T.Rex: T.Rextasy: The Best Of T.Rex 1970-1973 (Warner Bros. Records/1985)

T.Rex were one of the United Kingdom's all-time most popular bands. After the Beatles' break up in 1970, the band was virtually the next full-blown musical pop culture phenomenon. The band also ushered in, what became known as Glam Rock. Formed in 1967 and led by the flamboyant Marc Bolan, the band was originally known as Tyrannosaurus Rex and were a psychedelic acoustic-based duo with lyrics inspired by the Lord Of The Rings amongst other things. Eventually producer Tony Visconti tired of writing the full band on the studio track sheets and began simply writing “T.Rex”. Marc Bolan eventually came to prefer this as simultaneously the band began simplifying their arrangements to include electric guitar, bongos and a rhythm section.

It was with this format and the line-up of Marc Bolan on guitar and vocals, Mickey Finn on bongos and percussion, Steve Currie on bass and Bill Legend on drums that the band found commercial and critical success. From 1970 until 1973 the band had a string of hit singles: (i.e. “Ride A White Swan” (UK #2), “Hot Love” (UK #1), “Get It On” (UK #1), “Jeepster” (UK #2), “Telegram Sam” (UK #1), “Metal Guru” (UK #1), “Children Of The Revolution” (UK #2), “Solid Gold Easy Action” (UK #2), “20^th Century Boy” (UK #3), “The Groover” (UK #4), “Truck On (Tyke)” (UK #12), “Teenage Dream” (UK #13)). They influenced a generation of punk rockers in the UK and US and initially a slew of imitators in The Sweet, Slade, Mud and Gary Glitter. They even substantially influenced Bolan's friend & peer David Bowie and pushed him to greater success than he initially had.

Commercial success in the United States remained largely elusive for Marc Bolan and T.Rex. While “Get It On” (renamed “Bang A Gong (Get It On)” in the US to avoid confusion with another song at the time by a band called Chase) hit number 10 on the Billboard Charts. They also had a few other charting hits (Telegram Sam” at #67, “Hot Love” at #72 and “Ride A White Swan” at #76) as well as a turntable hit in “Jeepster” their success was comparatively minor.

T. Rextacy: The Best Of T.Rex 1970-1973 is largely successful in every way. The only thing that I'd change is I'd drop their cover of “Summertime Blues” in place of “Children Of The Revolution” and the reprise of “The Children Of Rarn” in favor of “Cadillac” and you have yourself a perfect 1970-73 retrospective. If allotted more vinyl It'd also be nice to have“Truck On (Tyke)” and “Teenage Dream” on there as well.

Very most highly recommended. 

Here's the video review: