Marc Bolan (April 19, 2014) – Electric Sevens 2 - At The BBC 4×7" Record Store Day Box Set
Released for Record Store Day on April 19, 2014, Electric Sevens 2 - At The BBC brought together eight Marc Bolan, T. Rex and Tyrannosaurus Rex recordings across four limited-edition 7-inch records. The collection draws from different parts of the BBC archive, combining Top Gear recordings, instrumental backing tracks prepared for Radio 1 Club, and material recorded for John Peel’s Sunday Concert. Particularly notable are “Ride A White Swan” and “Jewel,” both taken from T. Rex’s October 26, 1970 Top Gear session.
Artist: Marc Bolan
Title: Electric Sevens 2 - At The BBC
Label: Universal Music Catalogue
Catalogue Number: 534 391-0
Release Date: April 19, 2014
Country: Europe
Format: 4 × 7" Vinyl Box Set
Edition: Record Store Day Limited
Style: Psychedelic Rock / Acoustic
Licensed From: BBC Worldwide
Phonographic Copyright: Universal Music Operations Ltd.
Copyright: Universal Music Operations Ltd.
BACKGROUND
Electric Sevens 2 - At The BBC was assembled as a limited-edition vinyl collection drawing upon several different periods of Marc Bolan’s BBC recording history.
Rather than concentrating on a single broadcast or session, the box moves between Tyrannosaurus Rex and T. Rex and includes material dating from 1969 through to 1971.
The eight tracks include BBC performances alongside instrumental backing tracks, providing a mixture of broadcast recordings and less conventional archival material.
The release also provides a direct connection with the October 26, 1970 T. Rex Top Gear session through two tracks: “Ride A White Swan” and “Jewel.”
BBC TOP GEAR - OCTOBER 26, 1970
Two recordings originate from the T. Rex Top Gear session recorded at BBC Studio 4, Maida Vale, London, on October 26, 1970.
Ride A White Swan – 2:03
Jewel – 3:32
The timings correspond with the surviving BBC session documentation.
The original October 26 session comprised four performances:
Ride A White Swan – 2:03
Jewel – 3:32
Elemental Child – 7:44
Sun Eye – 2:00
Electric Sevens 2 - At The BBC therefore selects two of the four performances for vinyl release.
RADIO 1 CLUB - MARCH 2, 1971
Three instrumental backing tracks in the collection are identified as having been mixed for Radio 1 Club on March 2, 1971:
Beltane Walk (Instrumental Backing Track) – 2:23
Electric Boogie (Instrumental Backing Track) – 2:06
Woodland Rock (Instrumental Backing Track) – 2:24
These provide a different type of BBC-related material from the conventional session performances elsewhere in the box.
JOHN PEEL’S SUNDAY CONCERT
The collection includes the extended:
Woodland Bop (Medley) – 6:31
The medley consists of:
Woodland Bop / Conesuala / The King Of The Mountain Cometh / Woodland Bop
The recording is identified as originating from John Peel’s Sunday Concert, recorded on December 10, 1970.
EARLIER TYRANNOSAURUS REX BBC RECORDINGS
The final 7-inch moves further back into the Tyrannosaurus Rex period.
By The Light Of A Magical Moon – 2:46
is taken from a BBC Top Gear session recorded on November 17, 1969.
Once Upon The Seas Of Abyssinia – 2:04
is taken from a BBC Top Gear session recorded on May 11, 1969.
Their inclusion extends the collection beyond the electric T. Rex period and into Marc Bolan’s earlier BBC work with Tyrannosaurus Rex.
RELEASE HISTORY
Issued on April 19, 2014, Electric Sevens 2 - At The BBC was produced as a Record Store Day limited edition.
Universal Music Catalogue issued the European four-disc 7-inch box under catalogue number 534 391-0, with the recordings licensed from BBC Worldwide.
The set collects material drawn from multiple BBC sessions and broadcast projects rather than reproducing one programme or concert in its entirety.
TRACKLIST
7" ONE | |
Side A | Ride A White Swan – 2:03 |
Side B | Beltane Walk (Instrumental Backing Track) – 2:23 |
7" TWO | |
Side C | Electric Boogie (Instrumental Backing Track) – 2:06 |
Side D | Woodland Rock (Instrumental Backing Track) – 2:24 |
7" THREE | |
Side E | Woodland Bop (Medley) – 6:31 |
Side F | Jewel – 3:32 |
7" FOUR | |
Side G | By The Light Of A Magical Moon – 2:46 |
Side H | Once Upon The Seas Of Abyssinia – 2:04 |
RECORDING SOURCES
Track | BBC Source / Date |
Ride A White Swan | Top Gear – October 26, 1970 |
Beltane Walk (Instrumental Backing Track) | Mixed for Radio 1 Club – March 2, 1971 |
Electric Boogie (Instrumental Backing Track) | Mixed for Radio 1 Club – March 2, 1971 |
Woodland Rock (Instrumental Backing Track) | Mixed for Radio 1 Club – March 2, 1971 |
Woodland Bop (Medley) | John Peel’s Sunday Concert – December 10, 1970 |
Jewel | Top Gear – October 26, 1970 |
By The Light Of A Magical Moon | Top Gear – November 17, 1969 |
Once Upon The Seas Of Abyssinia | Top Gear – May 11, 1969 |
CONTEXT AND NOTES
The collection spans more than one phase of Marc Bolan’s career, combining recordings credited to both T. Rex and Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Its strongest connection with the October 26, 1970 Top Gear Chronicle comes through “Ride A White Swan” and “Jewel.” Both appear with the same timings documented for the original BBC session.
The box also demonstrates the variety of material preserved through Marc Bolan’s BBC work, bringing together conventional broadcast performances, instrumental backing tracks and an extended medley within one four-disc vinyl collection.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Release: Electric Sevens 2 - At The BBC
Release Date: April 19, 2014
Format: 4 × 7" Vinyl Box Set
Edition: Record Store Day Limited Edition
Label: Universal Music Catalogue
Catalogue Number: 534 391-0
Country: Europe
Tracks: Eight
BBC Licence: BBC Worldwide
WHAT THE RELEASE FEATURES
• Two recordings from T. Rex’s October 26, 1970 Top Gear session: “Ride A White Swan” and “Jewel”
• Three instrumental backing tracks mixed for Radio 1 Club on March 2, 1971
• “Woodland Bop (Medley)” from John Peel’s Sunday Concert
• Two earlier Tyrannosaurus Rex Top Gear recordings from 1969
• Eight tracks distributed across four individual 7-inch records
• Limited-edition release produced for Record Store Day 2014
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