Todd Rundgren- A Wizard, A True Star FULL ALBUM REACTION & REVIEW
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- čas přidán 1. 12. 2023
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this is one of those uncontrollable bursts of creativity that could hardly be contained
In my opinion, Todd Rundgren is a songwriting genius (out of a handful of about 10). You could deep-dive into his catalog and be happy for years. Scary talented guy.
An interesting fact about this album, the original release vinyl came with a small card that you mailed back to Todd’s record company with your name and you were guaranteed to have your name printed on a poster issued with his next release tht “Todd” album. It was a fold out poster of Todd‘s face set in print type with all the fans names on it who sent in the card. It was a very cool gimmick to give to his fans.
I had 3 friends in Eureka California that did that and if you can still purchase the vinyl you will find their names on the Todd poster. I missed out because I bought the 8 track which didn’t offer that. I didn’t know about it until one of my friends showed me their names. If you own the poster the names are:
Andy Robertson
Bill Hughes
Les Kooyman
Also that poster was generated and printed by a computer…so I think it’s a rare to see that done back in 74. As you might not know but maybe you do, computers and the software are one of Todd’s specialties. He had so many firsts in this technology, Paint brush program for Apple, I believe the first screen saver , if not the first one with music, first computer generated 3D music video, interactive disc with Phillips and others. An amazing talented artist for sure. czcams.com/video/Jhs24mL8Lx0/video.htmlsi=sjo91i2VD2LWgY9L
I know a couple of people on that. Also got a copy of the poster with a semi recent purchase of the album.
I sent mine in. Didn’t make it!
I got the record store day repress this year and it still has that postcard. I'm curious how many people filled it out to send it in. Would be really cool of Todd to do a 50th anniversary of the Todd album with updated names but I doubt that'll happen
total masterpiece
I can't believe you are doing this!!!!! The whole album, when played in its entirety, will blow you away. And all done almost single handedly!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you !!!
PS they all run together - absolutely crazy, maniacal genius. Truly a wizard a true star!
This LP is a work of art. Literally. A masterpiece. Crazy surreal music, hard rock, pop and soul and amazing lyrics all rolled into one. He starts off challenging his own fans if they will leave or stick with him as he goes off in differant direction musically. Genius.
The best album ever by miles.
An album that uplifts, inspires, delights and at times irritates me - but it's rarely plain sailing with Todd.
Great reaction. I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it.
Gee, JP! Thanks for this one! This is the reaction video I've been hoping for ever since reaction videos became a thing. 'A Wizard/A True Star' is the most formative and impactful album purchase I ever made. It led me to go down so many different paths that I have followed throughout my lifetime of listening to music. This is my ground zero album where I stepped beyond what I was exposed to through the radio and went through the looking glass into that magic world that record lovers live in. So great that you went through Side 1 uninterrupted. My interpretation for 'International Feel (In 8)' is a song cycle of life from innocent birth to cynical adulthood.Kudos for using the original die-cut album cover in your presentation, JP. The lysergic album cover, the inside gate fold photo and the fantastic lyric sheet and TR friend Patti Smith's poetry insert were all such a huge part of the immersive experience of listening to this album for me. You're the best one out there, JP!
Totally agree. 100% well said.. JP has introduced me so many different bands..
I bought this album in my early teens and it totally changed my taste in music. I don't know why but 45 years later it still exhilarates me.
First heard this record at 13 and it was mind blowing. Changed my outlook on music forever. Always a "go to!" Fantastic reaction, buddy! Enjoyed to the max!
This album has nearly everything. In concert Todd refers to 'Just One Victory' as the National Anthem of Utopia. One could call it the most soulful prog album OR the proggiest soul album he ever made. I enjoy watching you explore.
I was introduced to Todd in the early 70s. I remember listening to this (also ELP, Beatles, Uriah Heep, Elton John, etc.) while playing Risk at my neighbors house. This is Todd's Abbey Road.
Didn’t know if I could appreciate this album any more than I already did, but watching you enjoy this has done just that. I know there must be others out there that consider this their all time favorite album, but I hope you can now understand why. I always felt that Just One Victory is THE Todd anthem. Thank you so much Justin!!! You’ve made this subscriber extremely happy! I’m sitting out on the patio in my robe and jammies.
Happy you enjoyed it CW:) Sounds like you enjoyed it in a good environment as well!
