Marc Bolan - Acoustic Warrior 'Live' (1996)

(UK 1964 - 1977)

One of the major songwriters and performers of the seventies, Marc Bolan enjoyed a phenomenal run of single hits through the early part of the decade. Between 1970 and 1973, with T-Rex, he achieved 10 consecutive top 10 hits, including 4 number ones and 4 that reached number two.

Born Mark Feld in London on 30th September 1947, the young Marc was known as a 'face' around town, working as a teenage model before beginning his singing career during the mid-sixties folk-boom.

He released his first single 'The Wizard', on Decca Records in 1965, before joining psychedelic-folk group John's Children who were managed by one of his early guiding lights, Simon Napier-Bell.

Left: Bolan & Took   Right: Bolan & Finn

Bolan left the group in 1967 and hooked up with Steve Peregrine Took to form a folky, acoustic duo - Tyrannosaurus Rex.

ln 1970 the name was shortened to 'T-Rex', Mickey Finn replaced Took and the line-up was completed by bass player Steve Curry and Bill Legend on drums.

Marc Bolan with Producer Toni Visconti

More significantly legendary producer Tony Visconti started to work with the band and is believed to have encouraged Bolan to use an electric guitar and the trademark sound was born. Their first single "Ride A White Swan", a fuzz-guilar rocker with unmistakable backbeat, was an instant hit, the next single "Hot Love" reached number one and was followed by the landmark album Electric Warrior - one of the seventies' defining musical moments [Ed. and is my favourite T.Rex album]

T.Rex's Electric Warrior 

After the run of successful singles, the hits dried up in the mid-seventies as Bolan's star diminished. However the emerging punk scene gave him an unexpected lift, embracing him as something of an icon and touring with The Damned as a support act. His public profile was further enhanced by the TV show "MARC" (pictured below and previously posted on my blog HERE) which featured up and coming bands like The Jam and Generation X as well as old friend David Bowie!

The MARC Shows

Sadly the revival was short-lived as Marc was killed when his Mini, driven by his girlfriend Gloria Jones, crashed into a tree on Barnes Common in London, two weeks before his 30th birthday.

With this collection Bolan goes back to his acoustic roots, these 'lost' recordings prove that he was one of England's very best songwriters and performers. He has been a cult figure since his death with his legacy influencing many musical genres - punk, metal and alternative rock with a simple pop aesthetic and 3-chord tricks!

Highlights here include a slow and soulful version of "Get lt On", stripped down from it's electric boogie to just vocal, acoustic guitar and percussion. Another big hit - "Telegram Sam" is given a bluesy treatment with slide guitar while "Metal Guru" is light and almost jazz like.

Also included is a choppy, sparse and funky rendition of "Jeepster", an eerie "Ballrooms Of Mars" and an extended, percussive revision of "Debora".

The treatment given to these 'unplugged' sessions, demos and live radio recordings prove that the songs, once huge hits in their original form, stand up as classic pop however Bolan played them, and probably lead the way for future bands to do the same and release their own 'unplugged sessions'. [CD Liner Notes by Richard Skinner]

Richard Skinner recalls his last interview with Bolan:

The last time I met with Marc Bolan I saw a man brimming over with new ideas, good humour and plans for the future. Marc and I were recording an interview for BBC Radio One's 'Newsbeat' Programme. The spot was scheduled for his 30th Birthday some two weeks away...a milestone Marc was anticipating with pleasure.

Glam Rocker From Yester-year (1970)

A fan's convention was due for his birthday at which Marc was planning to play live. The event was symptomatic of the time. After years in the wilderness Marc had got his act back together and the refreshing arrival of Punk and New Wave Music had served to re-kindle his enthusiasm for performing and recording. Here was a man with plans!

Marc Bolan with girlfriend Gloria Jones

After the interview Marc and I walked together to the foyer of Broadcasting House where Marc's girlfriend Gloria Jones was waiting to meet him. They asked if I would like to join them for a drink at the nearby 'Speakeasy' club but I couldn't. I watched as they climbed into their Mini and drove off down Regent Street. The thought on my mind? Marc Bolan is on his way back!'.

It was was the evening of September 15th, 1977. The interview we had just recorded would never be broadcast. Marc's plans would come to nothing. His talent was about to be snuffed out forever.

By 5am the next morning, Marc Bolan was dead. The car crash that claimed his life was a cruel irony. After years of being derided as 'over the hill' and a 'second division ' star, a new generation of critics were emerging, once again, to acknowledge his true talent.

A television series 'MARC', dirtected by Mike Mansfield had been instrumental in his return. The show had a teatime 'kiddies' slot, but Marc had insisted that the programme should be aimed at the true music fans of all ages and should showcase the best in new young talent alongside his own music, giving TV spots to newcomers like The Jam and Generation X amongst others. In the final programme filmed, Marc's talent was endorsed by none other than David Bowie who made a special guest appearance on that show (see left).  As the years passed, the timeless quality of Marc Bolan's music has become all the more obvious. Marc's songs are still the music of now [1996]...some 19 years after his death.

The discovery of the 'lost' recordings on this album reinforces my belief that Marc Bolan was one of the most underestimated talents of his time. Never content, he strove to push back the frontiers of pop music - moving from acoustic guitar and tabla ditties to power chords and glam rock. Between October 1970 and his death he enjoyed a run of 18 top 40 singles...four of which hit No.1 and four which hit No.2    Had he not died that list would have certainly been longer.

What we have on this album is a collection of studio outtakes, live performances, demos and broadcast sessions. For many acts this would mean a mix of substandard 'collector's items'. But we are talking about Marc Bolan and these tracks stand on their own as a fascinating and fitting reminder of a man's talent, enthusiam and creativity [Cassette Liner Notes - Richard Skinner, London, Sept 1996]. 

This post consists of FLACs ripped from my CD (reissue) and includes full album artwork. Although this compilation has never been released on vinyl, it was originally released on Cassette and therefore deserves a place on the blog.  I've also included artwork from this cassette release as it features a different cover [pictured below] and liner notes [see transcribed above].

The quality of these recordings are excellent and catch Marc in fine form. Rock On Marc !

Track List:

01  20th Century Boy 3:20

02  Get It On 5:08

03  Metal Guru 1:47

04  Spaceball Ricochet 4:43

05  Telegram Sam 3:42

06  Jeepster 5:15

07  Mystic Lady 2:36

08  Slider 3:51

09  Seagull Woman 2:32

10  Debora 6:18

11  Main Man 6:14

12  Cosmic Dancer 6:07

13  Ballrooms Of Mars 4:10

14  Laser Love 3:46

15  Girl 3:38

16  Down Home Lady 2:01

Band Members:

Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Marc Bolan

Congas, Bongos, Percussion – Mickey Finn

Piano, Violin, Viola – Derek Lovelady

Acoustic Guitar, Slide Guitar, Cello, Flute – Peter Todd

Drums, Percussion, Double Bass – Martin Kearney

Acoustic Warrior Link (469Mb)