T. Rex (September 27, 1980) – The Unobtainable T. Rex Album UK: LP.TC
The Unobtainable T. Rex is a compilation album released by EMI in September 1980. Issued as part of the EMI NUT series, the collection gathered together recordings associated with Marc Bolan and T. Rex that were less widely available at the time of release.
The album draws material from various stages of the band's career and combines original Marc Bolan compositions with a selection of cover versions. The compilation was assembled by Colin Miles and issued several years after Bolan's passing.
RECORDING
The album consists of previously recorded studio material compiled for release in 1980.
The compilation includes performances featuring Marc Bolan and, on selected tracks, Gloria Jones.
The LP was lacquer cut at EMI Studios and pressed by EMI Records.
STYLE & THEMES
The compilation combines glam rock and pop rock recordings ranging from album tracks to lesser-known recordings. Alongside Bolan originals, the collection includes interpretations of songs by Phil Spector, Bobby Freeman, Otis Redding and Steve Cropper.
The album presents a broad overview of material that sat outside the major T. Rex hit compilations of the period.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• Celebrate Summer — Marc Bolan composition opening the collection.
• Sunken Rags — Included from the band's catalogue of lesser-known recordings.
• Tame My Tiger — Mid-period Marc Bolan composition.
• City Port — Features vocals by Gloria Jones and Marc Bolan.
• Thunderwing — One of the collection's best-known T. Rex recordings.
• Satisfaction Pony — Included from the T. Rex studio catalogue.
• Midnight — Marc Bolan composition from the 1970s period.
• Jitterbug Love — Original Bolan recording closing side one.
• To Know Him Is To Love Him — Duet featuring Gloria Jones and Marc Bolan.
• Do You Wanna Dance — Cover version written by Bobby Freeman.
• Dock Of The Bay — Performance featuring Gloria Jones on vocals.
• Cadilac — T. Rex recording included on side two.
• Free Angel — Marc Bolan composition.
• Life's An Elevator — Studio recording from the later period.
• Sitting Here — Included among the rarities selected for the compilation.
• Lady — Closing track of the original LP.
RELEASE HISTORY
The album was released in the United Kingdom by EMI in September 1980.
The compilation was subsequently issued in Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, with later reissues appearing through Demon Records and Marc On Wax.
The release was available on LP and cassette formats, with CD editions appearing later in Japan.
PERSONNEL
Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar, songwriter
Gloria Jones — vocals on "City Port", "To Know Him Is To Love Him" and "Dock Of The Bay"
Colin Miles — compilation
Adam Yeldham — sleeve design, artwork
Terry O'Neill — photography
PRODUCTION
Compiled by Colin Miles
Sleeve Concept by C. Miles
Design by Adam Yeldham
Photography by Terry O'Neill
Produced by Marc Bolan
Produced by Tony Visconti
Lacquer Cut At: EMI Studios
Label: EMI
Catalogue Number: NUT 28 / OC 054-64 028
NOTES
• Compiled by Colin Miles.
• Released as part of the EMI NUT series.
• Made in Great Britain.
• Lyrics reproduced by permission of Essex Music International.
• Track durations were not printed on the original release.
• Lacquer cut at EMI Studios.
• Pressed by EMI Records.
RELATED RELEASES
• Bolan's Zip Gun
• Tanx
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Artist | Title | Label | Country | Cat No. | Date | Format |
T. Rex | The Unobtainable T. Rex | EMI | UK | NUT 28 | September 1980 | LP, Compilation |
T. Rex | The Unobtainable T. Rex | EMI | UK | TC-NUT 28 | 1980 | Cassette |
T. Rex | The Unobtainable T. Rex | EMI | Ireland | NUT 28 | 1980 | LP, Compilation |
T. Rex | The Unobtainable T. Rex | EMI | Australia | EMC.2731 | 1980 | LP, Compilation |
T. Rex | The Unobtainable T. Rex | EMI | New Zealand | MID 38 | 1980 | LP, Compilation |
T. Rex | The Unobtainable T. Rex | EMI | New Zealand | TC-MID 38 | 1980 | Cassette |
T. Rex | The Unobtainable T. Rex | T. Rex | Japan | SP20-5066 | 1983 | LP, Reissue |
T. Rex | The Unobtainable T. Rex | Marc On Wax | Japan | 18DN-94 | 1989 | CD, Compilation |
T. Rex | The Unobtainable T. Rex | Demon Records | Europe | DEMREC183 | 2016 | LP, Reissue |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
LP | NUT 28 | Side One: Celebrate Summer • Sunken Rags • Tame My Tiger • City Port • Thunderwing • Satisfaction Pony • Midnight • Jitterbug Love Side Two: To Know Him Is To Love Him • Do You Wanna Dance • Dock Of The Bay • Cadilac • Free Angel • Life's An Elevator • Sitting Here • Lady |
Cassette | TC-NUT 28 | Celebrate Summer • Sunken Rags • Tame My Tiger • City Port • Thunderwing • Satisfaction Pony • Midnight • Jitterbug Love • To Know Him Is To Love Him • Do You Wanna Dance • Dock Of The Bay • Cadilac • Free Angel • Life's An Elevator • Sitting Here • Lady |
CD | 18DN-94 | Celebrate Summer • Sunken Rags • Tame My Tiger • City Port • Thunderwing • Satisfaction Pony • Midnight • Jitterbug Love • To Know Him Is To Love Him • Do You Wanna Dance • Dock Of The Bay • Cadilac • Free Angel • Life's An Elevator • Sitting Here • Lady |
Rather than serving as a conventional greatest hits compilation, the album focuses on Marc Bolan's extensive catalogue of non-album B-sides. The collection assembles recordings that were originally issued on the reverse side of many T. Rex singles, presenting an alternative history of the band's recording career.
