BMG have announced the release of AngelHeaded Hipster, an all-star tribute album to Marc Bolan and T.Rex. The album was put together by American producer Hal Willner, who died earlier this month from COVID-19.
“I became immersed in this artist by listening to everything, talking to Bolan experts and fans, researching his reviews and interviews,” said Willner. “And I found that Bolan was hardly ever talked about as a ‘composer’. It was all about what a great rocker he was, how innovative he was, how David Bowie took his essence and Bolan was in his shadow.
“But I put him in the same pantheon as other composers that I’ve explored before. So, the concept for the album became to show Bolan as a composer with our typical cast of artists from different worlds that one rarely sees in the same place.”
Willner had previously compiled tribute albums dedicated to artists as
“Hal had a unique vision of Marc Bolan’s music, and working on AngelHeaded Hipster brought him great joy,” says Willner collaborator Rachel Fox. “Speaking for those closest to him, we will forever be heartbroken at the untimely loss of our beloved friend and irreplaceable creative engine.
“Hal, who referred to AngelHeaded Hipster as his White Album, was eager for everyone to hear these beautiful songs and to start thinking about Bolan and T. Rex again. This album is a testament to Hal’s spirit.”
The first release from the album is Nick Cave‘s mournful take on T.Rex’s 1971 song Cosmic Dancer, while other artists contributing to the album include U2 with Elton John, Perry Farrell, David Johansen, Todd Rundgren, Joan Jett and Lucinda Williams. Full tracklist below.
AngelHeaded Hipster tracklist
1. Children Of The Revolution – Kesha
2. Cosmic Dancer – Nick Cave
3. Jeepster – Joan Jett
4. Scenescof – Devendra Banhart
5. Life’s A Gas – Lucinda Williams
6. Solid Gold, Easy Action – Peaches
7. Dawn Storm – Børns
8. Hippy Gumbo – Beth Orton
9. I Love To Boogie – King Khan
10. Beltane Walk – Gaby Moreno
11. Bang A Gong (Get It On) – U2 feat. Elton John
12. Diamond Meadows – John Cameron Mitchell
13. Ballrooms Of Mars – Emily Haines
14. Main Man – Father John Misty
15. Rock On – Perry Farrell
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- Marc Bolan - All At Once - UK - 7" vinyl - £10.00, $14.10, €11.60 (New Item) (arrived 13-May-2021 14:30)on May 14, 2021 at 11:13 pm
MARK FELD / MARC BOLAN All At Once (2008 UK Strictly Limited Edition solid centre 7" vinyl single featuring vocals from a 16 year old Mark Feld [Bolan] who sings and croons in a pseudo Cliff Richard vocalised style, while the studio's hired-in session musicians play to perfection! Both previously unreleased takes are almost inter-changeable but have been included for their entirety and to close another chapter on the ever wondrous and fascinating career of Marc Bolan. Issued in a reproduction Madman Records company die-cut paper sleeve, the vinyl has minimal evidence of play MAMAS020)
- T-Rex / Tyrannosaurus Rex - The Greatest Hits Volume 1 - UK - vinyl LP - £15.00, $21.15, €17.40 (New Item) (arrived 18-Mar-2021 07:48)on May 14, 2021 at 11:13 pm
T-REX The Greatest Hits Volume 1 (1978 UK 10-track vinyl compilation LP including Get It On and Ride A White Swan, front laminated picture sleeve. The sleeve shows only minor wear and the vinyl shows only light signs of play SHM953)
- Marc Bolan - Mellow Love - UK - 12" vinyl - £10.00, $14.10, €11.60 (Back In Stock) (arrived 11-Feb-2021 10:35)on May 14, 2021 at 11:13 pm
MARC BOLAN Mellow Love (1982 UK 4-track 12" vinyl EP, also featuring Foxy Boy, Lunacy's Back & Rock Me, superb picture sleeve with a great image of Marc sitting on stage performing live on the reverse. The sleeve does have some general wear toshow for its years while the vinyl remains in excellent shape with only light play evident BOLAN13EP)
- T-Rex / Tyrannosaurus Rex - Telegram Sam - UK - 7" vinyl - £15.00, $21.15, €17.40 (New Item) (arrived 14-Feb-2021 15:39)on May 14, 2021 at 11:13 pm
T-REX Telegram Sam (Classic 1972 UK 3-track solid centre 7" vinyl single, also including Cadilac and Baby Strange, T-Rex Wax Co company die-cut paper sleeve T-REX101)
- T-Rex / Tyrannosaurus Rex - Telegram Sam - UK - 7" vinyl - £15.00, $21.15, €17.40 (Back In Stock) (arrived 16-Feb-2021 07:13)on May 14, 2021 at 11:13 pm
T-REX Telegram Sam (Classic 1972 UK 3-track solid centre 7" vinyl single, also including Cadilac and Baby Strange, T-Rex Wax Co company die-cut paper sleeve T-REX101)
If Other tracks are half as good as Nick caves cosmic dancer cover, this will be the first truly amazing tribute to Marc Bolan. I cannot wait until I have it in my grubby 61 year old hands.