T. Rex: Tanx (Bonus Disc - "Left Hand Luke") CD Track Listing

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T. Rex Tanx (Bonus Disc - "Left Hand Luke") (1973)
Tanx (Rhino Deluxe Edition) - Disc 2 of 2\n2006 Rhino Records, Inc.\n\nOriginally Released February 1973\nEdsel 2CD Expanded Edition Released September 17, 2002\nRhino 2CD Expanded Edition Released January 24, 2006\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: By 1973's Tanx, the T. Rex hit-making machine was beginning to show some wear and tear, but Marc Bolan still had more than a few winners up his sleeve. It was also admirable that Bolan was attempting to broaden the T. Rex sound -- soulful backup singers and horns are heard throughout, a full two years before David Bowie used the same formula for his mega-seller Young Americans. However, Tanx did not contain any instantly recognizable hits, as their past couple of releases had, and the performances were not quite as vibrant, due to non-stop touring and drug use. Despite an era of transition looming on the horizon for the band, tracks such as "Rapids," "Highway Knees," "The Street & Babe Shadow," and "Born to Boogie" contain the expected classic T. Rex sound. The leadoff track, "Tenement Lady," is an interesting Beatlesque epic, while "Shock Rock" criticizes the early-'70s glam scene, which T. Rex played a prominent role in creating. Other highlights include one of Bolan's most gorgeous and heartfelt ballads, "Broken Hearted Blues," as well as the brief, explosive rocker "Country Honey." Tanx marked the close of what many consider T. Rex's golden era; unfortunately, the bandmembers would drift off one by one soon after, until Bolan was the only one remaining by the mid-'70s. [The 2002 reissue adds seven bonus tracks, plus a full-length second disc featuring a plethora of alternate takes. The first disc's extra tracks are "Children of the Revolution," "Jitterbug Love," "Sunken Rags," "Solid Gold Easy Action," "Xmas Riff," "Free Angel," and the incredibly influential and awe-inspriing glam anthem "20th Century Boy." The second disc offers the entire album in its original order but using alternate takes, plus alternate takes of "Children of the Revolution," "Solid Gold Easy Action," and "Free Angel"; semi-acoustic takes of "Mister Mister," "Broken Hearted Blues," "The Street and the Babe Shadow," and "Tenement Lady"; and straight acoustic versions of "Tenement Lady," "Broken Hearted Blues," "Mad Donna," "The Street and the Babe Shadow," and "Left Hand Luke."] -- Greg Prato\n\nAmazon.com Product Description\nRemastered and expanded reissue of 1973 release. 2 CD digipak in plastic slipcase, featuring the original album plus 7 bonus tracks & an additional 19 tracks of demos and alternate versions with 16 page color booklet. Demon. 2002. \n\nAmazon.com Product Description\nThe phenomenally popular and influential T.Rex spearheaded the glam-rock movement, a genre owing everything to its quintessential superstar, Marc Bolan. Rivaled only by Bowie, whose own glam period followed in their flamboyant footsteps, Bolan and T.Rex created an incredible vibe and sound whose legacy lives. Driven by primal grooves, effortless hooks, trippy vocals, and deliciously fat guitar riffs, their music was both infused with hippie spirituality and raw sexuality-a rich, ripe, sonic delight both primitive and evolved. While their music defined an era, their irresistible grooves are timeless, and Bolan's later, more experimental tracks, marrying pop genius with creative expansion and proto-punk power, underscore his groundbreaking artistry. \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nThe great underrated T. Rex album, July 12, 2006\nReviewer: Frank C. Tortorici (Garwood, NJ United States)\nTanx is a great album. It's not as great as Electric Warrior, but it's up there with The Slider as Marc Bolan's next best. This album sounds like a mix of The Stones' Exile on Main Street with Elton John albums from '71 to '74, with the important ingredient of Bolan's own electric boogie.. It's amazing that Bolan created so much great music in so many different styles. Buy this one after Electric Warrior and The Slider. It's not really represented on any of the Bolan compilations out there. It's mind boggling and sad that '73 was considered the beginning of a downturn in Bolan's career at the time when he created Tanx and "20th Century Boy" (included here)! The bonus disc of alternate takes is fascinating and a good listen in its own right. This release from Rhino Records marks the first reissue of Tanx in the U.S. since the original 1973 vinyl. \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nMarc Bolan's Tanx, November 29, 2003\nReviewer: James Choma (Brecksville, OH United States)\nThis album to me represents the last great T. Rex album. This was Marc Bolan's attempt at breaking big in America after having conquered the UK charts. It ranks as my favorite T. Rex album, (actually, my favorite album of all time) with some of Marc's most melodic songs. \n\nAfter the phenomenal success of "Electric Warrior" and "The Slider," Marc's record company expected big things. What Marc gave them was "Tanx;" an album very different from its predecessors. Unfortunately, the critics and many of the fans didn't like the direction Marc took and the album was deemed a disappointment. \n\nWhy is this my favorite album of all time? When I first came upon this album several years ago, after all the bad critical press it got, I was expecting the worst. My thought was, Heck, I loved Electric Warrior and The Slider, how bad could this be? I put the needle down on the turntable and was captivated for the next 40 minutes or so. \n\n"Oh, my darling there are many ways..." The album opens with the guitar boogie and spacey lyrics of "Tenement Lady," a combination of two songs. You'll note on disc 2, it's listed as "Tenement Lady/Darling". Two songs fused together into one great one. Lots of great production work on this one.