@@JustJP 😊
Fantastic reaction! Glad you listened to this sprawling psychedelic masterwork. Check out the “Todd” album, it’s the follow up to this and it’s just as off the wall and creatively brilliant
What a wonderful album! I've never heard it, so it was a real treat. I like Todd a lot, but I've never been a completist on him - makes me want to explore more of his catalog. Such a unique marriage of soul, prog, and psychedelia here - you really can hear the psychedelic soaked experimentation going on, such a thing of its era, but he pulls it all off... I don't want to say smoothly, because it has its choppy moments, but elegantly. It all hangs together throughout, despite the sometimes jarring transitions, and shows consistent class and quality. Quite a ride - few artists could cram such a wide scope of sounds into one disk, and have it come off this good.
Man, I wish I could discover this album again since it's the one that changed my appreciation of music something like forty years ago... favorite alltime album ever since. But once discovered, never discovered again...
Hermit of Mink Hollow is another great self-produced, self-performed Todd album. Dig in. Blessings.
Hermit wad the first Todd album I ever heard. It was a gift to me in high school. I received it just after it was released - on 8 track. I'd heard Hello It's Me and I Saw the Light on the radio a few years before but that was it. It was Hermit that began my love affair with his music.
I cracked up at your reaction during Dogfight Giggle 😂 that was the exact same reaction I had too when I first heard this album! All I could think was "Is reality shifting right now?? What is happening?!!"
Such a mind blowing, forward-thinking album from Todd, even 50 years later.
😂Ty Tidal!
This is one of the great "chaos" albums. And it all works so well. I think this would be a great pair up with The Mothers of Invention's "We're Only in it for the Money" which also is loaded with dazzling studio wizardry (is that a real word?). I think you'd like it's complete unpredictability too. Enjoy!
Thank you for this! Todd is my favorite artist! AWATS is my favorite album ever! Todd said he threw out all rules when making this one. Brilliant and I never get tired of it!
11:20 "What am I listening to?" Lol!!! hahahaha That must be everyone's reaction to it first time around. My first listen was a bit spoiled because I read a lot about it before listening, but I would have asked myself the same question without the spolier.
Anyway, I love "A Wizard, A True Star". I was completely obsessed between 2012 and 2017. For five years I lived inside this album!
This is the longest reaction video that I've watched on YT, and one of the best (OK, I admit cooking simultaneously so I didn't catch that album with a violin on the cover). Hard work you did! Stunning is the album. International Feel is my favorite. thx
Nice! Thank you so much for listening/watching while cooking :) Hope your food came out well!
I've always love the crazy that this album gives. Brilliant songs set in bizarre frames, and off kilter bouncy rhythms.
'Ole Audiophile to JP: Crazy story I can relate on this particular subject, I was chatting in on a Steve Wilson chat when the subject of albums Steve might consider remastering came to the front. The cook's two cents brought up this very album as one who needed it terribly. Keep in mind, when this wonder went down, Rundgren decided to record half-hour album-sides. 30 minutes per album side severely limits what dynamics can be printed. Todd included playback instructions to turn up the volume & your treble as loud as possible to compensate for what they recorded. Now that's some severe compression. Nearly six months after I dropped the hint, this shows up not only remastered but DSD translation as well, a super audio disc. Thanx...
There's so much to explore with Todd, every album is different, even every song on an album is different but there are themes. Some notable stand out points are especially the live albums. Back to the Bars is like a greatest hits of everything in his career up to 1978 but done done brilliantly...one of the best live albums ever. Check out A Capella where every instrument is his voice but still great songs, Blue Orpheus is amazing. Hermit of Mink Hollow has some of the best singer songwriter songs on a single album ever since Tapestry..... and he's still making great, innovative albums
Such a great album. Rundgren is a genius.
Made my Saturday today. Not a bad way to spend an hour and a half!
This is my favorite Rundgren -- you are quite right 'I don't know what to feel". I played side one just about every day for months, it may have left scars :)
Wonderful reaction to a difficult album, and hope that your week is the best ever. Happy December!
Todd is so underrated and I’m not sure why.
Haven't listened to this in decades but wow how fresh it still sounds now - and I'm really catching the commonalities with Mothers of Invention and Syd Barrett-era pink floyd moves
I bought into the genius of Todd Rundgren listening to the Healer album, but this one underscored his creative/artistic brilliance exponentially to me… and I don’t even do drugs 🤣 it’s challenging stuff, but the payoffs are myriad and tasty. Every listen is more magical than the one before.
Speaking of the faithfulness of his renditions in the Motown medley, he did an album called “Faithful” in which the first side was comprised of faithful covers of Beatles, Creem, Hendrix, Dylan, etc… Side B has all incredible originals.
