The first three Tyrannosaurus Rex (they changed the name to the more familiar T. Rex around the release of album five) albums featuring the original duo of Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took, first released during 1968/69 are released as deluxe editions for the first time by Polydor/Universal Music Catalogue on January 26th. These newly remastered versions generously upgrade 2004’s expanded editions with substantial previously unreleased material. In addition, 2-LP versions are released the same day, each containing some of the bonus tracks from the CD editions. There are also single disc versions replicating the original albums.
Universal are also offering three 7” limited singles, drawn from each of the albums, exclusive in the UK through Universal’s new vinyl store, The Sound Of Vinyl.
My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair…
Originally released in 1968 and produced by Tony Visconti, the first Tyrannosaurus Rex album My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair… positioned the former Mod face and beatnik Marc Bolan right at the heart of the burgeoning underground / hippie subculture. Along with his multi-instrumentalist partner Steve Peregrin Took, Marc married strange, flight-of-fancy lyrics with a new folky and percussive sound on early Bolan classics like “Child Star”, “Strange Orchestras” and “Frowning Atahuallpa(My Inca Love)” – the latter of which even contained a children’s story for Marc by DJ John Peel.
This new 2-CD deluxe edition of My People Were Fair… contains a 2014 remaster by Tony Visconti and Sean Magee plus a host of bonus material. It includes both stereo and mono versions of the original album plus 12 tracks recorded for John Peel’s ‘Top Gear’ show in 1967 and 1968, all unreleased. Also present are 4 songs from the Joe Boyd sessions, 2 of which are previously unreleased, 7 Tony Visconti home demos of which 5 are previously unreleased and 2 Marc Bolan interviews, also previously unreleased.
The new 2-LP deluxe gatefold edition of My People Were Fair… contains the mono 2014 remaster of the original album by Tony Visconti and Sean Magee pressed on 180gm vinyl, plus 14 bonus tracks including home demo recordings, 2 songs from the long-lost Joe Boyd session and sessions for John Peel’s Top Gear from 1967 and 1968.
Prophets, Seers & Sages: Angels Of The Ages
Originally released in 1968 and produced by Tony Visconti, the second Tyrannosaurus Rex album Prophets, Seers & Sages: Angels Of The Ages firmly cemented Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took as darlings of the London hippie / underground subculture and contained early Bolan classics such as “Deboraarobed”, “Salamanda Palaganda” and “Consuela”.
This new 2-CD deluxe gatefold edition of Prophets, Seers & Sages… contains the mono 2014 remaster of the original album plus a host of bonus material including 1 non-album single, alternate takes, 8 songs recorded for John Peel’s ‘Top Gear’ programme, and 2 songs recorded for the BBC’s ‘Voice Of Pop’ programme. Disc Two contains 30 alternate takes of the album’s songs including 23 previously unreleased.
The new 2-LP deluxe gatefold edition of Prophets, Seers & Sages… contains the mono 2014 Abbey Road remaster of the original album plus 17 bonus tracks including 16 alternate takes (7 of which are previously unreleased) and one from John Peel’s Top Gear in 1968.
Unicorn
Originally released in 1969 and produced by Tony Visconti, the third Tyrannosaurus Rex album Unicorn is probably regarded as the pinnacle of the duo’s songwriting achievement, and featured firm fan favourites such as “Iscariot”, “Cat Black (The Wizard’s Hat)” and “The Misty Coast Of Albany”.
This new 2-CD deluxe gatefold edition of the original album contains the mono 2014 remaster of the original album plus a host of bonus material including 12 bonus tracks including non-album single A and B-sides; 5 songs recorded for John Peel’s Top Gear; and 3 songs previously only available on the 20th Century Superstar box set on Disc One. Disc Two contains a further 26 alternate takes including 17 that were previously unreleased. Also comes with a booklet featuring a new essay by respected Guardian critic Mark Paytress.
The new 2-LP deluxe gatefold edition of Unicorn contains the mono 2014 remaster of the original album plus 15 bonus tracks including 11 alternate takes, 3 songs from John Peel’s Top Gear programme in 1969 and one live track from London’s The Lyceum in 1969.
