July 4th, 2023 - The Essential & Cosmic Pop Of T. Rex

 

Hey there all you gold-galactic ravers and hopheads!!  The Meista here today in the States celebrating Independence Day with a pairing of the T. Rex "The Essential Collection" boxset from one of the greatest rockers ever recorded, the late, great Marc Bolan and a Cosmic Pop IPA from Bewilder Brewing Company!  Yeah, baby!  Thank you to my friends Greg and Mary for this tasty brew... cheers!

Album Info:

• Artist: T. Rex
• Title: "The Essential Collection" 
• Recorded: March 1971 through August 1976 at various studios in England, Los Angeles, New York, etc.
• Release date: 1991 (compilation boxset album by T. Rex)
• Record company: Relativity
• Production: Alan Becker
• Album cover art: David Bett (art direction) and Kathy Milone (design) 
• Personnel: Marc Bolan (guitar and lead vocals), Howard Casey (saxophone), Steve Currie (bass guitar), Dino Dines (keyboards), Mickey Finn (percussion and backing vocals), Bill Legend (drums), Gloria Jones (backing vocals and clavinet), Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman, aka Flo and Eddie (backing vocals), Davey Lutton (drums), and Tony Visconti (string arrangements)
• Musical style: Glam rock, rock and roll, and hard rock with elements of pop and folk rock
• Sound: For as simple as some of the songs sound initially, the T. Rex sound is huge and just grooves from the opening notes of "Jeepster" to the final live acoustic set.  The downside of this compilation is the fact that there are virtually no early T. Rex recordings, and then there's the glaring omission of "Bang A Gong (Get It On)" (due to a rights issue).  The upside (big upside!) is that it is a killer collection of T. Rex tracks including 8 rare live acoustic tracks including "Spaceball Ricochet", "Jeepster", "Cosmic Dancer", "Main Man", "Ballrooms Of Mars", "Mystic Lady", "Girl", and "Baby Strange"... and it is a freakin' T. REX box set after all!!  (Back in '91, T. Rex albums were not so easy to come by.)   Along with these wonderful live acoustic tracks, the 3 tapes include some of the most important and influential (glam) rockers of modern music including "Metal Guru", "Buick Mackane", "20th Century Boy", "Dandy In The Underworld", "The Groover", "Children Of The Revolution", "Chrome Sitar", and "Till Dawn" among many, many others! 
• Major themes: Rock and roll, the counterculture, glam, fashion, women, love, dreams, desire, sex, mysticism, dancing, joy, celebration, states of being, rebellion, etc.
• Notes: The compilation also comes with a great booklet describing the life and music of Marc Bolan and his incredible vision and band! 
• Tracks: 

Tape 1:

1. "Jeepster"
2. "Metal Guru"
3. "Rock On"
4. "Ballrooms Of Mars"
5. "Solid Gold Easy Action"
6. "Spaceball Ricochet"
7. "Highway Knees"
8. "Left Hand Luke"
9. "Buick Mckane"
10. "Main Man"
11. "London Boys"

Tape 2:

1. "Telegram Sam"
2. "20th Century Boy"
3. "Born To Boogie"
4. "Rapids"
5. "Electric Slim & The Factory Hen"
6. "Mad Donna"
7. "Truck On (Tyke)"
8. "Dandy In The Underworld"
9. "Light Of Love"
10. "The Groover"
11. "Teen Riot Structure"

Tape 3:

1. "Children Of The Revolution"
2. "The Soul Of My Suit"
3. "Dance In Midnight"
4. "Sunken Rags"
5. "Think Zinc"
6. "Dreamy Lady"
7. "Celebrate Summer"
8. "Crimson Moon"
9. "Chrome Sitar"
10. "Till Dawn"
11. "Spaceball Ricochet" (live acoustic set; radio broadcast 1972) 
12. "Jeepster" (live acoustic set; radio broadcast 1972) 
13. "Cosmic Dancer" (live acoustic set; radio broadcast 1972) 
14. "Main Man" (live acoustic set; radio broadcast 1972) 
15. "Ballrooms Of Mars" (live acoustic set; radio broadcast 1972) 
16. "Mystic Lady" (live acoustic set; radio broadcast 1972) 
17. "Girl" (live acoustic set; radio broadcast 1972) 
18. "Baby Strange" (live acoustic set; radio broadcast 1972) 

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Bewilder Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: https://bewilderbrewing.com/
• Brew: Cosmic Pop IPA
• Style: New England India Pale Ale (NEIPA) 
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 6.8%
• IBUs: 26
• Ingredients: Low Color Maris Otter malt, Wheat malt, Flaked oats, Cryo Pop hops, Cosmic Punch Omega yeast 
• Pour: The Cosmic Pop pours a very hazy, golden orange.  The 1+ finger eggshell white head is billowy, rocky, and displays great retention with sudsy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is citrusy, fruity, malty, and sweet.  There are aromas of grapefruit rind, guava, passion fruit, orange juice and zest, a hint of pineapple, mango, and soft caramel. 
• Taste: The flavor follows the nose with lots of fruity, citrusy, and sweet flavors.  There are notes of grapefruit juice, orange juice, tangerine, guava, passion fruit, pineapple, mango, herbal tea, and sweet malt.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is crisp, yet creamy and smooth with a sweet, dry finish.

Overall pairing: The punchy, citrusy notes of the Level Crossing Cosmic Pop are perfect for the glam rock grooves, driving guitars, and rhythmic drums, while the sweeter malt notes go great with Bolan's vocals and lyrics.  'Nuff said!

Cheers!!  Rock on!!