It’s no secret that Commander Bolan wrote wonderful songs, and it’s only natural that the number of T-Rex covers is huge (the first ones I heard were Buick Mackane by Guns’n’Roses and Children Of Revoultion from the musical Moulin Rouge).
There were even special tribute albums to Bolan – the indie garage album Ty Segall and the avant-garde compilation Great Jewish Music: Marc Bolan. But I didn’t like too nervous Ty Segall, and Great Jewish Music, with the exception of two or three numbers, has nothing to listen to, it doesn’t even smell of music, and Marc’s Jewish roots have nothing to do directly with his music (otherwise those young Beatles should be released on folk Dagestan music collections!)
Another thing is rockabilly and psychobilly. In rockabilly Bolan sounded cheerful and authentic, in some places – rough, dirty, but with the rousing billy-music and punchy drive of punk. Of course, Bolan is most appreciated by his compatriots, the English rockabillies of the Revival era. And Shakin’ “Shaky” Stevens is no exception (apart from the Chrome Sitar on the compilation he also played Laser Love, but alas, there is no recording of that song in decent quality).
If this compilation didn’t exist, it would be worth making it up. It’s been said and done, and here it is in front of you. Of course, not all of the bands featured here are genre specific to billy, but all of these covers are 100% rock and roll.
I hope this samopal is a good gift for all lovers of Marc Bolan and the band T.Rex.
Rockabilly Psychobilly Tribute to Marc Bolan & T-Rex (2014)
Bolan T.Rex01 The Sabrejets – Born To Boogie
02 Shockabilly – Life’s A Gas
03 The Big Six – Twentieth Century Boy
04 The Krewmen – Solid Gold Easy Action
05 Jelly Bean – I Love To Boogie
06 Frantic Flintstones – Mambo Sun
07 Cyclone – Telegram Sam
08 The Polecats – Jeepster
09 Bang Bang Bazooka – Crimson Moon
10 The Monster Club – T-Rex Boogie
11 Department S – Solid Gold Easy Action
12 Celtic Bones – 20th Century Boy
13 Shakin’ Stevens – Come On Little Girl (Chrome Sitar)
14 Southern Culture On The Skids – Life’s A Gas