Marc Bolan (August 31, 1982) – Billy Super Duper Album UK: LP. BV.RV.
BACKGROUND
Billy Super Duper was released in 1982 by Marc On Wax and became the second posthumous Marc Bolan album issued following his death in 1977. Unlike You Scare Me To Death, which consisted of enhanced versions of recordings previously released in another form, Billy Super Duper was promoted as the first LP of entirely new and previously unheard material issued after Bolan's death.
The album consists of studio outtakes and home recordings made between 1972 and 1977. John and Shan Bramley, who headed the Marc Bolan Fan Club at the time, supervised new arrangements intended to complete the unfinished recordings and update them for contemporary release.
RECORDING
The recordings span several different periods of Marc Bolan's career. Material originated from sessions recorded at Château d'Hérouville, Decibel Studios and other locations between 1972 and 1977. Additional overdubs were added during March 1982 at Crescent Studios.
According to the supplied source, the original concept was to issue material intended for Marc Bolan's unrealised next album, Jack Daniels. Several recordings associated with the abandoned Billy Super Duper project were also utilised, leading to the compilation taking its title from the song "Billy Super Duper".
STYLE & THEMES
The album combines glam rock, classic rock and late-period T. Rex recordings. Drawn from demos, work-in-progress recordings and studio outtakes, the collection presents material from different stages of Bolan's career while maintaining a focus on previously unreleased recordings.
ALBUM DETAILS
Released: 1982
Label: Marc On Wax
Catalogue Number: ABOLAN 4
Country: UK
Format: LP, Album, Black & Red Vinyl
RELEASE HISTORY
Billy Super Duper was released in 1982 by Marc On Wax. The album did not chart in the United Kingdom.
The original UK edition appeared on red vinyl under catalogue number ABOLAN 4. Subsequent editions were released in Europe, Spain and Japan, with later UK reissues and CD editions following during the 1980s.
PERSONNEL
Marc Bolan — vocals, guitars
Mickey Finn — percussion (track A5)
Dino Dines — keyboards (tracks A1-A4, B2-B5)
Gloria Jones — vocals (tracks A1, B2, B4)
Steve Currie — bass (tracks A1, A3, A5)
Davy Lutton — drums (tracks A1, A3)
Bill Legend — drums (track A5)
Herbie Flowers — bass (tracks A2, B2, B3, B5)
Tony Newman — drums (tracks A2, B2, B3)
Pete Allerhand — second guitar on "Depth Charge"
Stuart Gordon — bass and drums (tracks B1, B6), strings on "Mellow Love"
Manny Elias — drums (tracks B1, B6)
Larry Stabbins — saxophone on "Hot George"
PRODUCTION
Arrangements supervised by John Bramley and Shan Bramley.
NOTES
The album was conceived as a collection of previously unheard Marc Bolan recordings. According to the supplied source, the intention was to issue material that would have formed part of Bolan's next proposed album, Jack Daniels.
The release remains notable as the only source for the song "Billy Super Duper" and for the unedited versions of "Depth Charge" and "Write Me A Song".
The title track reportedly existed in a substantially longer form before being edited for release.
RECORDING LOCATIONS
"Billy Super Duper" — Château d'Hérouville, May 19, 1975
"Shy Boy" — Decibel Studios, April 1977
"Depth Charge" — Château d'Hérouville, May 19, 1975; Crescent Studios overdubs, March 1982
"Love Drunk" — Decibel Studios, April 1977
"Buick MacKane & The Babe Shadow" — Château d'Hérouville, March 10, 1972
"21st Century Stance" — Early 1977; Crescent Studios overdubs, March 1982
"Foxy Boy" — Decibel Studios, April 1977
"Hot George" — Decibel Studios, April 1977; Crescent Studios saxophone overdub, March 1982
"Mellow Love" — Decibel Studios, April 1977; Crescent Studios string overdub, March 1982
"20th Century Baby" — Decibel Studios, April 1977
"Write Me A Song (Supertuff)" — 1976; Crescent Studios overdubs, March 1982
RELATED RELEASES
You Scare Me To Death (1981)
Jack Daniels
Billy Super Duper
Billy Super Duper (Reprise)
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Artist | Album | Label | Country | Catalogue | Date | Format |
Marc Bolan & T. Rex | Billy Super Duper | Marc On Wax | UK | ABOLAN 4 | 1982 | LP, Album, Red Vinyl |
Marc Bolan & T. Rex | Billy Super Duper | Marc On Wax | UK | ABOLAN 4 | 1982 | LP, Album Black Vinyl |
Marc Bolan & T. Rex | Billy Super Duper | Not On Label | UK | ABOLAN 4 | 1982 | LP, Album, Test Pressing |
Marc Bolan & T. Rex | Billy Super Duper | Ariola | Europe | 205 445 / 205 445-320 | 1983 | LP |
Marc Bolan & T. Rex | Billy Super Duper | Ariola | Spain | I-205445 | 1983 | LP |
Marc Bolan & T. Rex | Billy Super Duper | T. Rex | Japan | SP25-5077 | 1983 | LP |
Marc Bolan & T. Rex | Billy Super Duper | T. Rex | Japan | SP25-5077 | 1983 | LP, Promo |
Marc Bolan & T. Rex | Billy Super Duper | Marc On Wax | UK | MARCL500 | 1985 | LP, Reissue |
Marc Bolan & T. Rex | Billy Super Duper | Marc On Wax | Japan | 20CP-19 | 1989 | CD, Album, Reissue |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
LP | ABOLAN 4 | Side One A1. Billy Super Duper – 3:39 A2. Shy Boy – 2:36 A3. Depth Charge – 3:58 A4. Love Drunk – 2:41 A5. Buick MacKane & The Babe Shadow – 3:24 |
LP | ABOLAN 4 | Side Two B1. 21st Century Stance – 2:35 B2. Foxy Boy – 2:15 B3. Hot George – 2:21 B4. Mellow Love – 3:15 B5. 20th Century Baby – 2:19 B6. Write Me A Song (Supertuff) – 3:08 B7. Billy Super Duper (Reprise) – 0:40 |
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia. BBC Official Charts Prince Vault, Sleeveographia2
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