Disco de T. Rex: “Born to Boogie [2 DVD]”

Finally! Given T-Rex was under-appreciated in the U.S., I've always been asked what Marc Bolan and the boys were all about! Now I can simply play this wonderful 2-disk dvd and show everyone. This is the ultimate for any Bolan fan. The production is beuatiful, the sound is fantastic, and you get many additional extras including an excellent look into the restoration process, interviews with producer Tony Visconti and Marc's son, Rolan.

Filmed by Ringo Starr for Apple Films, the DVD includes the original theatrical release of Born to Boogie, as well as full coverage of the 5:30PM and 8:30PM Wembley Pool concerts. The movie has its moments, the highlight being a splendid run through Children of the Revolution in the studio with Elton John and Ringo sitting in. That version is even better than originally released single. I could do without the rest of the surreal fantasy scenes that interrupt the concert footage, but it reflects the same playful strangeness seen in Magical Mystery Tour. Given both concerts are included in their entirety, you lose nothing even though 3 songs from the 8:30 show don't make the original movie.

As for the music, it's absolutely peak T-Rex. As was the norm for 1972, both the early and late shows are 1-hour and have the same set list. Nonetheless, they are markedly different. The 5:30 show is a bit ragged, and Bolan is plagued with microphone problems (he literally has to follow the swaying microphone back and forth while singing Telegram Sam). In addition, Bolan's guitar is turned too low in the first show and the rest of the band seem a bit stiff. Yet, it still reflects a band at its creative apex (having hit it big with Electric Warrior and completed many tracks for The Slider). The second show is AWESOME and worth the purchase by itself! The band is tight, Marc's guitar is loud and driving, and the energy exchanged between Bolan and the crowd drives the set forward to increasingly intense musical peaks. I did notice that Tony Visconti (who mixed the DVD) adds some subtle lead guitar lines here and there that are clearly not being played by Marc on stage, but this is not a distraction and there are plenty of true leads played, especially as the late show fires up. The songs are as fresh today as they were in the 1972 days of T-Rexstacy. What's great is that T-Rex fans get the total live experience they've craved for years AND the unfamiliar viewer will finally "get it" and "get it on" with Marc and T-Rex. As an avid fan for over 30 years, I can finally say "I'm satisfied!" You will be too!

First off, I'm not a huge T Rex fan, or I shoueld say, I wasn't one before I purchased this DVD. I randomly came across it on my TV for; it was being given away as part of a fundraiser for Public TV. I bought it the next day, since I really didn't care about Long Island Public TV, being from Jersey.

That said, the DVD is amazing. Bolan is a light that shines, and one I didn't know enough about.

The movie portion, "Born to Boogie" is a bit weird, in the Pink Floyd kinda way, yet more comical. The Elton John and Ringo Starr parts are very interesting. But for me it's more about the two LIVE concerts that accompany the DVD. Both are amazing.

The energy Bolan brings to the table, the camera angles, the footage, the sound, everything. It's just awesome. He exudes fun, life, and graciousness.

The audience is blown away by his music and vibe, and frankly, that's what did it for me.

Anyone who is a fan of singer songwriters, whether it be Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, Jeff Buckley, Stephen Malkmus, or even Gene Ween, will absolutely love this DVD.

One of the great forgotten rock'n'roll films, "Born To Boogie" is an *essential* document of the early 70s rock scene, as it captures Marc Bolan and T.Rex at their absolute zenith in 1972. The scenes of fan mania in the concert footage here do rival that of The Beatles during their 64-65 heyday, and Bolan plays the rock icon to the hilt, making sure every frame bursts at the seams with his particular brand of charisma and energy. Some of the performances here leap from the screen, such as on the climaxing "Get It On" (which also features some tight playing from the rhythm section of Finn, Currie and Legend).

The best scenes, however, are the non-concert footage shot with Ringo and Elton John, which include some intense studio jam sessions on "Tutti Frutti" and "Children Of The Revolution", and of course the exquisite Mad Hatter's tea-party scene in which Bolan plays an acoustic medley of songs to himself, his friends and some nuns with a supreme star presence. Starr's direction is--contrary to some of the opinions below--pretty good, kind of like what "Magical Mystery Tour" should have looked like. In all, "Born To Boogie" gives one a succinct glimpse into Bolan's mirrorball-magical world at the peak of his power and influence,

There is nothing, not a thing bad to say about this disc. If you know the band and the music you will be immersed in what was Marc Bolan and T. Rex. The extras, including those with Marc's son...Rolan were enjoyable, touching and very informative.

The DTS soundtrack is alive and makes you feel like "you are there." Hat's off to Tony Visconti for an excellent job of bringing the audio back to life. Way recommended! Mark A. New Hyde Park, NY, USA

It is with much joy that I learned via the purchase of this great dvd how good a band T-Rex really was.I am 53 years old and listen to most music from My Bloody Valentine to Peter Frampton. I was never a fan of T-Rex in the day as I was listening to Hendrix, Led Zepelin and the Stones then.

Fortunately this disc was released and I happened to see a bit of it at a friends house recently.I was so impressed that I ordered it from Amazon as soon as I was able to.

The second disc explains how painstaking it was to get this venture together and in so doing a group who were the biggest rock outfit for 2 years, can now really be appreciated live.

The disc makes it clear why T-Rex were so popular. Glyn Johns has done such an oustanding job with the sound that the picture dissapoints,understandably, seeing as it was filmed all those years ago. A great dvd to be enjoyed by all.