To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the classic T-Rex album, Electric Warrior, Universal are re-releasing the album with a whole host of extras. There are several different versions being released - a Deluxe, Super-Deluxe, a special vinyl and digital exclusive editions.
The core of each edition is the album, re-mastered by original producer Tony Visconti. The album comes with four bonus tracks - the non-album single, “Hot Love” (No. 1 in February 1971) plus the B-sides “There Was A Time / Raw Ramp”, “King Of The Mountain Cometh” and “Woodland Rock”.
The second disc in the Deluxe and Super-Deluxe editions opens with Marc Bolan reciting a previously unreleased poem titled “The Electric Warrior” which was recorded for a US Radio promo that is featured in full at the end of the album.
This is followed by an alternative version of the Electric Warrior album comprised from previously unreleased demos and out-takes. In addition there are unreleased demos recorded in London and New York of a recently discovered untitled instrumental from the “Hot Love” sessions and a T. Rex cover of Carl Perkins’ rockabilly classic “Honey Don’t”.
The Limited Edition Super Deluxe Edition of Electric Warrior will be housed in a lavish box set which is foil blocked and de-bossed and will contain the two CDs plus a DVD of rare and unreleased TV performances and promos by the group, and a wealth of additional items - alongside a 32-page hardback book featuring a brand new essay from Bolan biographer Mark Paytress (including new interviews with those who were close to Marc). The box also includes reproductions of rare photos and memorabilia: a poster including a timeline, three photographs, a coaster and a vintage press release.
The DVD includes the only two surviving Top of the Pops performances from the BBC archive of T Rex’s Electric Warrior-era hits – “Hot Love” and “Get It On”, the latter featuring Elton John. The DVD also includes the previously unseen Blue Screen versions of “Jeepster” and “Life’s A Gas” from Germany’s Beat Club plus the actual broadcast versions of “Jeepster” and “Life’s A Gas”. The rarely seen official promo videos for “Get It On” and “Jeepster” are also included, plus live performances of “Girl” and “Cosmic Dancer” which were recorded at the performance of T. Rex’s historic Wembley Empire Pool concerts on March 18th 1972. These were not included in the concert film Born To Boogie which used none of the matinée concert footage.
The re-mastered version of the album will be released on vinyl for the very first time as a double LP.
Just from the description of what's included, it's pretty clear that this is a seriously impressive re-release whichever version you opt for. The album plus bonus tracks and the alternate versions of all the songs make this a re-release which fans are going to want. The prices are good too - the super deluxe issue (usually described as the Box set online) is just under £30, which considering the fact it contains 2 CD's, a DVD plus loads of other stuff is a pretty good value price.
I'd certainly recommend this release to all T-Rex fans - the album sounds great and with all the extras at a reasonable price then its a great addition to any CD collection.
Electric Warrior will be released on 23rd April 2012 via Universal Music Group
Track Listing (Super Deluxe Edition)
DISC ONE – ORIGINAL ALBUM PLUS SINGLE A & B SIDES
1: Mambo Sun
2: Cosmic Dancer
3: Jeepster
4: Monolith
5: Lean Woman Blues
6: Get It On
7: Planet Queen
8: Girl
9: The Motivator
10: Life’s A Gas
11: Rip Off
BONUS TRACKS
12: There Was A Time / Raw Ramp - B-side
13: Hot Love - A-side
14: King Of The Mountain Cometh - B-side
15: Woodland Rock - B-side
DISC TWO – DEMOS & OUT-TAKES
1: Electric Warrior Poem – Rare US Radio Promo *
2: Mambo Sun – Instrumental Edit *
3: Cosmic Dancer – Single-Vocal Version *
4: Jeepster – Single-Vocal Version *
5: Monolith – No Backing Vocals Version *
6: Lean Woman Blues – Single-Guitar Track – Work in Progress *
7: Get It On – Full Length Version *
8: Planet Queen – Acoustic Version *
9: Girl – New York Demo *
10: The Motivator – Work In Progress *
11: Life’s A Gas – Studio Out-Take *
12: Rip Off – Instrumental *
13: Raw Ramp – London Demo Version
14: Electric Boogie – London Demo Version *
15: Honey Don’t – Studio Out-Take / Work In Progress *
16: Planet Queen – Acoustic Solo / London Demo Version *
17: Girl - Acoustic Solo / London Demo Version *
18: Jeepster – Electric Home Demo Version *
19: Get It On – Acoustic Home Demo Version *
20: Untitled Instrumental – Studio Out-Take *
21: Electric Warrior Poem and radio advert. US Radio promo *
Previously Unreleased *
DISC THREE - DVD
1: Hot Love from Top Of The Pops, 24th March 1971. First time on DVD
2: Get It On from Top Of The Pops, 20th December 1971 featuring Elton John
3: Jeepster from Beat Club, Germany. Previously Unseen Blue Screen Version
4: Life’s A Gas from Beat Club, Germany. Previously Unseen Blue Screen Version
5: Girl, Live at Wembley Empire Pool, 18th March 1972
6: Cosmic Dancer, Live at Wembley Empire Pool, 18th March 1972
7: Get It On, Official Promo
8: Jeepster, Official Promo
9: Jeepster from Beat Club, Germany. Broadcast version
10: Life’s A Gas from Beat Club, Germany. Broadcast version
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