Record Reviews

JOHN`S CHILDREN ~ THE COMPLETE VOICEPRINT 365 (Barcode: 604388320523) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1966 - 1967 Released: 2005 This album collects all the recordings, including their only album "OrgasmFind albums with this title", singles and many bonus tracks, by the UK Psychedelic group John`n ChildrenFind albums by this artist, known only due to the fact that future Rock idol Marc BolanFind albums by this artist (T. RexFind albums by this artist) was a member of the group. However, they are definitely worth being remembered in their own respect as the group produced some of the best, most advanced and revolutionary Psycheledic music on the UK scene, with complex melodies and great instrumental work. A must to all Psych-heads and a great listen to the "general public".

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TOMORROW ~ TOMORROW (EXPANDED EDITION) EMI 724349881921 (Barcode: 724349881921) ~ UK ~ Psychedelic Pop & Rock Recorded: 1967 - 1968 Released: 1999 This is the remastered and expanded reissue of the only album by short-lived British Psychedelic Pop / Rock band TomorrowFind albums by this artist, which comprised of vocalist Keith WestFind albums by this artist, guitarist Steve HoweFind albums by this artist, bassist John WoodsFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. JuniorFind albums by this artist) and drummer John AlderFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. TwinkFind albums by this artist). The album´s producer Mark WirtzFind albums by this artist played keyboards on the album. This expanded edition also features solo material by West, which was recorded with Howe, bassist Ronnie WoodFind albums by this artist and drummer Aynsley DunbarFind albums by this artist and tracks recorded by The Aquarian Age sidekick band which was Twink and Junior Although quite charming and innovative at the time, in retrospect Tomorrow were not much different from hundreds of other Psychedelic bands that were popping up on the British scene in the late 1960s. The album was quickly deleted from the Parlophone catalog, only to be elevated to a "lost gem" status a few years later when Howe became the guitar hero for Yes and the hype hit the fan. The band moved in the same circles as other early Psychedelic bands, like Soft MachineFind albums by this artist, John`s ChildrenFind albums by this artist, Arthur BrownFind albums by this artist and many others and their material sounds similar, but alas less impressive than the songs written by these bands. West was not a very impressive vocalist and an uneven songwriter (he authored almost all the songs appearing here). Howe played some nice guitar licks on this album and to be honest his playing did not improve much after this. Overall this is a nice document of an era, accurately preserving the carefree atmosphere of the time and the spirit of searching and experimentation, which existed in Pop and Rock as much as in other music genres and of course other Arts. This is definitely worth checking out by Psychedelia lovers.

Updated: 12/01/2016Posted: 12/01/2016

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TYRANNOSAURUS REX ~ A BEARD OF STARS (DELUXE EDITION) A&M 600753473290 (Barcode: 600753473290) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1969 Released: 2014 This is the fourth and last album by the British duo Tyrannosaurus RexFind albums by this artist, founded by singer / guitarist / songwriter Marc BolanFind albums by this artist after his previous band called John`s ChildrenFind albums by this artist collapsed. The duo, which included Bolan and percussionist Steve Peregrin TookFind albums by this artist, recorded the three earlier albums, and Took was later replaced by Mickey FinnFind albums by this artist, who appears on this album. This edition of the album includes a plethora of bonus tracks, including radio broadcasts, home recorded demos and alternate takes of the album tracks and more than triples the playing time of the original album. The music of Tyrannosaurus Rex was a strange amalgam of Folk, Psychedelia, Avant-Garde and Rock, completely outlandish and different from almost anything else on the British scene at the time. Bolan, who had one of the prettiest faces among his musical peers, which resulted eventually in his idol status among the young ladies of the time, was also blessed with probably the most appalling voice, which could wake dead listeners and sounded off tune at all times. And yet, as the saying goes, that peculiar voice was so ugly it became beautiful. On this album the music is slightly more accessible that the earlier material, with extensive usage of electric guitar, which also sounds quite weird by the way, and more Rocky rhythms, resulting in more listeners getting interested in the group´s music, which would later turn into a raging success, after Bolan changed the name of the group to T. RexFind albums by this artist and released several highly successful albums in the early 1970s, which pioneered Glam Rock and even Punk to some extent. The Tyrannosaurus Rex recordings are a wonderful example of the times they were recorded in, when Major record labels recorded completely non-commercial material and supported the artists all the way. The freedom of artistic expression was never in better shape and sadly disappeared soon after when the corporate management methods started to call the shots. In retrospect this was a musical experiment more than anything else. Regardless of the actual musical value of this music, its historical importance signifies open-mindedness, experimentation and courage to express your ideas, all the qualities that contemporary music lacks so badly.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

