Two years ago, we learned that a star-studded T. Rex tribute album was in the works. Now, finally, the record has been solidified, and the details have been confirmed.
Called AngelHeaded Hipster: The Songs of Marc Bolan and T.Rex, the star-studded compilation is made up of 26 tracks spanning Marc Bolan's entire career. The collection was put together by Hal Willner, who passed away earlier this month at age 64. AngelHeaded Hipster marks his final production.
As previously reported, U2 have covered T. Rex's mega hit "Bang a Gong (Get It On)." Since we last discussed the comp, however, they added a special guest in one Elton John.
The Foo Fighters were initially attached to the project, and while they haven't made the final tracklisting, there is an impressive assemblage of rock and pop musicians from multiple generations. The tracklisting includes Father John Misty, Kesha, Peaches, Joan Jett, Devendra Banhart, Lucinda Williams, Beth Orton, King Khan, Metric's Emily Haines, Perry Farrell, Todd Rundgren and Nick Cave, among others.
Right now, Nick Cave's cover of "Cosmic Dancer" is available to stream below. AngelHeaded Hipster will arrive on September 4 via BMG.
Before Willner's death, he said of Bolan:
Bolan was hardly ever talked about as a 'composer.' It was all about what a great rocker he was, how innovative he was, how David Bowie took his essence and Bolan was in his shadow.... But I put him in the same pantheon as other composers that I've explored before. So, the concept for the album became to show Bolan as a composer with our typical cast of artists from different worlds that one rarely sees in the same place.
AngelHeaded Hipster: The Songs of Marc Bolan and T.Rex:
1. Kesha - "Children Of The Revolution"
2. Nick Cave - "Cosmic Dancer"
3. Joan Jett - "Jeepster"
4. Devendra Banhart - "Scenescof"
5. Lucinda Williams - "Life's A Gas"
6. Peaches - "Solid Gold, Easy Action"
7. Børns - "Dawn Storm"
8. Beth Orton - "Hippy Gumbo"
9. King Khan - "I Love To Boogie"
10. Gaby Moreno - "Beltane Walk"
11. U2 feat. Elton John - "Bang A Gong (Get It On)"
12. John Cameron Mitchell - "Diamond Meadows"
13. Emily Haines - "Ballrooms Of Mars"
14. Father John Misty - "Main Man"
15. Perry Farrell - "Rock On"
16. Elysian Fields - "The Street and Babe Shadow"
17. Gavin Friday - "The Leopards"
18. Nena - "Metal Guru"
19. Marc Almond - "Teenage Dream"
20. Helga Davis - "Organ Blues"
21. Todd Rundgren - "Planet Queen"
22. Jessie Harris - "Great Horse"
23. Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl - "Mambo Sun"
24. Victoria Williams with Julian Lennon - "Pilgrim's Tale"
25. David Johansen - "Bang A Gong (Get It On) Reprise"
26. Maria McKee - "She Was Born To Be My Unicorn / Ride A White Swan"
Called AngelHeaded Hipster: The Songs of Marc Bolan and T.Rex, the star-studded compilation is made up of 26 tracks spanning Marc Bolan's entire career. The collection was put together by Hal Willner, who passed away earlier this month at age 64. AngelHeaded Hipster marks his final production.
As previously reported, U2 have covered T. Rex's mega hit "Bang a Gong (Get It On)." Since we last discussed the comp, however, they added a special guest in one Elton John.
The Foo Fighters were initially attached to the project, and while they haven't made the final tracklisting, there is an impressive assemblage of rock and pop musicians from multiple generations. The tracklisting includes Father John Misty, Kesha, Peaches, Joan Jett, Devendra Banhart, Lucinda Williams, Beth Orton, King Khan, Metric's Emily Haines, Perry Farrell, Todd Rundgren and Nick Cave, among others.
Right now, Nick Cave's cover of "Cosmic Dancer" is available to stream below. AngelHeaded Hipster will arrive on September 4 via BMG.
Before Willner's death, he said of Bolan:
Bolan was hardly ever talked about as a 'composer.' It was all about what a great rocker he was, how innovative he was, how David Bowie took his essence and Bolan was in his shadow.... But I put him in the same pantheon as other composers that I've explored before. So, the concept for the album became to show Bolan as a composer with our typical cast of artists from different worlds that one rarely sees in the same place.
AngelHeaded Hipster: The Songs of Marc Bolan and T.Rex:
1. Kesha - "Children Of The Revolution"
2. Nick Cave - "Cosmic Dancer"
3. Joan Jett - "Jeepster"
4. Devendra Banhart - "Scenescof"
5. Lucinda Williams - "Life's A Gas"
6. Peaches - "Solid Gold, Easy Action"
7. Børns - "Dawn Storm"
8. Beth Orton - "Hippy Gumbo"
9. King Khan - "I Love To Boogie"
10. Gaby Moreno - "Beltane Walk"
11. U2 feat. Elton John - "Bang A Gong (Get It On)"
12. John Cameron Mitchell - "Diamond Meadows"
13. Emily Haines - "Ballrooms Of Mars"
14. Father John Misty - "Main Man"
15. Perry Farrell - "Rock On"
16. Elysian Fields - "The Street and Babe Shadow"
17. Gavin Friday - "The Leopards"
18. Nena - "Metal Guru"
19. Marc Almond - "Teenage Dream"
20. Helga Davis - "Organ Blues"
21. Todd Rundgren - "Planet Queen"
22. Jessie Harris - "Great Horse"
23. Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl - "Mambo Sun"
24. Victoria Williams with Julian Lennon - "Pilgrim's Tale"
25. David Johansen - "Bang A Gong (Get It On) Reprise"
26. Maria McKee - "She Was Born To Be My Unicorn / Ride A White Swan"
