Futuristic Dragon
Encyclopedia
Futuristic Dragon is the eleventh studio album by T. Rex, released in 1976. Preceded by two UK
Top 40 hits, "New York City
" (#15) and "Dreamy Lady" (#30), Futuristic Dragon was released in January, reaching #50. It was T. Rex's first album to register in the charts since Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow
in 1974. The album features some unusually dense production from Bolan, with hints that he had been listening to old Phil Spector records, especially "Chrome Sitar" and "Calling All Destroyers", which contained unusual musical embellishements such as sitar and other sonic sound effects.
Live recordings of the successful tour T. Rex undertook that year in the UK (the first since the birth of his son Rolan Bolan, with Gloria Jones
) show him to be returning to form from the cocaine addiction, (alleged) Napoleon complex
, and weight gain which had plagued him since late 1973, when his star began to fall. In many of these (bootleg) recordings, often done by members of the audience, Bolan thanks the audience for coming, and admits that he did not know if they would. He was heartened by the response received on the two aforementioned hit singles, and set to work on a new album immediately.
One factor which also sparked Bolan's renewed interest in music was the emergence of punk. Photos from early 1977 show Bolan at a pub/restaurant with members of The Ramones
. He toured in spring 1977 with The Damned, and on the Granada TV show Marc
, which he hosted, guests of his included The Boomtown Rats
, The Jam
, and Generation X
.
The album is also notable for the sleeve illustration by artist George Underwood, who had first worked with Bolan on the 1968 Tyrannosaurus Rex album My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair... But Now They're Content to Wear Stars on Their Brows.
.
1994 CD reissue (Edsel EDCD394)
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Top 40 hits, "New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
" (#15) and "Dreamy Lady" (#30), Futuristic Dragon was released in January, reaching #50. It was T. Rex's first album to register in the charts since Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow
Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow
Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow – A Creamed Cage in August is the ninth studio album by Marc Bolan & T. Rex, released in February 1974. When originally released the initial pressings were a multi-layered triple gatefold sleeve, a latticework image of the current cover featuring...
in 1974. The album features some unusually dense production from Bolan, with hints that he had been listening to old Phil Spector records, especially "Chrome Sitar" and "Calling All Destroyers", which contained unusual musical embellishements such as sitar and other sonic sound effects.
Live recordings of the successful tour T. Rex undertook that year in the UK (the first since the birth of his son Rolan Bolan, with Gloria Jones
Gloria Jones
Gloria Richetta Jones is an American singer and songwriter from Los Angeles, California. She recorded the 1964 northern soul song, "Tainted Love", later a hit for the British synth-pop duo, Soft Cell. She was the girlfriend of glam rock artist Marc Bolan of the band T...
) show him to be returning to form from the cocaine addiction, (alleged) Napoleon complex
Napoleon complex
Napoleon complex is an informal term describing an alleged type of inferiority complex which is said to affect some people, especially men, who are short in stature. The term is also used more generally to describe people who are driven by a perceived handicap to overcompensate in other aspects of...
, and weight gain which had plagued him since late 1973, when his star began to fall. In many of these (bootleg) recordings, often done by members of the audience, Bolan thanks the audience for coming, and admits that he did not know if they would. He was heartened by the response received on the two aforementioned hit singles, and set to work on a new album immediately.
One factor which also sparked Bolan's renewed interest in music was the emergence of punk. Photos from early 1977 show Bolan at a pub/restaurant with members of The Ramones
Ramones
The Ramones were an American rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first punk rock group...
. He toured in spring 1977 with The Damned, and on the Granada TV show Marc
Marc (TV series)
Marc is a British television series presented by T. Rex lead singer Marc Bolan. It was produced in Manchester by Granada Television for the ITV network....
, which he hosted, guests of his included The Boomtown Rats
The Boomtown Rats
The Boomtown Rats were an Irish punk rock band that had a series of Irish and UK hits between 1977 and 1985. They were led by vocalist Bob Geldof.-Biography:All six members were originally from Dún Laoghaire, Ireland...
