Rarebird's Rock and Roll Nest

Rhino Records is releasing four T. Rex reissues on November 8th: The Slider (1972), Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow (1974), Dandy In The Underworld (1977), and the collection The T. Rex Wax Co. Singles A's and B's 1972-77 , which was originally released as two separate discs but will now be available as a 2-disc set. Each of the three proper album reissues will be 2-disc expanded editions, containing the complete album, bonus tracks, and a second disc containing a "work-in-progress" version of the album. The singles collection combines two compilations originally released separately; the first disc contains all 19 A-sides issued on Bolan's own T. Rex Wax Co. label, while the second disc includes all 25 B-sides in chronological order (several singles featured two B-side tracks). The Slider is a great, bombastic classic of the glam-rock genre that definitely deserves its U.S. re-release. Zinc Alloy is a less thrilling album that catches Bolan at the

Speaking of Genesis...Last month, Rhino Records released a 3-CD set called The Platinum Collection , the first compilation to cover the band's entire history, containing songs from both the Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins eras. (And one song from the short-lived Ray Wilson era, as well). Also, Rhino has released a DVD called The Video Show , which contains all of the band's promo videos. These videos cover the entire post-Gabriel Genesis era, from the 1976 album Trick Of The Tail (with Steve Hackett) to the 1997 album Calling All Stations (with Ray Wilson). It even contains a 1999 remake of their 1974 song "Carpet Crawlers" featuring Gabriel. Here is the official press release, provided by M80 Services: PRESS RELEASE GENESIS HISTORY OF PLATINUM SELLING BAND CAPTURED ON • ‘GENESIS PLATINUM COLLECTION’: First hits collection spotlighting both the Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins Years • ’GENESIS VIDEO SHOW’: Complete video collection on DVD for the first time Plus, Mike

On my local classic rock radio station, DJs are reporting rumors of at least two band reunions. After playing a song by the Cars, the DJ mentioned that a Cars reunion was in the works. Also, on the same station, a DJ mentioned rumors of a "full-on" Genesis reunion, which would include Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett. Hard rumors to believe, especially that second one. So I thought I'd investigate. It turns out that a possible Cars reunion is being spearheaded by guitarist Elliott Easton. But the band's former leader Ric Ocasek -- who essentially embodied the band's persona -- has no plans to participate. (Ocasek recently released Nexterday , his first solo album in eight years). And bassist Benjamin Orr, who shared lead vocal duties with Ocasek, died in 2000 from pancreatic cancer. The Cars without Ocasek or Orr? Can't see it. And those Genesis rumors? Former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett, who left the band in 1977, had this to say to the Chicago Sun-Times o