TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Unicorn" - Tyrannosaurus Rex (1969)

"Unicorn" - Tyrannosaurus Rex (1969)

Tyrannosaurus Rex was a duo made up of Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took. (Pink Fairies, Twink)  I had my trepidations picking this one up. I knew the album was pre-"Electric Warrior" and more of a folk-rock offering.  And it is.  But don't let that scare you off.  "Unicorn" is rich with a panache of lightly dusted lysergicafied hippie gnome folkster genius.  The songs are short and sweet and hang around just long enough to take your mind on a gentle little bus ride...then gets out the way.  Yeah, the album is a bit like that.  Not really psychy-psych, but it throws off that kind of vibe.

And Took's contributions vocally and instrumentally can not be understated.  Also, big props to Tony Visconti for helping give the album such a full sound.  Okay, look. I've probably given "Unicorn" more hyperbole than it rightfully deserves.  This is not the great Houdini or anything.  Not a must-own.  But fans of T. Rex should give it a go.  All Music Guide gives the record 3 stars.  Me, I'm more of a 3½ star kinda guy.  I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this square.  Sadly, this was to be Steve Peregrin Took's last album with Bolan, but a nice one to go out on.

"Unicorn" - Tyrannosaurus Rex (back)

"Unicorn" is better enjoyed as a needle drop-to-label album experience rather than cherry-picking.  More of a 'set it and forget it' spin that rewards with multiple plays.  But with that being said...favorites include..."Catblack (The Wizard's Hat)"..."Iscariot"...and "The Sea Beasts."  

This pressing is on Blue Thumb Records.  The album is a gatefold with lyrics printed inside.  On the back cover, the duo is surrounded by a few books that matter.  There is also an inscription..."Dedicated to the three friends of Hiawatha."  I grabbed my copy for $8 from a regular seller at a local swap meet.

"Unicorn" - Tyrannosaurus Rex (inside gatefold)

Blue Thumb Records label

Cat #
BTS 7
SIDE A  DEADWAX
2  5013-1B  C 3  1
SIDE B  DEADWAX
2  5014-1C  0 B  2  1 

"Catblack (The Wizard's Hat)" - Tyrannosaurus Rex / "Unicorn" (1969)

TRACKS:
A1  "Chariots Of Silk"
A2  "'Pon A Hill"
A3  "The Seal Of Seasons"
A4  "The Throat Of Winter"
A5  "Catblack (The Wizard's Hat)"
A6  "Stones For Avalon"
A7  "She Was Born To Be My Unicorn"
A8  "Like A White Star, Tangled And Far, Tulip That's What You Are"
B1  "Warlord Of The Royal Crocodiles"
B2  "Evenings Of Damask"
B3  "The Sea Beasts"
B4  "Iscariot"
B5  "Nijinsky Hind"
B6  "The Pilgrim's Tale"
B7  "The Misty Coast Of Albany"
B8  "Romany Soup"

PERSONNEL:
Marc Bolan - vocals, guitars, harmonium, organ, phonofiddle
Steve Peregrin Took - drums, bongos, b-vocals, African talking drum, bass, piano
ADDITIONAL:
Tony Visconti - production, piano (A5)
John Peel - narration (B8)

Good stuff. 

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