, The Jam
The Jam
The Jam were an English punk rock/New Wave/mod revival band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. They were formed in Woking, Surrey. While they shared the "angry young men" outlook and fast tempos of their punk rock contemporaries, The Jam wore smartly tailored suits rather than ripped...
, and Generation X
Generation X (band)
Generation X was a British punk rock band, formed on 21 November 1976 by Billy Idol, Tony James and John Towe.-History:...
.
The album is also notable for the sleeve illustration by artist George Underwood, who had first worked with Bolan on the 1968 Tyrannosaurus Rex album My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair... But Now They're Content to Wear Stars on Their Brows.
Reissues
Futuristic Dragon was remastered for CD by Edsel Records in 1994 as part of their extensive T. Rex reissue campaign. A number of bonus tracks were added (see below). A companion release, entitled Dazzling Raiment (The Alternate Futuristic Dragon), was released in 1997 which contained alternative versions, studio rough mixes and solo recordings of the main album and bonus tracks. A combined album digipak (MEDCD719) was released in 2002.Track listing
All songs were written by Marc BolanMarc Bolan
Marc Bolan was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist and poet. He is best known as the founder, frontman, lead singer & guitarist for T. Rex, but also a successful solo artist...
.
- "Futuristic Dragon (Introduction)" – 1:52
- "Jupiter Liar" – 3:40
- "Chrome Sitar" – 3:13
- "All Alone" – 2:48
- "New York City" – 3:55
- "My Little Baby" – 3:06
- "Calling All Destroyers" – 3:53
- "Theme for a Dragon" – 2:00
- "Sensation Boulevard" – 3:48
- "Ride My Wheels" – 2:25
- "Dreamy Lady" – 2:51
- "Dawn Storm" – 3:42
- "Casual Agent" – 2:53
1994 CD reissue (Edsel EDCD394)
- "London Boys" - 2:19
- "Laser Love" - 3:35
- "Life's an Elevator" - 2:24
Dazzling Raiment (The Alternate Futuristic Dragon) (EDCD 522)
- "Futuristic Dragon (Introduction)" - 1:46
- "Chrome Sitar" – 3:16
- "All Alone" – 2:50
- "New York City" – 3:57
- "My Little Baby" – 3:51
- "Sensation Boulevard" – 3:48
- "Dreamy Lady" – 2:50
- "Dawn Storm" – 3:31
- "Casual Agent" – 2:54
- "London Boys" - 2:20
- "Life's an Elevator" - 2:25
- "Futuristic Dragon (Introduction)" - 1:52
- "All Alone" - 3:51
- "Dreamy Lady" - 2:31
- "Casual Agent" - 4:05
- "Casual Agent" - 4:04
- "All Alone" (Solo recording) - 2:46
- "Dreamy Lady" (Solo recording) - 2:19
- "London Boys" (Solo recording) - 1:55
- "Life's an Elevator" (Solo recording) - 2:01
Personnel
- Marc BolanMarc BolanMarc Bolan was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist and poet. He is best known as the founder, frontman, lead singer & guitarist for T. Rex, but also a successful solo artist...
: vocals, guitars, moog - Gloria JonesGloria JonesGloria Richetta Jones is an American singer and songwriter from Los Angeles, California. She recorded the 1964 northern soul song, "Tainted Love", later a hit for the British synth-pop duo, Soft Cell. She was the girlfriend of glam rock artist Marc Bolan of the band T...
: backing vocals, clavinetClavinetA Clavinet is an electrically amplified keyboard instrument manufactured by the Hohner company. It is essentially an electronically amplified clavichord, analogous to an electric guitar. Its distinctive bright staccato sound has appeared particularly in funk, disco, rock, and reggae songs.Various... - Steve CurrieSteve CurrieSteve Currie was born in Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, England. He was best known as the bass player and long term member of the English glam rock band T.Rex....
: bass guitar - Davy Lutton: drums
- Jimmy Haskell: string instruments
External links
- Demon Music Group / Edsel Records
- [ Dazzling Raiment review at Allmusic]