Tyrannosaurus Rex – Prophets, Seers & Sages, The Angels Of The Ages / My People Were Fair And Had Sky In Their Hair... But Now They're Content To Wear Stars On Their Brows

Tyrannosaurus Rex – Prophets, Seers & Sages, The Angels Of The Ages / My People Were Fair And Had Sky In Their Hair... But Now They're Content To Wear Stars On Their Brows

A fascinating double-LP collection from Marc Bolan's Tyrannosaurus Rex, bringing together the group's first two albums from 1968. Originally released separately on Regal Zonophone, My People Were Fair And Had Sky In Their Hair... But Now They're Content To Wear Stars On Their Brows appeared in July 1968, followed just a few months later by Prophets, Seers & Sages: The Angels Of The Ages. Both albums feature Bolan's distinctive acoustic guitar and vocals alongside Steve Peregrin Took's bongos and percussion.

The music captures Bolan at a very different point from the electric glam-rock sound that would later define T. Rex. These early recordings are rooted in psychedelic folk and acid folk, combining intricate acoustic guitar, hand percussion, surreal imagery and Bolan's deliberately fantastical lyrics. Producer Tony Visconti played an important role in shaping the atmospheric sound, with Prophets, Seers & Sages recorded at London's Trident Studios between May and August 1968.

The first LP, Prophets, Seers & Sages, includes the extraordinary “Deboraarobed”, an altered/reversed version of “Debora”, alongside “Stacey Grove”, “Wind Quartets”, “Aznageel The Mage” and the wonderfully eccentric “Salamanda Palaganda”. The second LP returns to the debut album with highlights including “Hot Rod Mama”, “Child Star”, “Dwarfish Trumpet Blues”, “Mustang Ford” and “Frowning Atahuallpa”.

This particular Fly Records TOOFA 3/4 edition was issued in 1972, when the phenomenal success of Electric Warrior had brought a new audience to Bolan's earlier work. The two albums were repackaged as a double LP and subsequently reached No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart, making it an important part of the Tyrannosaurus Rex/T. Rex catalogue as well as a fascinating document of Bolan's pre-glam period.

Tracklist:

Disc 1 – Prophets, Seers & Sages, The Angels Of The Ages
Side A
A1. Deboraarobed
A2. Stacey Grove
A3. Wind Quartets
A4. Conesuala
A5. Trelawney Lawn
A6. Aznageel The Mage
A7. The Friends

Side B
B1. Salamanda Palaganda
B2. Our Wonderful Brownskin Man
B3. Oh Harley (The Saltimbanques)
B4. Eastern Spell
B5. The Travelling Tragition
B6. Juniper Suction
B7. Scenescof Dynasty

Disc 2 – My People Were Fair And Had Sky In Their Hair... But Now They're Content To Wear Stars On Their Brows
Side C
C1. Hot Rod Mama
C2. Scenescof
C3. Child Star
C4. Strange Orchestras
C5. Chateau In Virginia Waters
C6. Dwarfish Trumpet Blues

Side D
D1. Mustang Ford
D2. Afghan Woman
D3. Knight
D4. Graceful Fat Sheba
D5. Weilder Of Words
D6. Frowning Atahuallpa