A Crown of Dark Swansdown

So many Marc Bolan/T. Rex live recordings are of such poor quality that--no matter how much you love the guy--it's just difficult to enjoy them. Thankfully that is definitely NOT the case here. Recorded at or about what I consider to be the peak of Marc's creative genius (when Tyrannosaurus Rex was just beginning to morph into T.Rex), this album is a truly wonderful spin. Particularly interesting is the lengthy "By The Light of a Magical Moon" which morphs into "Elemental Child" territory.

Ok, just so you all know ….this is the Koln 1970 concert to buy,...and NOT "Elemental Child live" (on London Calling). They are the same show, but the one on "London Calling" is re-arranged to make it look like a different show, and adds what they say is "Elemental Child" , but it's just the actual ending from "By the Light Of a Magical Moon" lopped off and moved to a different part of the show! This CD rights those wrongs.These Easy Action titles help Marc's son Rolan Bolan and are family sanctioned!THIS CD ("Crown of Dark...")is sourced from a live tape and not from hissy radio tapes...the booklet is also very good and informative with relevant photos also. If you see the company name "Easy Action" it is a release that will benefit Marc's only son. This has very passable sound,so never fear.The show here is on the cusp of T. Rex...and has part acoustic guitar songs, and trials at electric guitar jams that set it's foundation firmly in the Beard Of Stars era. It's pretty innocent in a way ,and still has the psychedelic whimsy of the early band. It's cool to be able to witness this era through this live recording. Beard and the self titled T. Rex have a special place in my heart...and if you feel that way too, you'll like this release.

Another gem from the past Tyrannosaurus Rex in concert in April Germany 1970. A nice addition to my vast collection of Bolan and T.Rex music. Packaging is pretty good cardboard sleeve though the printing is a little hard on the eye and even with contact lens and glasses on top I struggled to read it. Nice booklet inside with some never seen before photos of Marc and Mickey. This I believe was transferred from a 1/4 inch reel to reel and the sound quality is pretty good and very clear introductions of the songs from Marc and a nice sound check at the beginning. I only gave it 4 stars because one or two songs did drag on a bit which is one of the things I didn't care for about Marc he can go into this 10 minute solo act which can drag on a bit. Other then that its a great collection to add to any T.Rex fan's collection and a must have.

Great booklet ( once you get it prised out of the cardboard sleeve) with new pics and contemporary interviews and clippings. The gig itself was probably better if you'd been there in the crowd, but on disc it dies a bit of a death once Marc straps on his strat......the extended solo tagged onto 'Magical Moon' needs a lot more than a bongo backing to give it some welly, and to be blunt Marc is no Jimi. Consequently, the 'electric' tracks sound overwrought, lacking any real depth and bludgeoning the songs poetic symmetry into the dust. Thankfully Steve and Bill were waiting just around the corner. It's an okay addition to the Bolan canon but not essential and like most Easy Action product way over priced for what it is (as someone who's bought the three box sets and now this, I live in hope that someday I'll learn to temper my expectation on 'new' or revamped Marc product).

I'll give this one three stars based on it's place in Bolan's musical journey, but must subtract two based on it's actual sound.The recording was apparently made to 1/4" reel to reel with a pair of microphones set on the stage. Trouble is the fellow who recorded the gig never adjusted his levels between the acoustic and electric sets resulting in the entire electric portion being terribly and uncomfortably overly saturated and distorted.Nice song selection played with spirit, but oh man, my poor ears.

Bolan was and still is one of my idols if he was still with us I’m sure he would distance himself from this ,it’s nicely packaged and looks good but the sound quality is truly dreadful

Thunderous! a gem.