The music and unique sound of Tyrannosaurus Rex have forever been overshadowed by Bolan’s achievements with T.Rex. In fact, as a Bolan fan, the only real criticism you could really have about T.Rex, was that the band’s massive musical and cultural appeal tended to demean the uniqueness and originality of what Bolan had achieved as ‘Tyrannosaurus Rex’…There was something very cozy and warm about Tyrannosaurus Rex. A gentle yet powerful vibration that emanates deep from every song. I guess that’s why Tony Visconti, when pressed in recent years, as to what his favorite albums to work on had been…he did not hesitate to say, ‘the early Tyrannosaurus Rex ones’. Compiled by Pat Thomas.

Tyrannosaurus Rex A Star Of Beards Track Listing

Side A: Tracks 1, 2 & 6: “Child Star,” “Sleepy Maurice,” and “Highways” were all recorded the morning after their first ever session on Peel’s Radio One ‘Top Gear’ show in November 1967 in ‘Sounds Techniques Studio’ in Chelsea, two of which remained unreleased during Bolan’s lifetime.

Track 3: “Deep Summer” was recorded during the initial sessions for the ‘Beard Of Stars’ album, in December 1969. One of the three instrumental tracks recorded during Bolan’s new found enthusiasm for electric guitar.

Tracks 4 & 7: “Pilgrims Tale” & “Demon Queen” are unreleased ‘Unicorn’ outtakes.

Track 5: “One Inch Rock” was recorded at a session at ‘Trident’ in July 1968.

Side B: Track 1: “Rings of Fortune,” an early song, originally played in acetate format on John Peel’s Perfumed Garden show in Aug 1967.

Tracks 2, 3 & 4: “Wind Quartets,” “Mustang Ford” and “Conesuela” were recorded in 1969 at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall (Jan 13) and Lyceum Ballroom (April 11). Although lacking in sound quality, these concert performances give fascinating insight into how the duo sounded with a totally live environment. Of the “Queen Elizabeth Hall performance Chris Welch of Melody Maker said, “Marc Bolan sat on the floor in a black vest and sang with fervor strumming a competent, if not exactly advanced guitar...Steve Peregrine Took juggled with a rare selection of African talking drums, pixie phones and bongos.”

Tracks 5 & 6: “For the Lion and the Unicorn / Hot Rod Mama,” and “Misty Coast of Albany,” were recorded during the band’s American tour during the summer of 1969, the final Tyrannosaurus Rex tour to feature Steve Took. These tracks are taken from an August 16th gig played at the Café Au Go Go in NYC.