G. Preston | Baltimore, MD United States | 11/21/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Years ago I purchased 2 very scratched up old LPs: "Unicorn" & "Beard Of Stars." I think I had read some reviews claiming that these were Marc Bolans' best works before he went electric and morphed into T. Rex. The records were in absolutely terrible shape, but behind the clicks and pops were some of the most spellbinding, beautiful songs I have ever heard in my life.
20+ years later I'm amazed to find that their impact has not diminished one bit. This music falls somewhere between the Beatles and Syd Barrett but I personally find it more evocative and interesting than either. One of the incredible things about the music of the Beatles is the doors that it opened for other artists to expand upon. Truly talented people did not merely mimic the sound of the Fab Four, but actually took that sound into new realms. Nowhere is that phenomenon more evident than on "Beard Of Stars." There's a really strong "mythical beasts and wizards of yore" kinda vibe, but what is really being communicated is a yearning for warmth and innocence, that is very heartfelt and quite powerful. I don't know what else to say but if you're curious about this at all, find a copy of this album!!!"
Once upon a time the Gods spoke through a man!!
Debie L. Smith | 12/03/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Consider this, Billy joel is in the Rock n Roll hall of fame and Marc Bolan is not. SHUDDER!!! What are those people thinking. The only thing I can come up with is that Bolans music goes right over there little pea brains. Come to think of it, whats so great about being in the Hall of... if the Slider ain't there. Answer: It ain't that great.
Oh yeah the record Beard of stars. Well.... its like all of Bolans material, PURE DAZZLING GENIUS misunderstood except by a lucky minority. ROCK ON IN HEAVEN MARC!! LOVE ALWAYS"
Magical Elf Music
Nancy Solitare | New Haven, CT USA | 04/17/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"From the Fairy Master himself Marc Bolan. Beautiful acoustic melodies permeate throughout the mystical morass as the elvish singing puts you away. Bolan here best capsulizes the whole hippie mythos and delivers it in short fantastical sonnets to love,eternity and spiritualism.
You either love Bolan or not.
He had me at Prelude.
"
5 star record - 3 star sound
James L. | Virginia, United States | 10/20/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a fantastic record. Magical, brilliant, everything the other positive reviewers have said. Not a weak moment. It's also the first T. Rex LP I've heard and I'll be getting more for certain.
However there is one problem with this particular edition. It's mastered from a vinyl copy. It's not a bad transfer, and there are no loud pops or heavy-handed noise reduction. There's some low level vinyl noise most noticable at the beginnings of each side and spots of light distortion here and there, most prominent at the ends of sides. The record is still very enjoyable, but some people may want to know so they can pick the edition that's right for them.
There seems to be a more expensive edition which was mastered from the original tapes and which has some bonus tracks. I'll be picking this up before long. I want to hear how good this record can really sound."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1
