Genius Bolan--The Best Box Set
Frank C. Tortorici | Garwood, NJ United States | 06/22/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This pricey but well-worth-it box set is only available in the UK, but Americans can get it here on amazon if they can afford it. If you only know T. Rex's "Bang a Gong (Get it On)," you'll never believe the great music that is collected here. I cannot recommend this work highly enough for any lovers of 1960s-1970s rock music or any rock for that matter. Bolan was an underrated and often overlooked genius whose work rivals any rock artist who ever made it here in the US (with the possible exception of the Beatles). As others have said, this set tracks Marc from his early experiments to his acoustic, folky Tyrannosaurus Rex period, through major UK glam-rock successes like Electric Warrior to recordings made mere months before his untimely death in a car crash a few weeks short of his 30th birthday in 1977. Mr. Wenner of Rolling Stone and his cronies should check out Marc Bolan on this 4-disc-retrospective to see who they should really be inducting into their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame these days. If it weren't for Marc, there likely would have been no punk rock, as Debbie Harry, Joey Ramone, Billy Idol, and other admirers have readily admitted. Rock on Marc--your music will live forever."
Excellent overview, but omits several key cuts
Michael Topper | Pacific Palisades, California United States | 11/23/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
""20th Century Superstar" is a comprehensive 4-CD box set covering all phases of Marc Bolan's career, and includes all of his hard-to-find early
solo singles as well as outtakes, X-mas fan club songs, tracks from every Tyrannosaurus and T.Rex album, etc. However, as with almost every box set that has been released since the format was invented, the curious omission of a handful of key tracks normally found on greatest-hits and anthologies prevents this from a full five-star rating. Whatever happened to "Mustang Ford", "She Was Born To Be My Unicorn", "Pavilions Of Sun", "Seagull Woman", "Buick McKane", "Mad Donna", "Crimson Moon"?? Certainly the omission of "She Was Born To Be My Unicorn", "Seagull Woman" and "Buick McKane" is highly suspect. And, as another reviewer here has mentioned, there is no live material bar "Dove" and the BBC "Sailors Of The Highway". Of course, there is so much material out there that one would need more than 4 discs to include everything of worth, although I would have at least included the above omitted tracks in favor of some of the "Zip Gun" and "Futuristic Dragon" material on disc four ("Jupiter Liar" in favor of "Buick McKane"??).
As this is a UK import, the hefty price tag is also likely to turn off all but devoted Bolan fanatics. Seeing as how I am one, I still consider it an essential purchase; some of songs here ("Nickelodeon", "Ill Starred Man", "Demon Queen", "Hot Love", "Mambo Sun") appear in alternate takes not found on any other release, even the recent remasters. And hearing the early singles and John's Children material in (for once) superb sound quality is worthwhile, as well as the chance to witness Bolan's constant evolution from beginning to end in one succinct package. Now one need only use this box set as a template to add the ten or so missing key tracks and create one's *own* box..."
Over-priced, but well worth it!
DNA | 07/19/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great box set featuring Marc Bolan in different stages of his musical career. From his earliest musical alter ego "Toby Tyler", to his Bob Dylan inspired solo act, to his short stint with John's Children, then to Tyrannasaurus Rex with Steve Took and finally with T. Rex. The box set treats and highlights each stage with equal respect.
Out of 4 discs included in this set, I like the first 2 discs the most because they contain rare songs from Bolan's earlier days and also alternate takes and 'previously unreleased' versions of Tyrannasaurus Rex/T.Rex songs. Those alone are worth the price!
This box set is a must have for anyone who's interested in Marc Bolan. This set is NOT about T.Rex but Marc Bolan, the man. If you are just interested in T Rex songs (i.e. his electric stuff) than find a cheaper "best of" albums out there since they seem to contain only T Rex stuff. Buy this box set if you want to learn and celebrate the history of Marc Bolan."
Track Listings (99) - Disc #1