T. Rex

This double-CD set is an unexpected bonus for fans of the Ringo Starr-directed Marc Bolan/T. Rex documentary Born to Boogie. The movie is due out on DVD, but the release of a soundtrack is simply an amazing piece of icing on the cake. Filmed and recorded in early 1972, just as T. Rex had made the leap to the upper reaches of pop stardom, the double-CD set caught Bolan and company at the peak of their musicianship and at a loose, high moment where everything seemed possible -- hence the acoustic guitar/string quartet medley of hits, the Marc Bolan/Ringo Starr/Elton John rendition of "Tutti Frutti," and the string of more conventionally scored performances of "Jeepster" and most of the rest of Bolan's repertoire that are there to enjoy on the first CD. And then there's the second disc, recorded live at the Wembley in March of 1972. Between Apple Films' eventual collapse (along with the rest of the Beatles' music empire) and the fact that T. Rex were never remotely as popular on this side of the Atlantic as they were in England, Americans scarcely ever heard about the movie, much less saw it. This two-disc set now makes it much more than just the movie, with excellent sound and a unique body of music to be enjoyed simply as audio entertainment. It's all great fun as well as a superb example of the best of glam/glitter rock, and excellent rock & roll on its own terms. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide