex leader Marc Bolan's appearance at Los Angeles radio station KDAY in February 1972 (which have been previously released), four live tracks with the full band from a gig in Rotherham, England, on August 28, 1971, and a 47-minute interview (also from 1971). It's quite a cocktail. The acoustic numbers, which predate the release of the band's landmark album The Slider by a matter of months, are crisply recorded and show that songs like "Spaceball Ricochet," "Cosmic Dancer," and "Ballrooms of Mars" can hold up perfectly in stripped-down form. Even the rockers like "Jeepster" and "Baby Strange" work under this minimalist treatment. The fact that there's no in-studio audience is a shame but doesn't rob the recording of its inherent value. By contrast, the full-band numbers suffer somewhat from poor recording quality -- something that has plagued virtually all T. Rex live releases -- with Bolan's voice at times buried under the rhythm section. But you can still get the feel of "T. Rextacy" at its peak as the foursome rips through "Hot Love," "Get It On," "Cadillac," and a lengthy version of their breakthrough hit "Ride a White Swan." The interview, which makes up the album's second disc, is a true curio. In it, an obviously intoxicated yet completely coherent Bolan elaborates on such things as his transition from acoustic act to electric star, the meanings of his lyrics, and his philosophies on life and stardom, at times dropping star-friend names like confetti. Propelled by an inebriation-inspired hubris, Bolan comes off as more arrogant than pixy, but that makes the interview no less fascinating -- particularly considering he was speaking only six years before his death in a car accident. Boogie On is not just for collectors -- though they will no doubt find it an important addition to their collections, whether or not they already have the acoustic set. It is an impressive insight into Bolan and T. Rex that will appeal to fans of glam rock in general. ~ Adrian Zupp The intriguing two-disc set Boogie On includes eight acoustic cuts recorded live during T. Rex leader Marc Bolan's appearance at Los Angeles radio station KDAY in February 1972 (which have been previously released), four live tracks with the full band from a gig in Rotherham, England, on August 28, 1971, and a 47-minute interview (also from 1971). It's quite a cocktail. The acoustic numbers, which predate the release of the band's landmark album The Slider by a matter of months, are crisply recorded and show that songs like "Spaceball Ricochet," "Cosmic Dancer," and "Ballrooms of Mars" can hold up perfectly in stripped-down form. Even the rockers like "Jeepster" and "Baby Strange" work under this minimalist treatment. The fact that there's no in-studio audience is a shame but doesn't rob the recording of its inherent value. By contrast, the full-band numbers suffer somewhat from poor recording quality -- something that has plagued virtually all T. Rex live releases -- with Bolan's voice at times buried under the rhythm section. But you can still get the feel of "T. Rextacy" at its peak as the foursome rips through "Hot Love," "Get It On," "Cadillac," and a lengthy version of their breakthrough hit "Ride a White Swan." The interview, which makes up the album's second disc, is a true curio. In it, an obviously intoxicated yet completely coherent Bolan elaborates on such things as his transition from acoustic act to electric star, the meanings of his lyrics, and his philosophies on life and stardom, at times dropping star-friend names like confetti. Propelled by an inebriation-inspired hubris, Bolan comes off as more arrogant than pixy, but that makes the interview no less fascinating -- particularly considering he was speaking only six years before his death in a car accident. Boogie On is not just for collectors -- though they will no doubt find it an important addition to their collections, whether or not they already have the acoustic set. It is an impressive insight into Bolan and T. Rex that will appeal to fans of glam rock in general. [An Italian version was also released, leaving off the 1971 interview with Marc Bolan.] ~ Adrian Zupp

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25