A Beard of Stars

• Artist: Tyrannosaurus Rex
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1970
• Total Time: 35:03
• Genre: Rock

Review

There was a big and obvious change to Tyrannosaurus Rex on their fourth album, A Beard of Stars, as Steve Took was replaced by Mickey Finn, with Marc Bolan remaining the true captain of the duo act as singer and songwriter. Of more significance was the change in the band's sound, moving into far more electric rock territory with much greater use of electric guitar, though Bolan's songs were still often grounded in the fairytale-like musings of his earlier work. It was still a ways off from his glam rock approach, but it was definitely more accessible than the relatively homespun elflike folk-rock of the earliest Tyrannosaurus Rex albums. It also made some effective use of organ and somewhat more pop-friendly, conventional tunes like "By the Light of the Magical Moon," "Elemental Child," and "A Daye Laye," though weirder items like "Wild Cheetah" and "Dove" bore a slight similarity to some of Syd Barrett's gentlest compositions. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Prelude	Marc Bolan	Tyrannosaurus Rex	(1:04)
A Daye Laye	Marc Bolan	Tyrannosaurus Rex	(1:56)
Woodland Bop	Marc Bolan	Tyrannosaurus Rex	(1:39)
Fist Heart Mighty Dawn Dart	Marc Bolan	Tyrannosaurus Rex	(2:45)
Pavilions of Sun	Marc Bolan	Tyrannosaurus Rex	(2:49)
Organ Blues	Marc Bolan	Tyrannosaurus Rex	(2:47)
By the Light of a Magical Moon	Marc Bolan	Tyrannosaurus Rex	(2:51)
Wind Cheetah	Marc Bolan	Tyrannosaurus Rex	(2:38)
A Beard of Stars	Marc Bolan	Tyrannosaurus Rex	(1:37)
Great Horse	Marc Bolan	Tyrannosaurus Rex	(1:42)
Dragon's Ear	Marc Bolan	Tyrannosaurus Rex	(2:37)
Lofty Skies	Marc Bolan	Tyrannosaurus Rex	(2:54)
Dove	Marc Bolan	Tyrannosaurus Rex	(2:06)
Elemental Child	Marc Bolan	Tyrannosaurus Rex	(5:33)

Credits

T. Rex (Main Performer), Mickey Finn (Bass), Mickey Finn (Percussion), Mickey Finn (Tabla), Mickey Finn (Vocals (Background)), Mickey Finn (Finger Cymbals), Mickey Finn (Clay Drums), Marc Bolan (Organ), Marc Bolan (Bass), Marc Bolan (Guitar), Marc Bolan (Composer), Marc Bolan (Vocals), Peter Sanders (Photography), Malcolm Toft (Engineer), Tony Visconti (Piano), Tony Visconti (Producer), Tyrannosaurus Rex (Performer)