- Marc Bolan (aka Mark Feld) (RIP 1977) -- vocals, guitar
- Burt Collins -- flugel horn (197)

- Mickey Finn -- bongos (1969-70) (replaced Steve

  Perregrine-Took)
- Steve Currie (RIP) -- bass (1970-
- Dino Dines -- keyboards 
- Herbie Flowers -- bass (replaced Steve Currie) (1977- )
- Gloria Jones -- vocals
- Bill Legend (aka Bill Fifield) -- drums (1970- 

- Ian McDonald -- sax (1971)
- Tony Newman -- drums (replaced Bill Legend) (1977- ) 

- Marc Bolan (solo efforts)
- Jack Green (solo efforts)

- Legend (Bill Legend)
- Pink Fairies (Steve Peregine-Took)
- The Pretty Things (Jack Green)
- Tyrannosaurus Rex (Marc Bolan)

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  T-Rex

Company: Reprise

Catalog: MS-6440

Year: 1971

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: gatefold sleeve

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4322

Price: $20.00

Having enjoyed a massive taste of popular success via the single "Ride a White Swan" b/w "Summertime Blues" (Blue Thumb catalog number BTS 7121), the duo returned to the studios with producer Visconti. 1970's "T. Rex" marked a major turning point for Bolan. While tracks such as "The Visit" and "Suneye" retained the same pseudo-folk/hippy/trippy orientation as his Tyrannosaurus Rex catalog, much of the album found the pair pursuing a surprisingly straightforward rock oriented attack. Sporting some wonderfully trashy electric guitar, Bolan-penned numbers such as "Jewel", "Beltane Walk", "Is It Love?" and "Seagull Woman" were far more accessible than earlier efforts. Elsewhere, "One Inch Rock" and "The Wizard" were remakes of earlier Tyrannosaurus Rex efforts, while Reprise arranged for the previously released "Ride a White Swan" to be added to the American release track listing. Benfitting from first rate production and arrangements (including prominent backing vocals from ex-Turtles Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman (aka Flo and Eddie)), to our ears the collection was far better than anything they'd previously done. "Swan" also proved to the duo's first major hit, peaking at #13 in the UK and #188 in the States. Following it's release Bolan also moved to expand the band, adding bass player Steve Currie and former Legend drummer Bill Fifield (aka Bill Legend) to the line up. Bolan and company then began an extended tour, tightening up their act as they played though out England. (The album was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.)

"T.Rex" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) The Children of Rarn (Marc Bolan) - 
2.) Jewel (Marc Bolan) - 
3.) The Visit (Marc Bolan) - 
4.) Childe (Marc Bolan) - 
5.) The Time of Love Is Now (Marc Bolan) - 
6.) Diamond Meadows (Marc Bolan) - 
7.) Root of Star (Marc Bolan) - 

(side 2)

1.) Beltane Walk (Marc Bolan) - 
2.) Is It Love? (Marc Bolan) - 
3.) One Inch Rock (Marc Bolan) - 
4.) Summer Deep (Marc Bolan) - 
5.) Seagull Woman (Marc Bolan) - 
6.) Suneye (Marc Bolan) - 
8.) The Wizard (Marc Bolan) - 
9.) Ride a White Swan (Marc Bolan) - 

Genre: rock

Rating: ***** (5 stars)

Title:  Electric Warrior

Company: Reprise

Catalog: RS-6466

Year: 1971

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: gatefold sleeve; minor wear

