Renowned in progressive rock circles, as one half of the Downes Braide Association (DBA) alongside Geoff Downes (Yes, Buggles, Asia), singer and established songwriter Chris Braide was first signed as a recording artist by The Eurythmics‘ Dave Stewart and has since worked with everyone from Marc Almond, Sia and Trevor Horn to Lana del Rey, Paloma Faith, David Guetta and Beyonce.
His latest album, There Was A Time – The Songs of Marc Bolan, is a heartfelt tribute to the legendary T. Rex frontman. Braide’s passion for Bolan’s music began in the late 1980s, when he and his friend Thomo discovered the classic Electric Warrior album and became obsessed with the singer’s unique voice, style, and songs.
As they delved deeper into Bolan’s discography, Chris and Thomo uncovered hidden gems from the latter part of his career, including lesser-known tracks from 1976 and 1977. These songs, often overlooked in favour of his more popular hits, resonated deeply with Braide and inspired him to record his own versions.
With Braide playing most instruments and joined by Ash Soan on drums and Andy Hodge on bass, There Was A Time is a labour of love that showcases Braide’s talent as a singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist. The album is a testament to the enduring power of Bolan’s music and the impact it had on Braide’s life.
Through the album, Braide shares his personal connection to Bolan’s artistry, from the magical discovery of his music as a teenager to the haunting beauty of his later work. There Was A Time is considered not just a tribute but a celebration of Marc Bolan’s legacy, and a reminder of the timeless appeal of his songs.
The album features the tracks: ‘There Was A Time’, ‘Broken Hearted Blues’, ‘Soul Of My Suit’, ‘Cosmic Dancer’, ‘The Visit’, ‘Dandy In The Underworld’, ‘Dawn Storm’, ‘Visions Of Domino’, ‘London Boys’, ‘Life’s A Gas’ and ‘There Was A Time – Reprise’.
The 11-track album was released digitally on 16th September, the anniversary of Bolan’s death and Braide’s son Elijah’s birth. The album is available now to stream and as a free download at Apple music, Tidal and Amazon.
You can check out the videos for both ‘Cosmic Dancer’ and ‘Life’s A Gas’ here at RAMzine and the ‘Life’s A Gas’/’Children Of The Revolution’ singles can be downloaded at – Apple music, Tidal and Amazon.
