T. Rex (August 9, 1974) – Light Of Love Album LP
Light Of Love was released in the United States by Casablanca Records on August 9, 1974.
Issued exclusively for the North American market, the album combined previously released material with newer recordings that would later appear in the United Kingdom on Bolan's Zip Gun. The release was intended to support Marc Bolan's renewed efforts to establish T. Rex in the American market following the group's success in the United Kingdom and Europe.
The album became one of the most unusual releases in the T. Rex catalogue because it was assembled specifically for the United States rather than being issued first in the UK.
The album was recorded at Music Recorders Inc., Hollywood, California.
Marc Bolan produced all recordings and wrote the material featured on the album.
Tony Visconti provided string and orchestral arrangements alongside David Katz.
The sessions featured contributions from Steve Currie, Bill Legend, Mickey Finn, Jack Green, BJ Cole, Lonnie Jordan, Gloria Jones and Pat Hall.
The original US pressing was issued by Casablanca Records under catalogue number NB 9006 and manufactured by Warner Bros. Records Inc.
STYLE & THEMES
Light Of Love captures T. Rex during a transitional stage between the glam-rock style of Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow and the direction later explored on Bolan's Zip Gun.
The album combines straightforward rock and roll, polished studio production and orchestral arrangements. While retaining Marc Bolan's characteristic songwriting style, the recordings reflect the influence of the Hollywood recording environment and the group's attempts to appeal to the North American market.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• Light Of Love — Title track and opening song.
• Solid Baby — One of the newly recorded Hollywood tracks.
• Precious Star — Glam-rock recording from the 1974 sessions.
• Token Of My Love — Mid-tempo album track.
• Space Boss — New studio recording from the Hollywood sessions.
• Think Zinc — Composition linked to the Zinc Alloy period.
• Till Dawn — Side two opener.
• Teenage Dream — Previously issued on Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow.
• Girl In The Thunderbolt Suit — Later associated with Bolan's Zip Gun.
• Explosive Mouth — Included from the earlier UK recordings.
• Venus Loon — Closing track carried over from Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow.
BONUS TRACKS
None.
RELEASE HISTORY
The album was released in the USA on August 9, 1974 by Casablanca Records under catalogue number NB 9006.
The original issue was distributed and manufactured by Warner Bros. Records Inc. and featured the "0698" price code on the spine.
A subsequent US Casablanca pressing appeared under catalogue number NBLP-7005. 45cat also lists the NBLP-7005 issue as a September 1974 release.
Despite promotional activity surrounding the release, the album failed to establish T. Rex within the American market and became the final US studio album release of Marc Bolan's career.
PERSONNEL
Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar, producer, songwriter
Gloria Jones — vocals
Pat Hall — vocals
Steve Currie — musician, performer
Bill Legend — musician, performer
Mickey Finn — musician, performer
Jack Green — musician, performer
BJ Cole — musician, performer
Lonnie Jordan — musician, performer
Tony Visconti — strings, orchestra, arrangements
David Katz — strings, orchestra
PRODUCTION
Produced by Marc Bolan
Recorded by T. Rex
Label: Casablanca Records
Catalogue Number: NB 9006
Barcode:
Recorded At: Music Recorders Inc., Hollywood, California, USA
NOTES
• US-only original release.
• Released by Casablanca Records on August 9, 1974.
• Original catalogue number NB 9006.
• Manufactured and distributed by Warner Bros. Records Inc.
• Original spine carries the "0698" price code.
• Recorded at Music Recorders Inc., Hollywood.
• Produced by Marc Bolan.
• Features orchestral arrangements by Tony Visconti and David Katz.
• Combines material associated with Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow and Bolan's Zip Gun.
• NBLP 7005 was issued as a later Casablanca pressing.
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Artist | Title | Label | Country | Cat No. | Date | Format |
T. Rex | Light Of Love | Casablanca | USA | NB 9006 | August 9, 1974 | LP |
T. Rex | Light Of Love | Casablanca | USA | NBLP 7005 | September 1974 | LP |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
LP | NB 9006 | Side One: Light Of Love • Solid Baby • Precious Star • Token Of My Love • Space Boss • Think Zinc Side Two: Till Dawn • Teenage Dream • Girl In The Thunderbolt Suit • Explosive Mouth • Venus Loon |
LP | NBLP 7005 | Side One: Light Of Love • Solid Baby • Precious Star • Token Of My Love • Space Boss • Think Zinc Side Two: Till Dawn • Teenage Dream • Girl In The Thunderbolt Suit • Explosive Mouth • Venus Loon |
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Prince Vault, Sleeveographia2, Marc Bolan ‘There Was A Time’ by Cliff McLenehan
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