T. Rex (January 1, 1973) – 20th Century Album: EU LP TC
20th Century was a compilation album issued by Ariola in Germany during 1973.
Released in a gatefold sleeve, the collection focused on Marc Bolan and T. Rex recordings from the band's most commercially successful glam rock period. The compilation assembled recent singles, B-sides and key album tracks, presenting a snapshot of T. Rex at the height of their international popularity.
The album took its title from 20th Century Boy, one of Marc Bolan's best-known singles, and concentrated on material associated with the group's early-1970s chart dominance.
The album compiled previously released T. Rex recordings originally produced by Tony Visconti.
The featured recordings originated from studio sessions undertaken during the band's peak glam rock era and were originally released on singles and albums issued by T. Rex.
No new recordings were made specifically for this compilation. The LP gathered existing masters owned by Wizard Artists Ltd. and Warrior Music Projects Ltd.
STYLE & THEMES
The compilation highlights the signature sound that made T. Rex one of the defining glam rock acts of the 1970s.
Driving rhythm guitars, catchy choruses and Marc Bolan's distinctive songwriting are represented throughout the collection. The selection balances major hit singles with lesser-known tracks, offering a broader overview of the band's output beyond the chart hits.
Songs such as 20th Century Boy, Telegram Sam, Metal Guru, Children Of The Revolution and Solid Gold Easy Action capture the band's commercial peak, while tracks including Thunderwings, Free Angel and Sunken Rags provide examples of the deeper catalogue material of the same period.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• 20th Century Boy — One of T. Rex's best-known glam rock singles and the title track of the compilation.
• Jitterbug Love — Album track representing the group's melodic glam-rock style.
• Lady — Included as one of the compilation's shorter selections.
• Telegram Sam — UK hit single and a key recording from the band's commercial peak.
• Free Angel — Deep catalogue selection included alongside the hit material.
• Metal Guru — Major T. Rex hit single from 1972.
• Children Of The Revolution — One of Marc Bolan's most celebrated non-album singles.
• Thunderwings — Popular album-era recording from the glam rock period.
• Born To Boogie — Featured title track associated with the Born To Boogie era.
• Mad Donna — Album-era recording showcasing the band's harder rock sound.
• Sunken Rags — Included as a representative deeper catalogue track.
• Solid Gold Easy Action — Hit single and one of T. Rex's signature recordings.
BONUS TRACKS
None.
RELEASE HISTORY
The album was released by Ariola in Germany during 1973 as a compilation LP.
A gatefold edition was issued under catalogue number 87 079 IT. The release formed part of Ariola's programme of European T. Rex compilation albums during the band's peak years.
Additional editions appeared in several European territories, including the Netherlands, Spain, Austria and Germany.
A German cassette edition was also released.
PERSONNEL
Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar, songwriter
T. Rex — performances
Tony Visconti — producer
Manfred Vormstein — art direction
Vormstein and Kortemeier — graphics
PRODUCTION
Artwork by Manfred Vormstein
Design by Vormstein and Kortemeier
Label: Ariola
Catalogue Number: 87 079 IT
Barcode:
Recorded At: Various recording sessions
NOTES
• German Ariola compilation released in 1973.
• Issued in a gatefold sleeve.
• Produced by Tony Visconti.
• ℗ 1973 Wizard Artists Ltd. / Warrior Music Projects Ltd.
• Features the rights society designation GEMA on German pressings.
• Printed by Mohndruck Reinhard Mohn OHG.
• Includes major T. Rex hits 20th Century Boy, Telegram Sam, Metal Guru, Children Of The Revolution and Solid Gold Easy Action.
• Contains a mixture of hit singles and album-era recordings from T. Rex's peak glam rock years.
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Artist | Title | Label | Country | Cat No. | Date | Format |
T. Rex | 20th Century | Ariola | Germany | 87 079 IT | 1973 | LP, Compilation, Gatefold |
T. Rex | 20th Century | Ariola | Austria | 87 079 IT | 1973 | LP, Compilation, Gatefold |
T. Rex | 20th Century | Ariola | Spain | 87 079 I / 87.079-I | 1973 | LP, Compilation, Gatefold |
T. Rex | 20th Century | Ariola | Netherlands | 88 177 XAT | 1973 | LP, Compilation |
T. Rex | 20th Century | Ariola | Germany | 54 689 DT | 1973 | Cassette, Compilation |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
LP | 87 079 IT | Side One: 20th Century Boy • Jitterbug Love • Lady • Telegram Sam • Free Angel • Metal Guru Side Two: Children Of The Revolution • Thunderwings • Born To Boogie • Mad Donna • Sunken Rags • Solid Gold Easy Action |
Cassette | 54 689 DT | 20th Century Boy • Jitterbug Love • Lady • Telegram Sam • Free Angel • Metal Guru • Children Of The Revolution • Thunderwings • Born To Boogie • Mad Donna • Sunken Rags • Solid Gold Easy Action |
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Prince Vault, Sleeveographia2, Marc Bolan ‘There Was A Time’ by Cliff McLenehan
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.
Comments