BBC Radio 1 Live

• Artist: Tyrannosaurus Rex
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1993
• Total Time: 27:09
• Type: Compilation (best of), Live
• Genre: Rock

Review

On Jan. 1, 1970, Marc Bolan, along with new partner Mickey Finn, performed a live show in the studio for the BBC. The concert was actually recorded for the first installment of John Peel's "Sunday Show," a forerunner to the "Live in Concert" series. Broadcast three days later, this 30-minute gig showcases Bolan's acoustic guitar work and delicate vocals (as in the love song "Dove") and Finn's flair with the bongos ("The Wizard"). A large part of the show covers A Beard of Stars, but also includes material from the earlier My People Were Fair and Prophet Seers and Sages, as well as the later T. Rex. A spare performance, Bolan stirs it up with two electric guitar pieces originally found on the superb A Beard of Stars: the excessive "Elemental Child," spotlighting Bolan's raw soloing, and a slightly altered version of "By the Light of a Magical Moon," Bolan's signature piece and the highlight of the show. The duo's energetic, spirited performance of "Debora" is an acoustic standout. Unfortunately, Bolan's compositions and playing, however groovy, were often elementary and overly repetitive. "Debora" is such a tune, musically and lyrically, as is the finale, "The Wizard." At over eight minutes, the excesses and redundancies of this acoustic piece render it simply annoying. While most of the recordings on BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert are solid, they aren't on a par with the studio album versions, failing to improve or expand upon them. At under 30 minutes, the release is also hampered by its brevity. Listen for Marc's mystical musings on God between two of the songs. ~ David Ross Smith, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Hot Rod Mama	Marc Bolan	Tyrannosaurus Rex	(1:31)
Debora	Marc Bolan	Tyrannosaurus Rex	(3:15)
Pavilions of Sun	Marc Bolan	Tyrannosaurus Rex	(2:45)
Dove	Marc Bolan	Tyrannosaurus Rex	(2:12)
By the Light of a Magical Moon	Marc Bolan	Tyrannosaurus Rex	(3:02)
Elemental Child	Marc Bolan	Tyrannosaurus Rex	(6:07)
The Wizard	Marc Bolan	Tyrannosaurus Rex	(8:17)

Credits

T. Rex (Main Performer), Jeff Griffin (Producer), Mark Paytress (Liner Notes), Tyrannosaurus Rex (Performer)