Thank you for this reaction! I was so geeked when I saw you did this one!
Todd was fortunate enough to have a supportive record company (Bearsville) and produced himself. There's a story about how the Bearsville Records executive walked into the studio during the recording of "Da Da Dali" and just nodded along to the music like it was totally normal. Todd has never cared much about commercial appeal for his own music anyways
Thank you!
So dynamic and organic. And that amazing sense of perpetual motion!
The solo in When the Shit Hits the Fan is a guitar run through a synth. To my knowledge Todd pioneered this approach. This was about 5 years before any guitar synths were commercially available.
HI, JP! I've been distracted with "stuff" today, and have just now watched this at 11:30 PM on Sunday night. I will admit to you that I never go back and listen to this entire albums, but only still listen to my faves from it, which are not hard to guess. But Todd really does something to me emotionally with MOST of his stuff. He can certainly reduce me to tears, and also can lift me up SO MUCH!
Thanks so much for the shout-out! I was holding my breath!!!!😅
Anyone else thinking of Beck with this ingenious chaotic amalgam? But this is more than 20 years before that. Wow!!! L. Shankar btw ;-)
Todd did almost everything on this album... considering the tech of the time, absolutely amazing. Got it from the after Christmas sale hust after it came out. No drugs needed to be taken on this "trip."
This helped shaped my love of music, and opened my mind to all the variants of greatness in musicianship, when I was a teen. I still know every word to every song!!❤❤
SO much to say but i will try to keep it short (ish). First…todd…most underrated artist ever. Freaking genius who can do it ALL. this album was so out there that it alienated many fans….and he did that over and over throughout his career. I say bravo! It is why wnever someone is new to todd (or bowie…my two favorites…) i always recommend starting at the beginning and going one album at a time, in chronological order. This way you can see the changes and the growth as it happened. Ok,..to late for that so another recommendation….his live album Back to the Bars…recorded and released in 1978, is a fantastic representation of his solo work up to that point in time. Todds voice had matured and the vocals are INCREDIBLE. For my money, at that point in time, my favorite vocalist ever. The guy can sing like marvin gaye one minute then a minute later scream his vocal cords to shreds. My kinda vocalist. Many of the songs from wizard are on that album (including you favorites) and are even better live. Aside from that man many other todd gems. I hope you will check it out…you WILL love it
I've seen a handful of reaction videos from different people, which can be kinda fun. When this video showed up on my recommendation page, I had to at least check out a short segment. I've never seen a reaction vid of a full album before, add that it's one of my all time favorites and such an unconventional album, I couldn't wait to see the look on someone's face. I ended up watching the whole thing. Cool! Kudos for giving this one a listen. I hope in the process your mind got stretched just a little further.
Todd one upped Abbey Road with Wizard even if unintentionally.
Thanks for reviewing my favorite Todd album (and thanks for not interrupting those songs that seque into each other). I appreciated your reactions and comments; thoughtful and well said.
This is the first Todd album I bought and was blown away. I was looking for Hello It's Me and found Utopia. One thing I'd like to mention is this album is not only great for it's content but it is also a recording masterpiece. You HAVE to listen to it on headphones! The way Todd uses stereo and I'd say 3D effects are amazing. Todd isn't just a great song writer / performer but is also a fantastic engineer/producer.
Justin!!! Thanks for the shout out!!! What can you say!!?? The soul, the music arrangements, the sound design, the production, THE CHOICES!!!! Dose not sound like anything before, or nothing since!!! Definitely my top 5!!! 🤘🔥🤘
"Just One Victory" is iconic
peak Todd
It's about time you jumped headfirst into this supremely psychedelic alchemical brew of an album. It's weird that people don't usually bring up A Wizard/A True Star and Todd in conversations about psychedelic rock when at least on a textural level they're two of the trippiest albums ever, up there with The Dead's Anthem Of The Sun and The Beach Boys' Smiley Smile.
I love how this entertained you.. Im 47 and my Dad played this so much its now part of my soul..this is the best reaction ever .👍🏻
L Shankar!! And I love to listen to all your thoughts…well most of the time haha.
And I’m thinking WHERE have I been that I MISSED you doing “A Wizard…” 3 damn MONTHS ago! My sincerest apologies. Played it over and over since 1973 when it came out and I still stream it online. Great to clean your house to, singing REALLY LOUD hahaha.
I love you even more that you’ve done this!❤
Somehow, I missed it too!
