Marc Bolan & T.Rex - '74-'77 Tame My Tiger

I thought I was done with Marc but apparently not. This is the first of a two volume set covering the years 1974 through 1977. This volume covers the non-LP singles and B-sides. Volume two will cover the outtakes.

I've mentioned my dissatisfaction of this period of Marc but the singles, for the most part, fared better than the albums. I often refer to this time as Marc's "lost" period. He seemed to be chasing trends rather than setting them. Heck, Dreamy Lady b/w covers of Do You Wanna Dance? and Dock Of The Bay were credited to T.Rex Disco Party!

Many of the tracks prominently featured Gloria Jones as a co-lead singer or main backing vocalist and her organ is on display high in the mix. The last two tracks were credited to Big Carrot but were T.Rex songs with Gloria as the main or co-vocalist.

Side One
01 Satisfaction Pony
02 Dreamy Lady
03 Do You Wanna Dance?
04 Dock Of The Bay
05 London Boys
06 Laser Love
07 Life's An Elevator

Side Two
01 To Know You Is To Love You
02 City Port
03 Dandy In The Underworld
04 Tame My Tiger
05 Celebrate Summer
06 Big Carrot - Blackjack
07 Big Carrot - Squint Eye Mangle

Reality Notes

Aside from a few oddball covers and some questionable production choices, this is a pretty good collection. '74 - '76 saw Marc's popularity slip. He started an affair with Gloria before splitting from his wife June, culminating in the birth of his only child before his death in '77. He was also at his unhealthiest having gained weight and was drinking heavy. His albums from '74 and '75 certainly have some highlights but fail to stack up to his earlier works. Futuristic Dragon in '76 was better as was his health. '77s Dandy In The Underworld gave us the Marc we all knew and Loved.

I can't promise that the images I used for the covers are timeline correct. I chose them because I liked them. The pic used here looks more to be from '72 (you can usually tell from the hair) and I'm pretty sure the one I used for the next volume is from '73. Anyway, I wouldn't be the first to use an out of time frame image on a T.Rex cover. Anachronistic images on Bolan releases is almost a rite of passage.