The release highlights the depth of Bolan's songwriting during the 1970s and demonstrates how many significant recordings were originally relegated to B-side status despite their quality and popularity among fans.
RECORDING
The compilation gathers recordings produced throughout the T. Rex years and brings together material originally issued as non-album B-sides and standalone recordings.
The tracks reflect multiple phases of Marc Bolan's career and include collaborations with Gloria Jones as well as productions handled by both Marc Bolan and Tony Visconti.
STYLE & THEMES
The collection showcases the remarkable diversity of Marc Bolan's songwriting.
While rooted in glam rock and pop rock, the recordings also incorporate elements of soul, rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and acoustic pop. Taken together, the album illustrates the breadth of material that existed alongside T. Rex's major hit singles and albums.
The compilation demonstrates that many of Bolan's finest recordings were issued outside the band's principal studio albums.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• Celebrate Summer — One of the final major T. Rex recordings.
• Sunken Rags — Well-known non-album recording from the classic period.
• Tame Me Tiger — Included from the band's B-side catalogue.
• City Port — Features shared vocals from Marc Bolan and Gloria Jones.
• Thunderwing — Later became one of the most celebrated songs from the wider T. Rex catalogue.
• Satisfaction Pony — Included from the mid-1970s period.
• Midnight — Non-album recording associated with the Zinc Alloy era.
• Jitterbug Love — Popular fan favourite from the B-side catalogue.
• To Know Him Is To Love Him — Features Gloria Jones on vocals.
• Do You Wanna Dance — Bolan's interpretation of the classic song.
• Dock Of The Bay — Features vocals by Gloria Jones and Marc Bolan.
• Cadilac — One of the earliest and most enduring T. Rex recordings.
• Free Angel — Included from the non-album catalogue.
• Life's An Elevator — Late-period T. Rex recording.
• Sitting Here — B-side recording from the 1970s.
• Lady — One of the group's best-known non-album tracks.
RELEASE HISTORY
Released on November 11, 2016, The Unobtainable T. Rex formed part of Demon Records' programme of heavyweight vinyl reissues.
The compilation was designed as an alternative hits collection, focusing specifically on Marc Bolan's non-album B-sides rather than the familiar hit singles and album tracks.
The release was issued under licence from Spirit Services Holdings s.a.r.l. and manufactured in the European Union.
PERSONNEL
Marc Bolan — vocals, producer
Gloria Jones — vocals
Tony Visconti — producer
Colin Miles — compilation
PRODUCTION
Compiled by Colin Miles
Sleeve Concept by C. Miles
Sleeve Design and Artwork by Adam Yeldham
Photography by Terry O'Neill
Cutting Engineer — Harry Moss
Produced by Marc Bolan
Produced by Tony Visconti
Label: Demon Records
Catalogue Number: DEMREC183
Barcode: 5014797895331
RELEASE TABLE
Artist | Album | Label | Country | Catalogue | Date | Format |
T. Rex | The Unobtainable T. Rex | Demon Records | Europe | DEMREC183 | November 11, 2016 | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
TRACKLIST TABLE
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
LP NOTES • Heavyweight vinyl reissue. • Alternative hits collection. • Focuses on non-album T. Rex B-sides. • Compiled by Colin Miles. • Issued under licence from Spirit Services Holdings s.a.r.l. • Manufactured in the European Union. • Part of Demon Records' classic T. Rex vinyl reissue programme. RELATED RELEASES • Thunderwing • Lady • Sunken Rags • Celebrate Summer • Satisfaction Pony | DEMREC183 | A1. Celebrate Summer A2. Sunken Rags A3. Tame Me Tiger A4. City Port A5. Thunderwing A6. Satisfaction Pony A7. Midnight A8. Jitterbug Love B1. To Know Him Is To Love Him B2. Do You Wanna Dance B3. Dock Of The Bay B4. Cadilac B5. Free Angel B6. Life's An Elevator B7. Sitting Here B8. Lady |
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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