T. Rex (March 26, 1971) – Flyback 2: The Best of T. Rex LP TC 8T, UK
Updated: Sep 29
Flyback 2: The Best Of T. Rex was released by Fly Records on March 26, 1971 as part of the FlyBack series. The compilation assembled recordings from Marc Bolan's Fly Records period and presented a retrospective selection spanning the years immediately before T. Rex became one of the defining acts of the glam rock era.
The album collected key recordings originally issued between 1968 and 1970, capturing the transition from the psychedelic folk sound of Tyrannosaurus Rex toward the more direct rock approach that would soon propel Marc Bolan to international success.
Released at a crucial point in the group's career, the compilation served as both an introduction to earlier material and a celebration of the catalogue that laid the foundation for the commercial breakthrough of Ride A White Swan and Electric Warrior.
RECORDING
All tracks on the compilation were written by Marc Bolan and were originally recorded during the Fly Records era.
Production was overseen by Tony Visconti for Straight Ahead Productions, whose work was instrumental in shaping the sound of Tyrannosaurus Rex and early T. Rex releases.
The sleeve was designed by Graphreaks and featured photography by Peter Sanders.
The original LP combined mono and stereo recordings, with Debora appearing in mono and all remaining selections presented in stereo.
STYLE & THEMES
The compilation reflects Marc Bolan's early songwriting style, combining psychedelic folk, poetic imagery, fantasy themes and acoustic-based arrangements.
Songs such as Debora, Salamanda Palaganda and One Inch Rock showcase Bolan's fascination with mythology and surreal storytelling, while recordings such as King Of The Rumbling Spires reveal the increasingly accessible songwriting style that would later define T. Rex.
As a collection, the album provides an overview of one of the most creative periods in Bolan's career and documents the artistic development that bridged the Tyrannosaurus Rex and T. Rex eras.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• Debora — Opening track and the only mono recording included on the compilation.
• Child Star — Early Marc Bolan composition from the Fly catalogue.
• Cat Black (The Wizard's Hat) — Psychedelic folk recording featuring characteristic Bolan imagery.
• Conesuela — Acoustic-era recording drawn from the late-1960s catalogue.
• King Of The Rumbling Spires — Transitional recording that anticipated the later T. Rex sound.
• Blessed Wild Apple Girl — Archive recording later highlighted on reissues.
• Once Upon The Seas Of Abyssinia — Recording later noted as an outtake from the Unicorn sessions.
• One Inch Rock — One of Marc Bolan's best-known early compositions.
• Salamanda Palaganda — Fantasy-inspired recording representative of the Tyrannosaurus Rex era.
• Lofty Skies — Acoustic folk-rock composition.
• Stacey Grove — Included from the early Fly catalogue.
• Strange Orchestras — One of Bolan's most admired early songs.
• Find A Little Wood — Recording reflecting the
• Elemental Child — Extended closing track and the longest recording on the album.
RELEASE HISTORY
The album was originally released in the United Kingdom on March 26, 1971 by Fly Records.
Additional editions followed on cassette and 8-track cartridge during the early 1970s.
In 1998, A&M Records issued the first CD reissue of the original compilation, bringing the album back into circulation for a new audience.
PERSONNEL
Marc Bolan — composer
Tony Visconti — producer
Peter Sanders — photography
Graphreaks — design
PRODUCTION
Produced by Tony Visconti
Produced for Straight Ahead Productions
Photography by Peter Sanders
Design by Graphreaks
Label: Fly Records
Catalogue Number: TON 2
Recorded At: Fly Records-era recordings
NOTES
• The original UK LP was issued in a matt sleeve with pinched spine endings and white Fly Records labels.
• Three separate title variations appeared on the original package. The front cover used Flyback T•Rex, the rear cover and spine used The Best Of T•Rex, while the record labels identified the release as Flyback 2 - The Best Of T. Rex.
• The compilation formed part of the FlyBack series and was designed to showcase Marc Bolan's earlier recordings at a time when interest in T. Rex was rapidly increasing.
• Debora appears in mono while every remaining track on the original LP is presented in stereo.
• The album gathers recordings originally published between 1968 and 1970 and provides a concise overview of Bolan's pre-glam period.
• All songs were written by Marc Bolan.
• The original LP was manufactured for Fly Records and pressed by The Gramophone Co. Ltd.
• Sleeve design was handled by Graphreaks, while photography was supplied by Peter Sanders.
• The sleeve was printed and manufactured by the E.J. Day Group of London and Bedford.
• Publishing credits were divided between Essex Music International Ltd. and Lupus Music depending on the individual titles.
• The cassette version was issued under catalogue number ZCFLB 2.
• The 8-track cartridge edition was released under catalogue number Y8FLB 2 and manufactured by Precision Tapes Ltd.
• The 1998 A&M Records compact disc reissue represented the first CD appearance of the original compilation.
UK CHART TABLE
Country | Chart | Entry Date | Peak Position | Weeks In Chart |
UK | UK Albums Chart | March 27, 1971 | 21 | 8 |
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Artist | Title | Label | Country | Cat No. | Date | Format |
T. Rex | Flyback 2: The Best Of T. Rex | Fly Records | UK | TON 2 | March 26, 1971 | LP |
T. Rex | Flyback: The Best Of T. Rex | Fly Records | UK | ZCFLB 2 | 1971 | Cassette |
T. Rex | The Best Of T. Rex | Fly Records | UK | Y8FLB 2 | 1971 | 8-Track Cartridge |
T. Rex | The Best Of T. Rex | A&M Records | UK | 541 005-2 | 1998 | CD Reissue |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
LP | TON 2 | SIDE ONE: • Debora • Child Star • Cat Black (The Wizard's Hat) • Conesuela • King Of The Rumbling Spires • Blessed Wild Apple Girl • Once Upon The Seas Of Abyssinia SIDE TWO: • One Inch Rock • Salamanda Palaganda • Lofty Skies • Stacey Grove • Strange Orchestras • Find A Little Wood • Elemental Child |
Cassette | ZCFLB 2 | SIDE ONE: • Debora • Child Star • Cat Black (The Wizard's Hat) • Conesuela • King Of The Rumbling Spires • Blessed Wild Apple Girl • Once Upon The Seas Of Abyssinia SIDE TWO: • One Inch Rock • Salamanda Palaganda • Lofty Skies • Stacey Grove • Strange Orchestras • Find A Little Wood • Elemental Child |
8-Track Cartridge | Y8FLB 2 | TRACK LISTING: • Debora • Child Star • Cat Black (The Wizard's Hat) • Conesuela • King Of The Rumbling Spires • Blessed Wild Apple Girl • Once Upon The Seas Of Abyssinia • One Inch Rock • Salamanda Palaganda • Lofty Skies • Find A Little Wood • Strange Orchestras • Stacey Grove • Elemental Child |
CD | 541 005-2 | TRACK LISTING: • Debora • Child Star • Cat Black (The Wizard's Hat) • Conesuala • Strange Orchestras • Find A Little Wood • Once Upon The Seas Of Abyssinia • One Inch Rock • Salamanda Palaganda • Lofty Skies • Stacey Grove • King Of The Rumbling Spires • Blessed Wild Apple Girl • Elemental Child |
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts
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