Record Reviews

FLO & EDDIE ~ ILLEGAL, IMMORAL AND FATTENING / MOVING TARGETS ACADIA 8157 (Barcode: 805772815728) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1975 - 1976 Released: 2007 3rd and 4th albums by US duo Flo & EddieFind albums by this artist, who were of course vocalist Howard KaylanFind albums by this artist and Mark VolmanFind albums by this artist who had come to fame as members of the splendid US 1960s band the TurtlesFind albums by this artist, which produced a long streak of excellent singles and albums, based on the incredible vocal harmonizing abilities of the pair. Following the Turtles implosion, Kaylan and Volman became a much sought after studio vocalists, supporting many of the Rock stars (T. RexFind albums by this artist for example) in their recording sessions and eventually were drafted by no other than Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist to join his Mothers Of InventionFind albums by this artist troupe, where they supplied some of the most brilliant vocal parts ever created in Rock music. Zappa´s zany sense of humor suited the pair like a glove and they excelled in incorporating satire, impersonations and standup comedy trickery into their act, which was absolutely hilarious. Zappa encouraged the pair to pursue their own career and even gave them the trade moniker Flo & Eddie. The duos albums turned out to be all brilliant pieces of musical comedy and just plain music, unfortunately they were largely overshadowed by their Zappa stint and in time neglected and forgotten. Listening to these two albums is a real ear opener to their music, with the first presenting their madcap on-stage brilliance and the second focusing on their vocal and songwriting abilities, which were always superb. They used some of the best musicians around in their backing band, including many Mothers members and the result is a stunning example of sophisticated 1970s Rock, which mixes Pop, Rock and Jazz elements with finesse and deeply rooted musicality. Definitely worth re-discovery and careful listening, this music stands the test of time with flying colors and is a great document of the era. With the humor as an added value, this is a package you don´t want to miss!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

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".

CD 2 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

T. REX ~ T. REX (DELUXE EDITION) A&M 600753473221 (Barcode: 600753473221) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 2014 This is the debut album by the British group T. RexFind albums by this artist, which in fact is a second incarnation of the duo Tyrannosaurus RexFind albums by this artist, founded by singer / guitarist / songwriter / poet Marc BolanFind albums by this artist. Initially it included only Bolan´s partner from Tyrannosaurus Rex, Mickey FinnFind albums by this artist, but was later expanded to a quartet. 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 on this album presents the transformation of the group from its almost anarchistic roots of Psychedelia, poetic suites with complex verses and lots of weirdness into a wide audience oriented sleek hits producing machine and fashion setting Glam act, which the group was to become in its immediate future. Although the album itself does not include any hits, the bonus tracks include the first hit single, which brought T. Rex (almost) to the top, "Ride A White Swan", which reached number two on the British charts. From now on everything was a rollercoaster with Bolan at the steering wheel, writing all the music and the lyrics. He managed to stay at the centre of attention right up to his tragic and unnecessary death in 1977. Bolan´s friendship with David BowieFind albums by this artist and their occasional musical cooperation was not incidental. They both shared a love of the eccentric and both were trend setters. Bolan and Bowie also shared their manager (Tony HowardFind albums by this artist) and producer (Tony ViscontiFind albums by this artist) which made things easier. Bolan was among the first British stars to expand the usual Rock appearance with the vaudeville tradition, wearing colorful, often outrageous garments and using heavy makeup, similar to what Bowie and slightly later Elton JohnFind albums by this artist would also do as part of their act. Therefore he is often credited with the initiation of Glam Rock movement, which later on contributed also to the formation of the Punk culture, as means of protest against the glittering decadence. Musically this album is a bit weaker that the four Tyrannosaurus Rex albums, which were completely innovative and uncensored, taking the listener by complete surprise if not giving him a shock treatment. The slicker production tricks, overdubs and improved vocals made everything definitely easier to swallow but at the same time much of the magic was lost in the process. On the other hand the songs themselves don´t have the zest and catchiness which was part of the later material. As stated earlier, a transitional album, which is a historic document more than it is a source of musical delights, but certainly worth revisiting.

CD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

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:

CD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

TYRANNOSAURUS REX ~ A BEARD OF STARS (EXPANDED EDITION) A&M 9822512 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1969 Released: 2004 This is the fourth and last album by Tyrannosaurus RexFind albums by this artist. It marks a certain change in the stylistic approach, being closer to rock and using electric instruments. Mickey FinnFind albums by this artist replaced the original percussion player on this album and additional instruments were used to create a richer sound, but the link to the acoustic material and the mystical / Avant-Garde approach is still very strong of course. Some of the songs are somewhat more accessible, but the overall effect remains unique all-Mark BolanFind albums by this artist craziness. Following the release of this album Bolan took a sharp turn, when he renamed his band to T. RexFind albums by this artist and became a most successful artist in the early 1970’s, being one of the pioneers of Glam Rock. However, his Tyrannosaurus Rex years are still a beautiful musical experiment in retrospect and the reissue of this album is most welcome. The expanded edition more than doubles the contents of the original album and is definitely worth investigating.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

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:

CD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

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.

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend