Marc Bolan / John’s Children (October 26, 1971) – “Desdemona” Various Tracks Album Review - Lincolnshire Echo
This brief Lincolnshire Echo review looks back at Marc Bolan’s pre-T. Rex period through Various Tracks, a Track Records compilation bringing together recordings by four artists. The clipping specifically highlights John’s Children performing Bolan’s composition “Desdemona”, alongside recordings by Arthur Brown, Jimi Hendrix and Thunderclap Newman.
Publication: Lincolnshire Echo
Date: October 26, 1971
Country: United Kingdom
THE STORY
The review examines the Track Records compilation Various Tracks, describing it as:
“An interesting look back on tracks by four acts.”
For the Marc Bolan archive, the significant inclusion is John’s Children, represented by the Bolan-written:
“Desdemona”
The newspaper explicitly describes the recording as:
“John’s Children, doing a Marc Bolan composition ‘Desdemona.’”
The short review therefore provides a contemporary 1971 reference to Bolan’s earlier songwriting and recording history at precisely the point when T. Rex had become one of Britain’s major attractions.
THE OTHER TRACKS
The compilation also revisits recordings by three other acts associated with Track Records.
Arthur Brown is represented by:
“Fire”
Jimi Hendrix by:
“The Wind Cries Mary”
and Thunderclap Newman by:
“Something In The Air”
Together with John’s Children’s “Desdemona”, these tracks form the four recordings specifically identified in the newspaper review.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
Although extremely brief, the clipping is particularly interesting in the context of Marc Bolan’s career.
By October 1971, Bolan was enjoying major success with T. Rex, yet this compilation drew attention back to an earlier stage of his career through the inclusion of “Desdemona.”
Importantly, the Lincolnshire Echo does not describe this as a T. Rex recording.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: Review of the Various Tracks compilation
Publication Date: October 26, 1971
Label: Track Records
Marc Bolan Connection: Composer of “Desdemona”
Performing Artist: John’s Children
Tone: Brief and retrospective
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
• Review of Track Records’ Various Tracks
• John’s Children represented by “Desdemona”
• “Desdemona” explicitly identified as a Marc Bolan composition
• Arthur Brown represented by “Fire”
• Jimi Hendrix represented by “The Wind Cries Mary”
• Thunderclap Newman represented by “Something In The Air”
• A contemporary 1971 acknowledgement of Marc Bolan’s earlier songwriting work
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