Marc Bolan reviews

An article from the "London Times" on the album "21st century stance"

A Wee-view of '21st Century Stance Pt1 ====================================== “21st Century Stance” has hardly been off my ‘turntable’ since receiving it ! Dare I say its like having the first new T.Rex album in 20 odd years ! Perhaps since “Dance In The Midnight” or “Billy Super Duper” in fact thinking about it “Stance” is a similar idea but without Marc’s original vocals. I really like the idea of taking embryo recordings and extrapolating into a finished piece. I think Marc would approve, especially as it is done so well and with such love and care. You see to me its like messing with the mystic. If you’re going to dabble make sure your dabbling do the songs justice. But Hot Love haven’t merely dabbled they’ve crafted the work. Tony Visconti tried it and I liked it too ! Remember the ‘Get It On’ and ‘Jeepster’ re-mixes ? I do wish he would do more . The ‘Stance’ album is the first I’ve heard by Hot Love, in fact this is the first I’ve heard about Hot Love. ‘Where have I been ?’ you may ask . Well I’ve bopped along to many a T.Rex tribute, including ‘Jeepster’, Too Rex, ‘Get It On’ ‘Mickey’s T-Rex’ oh and of course the ‘no-wigs’ ,‘no-tapes’ ‘T.Rextasy’. All of which I appreciate live, but I could never see the point of listening to a recording of them trying to replicate Marc’s songs. Why not just play the Marc version ? That’s why I appreciate different takes on Marcs songs such as the X-ert albums and of course Bolanesque songs such as ‘Baby Factory’ by T.Rextasy. In many ways the album embraces both areas by taking Marcs original lyrics and melody and bringing them to life with a Bolanesque treatment that’s been developed and nurtured with their very own back-catalogue including “Eclectic Warrior” (no there is no problem with my spell checker !).

The Cool Motivator

The Wee-View Pt2 ================ I find the overall feel of the album a fusion of “The Slider” and “Bolan’s Zip Gun”. The track ‘Wherever You Go’ reminds me for some reason of “Rabbit Fighter” and gets “Supertuff” in places. ‘Gimmie Your Lovin’ (not to be confused with ZZ Top !) has echoes of “Girl In The Thunderbolt Suit’ and “Saturday Night” about it. So like I say “The Slider” and “Zip Gun” influence. Perhaps it could have been called ‘The Zipper’ ! (We’ll keep that name in reserve for a possible future alternate takes version of the album !) ‘Purple Prince Of Pleasure’ has a wonderful ring of Gloria about it which reminds me, why can’t we all be friends again !? ‘Teenage Angel’ (or is it Metropolis !?) has a feel of the Christmas flexi disc about it – and here’s the idea … for a future Hot Love album how about giving the songs from the flexi disc the ‘21st Century’ treatment. Develop the tracks and jingles and create the very first T.Rexmas album. It would have to include a version of Christmas Bop of course ! The one disappointment is the title track itself – purely because its upstaged by the energy and vitality of the ‘Billy Super Duper ‘ album version. But hey – I still appreciate this version too ! Several of the trax stand-out on the album, but none more so than ‘The Depth Of My Heart’. I have to say to Sharon the ‘Angel’ with the spell-binding vocals – ‘girl you’re good – and I’ve got wild knees !’. The words ‘To Know You Is To Love You’ spring to mind – and so does the song title !! Hope to get to know you better with a bar (or two) of Blackpool Rock in November !! Richard (The ‘cool’ (yeah right !) Motivator)

Johan Bolgard

johan@bolgard.no

Thank you for sending me the 21st Century Stance CD. Since I received it a few weeks ago, I have played it a lot. I have almost 1200 different cover versions of Marc Bolan songs and two of the songs on this CD would definately come very high on my list of the best Bolan covers; "Classic Rap" and "All The Rage". They are so different and still have the T. Rex feel.I'm glad you don't try to sound like Marc Bolan and T. Rex as it then becomes interesting to play the CD. So- congratulations with a great CD and keep up the good work.

info@ek-promotion.de

www.ek-promotion.de

Hi Midge, we met us last Sept. in London. I'm the promoter for T.Rextasy concerts in Germany, maybe you can remember. The Cd you've given me is really brilliant, thanks!! I'm sorry but I cannot promote you on my website www.ek-promotion.de. Danielz wouldn't like it. But I informed Kitty Pooters. She is promoting T.Rex, Mickey's band. I think she will contact you in the next days. www.kp-agency.com Ok Midge All the best Ecki

willi@wliebertz.de

www.printblog.eu

Hallo Midge, vielen Dank das Du mir Deine CD's so schnell und unkompliziert geschickt hast. Die Post von Schottland nach Deutschland braucht nur 2 Tage. Respekt! Ich habe den Song "Down the Bolan Road" das erste Mal bei Youtube gehoert und dachte, wieso gibt es ein Lied von Marc Bolan, dass ich noch nicht kenne??? Bei den Nachforschungen auf Google fand ich Deine Band "Hot Love". Ich kaufte mir alle Eure CD's und bin total begeistert. Du laesst den Sound von Marc Bolan weiterleben. Danke!!! Echt geile Musik. Greetings from Germany and "ROCK ON" Willi

A review of our album "Down the Bolan Road" by Barry Smith of the ombfc.

