Marc Bolan & T.Rex Rare "Buick Mackane & The Babe Shadow" Full Recording 1972

Probably my favourite unreleased T.Rex recording. uncompleted and left in the can by Marc Bolan this first saw the light of day on Billy Super Duper. However, the version on that album had been edited and the running order of the track had been altered. This is the original master recording exactly as Marc Bolan recorded it.
It's great as it is but can you imagine a full Tony Visconti production with Flo & Eddie on backing!! The ladies in the video are June Bolan and Chelita Secunda (Marc's stylist).
Update 27.11.2012: There was always some doubt about the title of this recording as it was thought that John Bramley "made it up" for the release of the Billy Super Duper album. Today I got my 40th Anniversary Box Set of The Slider where the track is called "Buick Mackane 2". If anyone should know what it's called it's Tony Visconti!! On the new box set its sounds even better.
Hope you enjoy it.

[@ooohcheese]

Splendid, "When T. Rex ruled the world"? Hah! Still do man! Great vid...

[@andytrex]

I couldn't agree more. T.REX will always rule my world too.

[@susankirkland3852]

Really loved this. Never heard it before and love the video; never seen much of that either. Marc and Mickey dancing; really cool 😀

[@Jusnzl]

I actually far prefer this version to the one that made it onto The Slider. I wonder, given their musical circles at the time, if Bowie ever heard a snippet of this, because when i hear that riff i can't help but think 'Jean Genie'.

[@annwhite2346]

Gene genie was based on an old Bo Diddley riff, reworked by Mick Ronson. So if you notice a similarity ask yourself where Marc got the riff from.

[@karlarmstrong]

no blockbuster sweet.

[@brineb58]

Standard blues riff ... even ZZ Top uses it!!!

[@hansg.8557]

Wow that's awesome. I was at the T. Rex gig at Nuremberg Messehalle A Feb. 1973. My very first concert ever.

[@gadgetuk48]

Excellent version,I to prefer this to the album release, great track

[@pwatts8846]

I rather think the riff on this strongly resembles La Grange, by ZZ Top from the same era, as does the structure of the song itself. Rather than suggest anyone plagiarised the other, I think it's fair to suppose this riff came from the 50's. Marc was rather fond of recycling old rock and roll riffs.

[@andytrex]

LaGrange was recorded in May 1973. This was recorded in April 1972. I don't suspect plagiarism by either party as T.Rex never released it. Both great bands though.

[@davewray8488]

Glad you pointed out that ZZ pinched the riff off Marc, lol. Good ear.

[@marty9660]

that riff sounds a little bit like one of David Bowie's

[@kevinsteele6043]

They all "borrowed" the riff from John Lee Hooker "Boom Boom Boom Boom"

[@AthleticDesign]

The riff of both songs are variations of John Lee Hooker's Boogie Chillen riff. Listen also to Funky London Childhood and the early demos of The Street and Babe Shadow

[@AthleticDesign]

Great groove, great verse, but too repetitive on its own in my opinion. Really needs a chorus or at least a catchy break. I'm sure Marc could have provided one if he had been so inclined. Maybe he felt it was too generic to elaborate on? Don't get me wrong - I still like it.

[@PurpleRecords1972]

Hey Andy T.Rex, agree with addition of Flo and Eddie - sadly he persisted with the wailing women that ultimately pushed me away.. Discovering Deep Purple was just over 12 months away and I was off on a different path 🎸

[@andytrex]

@DAVWAVE It's great to hear the viewpoint from an American fan. I agree that Marc was impatient. Time has proven this with the number of fans of the classic T.Rex recordings he now has in the USA. American culture was such a huge influence on his writing both musically and lyrically. The period when he tried to develop a soul sound to T.Rex music was, in my opinion, the low point in his career.

[@karlarmstrong]

marc was not a one trick pony.

[@anothercat9600]

"A future machine"

[@BobMcVey-t7j]

Awesome.The baddest band on the planet.

[@karl-heinzwagner7886]

Solche T.Rex-Lieder lieb ich.

