T. Rex (March 11, 1977) – Dandy In The Underworld LP
Dandy In The Underworld was the twelfth and final studio album by T. Rex and was released by EMI on March 11, 1977. It became the band's highest-charting album since Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow, reaching number 26 in the UK Albums Chart.
The album followed Futuristic Dragon and was widely viewed as a creative revival for Marc Bolan. Critics praised both the songwriting and Bolan's vocal performances, while fans welcomed a return to a more direct rock-based sound.
Tragically, the album would become T. Rex's final studio release issued during Marc Bolan's lifetime, preceding his death in September 1977.
RECORDING
Recording began in May 1976 at Decibel Studios, London, with sessions for the hit single I Love To Boogie.
Additional recordings took place at MRI Studios in Los Angeles, Decibel Studios, AIR Studios and Trident Studios in London between 1976 and early 1977.
The sessions featured contributions from Steve Currie, Dino Dines, Tony Newman, Herbie Flowers, Davey Lutton, Paul Fenton, Gloria Jones and several guest musicians.
Marc Bolan produced the album himself.
STYLE & THEMES
The album marked a move away from the soul and disco influences that had dominated some of T. Rex's previous recordings.
Bolan returned to a more straightforward glam rock and rock and roll approach, combining strong melodies with stripped-back production and energetic performances.
Songs such as Dandy In The Underworld, Crimson Moon and Jason B. Sad demonstrated renewed confidence in both songwriting and performance, helping establish the album's reputation as one of Bolan's strongest late-career works.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• Dandy In The Underworld — Dramatic title track opening the album.
• Crimson Moon — One of the album's most celebrated recordings.
• Universe — Glam rock track with expansive lyrical themes.
• I'm A Fool For You Girl — Soul-influenced ballad.
• I Love To Boogie — Hit single that helped revive T. Rex's chart fortunes.
• Visions Of Domino — Reworking of the earlier unreleased composition Funky London Childhood.
• Jason B. Sad — One of the album's standout performances.
• Groove A Little — Direct rock and roll track.
• The Soul Of My Suit — Later issued as a single.
• Hang-Ups — Mid-tempo album track.
• Pain And Love — Reflective composition.
• Teen Riot Structure — Closing track of the original album.
BONUS TRACKS
• To Know You Is To Love You — Phil Spector composition included on the 1994 remaster.
• City Port — Bonus recording from the reissue campaign.
• Dandy In The Underworld (Single Version) — Alternate single mix.
• Tame My Tiger — Non-album recording.
• Celebrate Summer — Standalone 1977 single.
RELEASE HISTORY
Released on March 11, 1977, Dandy In The Underworld reached number 26 on the UK Albums Chart.
The album was supported by the singles I Love To Boogie, The Soul Of My Suit, Dandy In The Underworld and Crimson Moon.
Edsel Records remastered the album for CD release in 1994, adding bonus tracks. A companion collection, Prince Of Players (The Alternative Dandy In The Underworld), followed in 1998 and featured alternative versions, rough mixes and archive material.
A combined digipak edition was released in 2002, while the archive collection Final Cuts followed in 2006.
CHARTS & CERTIFICATIONS
EUROPE
UK Albums Chart — No. 26
PRODUCTION
Produced by Marc Bolan
Engineer — Mike Stavrou
Engineer — Jon Walls
Engineer — Jennifer Maidman
Photography by Allan Ballard
Design by EMI Design
Lacquer Cut by Melvyn Abrahams
PERSONNEL
Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar, bass guitar, percussion, maracas, tambourine
Steve Harley — backing vocals
Alfalpha — backing vocals
Nick Laird-Clowes — backing vocals
Andy Harley — backing vocals
Sam Harley — backing vocals
Gloria Jones — backing vocals
Colin Jacas — backing vocals
Dino Dines — keyboards
Tony Newman — drums
Herbie Flowers — bass guitar
Scott Edwards — bass guitar
Paul Humphrey — drums
Miller Anderson — guitar
Steve Currie — bass guitar
Davey Lutton — drums
Paul Fenton — drums
Bernie Casey — backing vocals
Chris Mercer — saxophone
Bud Beadle — saxophone, flute
J. Long — violin
Label: T. Rex / EMI
Catalogue Number: BLN 5005 / OC 062-98 783
Length: 37:52
Recorded At: MRI Studios, Los Angeles • Decibel Studios, London • AIR Studios, London • Trident Studios, London
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Artist | Title | Label | Country | Cat No. | Date | Format |
T. Rex | Dandy In The Underworld | T. Rex / EMI | UK | BLN 5005 / OC 062-98 783 | March 11, 1977 | LP, Stereo |
T. Rex | Dandy In The Underworld (Remastered Edition) | Edsel Records | UK | — | 1994 | CD |
T. Rex | Prince Of Players (The Alternative Dandy In The Underworld) | Edsel Records | UK | — | 1998 | CD |
T. Rex | Dandy In The Underworld / Prince Of Players | Edsel Records | UK | — | 2002 | Digipak CD |
TRACKLIST TABLE
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
LP NOTES • Final studio album released during Marc Bolan's lifetime. • Reached No. 26 on the UK Albums Chart. • Highest-charting T. Rex album since Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow. • Original release issued in a matt die-cut sleeve with circular front cut-out. • Included lyric, credits and portrait inner sleeve. • Supported by the hit single I Love To Boogie. • Widely regarded as a creative comeback album. RELATED RELEASES • Futuristic Dragon • Prince Of Players (The Alternative Dandy In The Underworld) • Final Cuts • I Love To Boogie • Crimson Moon | BLN 5005 / OC 062-98 783 | SIDE ONE: • Dandy In The Underworld • Crimson Moon • Universe • I'm A Fool For You Girl • I Love To Boogie • Visions Of Domino SIDE TWO: • Jason B. Sad • Groove A Little • The Soul Of My Suit • Hang-Ups • Pain And Love • Teen Riot Structure |
CD (1994 Remaster) | — | TRACK LISTING: • Dandy In The Underworld • Crimson Moon • Universe • I'm A Fool For You Girl • I Love To Boogie • Visions Of Domino • Jason B. Sad • Groove A Little • The Soul Of My Suit • Hang-Ups • Pain And Love • Teen Riot Structure • To Know You Is To Love You • City Port • Dandy In The Underworld (Single Version) • Tame My Tiger • Celebrate Summer |
CD (Prince Of Players) | — | TRACK LISTING: • Dandy In The Underworld (Live) • Crimson Moon • I'm A Fool For You Girl • I Love To Boogie • Funky London Childhood • Jason B. Sad • Groove A Little (Live) • The Soul Of My Suit • Hang Ups (Live) • Pain And Love • Teen Riot Structure • To Know You Is To Love You • City Port (1973) • Tame My Tiger • Celebrate Summer • I Love To Boogie • Soul Of My Suit • Pain And Love • Teen Riot Structure • Celebrate Summer • Weird Strings |
SOURCES Discogs, Wikipedia, Official Charts, Sleeveographia2
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