“The Thought of You”: - A lovely gentle love song, this lead in song has echoes of “The Slider” album sound about it, swirling guitars and echoey vocals, complimented by sweet strings make this a strong introduction to the band’s songs. Vocally Midge sounds very much like Dave Appleyard of X-ERT, which is a bit disconcerting, but none the worse for that.
“Covered In Metal”: - Written about Midge’s daughter who is tough as old boots apparently (sounds like my daughter Sam too!) this faster tempo track carries the “Metal Guru” spiralling chords and grunge guitar sound and has a lovely sing-a-long chorus. I can see this one going down well as a live track.

“Flyaway”: - A superb rocking introduction kicks this track off with a very Rexish “chug-a-lug” rhythm that once again has the stamp of X-ERT’s type of arrangements combined with “Slider” style instrumentation. It is a great track, very strong, very commercial and is one of my favourites on the album. Has to be a live cert!!!

“Nightmares”: - This is where “Hot Love” tip their hat to Tyrannosaurus Rex with a more primitive sounding song that has T.Rex style backing. It’s a good melding of Marc’s two styles and works very well indeed. The ending is a surprise as the familiar “Get It On/Jason B. Sad rhythm gets an airing. Nice touch lads.

“Did I Ever Tell You”: - A return to the gentle touch here as Midge and Harry slow down a little to reflect the 1975/6 sounds of Bolan. Reminding me very much of a cross between “Dawn Storm”, “Chrome Sitar” and “Golden Belt” it’s an interesting song that boasts some great lead guitar and solid percussion.

“Fifteen Minutes Of Fame”: - Now we’re rocking!!! Oh boy- “Telegram Sam” meets Barry Blue and proceeds to “Get It On” by “Dancing On A Saturday Night” for “Fifteen Minutes Of Fame”!! A killer number, commercial, catchy and so Bolanesque Marc could have written it himself, this song just boogies and bops throughout. This is definitely a number for live performances! Midge’s vocals have a definite Bolan feel for this one and he sounds great. My favourite track, I just have to play this one over and over when I put the CD in my player.
“Need You So”: - Some beautiful instrumental backing for this song that is a close cousin to Marc’s classic “Eastern Spell”. It flows along, meandering like a sweetly babbling brook, and you are taken along on a gentle boat ride. To those of you who are familiar with David Essex’s works, this track also has echoes of his hit single “Myfanwy”, and that is no put down as that too was an excellent song.

“Ain’t Superstitious”: - “Hang Ups” gets a revamp here as it is melded with “Token Of My Love” to sound very funky and very 1977 Rex. The lyrics contain a line about “getting a strange feeling tonight”- hmmm, wonder what that’s all about???? Lol. I like this track a lot and it gives a feeling of how Marc might have re-re-written “Token Of My Love” still using the “Sea Of Love” melody that he shamelessly borrowed for that track in 1975.

“Set You Free”: - A beautiful, beautiful melody this dreamy love song has diamonds and angels in the lyrics and a haunting, swirling refrain that I challenge you not to sing along to after one or two hearings. Descending chords a la Visconti and laid-back Marc style fretwork make this one of the albums highlights. As with “X-ERT’s” “Miss You T. Rex” I can see this one as an end of live gig song that will get everyone singing along, arms in the air and feeling good. A fantastic song.

“The Mistral”: - Misspelled as “Minstrel” on the sleeve (shoot the printer!) this is “Celebrate Summer” with Captain Nemo lyrics but using a riff that is heavily, heavily influenced by the great “Thunderwing”. It’s an up tempo song that rocks along furiously and could easily be a 1977 Bolan outtake that’s been given the cover version treatment.

“Emotion”: - When this came on I was sure that Dave Appleyard had indeed been involved in the CD! Surely “X-ERT” have their own tribute band!!! Lol lol. Strangely evoking Dave’s lovely “Miss You T.Rex” sound this 1972 sounding track with ethereal guitar, solid percussion and a lilting melody is a joy to hear, reflecting strongly the Slider era of T.Rex
“Drowning” (The White Boy Mix): - When I first played the CD this track didn’t play and I thought maybe it had been mispressed. However, subsequent plays revealed that this gem was indeed there to enjoy- and how pleased I was too! Boogie on down to this one and bop till you drop! A strong percussion and thumping rhythm rocks and rolls itself into your brain with a vengeance. Throwing in hand claps, screeching guitars, strong vocals and a refrain to die for this is another classic in the making.
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So, as you will no doubt gather, I did enjoy this 12 track CD very, very much indeed. Midge and Harry have come up trumps with a CD that is likely to satisfy everyone, even the most diehard “I don’t like tribute bands” fan, as their style is so Bolanish it is impossible not to like them. Musically they are a very accomplished duo and extremely professional and polished. I for one can’t wait to see them at Wigan, where Dave Appleyard will also be playing so we’re definitely set for a great night, and also to meet them at out Rexmas Bop in December. Both lads are going to attend the Friday Bop (though not to play) and I am looking forward to catching up with them there too. For more information about the band check out their website and also do yourselves a favour and get a copy of their CD, or download some of their work from the site. I doubt you’ll be disappointed!

Well done Midge and Harry and congratulations on an excellent tribute to Marc and T.Rex.

I understand that work is currently underway for a follow up CD. If it’s half as strong as this one then we are indeed in for a treat.

Willi Liebertz

willi@wliebertz.de