Wish You Were There. . .T. Rex Born to Boogie DVD

Watching Marc Bolan writhe on his guitar and strum his hips makes you realize that Glam Rock is a title well-applied to the glitter, flamboyance, and audacious posturing of artists like Bolan. However, the title has always seemed to concentrate on make up, clothes, and flash, as if the music itself lacked substance. Born to Boogie proves that Marc Bolan & T.Rex was thunderously capable of pulling more Blues Rock funk out of the small stage show than any major Rolling Stones production ever has.

This DVD restores the original film while also providing complete concert footage. The film itself, produced by Ringo Starr, contains odd elements of sketches/situations which seem like Beatles movie outtakes. Yet, the in-studio filming of “Get It On (Bang a Gong)” with Ringo on drums, Elton John on piano, and others, serves to show how these poofers could wrestle down the great rock ‘n’ roll beast, meting out blues-filled blows to make the song jump right off the screen.

Watching from the best seats in the house, there’s a real “wish you were there” feeling that overcomes the viewer—especially if you weren’t even cognizant at the time of the original concert. “Wish you were there” becomes “now this is there.” And “there” becomes where a great deal of music has flowed.

Sitting cross-legged on stage along to sing “Cosmic Dancer,” I now see what Morrissey saw that led him to cover this song which had sung his life. And when I hear Morrissey sing my life, it’s really Marc Bolan who grandfathered me into the world of laid-bare hearts amid the rock ‘n’ roll amplification. That’s me in the corner, spotlight. . .oh, no, I’ve said too much. . . .

Thanks to Sanctuary Records for the review copy.