Marc Bolan and T.Rex - Born to Boogie [Special Edition] [DVD]

Now you can indulge both obsessions in one glorius package. Beyond essential if you are a Rexhead. Essential for any serious student or historian of the endangered species Rock Music. Glam ruled the world for a short sweet time and Marc Bolan was the monarch. So much so that a feature film was obligatory. The resulting 1972 theatrical release was too patchy, disjointed and meandering to reward one concentrated sitting.

Fast forward to the 21st century. "Born To Boogie" has been reborn and lovingly restored. This project was about process and the process that birthed "Born to Boogie" is gloriously splattered across two DVD discs for your surfing and skimming pleasure. Sure, the original feature length film is here; buffed and spit-shined to sparkly effect. However, the real treasure is the extras and special features. Two full length London concerts are expertly remastered by T.Rex/Bowie Producer Tony Visconte and are splashy, trashy fun. English Punk starts here. In the glitter rock era, tunes were the thing and tunes are plentifully offered. Marc Bolan had pop smarts and they are in peak display on Born To Boogie. T.Rex may have been a hard sell in America, but clearly, there was no human being on the globe having a better life than Marc Bolan in 1972.

Irony and historical perspective comes courtesy of Producer/Director Ringo Starr. Ringo labors unmolested at the watermark Wembly concerts a scant 6 years after Beatlemania. T.Rextacy was the catch phrase for the panty-wetting hysteria surrounding Marc Bolan's 18 month reign as newest biggest thing in Rock. Both concerts have highlights and warts to please all. Marc manfully conquering a wayward vocal mike during "Telegram Sam" and tuning mid-song during "Bang A Gong". Marc cared and was a at the very least a seasoned pro. In 1972 even the prettiest stars of Pop music were required to have certain proficiency skills in music. Imagine Justin Timberlake or Britney Spears doing all the writing, singing and guitar playing on their records. You can't. Marc Bolan deserves his props for being a teen idol with a soul and vision of his own construct.

The real hidden treasures lie on Disc Two. A wonderful mini-rockumentary "When Glam Ruled The World". fills historical gaps without deconstruction of the essential mythology of Marc or Glam. For tech heads, we have Marc's son Rolan going on a voyage of paternal discovery through the celluloid remains of his father. 272 cans of original film footage were exumed and the restoration process is facinating. Give thanks to Ringo's forward thinking crusade to document the biggest thing in Rock since, well.... himself. A nice bonus is outakes of a super session comprising Marc Bolan, Elton John, and Ringo. Scene selection allows us to sample the sillyness and ephemera without overdose. This is the 5 pound See's familty sampler of Glam Rock. Not for one sitting, but best enjoyed and savored over time.

Want 1972?
You got it. Definative. 5 stars.

Outstanding value at twice the price.