Show #114: T. Rex’s The Slider

Posted on in The 59 Sound

One of the best glam rock records ever made, T. Rex’s The Slider builds on the winning formula Marc Bolan established with Electric Warrior, flawlessly fusing strings, guitar boogie and unforgettable pop melodies. Released on Reprise Records in 1972, this is one of my all time favorite recordings.

Setlist (“Song Name” – Artist – Album)

“The ’59 Sound” – The Gaslight Anthem – The ’59 Sound

“Metal Guru” – T. Rex – The Slider

“Rock On” – T. Rex – The Slider

“The Slider” – T. Rex – The Slider

Baby Boomerang” – T. Rex – The Slider
“Spaceball Ricochet” – T. Rex – The Slider
“Buick Mackane” – T. Rex – The Slider
“Telegram Sam” – T. Rex – The Slider
“Rabbit Fighter” – T. Rex – The Slider
“Baby Strange” – T. Rex – The Slider
“Ballrooms Of Mars” – T. Rex – The Slider
“Chariot Choogle” – T. Rex – The Slider
“Main Man” – T. Rex – The Slider
“Cadillac” – T. Rex – The Slider (B-Side) 
“Thunderwing” – T. Rex – The Slider (B-Side)
“Lady” – T. Rex – The Slider (B-Side)
“Have You Seen My Baby” – Ringo Starr – Starr
In addition to being credited with The Slider‘s cover photo, Marc Bolan plays guitar on this cut.
 
“Telegram Sam” – Bauhaus – 7″ [by Request]
A radical reimagining of one of The Slider‘s singles.
 
“Desdamona” – John’s Children – Rare Mod 3
Before forming T. Rex, Marc Bolan made a name for himself in John’s Children.
 
“The Blues Are Still Blue” – Belle & Sebastian – The Life Pursuit [by Request]
For Brandt of the Cream of Broccoli Radio Hour. This Belle & Sebastian tune is particularly T. Rex influenced.
 
“Ma-Ma-Ma Belle” – Electric Light Orchestra – On The Third Day
Marc Bolan provides backing guitar on this ELO track.
 
“All The Young Dudes” – Mott The Hoople – All The Young Dudes
This David Bowie penned hit famously name-drops T. Rex. Mott The Hoople and T. Rex were certainly glam rock contemporaries.
 
“The Width Of A Circle” – David Bowie – The Man Who Sold The World
David Bowie and Marc Bolan are contemporaries who shared the same glam rock producer in Tony Visconti.
 
“Hang On” – Teenage Fanclub – Thirteen [by Request]
The opening of this Teenage Fanclub track snakes the riff from another T. Rex classic: “20th Century Boy.”
 
“Panic” – The Smiths – Louder Than Bombs
Morrissey and Johnny Marr were both influenced by T. Rex, penning this song to exactly match the melody and sound of “Metal Guru.”
“Eddie’s Song” – King Tuff – Black Moon Spell
King Tuff is heavily influenced by the riffs and rock of T. Rex.
 
“Baby Strange (Live) – Big Star – Keep An Eye On Sky
A live cover of one of the tracks from The Slider.
 
“Do You Remember Rock And Roll Radio” – The Ramones – End Of The Century
This Ramones cut referenced T. Rex in the lyrics.
This week’s show will be archived here until 8am on July 16th: http://wruw-stream.wruw.org/archives/128/the-59-sound.mp3