Disco de T. Rex: “20th Century Superstar”

Years ago here in Oz we had a vinyl compilation much the same as this collection but this CD goes the extra mile to add additional rareities. I have always enjoyed the middle part of Marc's career the most and like: Get It On, Hot Love (UK version), Ride A White Swan, The King of the Mtn. Cometh, Woodland Rock, Jeepster etc...

I'm sure this CD will satisfy everyone's taste as Marc's recordings can be split into the two main phases - that being firstly "Folk Style" to "Glam Rock God". This CD just happens to be almost tracked into those two styles.

I can't reccomend this CD more highly. Quality does vary but that's because the recording are all done at various studios and over a 10+ years span.

Buy it NOW, play it LOUD, ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!

Tom Wynn

"20th Century Superstar" is a comprehensive 4-CD box set covering all phases of Marc Bolan's career, and includes all of his hard-to-find early

solo singles as well as outtakes, X-mas fan club songs, tracks from every Tyrannosaurus and T.Rex album, etc. However, as with almost every box set that has been released since the format was invented, the curious omission of a handful of key tracks normally found on greatest-hits and anthologies prevents this from a full five-star rating. Whatever happened to "Mustang Ford", "She Was Born To Be My Unicorn", "Pavilions Of Sun", "Seagull Woman", "Buick McKane", "Mad Donna", "Crimson Moon"?? Certainly the omission of "She Was Born To Be My Unicorn", "Seagull Woman" and "Buick McKane" is highly suspect. And, as another reviewer here has mentioned, there is no live material bar "Dove" and the BBC "Sailors Of The Highway". Of course, there is so much material out there that one would need more than 4 discs to include everything of worth, although I would have at least included the above omitted tracks in favor of some of the "Zip Gun" and "Futuristic Dragon" material on disc four ("Jupiter Liar" in favor of "Buick McKane"??).

As this is a UK import, the hefty price tag is also likely to turn off all but devoted Bolan fanatics. Seeing as how I am one, I still consider it an essential purchase; some of songs here ("Nickelodeon", "Ill Starred Man", "Demon Queen", "Hot Love", "Mambo Sun") appear in alternate takes not found on any other release, even the recent remasters. And hearing the early singles and John's Children material in (for once) superb sound quality is worthwhile, as well as the chance to witness Bolan's constant evolution from beginning to end in one succinct package. Now one need only use this box set as a template to add the ten or so missing key tracks and create one's *own* box...

A little thin on Rex's best years during "Electric Warrior" & "The Slider" era, plus no live material. The best place for a new fan is the "20th Century Boy" compilation. Even die hard T Rex fans will have a difficult time listening to disc one more than once. The redeeming and condemning factor here is this set literally covers the bands entire existence. Previous sets rarely included any of the Warner/Reprise material released prior to "The Slider".

The sound is suberb, even though some of the earlier material is just above demo quality.

All in all (great cliche here) this set is a necessity for any long time Rex fan, but for newcomers start with "Electric Warrior" or the best of disc mentioned above. This is a little to pricey for anyone except a die-hard T Rex fan.

Now this IS loads of fun!

From his early beginnings to the end,this has some of the best,and some rare things too!

John's Children must have kicked themselves in the early 1970's for losing Marc!Their singles with him are incredible Mod/Psych/Pop! The Tyrannosaurus Rex stuff features lots of alternate mixes. There's a bunch of pre-song chatter scattered throughout the set.Plus the T.Rex Christmas message stuff IS NOT "the Christmas Boogie"!!!(T.Rex-Mas!)

This is very nice!

Worth all the pennies!

From the moment the first disc starts until the last one stops spinning in your player , you will have a blast listening to this. Bolan was a master of the pop song format. The lyrics are full of mystic images (did anyone EVER understand a SINGLE Bolen lyric ?) , the music is riff-laden crunchy rock and roll. There are TONS of Bolen compilations out there , this is the one to buy. Then, start into the unreleased comps for even more oddities. What would this guy sound like now ?