T. Rex (September 30, 2022) – 1971 Album 2LP

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1971 formed part of Demon Records' ongoing Marc Bolan Songwriter Series, a vinyl-only collection focusing on the private and creative side of Marc Bolan, with particular attention paid to the development of his songwriting.

Issued following the success of the earlier 1972 collection, the set explores one of the most important years of Bolan's career.

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During 1971, T. Rex evolved from a successful chart act into one of Britain's biggest musical phenomena. The year saw the emergence of "T. Rextasy", the release of Electric Warrior, and the chart successes that established Marc Bolan as one of the defining figures of the decade.

Rather than functioning as a conventional greatest hits compilation, the collection combines hit singles, B-sides, alternate versions, working recordings and demos to provide a broader picture of Bolan's creative process during this pivotal period.

The set includes the full-length versions of Hot Love and Get It On, together with the original single version of Jeepster. It also features working recordings of Telegram Sam and Life's A Gas, alongside rare demos and previously unreleased developmental material.

RECORDING

The collection draws together recordings created throughout 1971, including official single releases, album recordings, working versions, alternate masters, demos and home recordings.

Particular emphasis is placed on illustrating Bolan's songwriting development through various stages of composition and recording.

Among the most notable inclusions is the fifteen-minute Children Of Rarn (Complete Acoustic Demo), alongside home recordings such as Sunken Rags and developmental versions of future T. Rex classics.

STYLE & THEMES

As part of the Songwriter Series, 1971 focuses less on commercial success and more on documenting Marc Bolan's creative development.

The collection combines glam rock, acoustic demos, alternative studio takes, spoken-word material, working recordings and B-sides. Taken together, the recordings illustrate the transition from the breakthrough success of Hot Love to the creative peak represented by Electric Warrior and the beginnings of material that would later appear on The Slider.

The set presents both the public and private sides of Bolan's songwriting, allowing listeners to hear songs in their earliest and most intimate forms.

TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES

• The King Of The Mountain Cometh (Original B-side) — Original B-side recording from the period.

• Hot Love (Full Length) — Full-length version of one of T. Rex's breakthrough hits.

• Woodland Rock (Original B-side) — Contemporary B-side recording.

• Electric Warrior (Poem) — Spoken-word piece connected to the Electric Warrior era.

• Electric Warrior (Solo Demo) — Early solo interpretation of the composition.

• Mambo Sun (SACD Version) — Alternate version from the Electric Warrior sessions.

• Cosmic Dancer (Single Vocal Mix) — Variant mix of the celebrated album track.

• Get It On (Full Length Version) — Complete version of T. Rex's biggest international hit.

• Life's A Gas (Working Version) — Developmental recording showing the song in progress.

• The Motivator (SACD Version) — Alternate version of the Electric Warrior track.

• Girl (Alternate Master) — Alternate master recording.

• Jeepster (Original Single) — Original single version.

• There Was A Time / Raw Ramp / Electric Boogie (Original B-side) — Original B-side recording.

• Children Of Rarn (Complete Acoustic Demo) — Extended fifteen-minute acoustic demo.

• Rip Off (SACD Version) — Alternate presentation of the album track.

• Sunken Rags (Home Demo For Glastonbury Fayre Album) — Home-recorded demo.

• Thunderwing (Alternate Master) — Alternate master recording.

• Spaceball Ricochet — Early version associated with the forthcoming The Slider period.

• Telegram Sam (Working Version) — Development version of a future hit single.

RELEASE HISTORY

Released by Demon Records on September 30, 2022, 1971 was the second instalment in the expanded Marc Bolan Songwriter Series.

The release was issued exclusively on vinyl as a double-LP set and was compiled and fully annotated by music writer Mark Paytress, author of Marc Bolan: The Rise And Fall Of A 20th Century Superstar and Glam! When Superstars Rocked The World, 1970–74.

The collection was designed as an intimate companion to the better-known studio albums and singles, focusing instead on songwriting, creative development and alternate recordings.

PERSONNEL

Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar, songwriter

T. Rex — performances

Mark Paytress — compilation and annotations

PRODUCTION

Compiled and annotated by Mark Paytress

Label: Demon Records

NOTES

• Vinyl-only release.

• Part of the Marc Bolan Songwriter Series.

• Focuses on the private and creative side of Marc Bolan.

• Includes hit singles, B-sides, demos, alternate masters and working recordings.

• Compiled and annotated by Mark Paytress.

• Pressed on 2LP 140g black vinyl.

• Designed as a companion to the successful 1972 release.

RELEASE TABLE

Artist	Album	Label	Country	Catalogue	Date	Format
T. Rex	1971	Demon Records	UK	DEMREC1040	September 30, 2022	2LP 140g Black Vinyl

TRACKLIST TABLE

Format	Catalogue	Tracklisting
2LP 140g Black Vinyl	DEMREC1040	Disc 1: The King Of The Mountain Cometh (Original B-side) Hot Love (Full Length) Woodland Rock (Original B-side) Electric Warrior (Poem) Electric Warrior (Solo Demo) Mambo Sun (SACD Version) Cosmic Dancer (Single Vocal Mix) Get It On (Full Length Version) Life's A Gas (Working Version) The Motivator (SACD Version) Girl (Alternate Master) Jeepster (Original Single) Disc 2: There Was A Time / Raw Ramp / Electric Boogie (Original B-side) Children Of Rarn (Complete Acoustic Demo) Rip Off (SACD Version) Sunken Rags (Home Demo For Glastonbury Fayre Album) Thunderwing (Alternate Master) Spaceball Ricochet Telegram Sam (Working Version)

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SOURCES 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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