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4995

Price: $10.00

1971's Tony Visconti produced "Electric Warrior" marked Marc Bolan's first album working with a full band (the new recruits including bassist bassist Steve Currie and drummer Bill Legend).  In addition to the mega hit 'Bang a Gong (Get It On) which was re-titled 'Get It On' in an effort to protect American audiences form bad influences, the album served as a near perfect showcase for Bolan's new found blend of hippie-trippy philosophy (the album sported some of the era's goofiest lyrics), electric power-pop moves and blatant Chuck Berry-rips.  On the surface it didn't sound like a particularly appealing combination, but Bolan was smart enough to add lots of makeup and even more sex to the mix.  Call it prototype glam, though with a distinctive commercial bent.  Be sure to check out the hysterical 'Jeepster'.  Easily one of the best car = sex songs ever.  The album's other winning ingredient was the sense of fun it exuded.  On tracks like 'Mambo Sun', 'Monolith' and the roaring 'Rip Off'  Bolan and company sounded like they were having a blast recording that album and didn't care what anyone thought.  The set wasn't perfect, but came damn close with the only real disappointment being the lame blues-rocker 'Lean Woman Blues'.  With T.Rex-mania in full swing in the UK the album had no trouble going to the top of the charts.   Ironically, in a couple of interviews Bolan readily admit that the album's updated sound was intended to capture an American audience.  Unfortunately it wasn't an overwhelming success, though powered by 'Get It On' it hit # 32 in the US.

And the singles drawn from the album were:

- 'Get It On' b/w 'Raw Ramp' (Reprise catalog number 1032)

- 'Jeepster' b/w 'Rip Off' (Reprise catalog number 1056)

"Electric Warrior" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Mambo Sun  (Marc Bolan) - 3:28

2.) Cosmic Dancer  (Marc Bolan) - 4:27

3.) Jeepster  (Marc Bolan) - 4:10

4.) Monolith  (Marc Bolan) - 3:45

5.) Lean Woman Blues  (Marc Bolan) - 3:00

(side 2)

1.) Get It On  (Marc Bolan) - 4:26

2.) Planet Queen  (Marc Bolan) - 3:11

3.) Girl  (Marc Bolan) - 2:30

4.) The Motivator  (Marc Bolan) - 3:59

5.) Life's a Gas  (Marc Bolan) - 2:22

6.) Rip Off  (Marc Bolan) - 3:39

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Slider

Company: Reprise

Catalog: MS-2095

Year: 1972

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: gatefold sleeve

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4

Price: $8.00

Although the band only enjoyed moderate success in the States (most of it a result of the single "Bang a Gong), during the 1971-72 timeframe, they scored an impressive streak of top-10 English chart hits. That success led to comparisons with The Beatles' own successes. and a series of exhausting tours, television appearances and interviews. Unfortunately, it wasn't without costs including the breakup of Bolan's marriage and further deterioration of his already poor health. Amidst all of the activity, Bolan and company somehow found time to record a new album. With Visconti again producing, 1972's "The Slider" did little to tamper with the band's formula for success. Showcasing Bolan's limited, but appealing, voice, material such as the title track "Spaceball Richochet", "Rock On" and "Baby Boomerang" seldom strayed far from fuzz guitar propelled pop-rock. Thanks to Visconti, the sound may have been a little denser; Bolan's guitar given a little more spotlight, but the overall sound remained easygoing and enthusiastic. It was hard not to get sucked into the album's groove, even if Bolan's penchant for sophomoric poetry and dumsh*t scifi lyrics left you scratching your head ("Ballrooms of Mars"). Supported by his appearance in the film "Born To Boogie" and a pair of English top charting singles ("Metal Guru" and "Telegram Sam" - the latter a pure knock off of "Bang a Gong"), the collection proved a massive English hit. Peaking at #17 the album also became Bolan's most successful American release. (The LP was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.)

"The Slider" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Metal Guru (Marc Bolan) - 
2.) Mystic Lady (Marc Bolan) - 
3.) Rock On (Marc Bolan) - 
4.) The Slider (Marc Bolan) - 
5.) Baby Boomerang (Marc Bolan) - 
6.) Spaceball Richochet (Marc Bolan) - 

(side 2)

1.) Buick Mackrane (Marc Bolan) - 
2.) Telegram Sam (Marc Bolan) - 
3.) Rabbit Fighter (Marc Bolan) - 
4.) Baby Strange (Marc Bolan) - 
5.) Ballrooms of Mars (Marc Bolan) - 
6.) Chariot Choogle (Marc Bolan) - 
7.) Main Man (Marc Bolan) -