\n\n"Your mama said, clean out your head, boy..." Next is "Rapids," with lots of guitar slide overdubs. Again, lots of spacey lyrics in a Bolan boogie mind poem.\n\n"I'm just lookin' for a change in my luck.." "Mister Mister" is great light acoustic song with a great sing-a-long at the end. Excellent orchestration by Tony Visconti.\n\n"This is a song that I wrote when I was young..." "Broken Hearted Blues" is, to me, one of the most beautiful songs Marc Bolan ever wrote. Beautiful lyrics, beautiful orchestration, Marc in perfect voice... poetry set to music. Possibly the best song Marc ever put on an album. The only complaint I have it that it was too short.\n\nThe rest of the album just flows beautifully. From start to finish, I never skip a song. Plus you get the added bonus of the Marc's singles from '73: "Children of the Revolution," "Jitterbug Love," "Sunken Rags," "Solid Gold Easy Action," "20th Century Boy," and the beautiful "Free Angel". \n\nDisc 2 is made up of alternate takes. It gives you some insight into the workings of the songs a they developed from the rough mix stage to T. Rex classics. These outtakes were once sold separately as "Left Hand Luke: The Alternate Tanx". Here you get the whole package in one.\n\nIf you've fallen under the spell of Bolan's words and music, but don't have this album yet, get it now. This album to me is one of the best by the band, and as stated before, one of my favorites of all time.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nTHE T.REX EXPLOSION AT ITS PEAK!!!, January 20, 2004\nReviewer: F. Moses "insultant1" (Gahanna, Ohio United States)\nIt is hard for any T.Rex/Bowie fan to ignore the fact that the two inspired each other...for they were both stemmed from the magical hands of the producer Tony Visconti. "Tanx" not only combined the elements of the previous T.Rex albums ("T.Rex", "Electric Warrior", & "Slider") but it went a step beyond! It combined the mystical and electronical together, making for the T.Rex climax for all fans. \n"Tanx" is perhaps the most seductive of the T.Rex collection. Not since the self-titled album had the band produced such dreamy and breath taking surrealism. "Broken Hearted Blues" is like everyone's teenage lust preserved in a jar. Though many Tyrannosaurus Rex fans felt that the abbreviation to T.Rex was the ending to the Marc Bolan legacy, "Tanx" plays like a fish coming to the surface of the water for a breath of fresh air and remains the same during each play! Had Marc Bolan contained the energy displayed during this album -- Led Zeppelin would have appeared in the cut-out bins!\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\n4.5 stars - Unfairly bashed by the critics, January 17, 2005\nReviewer: Darth Kommissar (Las Vegas, NV (USA))\nTanx (1973.) Marc Bolan's eighth album. \n\nBy 1972, glam rocker Marc Bolan and his glam rock outfit T. Rex had conquered the United Kingdom, due in no small part to his masterpiece albums Electric Warrior and The Slider. The albums were nothing short of excellence, and while Bolan achieve massive success in his native nation, the albums did almost nothing in America, outside of the hit single Bang A Gong (Get It On), from the former album. Bolan sought to expand his audience into the United States with Tanx, his 1973 release. Unfortunately, the album was a dismal commercial failure, and critics on both sides of the Atlantic wrote Bolan off as a has-been. Read on for my review, and see if the critics were right in their bashing words. \n\nNo album screams out "critics are morons" like Tanx. This is a GREAT album that really documents Bolan's maturing musical sound. There are plenty of rockers and slower tracks alike, along with some of the classic glitter/glam-style rock that made Bolan famous. I won't deny that this album doesn't top Electric Warrior or The Slider, but I think it's a worthy contender that certainly ranks up there in my book. It's somewhat ironic, though, that the album he released in an effort to expand his audience actually reduced it. Many of music's greatest recordings are commercial failures - and Bolan's Tanx stands as one of the strongest examples of that. If you liked Bolan's two albums that came before this, you're likely to enjoy this one too. Just don't come in listening expecting a carbon copy of the previous two works. \n\nBolan's catalogue is, for the most part, out of print in America. Fortunately, a Russian import twofer series has made his albums easier to get and more affordable. At long last, you can get his albums easier than you could before. The twofers are a better value and a better choice than the two-disc deluxe editions. \n\nWhy was Tanx a commercial failure? I guess we'll never know. Critics never gave this album a chance, and that's a real shame, since it's some of Bolan's best work. If you're a fan of his, there's no reason not to have this one added to your collection.