Marc Bolan (September 14, 1965) – Beyond The Risin' Sun / San Francisco Poem (Poet) Single UK: Acetate
This rare Decca advance test recording acetate documents an early stage in Marc Bolan's recording career during 1965. Produced by Jim Economides and recorded at Decca Studios in West Hampstead, the acetate survives as one of the earliest known professionally recorded releases to carry the Marc Bolan name on the label itself.
The surviving disc exists as a double-sided 10-inch Decca acetate featuring "Beyond The Risin' Sun" and "San Francisco Poem (Poet)". Produced as a Decca advance test recording rather than a commercial release, it provides an important snapshot of Bolan's development before the formation of Tyrannosaurus Rex and the later success of T. Rex.
The recordings were made at Decca Studios, Broadhurst Gardens, West Hampstead, London.
Production duties were handled by Jim Economides.
The recordings were cut as Decca advance test recordings on September 14, 1965.
The supplied acetate labels clearly identify the artist as Marc Bolan and credit Economides as producer.
STYLE & THEMES
These recordings belong to Marc Bolan's formative years and illustrate the musical direction he was exploring during the mid-1960s.
The material predates both Tyrannosaurus Rex and T. Rex, capturing Bolan during a period when he was developing his songwriting and recording style. The recordings are significant primarily because of their rarity and their position within the earliest documented stages of his professional career.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
Side One
• Beyond The Risin' Sun – Early Marc Bolan recording preserved on the surviving double-sided acetate.
Side Two
• San Francisco Poem (Poet) – Companion recording featured on the reverse side of the acetate and identified on surviving Decca advance test recording labels.
RELEASE HISTORY
The acetate was created on September 14, 1965 as a Decca advance test recording.
No commercial release has been supplied within the source material.
The surviving 10-inch acetate later appeared at auction, becoming a sought-after collector's item due to its rarity and historical significance.
CHARTS
Not applicable.
CHART RUN
Not applicable.
CERTIFICATIONS
Not supplied.
AWARDS
Not supplied.
PERSONNEL
Marc Bolan — vocals, songwriter
Jim Economides — producer
PRODUCTION
Marc Bolan recordings produced by Jim Economides at Decca Studios, Broadhurst Gardens, West Hampstead, London.
NOTES
• Recorded on September 14, 1965.
• Produced by Jim Economides.
• Recorded at Decca Studios, Broadhurst Gardens, West Hampstead, London.
• Issued as a Decca Group Advance Test Recording.
• Exists as a 10-inch double-sided acetate.
• The supplied labels identify the artist as Marc Bolan.
• Side One contains "Beyond The Risin' Sun".
• Side Two contains "San Francisco Poem (Poet)".
• The surviving labels include handwritten artist and title information.
• One label notes a running time of 1'45" for "San Francisco Poem".
• The acetate predates the formation of Tyrannosaurus Rex.
• The acetate predates the commercial success of T. Rex by several years.
• The 10-inch double-sided acetate sold at auction on July 25, 2011 for £452.
• Surviving examples are exceptionally rare.
• These recordings represent some of the earliest known professional recordings to carry the Marc Bolan name on the label.
RELATED RELEASES
• The Wizard
• That's The Bag I'm In
• Early Decca Acetates
• Early Marc Bolan Recordings
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
UK VARIANTS
Country | Label | Catalogue Number | Format | Notes |
UK | Decca Group | Unknown | 10" Double-Sided Acetate | Beyond The Risin' Sun / San Francisco Poem (Poet) |
UK | Decca Group | Unknown | Single-Sided Acetate | San Francisco Poem |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue Number | Tracklisting |
10" Double-Sided Acetate | Unknown | Side One • Beyond The Risin' Sun Side Two • San Francisco Poem (Poet) |
Single-Sided Acetate | Unknown | Side One • San Francisco Poem |
RUN-OUT ETCHINGS
No run-out information supplied.
SPECIAL PRESSINGS & VARIANTS
Variant | Notes |
10" Double-Sided Acetate | Sold at auction on July 25, 2011 |
Single-Sided Acetate | Features San Francisco Poem only |
Decca Advance Test Recording | Contemporary studio acetate from September 1965 |
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Prince Vault, Sleeveographia2, RockfilesUK.
All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders.
This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.
No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.
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