Tyrannosaurus Rex – Overview

 

Psych child Marc Bolan was with the bankrupt group John’s Children and when their equipment was impounded, on the way home to England, they managed to see Ravhi Shankar and Bolan come out silent for the next week or so. He had decided that being broke, he would start an acoustic group (a duo with percussionist Steve Took). They would do some three albums before Took took off, and would be replaced by other percussionist Micky Finn and make a fourth album, almost full-blown electric under this same name. Their next record was a full electric album and was released as T-Rex.

But we are not looking at this glam rock act, but its roots in the folk duo:

My people were fair and has sky in their hair: (68) Interesting folk duo with oetimes 12 strings guitars, impenetrable lyrics about Tolkien-like characters and great bongos from Steven Took. Acid-folk or psych folk, and progressive at the time (the same way ISB was), but certainly not prog. Cool artwork too.

Prophets, Seers & Sages: (68) Almost the same as above, not much more to say, really.

Unicorn : (69) the last one with Took, this is a very transitional album,  containing some harmonium, some medieval influences, bass and organs. Some real inventive tracks such Sea Beast and Iscariot and a narrative Misty coast Of Albany, this album is my fave from the four. Can make you think of Incredible String Band, but way more accessible. Maybe their more progressive album (but not prog) , could qualify for folk prog.

A Beard of Stars: (70) First with Micky Finn and the last under the name. This is clearly Transition between the folk duo and the glam-boogie group. And actually quite interesting and might just be their most progressive. If any of the four albums is prog or prog-related, this is it. Harmonium, electric guitars some very moody tracks, this album would be a four star if it was not for that jam-boogie closing track, which lowers it to 3.5.

 

Personally, I’d rather not include them in the Archives, even if there are some grounds for their inclusions. But let’s face it, with the Archive’s system of adding albums, how are we going to stop members to add the T-rex albums >> this is a regular demand >> at least thrice in the last 30 months. Asthere are some people pressing for the inclusion of other Glam superstar Bowie. Bolan was star-obsessed as much as Bowie was and was clearly not obsessed with his music’s purity.