Sound of Vinyl

Includes Download Code

On April 11, 1969, installed at their favoured Trident Studios in Soho, Tyrannosaurus Rex broke dramatically with their enchanted past but retained their favourite producer, Tony Visconti. Laying down two new songs, the usually seated Marc Bolan and bongo-playing sidekick Steve Took were up on their feet grinding out doomy lines on bass and electric guitar respectively. Released in July 1969, King Of The Rumbling Spires, backed by Do You Remember – the latter with Bolan reinstated as lead vocalist – represented a giant leap and pre-dated Glam Rock by 2 years.

Bolan’s weird-kid passion for nature, myth and the universe survived his recent travails. The enchanted forest (Woodland Bop, By The Light Of A Magical Moon), mediaevalism (Pavilions Of Sun, Wind Cheetah), pre-Classical times (Organ Blues, Dragon’s Ear) and eternal love and friendship (A Day Laye, the sublime Lofty Skies, Dove) still dominated his writing. A Beard Of Stars rang in the changes. The storytelling was more succinct with shorter verses, tighter hooks and greater repetition. Song structures were simplified.

This version of the album has been remastered by Sean Magee at Abbey Road Studios and the artwork has been lovingly restored by Phil Smee at Waldo’s Design and Dream Emporium.

Tracklisting

Side A
1. Prelude
2. A Day Laye
3. Woodland Bop
4. Fist Heart Mighty Dawn Dart
5. Pavilions of Sun
6. Organ Blues
7. By The Light Of A Magical Moon
8. Wind Cheetah

Side B
1. A Beard of Stars
2. Great Horse
3. Dragon’s Ear
4. Lofty Skies
5. Dove
6. Elemental Child