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TYRANNOSAURUS REX ~ MY PEOPLE WERE FAIR AND HAD SKY IN THEIR HAIR… (DELUXE EDITION) A&M 600753538876 (Barcode: 600753538876) ~ UK ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 1968 Released: 2014 This is the debut album by the British duo Tyrannosaurus RexFind albums by this artist, founded and led by singer / guitarist / songwriter / poet Marc BolanFind albums by this artist, which also included percussionist Steve Peregrin TookFind albums by this artist. Bolan was one of Britain´s most idiosyncratic and prophetic Pop stars and his short stay on this earth (he died tragically in a car accident a couple of weeks before his thirtieth birthday) was comparable to a comet passing us by. Blessed by a highly unusual voice Bolan was involved in music since his early school days, first coming to wider attention as a member of the short-lived group John`s ChildrenFind albums by this artist. After the group fell apart Bolan formed Tyrannosaurus Rex, a duo playing and singing a weird mixture of Folk and Psychedelia, which was completely unique and Avant-Garde, even for the Flower Power era. "Adopted" by the American (who just moved to England) producer Tony ViscontiFind albums by this artist, who encouraged Bolan and produced almost all his albums, the duo recorded four sensational albums before shortening their name to T. RexFind albums by this artist, which later became one of the pioneers of British Glam Rock and brought Bolan fame and fortune. The fact that albums such as this one were released by a major record label and even managed to achieve chart success is a wonderful document of the short period of time, when anything could happen on the music scene and of course the incredible musical creativity that flourished at the time. Some critics see in this album the last part of the great Psychedelic Trilogy, which started with DonovanFind albums by this artist´s "A Gift From A Flower To A GardenFind albums with this title" and continued with Pink FloydFind albums by this artist´s "The Piper At The Gates Of DawnFind albums with this title". This might be a little exaggerated, but the days when such Avant-Garde music, which featured bizarre vocals, chanting, gibberish, associative poetry and a full blown Psychedelic aura was accepted as "normal" by the majority of listeners were definitely miraculous and sadly very short-lived. Because of its uniqueness the music on this album is completely timeless and lost absolutely nothing of its effectiveness and beauty over time. Of course if it was released today, the number of people ready to give it an ear would probably be infinitesimal. This Deluxe Edition includes a plethora of bonus material, almost quadrupling the original album´s contents, including BBC sessions recorded before the debut album was recorded and other BBC material, stereo version of the original mono album, home demos etc. The accompanying booklet includes an essay by Boland´s biographer Mark PaytressFind albums by this artist, the album´s songs lyrics and a many wonderful photographs, justifying the reissue effort in full.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

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TYRANNOSAURUS REX ~ MY PEOPLE WERE FAIR AND HAD SKY IN THEIR HAIR… (EXPANDED EDITION) A&M 9822509 (Barcode: 602498225097) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1968 Released: 2004 This is the debut album by one of the most esoteric musical outfits on the UK scene during the heydays of the Psychedelic explosion. Tyrannosaurus RexFind albums by this artist were a duo led by Marc BolanFind albums by this artist, who was a member of the band John`s ChildrenFind albums by this artist before forming this band. Firmly based on the folk tradition, the duo expanded their unique sound way beyond the basics of folk by using elements of world music rhythmic patterns, chanting, gibberish and of course the outlandish vocal qualities of Bolan’s voice. Shortly after the band was formed, they were spotted, while performing at London’s legendary UFO Club, by Tony ViscontiFind albums by this artist, who produced all their albums, They scored a surprising hit with the song “Debora” (their debut single) and had a dedicated following. After releasing four very interesting albums Bolan shortened the name of the band to T. RexFind albums by this artist and later on became a mega-star with his group during the Glam Rock Period. He died tragically in 1977 in a car accident. In retrospect this is one of the most surprising debut albums of the period and although not an easy listening, its intrinsic qualities make it a gem well worth remembering and repeated listening. The expanded edition more than doubles the contents of the original album and is splendidly remastered.

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TYRANNOSAURUS REX ~ PROPHETS, SEERS & SAGES THE ANGELS OF THE AGES (EXPANDED EDITION) A&M 9822510 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1968 Released: 2004 This is the second album by one of the most interesting UK groups Tyrannosaurus RexFind albums by this artist, sadly quite neglected as far as most Prog fans are concerned. Formed by singer / guitarist / songwriter Marc BolanFind albums by this artist after leaving his first group - John`s ChildrenFind albums by this artist, Tyrannosaurus Rex was basically a duo: Bolan and percussion player Steve Peregrin TookFind albums by this artist (a pseudonym of course and a character in J.R.R. TolkienFind albums by this artist’s novels). They played a completely unique kind of British folk heavily spiced with Psychedelic influences. Their usage of Avant-Garde techniques (loops, backward tracks, random noises, gibberish, nonsense, etc.) puts them on the forefront of the most adventurous music makes of the era. Bolan’s unusual voice and singing / phrasing remain unmatched to this very day (the closest that comes to mind is the gorgeous debut album by ComusFind albums by this artist). The lyrics, mostly based on mystery and literature (Bolan must have been the first musician to be obsessed with Tolkien’s work), are often incomprehensible, which of course makes then even more enjoyable. In short this is a lost classic, finally available again – the expanded edition more than doubles the contents of the original album. Highly recommended to the more adventurous listener.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

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