[@pwatts8846]

Deep down, I think Marc undervalued himself as a guitarist. Otherwise this would have been released.

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

By far the better song than the version he eventually released on The Slider. Reminds me of The Jean Genie.

[@MrRalphsworld]

If this HAD been on Slider,Marc would,ve beaten Bowie and The Sweet with that Jean Genie riff :) Love it here best !!

[@PurpleRecords1972]

Def got that Mick Ronson sound here 👍🎸

[@leslielewicki542]

Can you tell?? I’m reverting

[@juliediane4463]

TOTALLY AMAZING.MARC IS JUST OUTSTANDING..........

[@jonflynn1]

Raw and Juicy and heavenly born!

[@thierrylesage7886]

Never leave my beautiful group indémodable forever rock

[@rexlist]

Bolan unleashed!!!...what a great track this is! enjoyed the vid too.. nicely put together!

[@richardstringer1378]

Bolan was the Master

[@WilliamFisher-jn4ul]

Excellent 😊

[@atzengruber]

T.Rex at their best !

[@Rheinholdo]

Yes

[@irisdainter6507]

Soul man.

[@Grogster2]

Absolute brilliance.....

[@williamfisher5749]

Belting

[@1stFederico01]

Just perfect Marc at his best althought the images are from so many different places.

[@chantelleadlington]

It's great to see June, she was great for Marc and if they stayed together he might still be with us today

[@axelansorg6602]

Das ist Metal-boogi

[@mpine34]

What album is this on?

[@andrewmorton2430]

This version was first released on Rabbit Fighter the alternate Slider. It was listed as “Buick Mackane”. It also featured on The Slider 40th Anniversary box set. On that it was called Buick Mackane 2. The title Buick Mackane & The Babe Shadow was used when a re-edited inferior version was released on the Billy Super Duper album around 1982/3.

[@TheThecyclist]

the line bump and grind are good for my mind was used in children of the revolution

[@paulcampbell8141]

chelita secunda xxxx

[@andytrex]

You've said it all. Your comment would be brilliant on any T.Rex Album cover. Thank you.

[@OldMod67]

Cracking kinetic version, love this. Massive thanks!

[@1966maryjane]

YES!!!!!!!

[@Jiffy_Squid]

MBTR Rule! Flo and Eddie helped here. Just isn't any better music that captures the pre-punk era better. Where the hell is obscene Steve Clean when I fucking need him????????

[@jbdsigned]

crushed butler 1970

[@COZZIG]

What a feckin tone!!!!!

[@paulcampbell8141]

fucking brilliant

[@1stMistyMist1]

This is another of his unforgettable great tracks, love it !!! Thanks for uploading !!!

[@lilianekistner7542]

1stMistyMist1

[@kellyreade6355]

This song is truly awesome - thanks for sharing. I've got to get this version. It rocks! So very Marc Bolan this performance. :)

[@andytrex]

This version is available on the Edsel CD Rabbit Fighter which regularly comes up on EBay for a budget price. It's also on the very expensive The Slider Box Set. Thanx for your comment. Really glad you loved this great piece of Bolan Boogie.

[@kellyreade6355]

Thanks, AndyTRex - I'll be looking for the Rabbit Fighter CD. I appreciate the info. It's an awesome piece of music by Marc. :)

[@andytrex]

On Rabbit Fighter this track is just listed as Buick Mackane (track 7). It isn't the song featured on The Slider but is in fact this fantastic recording. Hope you find the album soon.

[@kellyreade6355]

Andy T.Rex Just ordered it! Yeah! Thru Amazon, used, by seller. Very happy. :)

[@terryogrady5361]

Love the clip!

[@trexmarcbolan]

nice post

[@orunia1]

mało znane ale zajebiste

[@lhaaiah2707]

oui ! pfff je voudrai bien revenir en arrière !

[@MarieRChild]

Genial tout simplement génial

[@lowersaxon]

No no, excuse me, imho the Slider version is the better one. More exalted, a much better groove. Just said. Rock on.

[@mpine34]

Two different songs really