The Jukebox Rebel

The shifting line-ups continued on album #11 with only Marc Bolan (vocals, guitars, moog), Gloria Jones (backing vocals, clavinet) and Steve Currie (bass guitar) remaining in place since last years poorly received “Bolan's Zip Gun”, with Davy Lutton (drums) and Jimmie Haskell (string instruments) completing the five-piece. Side one's where the action's at, with the rock-groove of “Jupiter Liar” serving as an early highlight, kinda marrying a “Children Of The Revolution” type-pout with some Steve-Nieve-like new wave keyboards. “Chrome Sitar” gives Jimmie Haskell a chance to make-like George Harrison '67, whilst the groove vaguely positions the group in the funky here and now. It's all very imaginative, and I like it. Things getting proper funky on “All Alone” where Marc seems to confirm that he's given up on chasing America: “All alone I sit at home with my chrome guitar, Even Michael Mouse he has a house with someone there, You handsome bitch, you movie twitch, And seranade the dudes that move then smile so vile and masquerade, they masquerade”. Mind you, his scream of “do it to me baby now” is straight outta the book of James Brown cool, so I guess he still loves them deep down. As if winking at us, he keeps the joke going on “New York City”, the album's irresistible lead single which had given the group a Top 20 hit in the UK in the summer of '75: “Did you ever see a woman coming out of New York City with a frog in her hand? I did don't you know… and don't it show!” Trademark early Bolan nonsense? I think not! “I was walking with David Bowie in New York City and we saw this 90-year-old lady who is part of Andy Warhol's Factory and who claims to be a witch. She was walking down Park Avenue with this enormous toad in her hand.” You couldn't make it up! Alas, nothing on side two burns quite so brightly, but I'm happy to cherry-pick these treats.

The Jukebox Rebel
23–Dec–2007

A1	[01:52] T. Rex - Futuristic Dragon (Introduction) (Marc Bolan) Rock
A2	[03:42] T. Rex - Jupiter Liar (Marc Bolan) Rock
A3	[03:14] T. Rex - Chrome Sitar (Marc Bolan) Rock
A4	[02:50] T. Rex - All Alone (Marc Bolan) Cerebral Pop
A5	[03:58] T. Rex - New York City (Marc Bolan) Blues Rock / Soul Rock
A6	[03:09] T. Rex - My Little Baby (Marc Bolan) Pop
A7	[03:57] T. Rex - Calling All Destroyers (Marc Bolan) Pop
B1	[02:00] T. Rex - Theme For A Dragon (Marc Bolan) Pop
B2	[03:49] T. Rex - Sensation Boulevard (Marc Bolan) Pop
B3	[02:28] T. Rex - Ride My Wheels (Marc Bolan) Pop
B4	[02:55] T. Rex - Dreamy Lady (Marc Bolan) Pop
B5	[03:43] T. Rex - Dawn Storm (Marc Bolan) Cerebral Pop
B6	[03:01] T. Rex - Casual Agent (Marc Bolan) Disco / Funk

ratings by TJR