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nI know you're going to hate this review but..., September 1, 2004\nReviewer: Rabbit Krishna "hippie_smell" (Brooklyn)\nI went through the biggest Marc Bolan obsession ever. I bought his albums, videos, and listened to his early stuff to the point where my girl friend had to lay down a few ground rules about how much I could listen to Slider or E.Warrior. Anyway, when I heard 20th Century Boy I thought this album was the next thing for me. Anyway, everyone notes that this album is his big departure and boy is it ever. Gone are the rocking boogies, and kinky vocals. In place of it is a bunch of slower, moodier songs that I couldn't get into at all. Needless to say this album was a huge disapointment for me. I would say this to you, realize that most people reviewing albums like this are complete die hards and to them it's going to be 5 stars. I would also say, that before you pick this one up give it a listen as it is definitely a different sound and approach than his earlier albums. Artists change and Marc Bolan was definitely one to evolve and challenge his audience. Unfortunately he grew beyond my hopes and expectations. If you're new to Bolan get Electric Warrior and Slider the deluxe editions. You'll have so much fun listening to that stuff. If you go for this one then I hope you like it more than I did. \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nThe Critic's were Wrong! Tanx Delivers!, December 10, 2003\nReviewer: "lisas1437" (Mentor, Ohio USA)\nWhen I first purchased this cd I wasn't expecting it to be great because of the critic reviews. I was pleasantly surprised. I listened to it a few times before I really got into it because the music is definately going in a different direction than Electric Warrior and Slider. It's different but just as good. To me, Marc was musically maturing. I wish Marc and T.Rex would have explored this avenue more on the later albums. I guess because Tanx wasn't well received at the time by critics or the fans Marc chose another direction in an attempt to recapture his former success. My personal favorite's are Broken-Hearted Blues (the most beautiful and perfect two-minute song ever!), Electric Slim And The Factory Hen, the fun Mad Donna with the French introduction and Left Hand Luke And The Beggar Boys. This song has a blues, gospel feel to it and Marc really gives it his all on this one. The extended play features two of my all time favorites, Children Of The Revolution and 20th Century Boy. The Bonus disc gives insight into the development of the songs and is a welcome addition. Don't listen to the critics! This truly was T.Rex's last great effort. Don't miss it!\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nWow - no reviews yet? GREAT ALBUM!, September 4, 2003\nReviewer: M. Detko "detkoralph" (Scarborough, Ontario Canada)\nThis was another great album by Bolan. The tunes are a bit shorter and more commercial in some cases, and here you really hear what Bowie was "borrowing" from his hero. Telegram Sam was covered by Bauhaus in the 80's but there is lots of classic T Rex on this album. If you like Slider and Electric Warrior, you won't be disappointed. I have no idea about all the bonus stuff, as I only have the vinyl.\n\nHalf.com Details \nProducer: Tony Visconti \n\nAlbum Notes\nThis two-disc 2002 edition is packaged in a digipak and plastic slipcase.\n\nDisc one includes seven non-album single sides in addition to the original album.\nDisc two includes 23 "work in progress" versions and demos, which mirror the original album's running order.\n\nIncludes a 16 page color booklet featuring lyrics, photos, and memorabilia.\nIncludes liner notes by Mark Paytress (Marc Bolan's biographer).\n\nMarc Bolan & T. Rex: Marc Bolan (vocals, guitar, harmonica); Mickey Finn (vocals, congas, percussion); Steve Currie (bass guitar); Bill Legend (drums).\nAdditional personnel: Howard Casey (saxophone); Tony Visconti (Mellotron, background vocals).\n\nRecording information: Chateau d'Herouville, France (1972).\n\nConventional wisdom concerning Marc Bolan is that TANX was the beginning of the end, but the two-disc 2002 reissue of the album goes a long way toward rectifying that false impression. TANX certainly tweaks the T. Rex formula, bringing Flo and Eddie's harmonies forward in the mix and adding horns and more keyboards. The songwriting is more varied as well, with ballads like "Broken Hearted Blues" and soulful rockers like "Mad Donna" amid the usual glam boogie. Although the TANX album proper did not score any hit singles in the States, this expanded 2002 edition collects several utterly essential singles that were released around the same time, including the immortal "20th Century Boy" and "Children of the Revolution." These songs led to a renewal of interest in T. Rex when they were used in an SUV ad and the film MOULIN ROUGE, respectively. There's also an entire second disc of alternate takes and demos of TANX tracks, making this the ultimate version of the album for the Marc Bolan completist.
This misc cd contains 23 tracks and runs 53min 6sec.
Freedb: 610c7017
Buy: from Amazon.com

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