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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- T-Rex / Tyrannosaurus Rex - Unicorn - 180gm Vinyl - Sealed - UK - 2-LP vinyl set - £54.99, $68.74, €66.54 (Back In Stock) (arrived 23-Dec-2024 09:24)on December 26, 2024 at 2:54 pm
TYRANNOSAURUS REX Unicorn (2014 UK Deluxe Edition 31-track remastered double LP issue of their 1969 third studio album now pressed on 180gram Virgin Vinyl, expanded with sixteen bonus recordings including two previously unreleased outtakes and demos. Both discs are BRAND NEW & unplayed housed in the gatefold picture sleeve which remains sealed within its hype-stickered shrinkwrap)
- T-Rex / Tyrannosaurus Rex - Hot Love - Alt Version - UK - 7" picture disc - £16.99, $21.24, €20.56 (Back In Stock) (arrived 11-Dec-2024 18:00)on December 26, 2024 at 2:54 pm
T-REX Hot Love (2019 UK limited edition 7" picture disc, one of the biggest selling hits by T. Rex from late spring/early summer 1971. These bare alternative versions were recorded in London during January 1971. Just 500 copies pressed as picture discs, featuring Hot Love [Alternative early version] 4:57 and Hot Love [U.S single edit version] 3:19. Housed in its crystal clear sleeve and sealed with a hype sticker EA45042P)
- T-Rex / Tyrannosaurus Rex - Venus Loon / Till Dawn - UK - 7" picture disc - £16.99, $21.24, €20.56 (New Item) (arrived 10-Dec-2024 13:38)on December 26, 2024 at 2:54 pm
T-REX Venus Loon / Till Dawn (2020 UK limited edition of 500 only PICTURE DISC 7" single. Latest edition in the alternative singles series has a slightly different twist as this was rumoured to be scheduled but never ended up being released asa single. The last recordings of the classic line up of Marc Bolan, Steve Currie, Mickey Finn & Bill Legend, with Tony Visconti producing. Recorded on tour in the U.S. The released version of 'Til Dawn' had new drummer Davey Lutton's drums dubbed over the top. These recordings are from Marc's own tapes, part of the material stolen from his & Gloria s house and now repatriated with the estate. Clear sleeve sealed with hype sticker EA45048P)
- T-Rex / Tyrannosaurus Rex - Get It On - Sealed - UK - 7" picture disc - £19.99, $24.99, €24.19 (New Item) (arrived 10-Dec-2024 13:44)on December 26, 2024 at 2:54 pm
T-REX Get It On (2020 UK limited edition 7" Picture Disc single including alternate versions of both the title track and Rip Off, sticker sealed clear PVC envelope sleeve EA45043P) ** Limited To Just 500 Copies **
- T-Rex / Tyrannosaurus Rex - Ride A White Swan - White Vinyl - UK - 7" vinyl - £20.00, $25.00, €24.20 (New Item) (arrived 10-Dec-2024 13:45)on December 26, 2024 at 2:54 pm
T-REX Ride A White Swan (2020 UK limited edition 7" single pressed on White Vinyl and released as part of the 'T.REX Alternative Singles Catalogue' series, including the Unused Rough and German Broadcast mixes, both of which were audiocleaned and mastered for vinyl. The vinyl shows minimal evidence of play and comes issued in the red & white printed die-cut sleeve EA45035)
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.