By The Light Of A Magical Moon Single: 1970

The Last Tyrannosaurus Rex 45

Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK on Regal Zonophone (catalogue: RZ 3025) in 1970, Tyrannosaurus Rex’s “By The Light Of A Magical Moon” — backed with “Find A Little Wood” — was the final releases under the full Tyrannosaurus Rex name before the shift to T. Rex. Written by Marc Bolan, produced by Tony Visconti, this dreamy folk-psych track closed the acoustic duo era.

Track Listing

A: By The Light Of A Magical Moon

B: Find A Little Wood

UK Variants

7", 45 RPM, Single, Solid – Regal Zonophone RZ 3025 – UK – 1970

7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo – Regal Zonophone RZ 3025 – UK – 1970

7", 45 RPM, 4 Prong – Regal Zonophone RZ 3025 – UK – 1970

International Variants

Scandinavia – Polydor 2001 011 – 1970

Germany – Polydor 2001 011 – 1970

New Zealand – Festival Records FK-3521 – 1970

Australia – Festival Records FK-3521 (misprint) – 1970

Netherlands – Stateside 5C 006-91133 M – 1970

France – Stateside 2C 006-91133 M – 1970

Ireland – Regal Zonophone RZ(I) 3025 (mispress) – 1970

Canada – Blue Thumb Records BTA 212X (reissue) – 1972

US – Blue Thumb Records BTA 212 (reissue) – 1972

US – Blue Thumb Records BTA 212 (promo reissue) – 1972

US – Blue Thumb Records BTA 212 (promo reissue, Terre Haute pressing) – 1972

UK – A&M Records 376 713-4 (2014 reissue) – 2014

Production

Produced by Tony Visconti for Straight Ahead Productions. Published by Essex International.

Contemporary Reviews (1970)

Chris Welch (Melody Maker): "Marc Bolan with new sidekick Mickey Finn has another crack at the singles market with a typical Bolan Child vocal, but an untypical backing with some nice Beatley guitar sounds and unusual chord changes. It will be nice to see them get a hit after all this time. Let's hope the DJs cough up with some plays."

Peter Jones (Record Mirror): "Never am too sure about this team. Sometimes they lose me or I lose them. This is a gentle moody piece of light-hearted writing, with good vocal line and some intriguing guitar spasms. At least try it, please."

Derek Johnson (New Musical Express): "Rex is looked upon by many people as an ‘album group.' Maybe so, though I am confident that it's turn in the singles chart will come. But whether or not it will be with this disc is a moot point. It's hauntingly insistent, has a colourful lyric and throbbing beat, and highlights some sizzling guitar work. It reminds me slightly of Donovan's “Goo Goo Barabajagal" and is certainly distinctive enough to merit a Chart entry. But somehow I have my doubts."

Legacy

A transitional single from the acoustic Tyrannosaurus Rex days, just before the full glam shift with Electric Warrior. The title track is a dreamy, psychedelic folk gem.

Do you have By The Light Of A Magical Moon in your collection? Ready for the magical moon? Share in the comments!

Sources

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia and BBC Official Charts Company

Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, mistakes do happen. Simply leave a comment and the post will be updated. Thank you.