T. Rex (1973) – The Best Of T. Rex Vol. II Album LP TC 8T:GER

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The Best Of T. Rex Vol. II is a compilation album released by Karussell in 1972 as part of the label's Gold-Serie series.

Issued in Germany, the collection brings together material from both the Tyrannosaurus Rex and early T. Rex periods, combining psychedelic folk recordings with the group's emerging glam-rock sound..

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The compilation was assembled from recordings originally produced for Cube Records and serves as a companion volume to the earlier The Best Of T. Rex release issued by Karussell.

This was released in 1973 as the pic was taken at concert in Hamburg “Messe Halle 7“ on 17.02.1973.

The recordings featured on the album originated from sessions recorded for Tarantula Records in London and released through Cube Records.

All tracks were written and composed by Marc Bolan.

The compilation was produced by Tony Visconti and sourced from recordings made during the formative Tyrannosaurus Rex and early T. Rex years.

Lacquers were cut at the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft Pressing Plant.

The album was printed in Germany by Gerhard Kaiser GmbH, Essen.

STYLE & THEMES

Unlike the first Best Of compilation, which concentrated largely on Tyrannosaurus Rex material, The Best Of T. Rex Vol. II mixes acoustic-era recordings with key breakthrough singles from the early glam-rock period.

The collection includes major hits such as Hot Love, Ride A White Swan, Get It On and Jeepster, while retaining connections to the band's psychedelic origins through tracks including A Beard Of Stars and By The Light Of A Magical Moon.

The album captures the musical transition from Tyrannosaurus Rex to T. Rex during one of the most commercially successful periods of Marc Bolan's career.

TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES

• Hot Love — One of T. Rex's breakthrough chart singles.

• Ride A White Swan — Landmark recording marking the transition into the T. Rex era.

• She Was Born To Be My Unicorn — Early fan favourite.

• A Beard Of Stars — Tyrannosaurus Rex recording from the final acoustic-era period.

• Monolith — Album track from the early T. Rex catalogue.

• Get It On — International hit and one of Marc Bolan's signature recordings.

• Jeepster — Major glam-rock single.

• Seagull Woman — Included from the Cube Records catalogue.

• By The Light Of A Magical Moon — Retains the group's psychedelic folk influences.

• The Children Of Rarn — Brief album excerpt.

• Root Of Star — Acoustic-era composition.

• Life's A Gas — One of Marc Bolan's best-known early 1970s recordings.

BONUS TRACKS

None.

RELEASE HISTORY

Released in Germany during 1972 by Karussell as part of the Gold-Serie collection.

Additional editions were issued in New Zealand and Germany.

The compilation remained part of Karussell's catalogue across multiple formats including LP, cassette and 8-track cartridge.

PERSONNEL

Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar, songwriter

Tony Visconti — producer

PRODUCTION

Produced by Tony Visconti

Recorded By Tarantula Records Ltd.

Printed by Gerhard Kaiser GmbH

Label: Karussell

Series: Gold-Serie

Catalogue Number: 2345 033

Recorded At: Tarantula Records, London

NOTES

• Released during 1972.

• German compilation issued by Karussell.

• Part of the Karussell Gold-Serie series.

• Catalogue number 2345 033.

• Features material spanning both Tyrannosaurus Rex and T. Rex eras.

• Includes several of Marc Bolan's most important early hit recordings.

• Contains Hot Love, Ride A White Swan, Get It On and Jeepster.

• Produced from Cube Records source material.

• Produced by Tony Visconti.

• Recorded by Tarantula Records, London.

• Track A4 (A Beard Of Stars) carries a 1970 copyright date.

• Remaining tracks carry 1971 copyright dates.

• Printed in Germany by Gerhard Kaiser GmbH, Essen.

• Lacquers cut at the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft Pressing Plant.

RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE

Artist	Title	Label	Country	Cat No.	Date	Format
T. Rex	The Best Of T. Rex Vol. II	Karussell	Germany	2345 033	1972	LP, Compilation
T. Rex	The Best Of T. Rex Vol. II	Karussell	New Zealand	239	1972	LP, Compilation
T. Rex	The Best Of T. Rex Vol. II	Karussell	Germany	3147 047	1972	Cassette, Compilation
T. Rex	The Best Of T. Rex	Karussell	Germany	3843 132	1972	8-Track Cartridge, Compilation, Stereo

TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)

Format	Catalogue	Tracklisting
LP	2345 033	SIDE ONE: • Hot Love (4:55) • Ride A White Swan (2:13) • She Was Born To Be My Unicorn (2:32) • A Beard Of Stars (1:36) • Monolith (3:45) • Get It On (4:25) SIDE TWO: • Jeepster (4:08) • Seagull Woman (2:17) • By The Light Of A Magical Moon (2:46) • The Children Of Rarn (0:35) • Root Of Star (2:30) • Life's A Gas (2:22)
Cassette	3147 047	SIDE ONE: • Hot Love (4:55) • Ride A White Swan (2:13) • She Was Born To Be My Unicorn (2:32) • A Beard Of Stars (1:36) • Monolith (3:45) • Get It On (4:25) SIDE TWO: • Jeepster (4:08) • Seagull Woman (2:17) • By The Light Of A Magical Moon (2:46) • The Children Of Rarn (0:35) • Root Of Star (2:30) • Life's A Gas (2:22)
LP	239	SIDE ONE: • Hot Love (4:55) • Ride A White Swan (2:13) • She Was Born To Be My Unicorn (2:32) • A Beard Of Stars (1:36) • Monolith (3:45) • Get It On (4:25) SIDE TWO: • Jeepster (4:08) • Seagull Woman (2:17) • By The Light Of A Magical Moon (2:46) • The Children Of Rarn (0:35) • Root Of Star (2:30) • Life's A Gas (2:22)
8-Track Cartridge	3843 132	TRACK LISTING: • Hot Love (4:55) • Ride A White Swan (2:13) • She Was Born To Be My Unicorn (2:32) • A Beard Of Stars (1:36) • Monolith (3:45) • Get It On (4:25) • Jeepster (4:08) • Seagull Woman (2:17) • By The Light Of A Magical Moon (2:46) • The Children Of Rarn (0:35) • Root Of Star (2:30) • Life's A Gas (2:22)

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SOURCES ES Discogs, 45 Worlds, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Demon Records, Official Marc Bolan archives

All album artwork, photographs, labels, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.

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