A Primal Rumble from Glam Rock’s Dawn: When Marc Bolan Unleashed “Cat Black.”
“Cat Black,” a raw and rhythmically compelling track from Marc Bolan’s pre-glam rock incarnation with T. Rex, offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of an artist who would soon become a shimmering icon. Released in 1970 on the album “A Beard of Stars,” this song, while not a charting single in the traditional sense, was a significant marker in Bolan’s artistic journey, showcasing his distinctive vocal style and his growing fascination with a more electric and primal sound. “A Beard of Stars” itself reached number 47 on the UK Albums Chart, indicating a growing fanbase intrigued by Bolan’s unique vision. “Cat Black,” with its repetitive, almost hypnotic guitar riff and its enigmatic lyrics, evokes a sense of untamed energy and a mystical, slightly otherworldly atmosphere, hinting at the androgynous persona and poetic ambiguity that would become hallmarks of his later glam rock phase. It transforms a simple musical idea into a primal and evocative soundscape, hinting at the artistic transformation to come.
Imagine the hazy atmosphere of an underground club in the early 1970s, the air thick with anticipation, and the sound of Marc Bolan’s voice, a unique blend of childlike wonder and burgeoning rock and roll swagger, intoning the mysterious lyrics of “Cat Black.” This track, from the transitional album “A Beard of Stars,” showcased a band on the cusp of a major sonic shift. While still rooted in folk and psychedelic influences, the electric undercurrent and Bolan’s increasingly confident delivery hinted at the glam rock explosion that was just around the corner. The simple yet hypnotic guitar riff, the driving percussion, and Bolan’s almost spoken-word vocal style create an atmosphere of primal energy and slightly untamed allure, perfectly complementing the song’s enigmatic lyrics. His distinctive delivery and the song’s raw, almost mystical quality offered a glimpse into the unique artistic vision that would soon captivate a generation. The repetitive nature of the music adds to its hypnotic and almost trance-like quality.
The story behind “Cat Black” lies within Marc Bolan’s restless artistic spirit and his constant exploration of sound and image. Following his earlier acoustic-based work with Tyrannosaurus Rex, “A Beard of Stars” marked a move towards a more electric sound, a crucial step in the evolution towards the full-blown glam rock of T. Rex. “Cat Black,” with its primal energy and enigmatic lyrics, embodies this transitional phase, showcasing Bolan’s growing fascination with a more theatrical and electric persona. The lyrics, filled with evocative imagery and a sense of mystery, hint at the poetic and slightly surreal style that would become a signature of his songwriting. While the song might seem simple on the surface, its rhythmic drive and Bolan’s unique vocal delivery create a compelling and slightly unsettling atmosphere, foreshadowing the androgynous allure and the captivating strangeness that would soon define his glam rock era. It’s a fascinating snapshot of an artist on the verge of a major transformation.
For those of us who remember the dawn of glam rock, the sense of something new and exciting brewing in the musical landscape, Marc Bolan’s “Cat Black” evokes a sense of raw, slightly untamed nostalgia. It reminds us of a time when artists were pushing boundaries and experimenting with sound and image in bold new ways. Bolan’s distinctive voice and the song’s primal energy offer a moment of shared memory of that burgeoning era, a comforting acknowledgment of the raw and slightly mystical roots of a musical revolution. It remains a compelling and somewhat enigmatic track, a quintessential glimpse into the artistic evolution of Marc Bolan on his journey towards becoming a glam rock icon.