Before T. Rex assaulted the world with their glam rock party in the early '70s, there was the folk duo Tyrannosaurus Rex. Although both bands were fronted by flamboyant singer/guitarist/songwriter Marc Bolan, the earlier outfit was the polar opposite of the style of music that would later become synonymous with Bolan. Tyrannosaurus Rex originally formed in September of 1967 as a duo after Bolan split from his previous band, John's Children. Joining Bolan in the band was percussionist/bongo player Steve Peregrin Took, a gentleman that Bolan named after a character in The Lord of the Rings novel series. Bolan was so infatuated with Rings that most of the subject matter in Tyrannosaurus Rex songs came directly from the books as well.
I've Always Kept A Unicorn is the best album that Sandy Denny never made. This 40-Track set captures Sandy at her most intimate as she runs through stripped down arrangements of songs with Strawbs, Fairport Convention, Fotheringay, The Bunch and from her four solo albums. Exclusive to this set are three demos from the original recording sessions for the 1972 Bunch album, Rock On including a beautiful duet with Linda Thompson on Phil Everly's "When Will I Be Loved" and Buddy Holly's "Love Made A Fool Of You" and "Learning The Game".
This soundtrack to the popular 1982 animated film based on the acclaimed children's book by Peter Beagle was scored by songwriter/composer Jimmy Webb ("Wichita Lineman," "MacArthur Park") and features performances from the soft rock duo America. The score itself, an appropriately somber and sentimental blend of fairy tale motifs and dark, Wagnerian cues, reflects the story's achingly beautiful tale of a unicorn who attempts to overthrow a maniacal king determined to rid the world of the magical creatures, while the songs are far more creative, daring, and eloquent than all of the cookie-cutter balladry that would eventually replace their type in future animated films. Like Watership Down, The Hobbit, and even Robert Altman's live action, Harry Nilsson-scored Popeye, this hard to find soundtrack is a gem from another age.
The third Tyrannosaurus Rex album, and their debut U.S. release, Unicorn was also the first to steadfastly state the game plan which Marc Bolan had been patiently formulating for two years – the overnight transformation from underground icon to above ground superstar…
Vulgar Unicorn are made up of Bruce Soord and Neil Randall. Bruce main group now is The Pineapple Thief. They boast of being one of the few truly progressive bands left in the UK, and they certainly sound very different to the norm. This British duo used the help from trumpet, saxophone and violin in some ambitious instrumental developments. Vulgar Unicorn is song oriented melodic prog. The compositions move in and of these influences creating variety and interest but not any wasted time. Also included in their sound is some space prog influences. This combination creates interesting changes in texture and mood. The melodious and refined themes, the sound effects, the simplicity of the moods evoke Pink Floyd, Camel or Coda. Vulgar Unicorn has their own niche, which is very easy to listen to.