T. Rex (July 22, 1972) Ride A White Swan LP (Music For Pleasure)

A popular 1972 budget compilation on the Music For Pleasure label featuring key tracks from Tyrannosaurus Rex and early T. Rex, promoted as available now in the July 22, 1972 issue of Sounds magazine.

RELEASE / PUBLICATION DETAILS Artist: T. Rex

Title: Ride A White Swan

Date: July 22, 1972

Label: Music For Pleasure

Format / Type: LP Vinyl Compilation Country: United Kingdom Catalogue: MFP 5214

TRACK LIST

Side A

1. Ride A White Swan

2. Debora

3. Child Star

4. Cat Black (The Wizard’s Hat)

5. Conesuela

6. Strange Orchestras

Side B

1. One Inch Rock

2. Salamanda Palaganda

3. Lofty Skies

4. Stacey Grove

5. King Of The Rumbling Spires

6. Elemental Child

THE STORY This budget-price compilation brought together early Tyrannosaurus Rex and T. Rex material, highlighting the band’s transition from psychedelic folk to glam rock. It was heavily promoted in the music press as part of Music For Pleasure’s summer releases.

CONTEXT & NOTES Commonly known as the “purple album” due to its distinctive cover, this release was a strong seller in the budget market. The July 22, 1972 Sounds advertisement promoted it alongside six other LPs as available now at major retailers.

PERSONNEL

• Marc Bolan – vocals, guitar

• Steve Peregrin Took / Mickey Finn – percussion, vocals

PRODUCTION Produced by: Tony Visconti (original tracks)

CHARTS N/A – Budget compilation (strong sales in the UK)

PACKAGING / ARTWORK HIGHLIGHTS

• Iconic purple cover with radiating pattern and bold “T•REX” logo

• Full-page Sounds magazine advertisement

WHAT THE SLEEVE SHOWS 

The front cover has a vibrant purple background with a radiating dot pattern and the stylized “t•rex” logo. The back cover includes track listings and liner notes. The Sounds ad highlights the album as part of a seven-LP promotion.

RELATED MATERIAL 

See tags at foot of page.

SOURCES 

Discogs,

45 Worlds,

Wikipedia,

BBC Official Charts,

Sounds magazine (July 22, 1972)

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.