T.Rex: "Dance In The Midnight" Album (1983)

Marc Bolan’s Dance In The Midnight was released as an LP album in the UK by Marc On Wax (catalog number MARCL 501) in September 1983, as a posthumous release.

This album, the third released after Mar's passing in 1977, comprising of unreleased studio outtakes and demos from the early to mid-1970s, with some overdubs added in the 1980s by session musicians at the request of producers John and Shan Bramley.

Release Details:

Label and Catalog: Marc On Wax, UK (MARCL 501).

Release Date: September 1983.

Format: Vinyl LP (available in trifold gatefold and single-sleeve versions), later reissued on CD (e.g., 1989, Japan, 20CP-20).

Content: A collection of unreleased studio outtakes and demos recorded by T. Rex in the early to mid-1970s, with some tracks featuring 1980s overdubs by session musicians.

Chart Performance: Reached number 83 on the UK Albums Chart.

Background:

Marc Bolan, the creative force behind T. Rex, was a pioneer of glam rock, known for hits like “Get It On” and “Telegram Sam.” After his passing on September 16, 1977, at age 29, his estate and labels like Marc On Wax released posthumous albums to satisfy fan demand and preserve his legacy.

Dance In The Midnight was curated by John and Shan Bramley, who ran the T. Rex Action Group and later the Marc Bolan Fan Club. The album aimed to showcase previously unheard material, but the addition of 1980s overdubs by session musicians sparked mixed reactions among fans, as it altered the original raw recordings.

Many of the tracks were later released in their untouched form on the Unchained: Unreleased Recordings 1972–1977 series, offering purists a closer look at Bolan’s original work.

Tracklist (1983 UK Vinyl, MARCL 501):

Side 1

"Dance in the Midnight"

"Every Day"

"Saturday Night"

"Metropolis"

"Brain Police"

Side 2

"Stand by Me"

Written by – King/Leiber/Stoller

"All My Love"

"Fast Blues (Easy Action)"

"Do I Love Thee"

"Down Home Lady"

Production and Personnel:

Producers: John and Shan Bramley, with overdubs added in the 1980s by session musicians (names not fully credited).

Core Personnel: Marc Bolan (vocals, guitar), with contributions from T. Rex members like Mickey Finn (percussion), Steve Currie (bass), and Bill Legend (drums) on the original recordings. The overdubs likely involved uncredited session players.

Phonographic Copyright: Marc On Wax Ltd.

Vinyl and Packaging:

Original 1983 Pressing (MARCL 501):Available in two versions:

Trifold Gatefold: Includes a 6-page gatefold sleeve and a 24-page booklet with photos, lyrics, and fan club material. Distributed by IDS.

Single Sleeve:

Distributed by Spartan Records, with text on the back stating “Manufactured and distributed by Spartan Records, London Road, Wembley, Middlesex.”

The gatefold version is more collectible due to its elaborate packaging.

Reissues:

A 1989 CD release (Japan, 20CP-20) replicated the tracklist with digital clarity.

Cultural Significance:

Released during a wave of renewed interest in Bolan’s work (post-punk and new wave bands like The Smiths cited him as an influence), the album kept T. Rex’s legacy alive for fans and collectors.

It reflects Bolan’s prolific output, showcasing demos that capture his creative process during T. Rex’s glam rock peak and later experimental phases.

The involvement of the Bramleys and the Marc On Wax label underscores the fan-driven effort to preserve Bolan’s unreleased work, though the overdubs sparked debate about artistic integrity.