T.Rex – 1974-1977

The 2LP version of the Marc Bolan / T. Rex collection '1974-1977' culls the cream from a plethora of previously unreleased rehearsal takes and studio demos, from arguably the most adventurous and pioneering period of Marc's career. Lovingly mastered and curated from a stash of Marc's own tapes unearthed towards the end of 2024, the recordings are a fascinating document of an artist brimming with renewed vim and creativity. They also document how Marc and his super-hot band kept the tapes rolling when recording all over the world, from London to the USA, to Germany and France and back to Londonn. Included of course is I'm Dazed, the lost" T. Rex single unearthed from those tape boxes in 2024. Remastered and released on cosmic yellow seven-inch on Marc's birthday in 2025 (with a new take of Billy Super Duper on it's B-side), it helped mark the occasion of Marc being awarded an official English Heritage Blue Plaque. The honour made him just one of 5 pop musicians to ever receive the accolade, alongside Freddie Mercury, John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley. Two very different takes of I'm Dazed shimmer here: the 2025 single version remixed by Steven Wilson, and another, much slower take, led by languid drums, clavinet and piano. 74-77 comes in 2LP packaging with photography by Kevin Cummins, The set was curated for Demon by "T. Rexpert" Martin Barden and mastering undertaken by AIR Studios' Phil Kinrade."

Disc 1

1. Bolan's Zip Gun
2. I Really Love You Babe (Take 5)
3. All Alone (Working Version)
4. Calling All Destroyers (Working Version)
5. Savage Beethoven (Take 4)
6. Bust My Balls (Take 6)
7. I'm Dazed (Take 3)
8. Billy Super Duper (Warm Up)
9. Galaxy Wild (Take 2)
10. Damaged Suit (Take 5)
11. I Never Told You (Take 3)
12. Dreamy Lady (T.O.T.P. Take 3)

Disc 2

1. Ain't That a Shame (Take 9)
2. Funky London Childhood (Studio Take)
3. London Boys (Take 2)
4. We Love to Boogie (Take 4) (Overdub)
5. I'm a Fool for You Girl (Take 3) (With Overdubs)
6. 20th Century Baby (Studio Take)
7. Hot George (Studio Take)
8. Universe (Take 3 Instrumental)
9. Write Me a Song (Studio Take - Short Edit)
10. Celebrate Summer (Studio Take - Edit 1)
11. Mellow Love (Studio Take - Short Edit)
12. I'm Dazed (Take 2) (Steven Wilson 2025 Mix)

Label: Demon Records

Catalog: 9791293

Genre: Rock