Beyond The Rising Sun (LP 84
UK. Curious compilation of John’s
Children, Bolan overdubs and ‘The Wizard’ 7”)
This is a two LP
set (in a single flipback sleeve) from UK independent budget label 'Cambra'
released in 1984. According to the
blurb on the cover it's a mixture of Bolan period John's Children mixed with
pure pre-Rex Bolan. In fact it is a
strange mixture of the complete 'You Scare Me to Death' set (i.e. the demo’s
recorded by Simon Napier Bell and later overdubbed) and Bolan free John's
Children. All but one John’s Children
track is 'live', probably from 'Smashed Blocked', and none credit Boley as a
composer. The not live track is
‘Strange Affair’, an early attempt at psychedelia, and Marc is nowhere to be
heard. If that wasn’t enough, there is
an unaccredited track and the running order on the sleeve does not match that
actually on the disc.
I really don't recommend this at all.
However, there are two gems and an
interesting picture to make it moderately worthwhile, if you don’t already own
or don’t mind another copy of ‘You Scare Me to Death’ and/or ‘Smashed
Blocked’. They are the single version
of the 'Wizard' and its b-side 'Beyond The Rising Sun' (different from the
‘Beginning of Doves’ version) and a floating heads type PR shot (maybe a record
cover) of John’s Children with Bolan.
On the B-side of
the Cherry Red 1982 single reissue of ‘The Wizard’ was the original 'Beyond The
Rising Sun' followed by ‘Rings of Fortune’ from the ‘Beginning of Doves’
album. It’s the same here, but not
mentioned on the sleeve and with no gap between the tracks on the record. The 7” ‘Wizard’ is different from the
‘T.Rex’ album version and perhaps preferable if you like your Bolan short and
to the point. I have known lovers come
and go, governments fall and seasons pass while Boley continues to chirrup 'he
was a wizard a wizard he was' from the ‘T.Rex’ Brown album.
Track list: (in no particular order)
The Wizard, Beyond the Rising Sun, Rings
of Fortune, (Marc Bolan tracks);
You Scare me to Death, You’ve Got the
Power, Eastern Spell, Charlie, I’m Weird, Hippy Gumbo, Mustang Ford,
Observations, Jasmine ’49, Cat Black, Black and White Incident, The Perfumed
Garden of Gulliver Smith, (‘You Scare Me to Death’ overdubs set);
Just What you Want – Just What You’ll Get,
Cold On Me, Smashed Blocked, Not the Sort of Girl, Jagged Time Lapse, Killer
Ben, Let Me Know, You’re a Nothing, Leave Me Alone, Strange Affair, (John’s
Children tracks).