@@MikeOfPlano I know.. right?!
I first encountered this album by borrowing a brand new copy from the library. It was all there - the die-cut edges of the cover and album sleeve, the trippy artwork, the postcard to mail in, and even a brand new band-aid with Patti Smith's poetry written on it. I have this album, and usually play side two more than side one, because of the slower pace and less quirkiness. And the Hit Medley was always my favorite part. I also have his previous 1972 double album, which showcases Todd's Philadelphia Soul songwriting.
Thanks for doing this one JP, I'm a huge Todd fan and this is his best. In my opinion. I think it was a mistake to not release singles from this record, I think just one victory and sometimes I don't know how to feel. Feel could have been great follow-ups to something anything album. That had several successful singles. But hindsight's 2020. Thanks for doing it
I remember my dad having this on his standard LP rotation as a kid (early/mid 80s) and it has since become a classic album my family still listens to. Not sure how listening to this at 6 affected me but I think I turned out ok.
Saw Todd/Utopia about 20 times - from 1981 on - and Just one Victory was always the closer. Sending the crowd off into the night with that wonderful vibe. The soul medley was also a staple of Todd shows. It later years he couldn't reach the high notes, but always had plenty of soul. Keeps on exploring.
L Shankar. Of course I'll stay to the end. This is another fun reaction. I do like this album a lot. I own an early vinyl of it. Along with all the Todd Rundgren/Utopia progressive era LPs. Great stuff. Thanks for taking this one on.
After years of loving "I Saw The Light" and "Hello It's Me" (and hearing how great the full-length was), I finally heard "Something/Anything" when I got it for Christmas '91 - A senior in High School. Immediately hooked. Started buying up all the reissues. Remember hearing this for the 1st time around winter '92 and it blew my mind.
Loved that you listened to this. I think a good follow up would be his album Healing as well as A Capella.
A masterpiece of an album that never gets old.🤩
Diehard Todd fan here... "Sometimes I Don't Know" was indeed released as a single (has a discogs page). Todd propagates the myth no singles were issued too. The song didn't go anywhere though (unfortunately). It was the only single attempt.
Plus, it wasn't until nearly a year after this album that Hello It's Me finally reached the top 5, so the Todd lineage is weird where this album had _been_ out by the time his biggest pop hit was peaking.
(To see if you JP read my entire comment, I've answered your album question at the end of my comment below).
First saw Todd & Utopia May 11, 1974 at Winterland in San Francisco, a few months before the first Utopia album was released...Todd opened the show solo, performing tunes from Wizard a True Star and Something/Anything by playing various instruments (piano/keyboards, guitar, drums) with the other recorded instruments, for the first 45 minutes...He took a 20 minute break (intermission), came back with the Utopia band, and performed all of the music from the first Utopia album that would be release later that year...Blew everyone away!! Todd's Utopia was one of the first American Prog-Rock Bands before anyone called it "prog-rock". - Then in May of '78, there were some of Todd's best "Back to the Bars" tour at The Roxy in West Hollywood for 7 nights in a row (2 shows/night); saw 4 of those performances. Over the years I have seen Todd solo and with Utopia at least 40+ shows. Always new and innovative, and just down right Great Music!! Many recording artist owe much to Todd as a record producer (...just ask Daryl Hall). Finally Todd is in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Not bad for a great musician who does not read music. With Peace and Love to all! (Michael)
... L Shankar
Your a brave man JP, AWATS is not Hello it's me or ISaw the Light. But is a true representation of Todd.
Thanks Jerome :) I enjoyed the journey
Love it, a great example of how visual Todd's music is... expansive settings, a multitude of characters, vivid color palette... I believe at one time he said this is was Ritalin album...
So glad to see you listen to this, I love this album
This was one of the first albums I bought in HS. I was impressed by the psychedelic cover, but once I put it on I was impressed by the psychedelic songs. I kind of think of it as a cross between Zappa and Pink Floyd. So incredibly creative and for those who can appreciate the multiple changes, well just watch the reaction!ps I still don't know what album that was, I'll have to crib someone's notes...pps you earned a subscription on this one,great job on the reaction,both facially and factually
He uses those familiar chords associated with the "Philadelphia Sound" I forget what they're called . . augmented somethingorother . . but they're epic. Hall & Oates uses them. Well, actually, Todd and H&L did music together and came from Philly.
52:00 side 1 of his "Faithful" album is homage-age
1. "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago" (the Yardbirds)
2. "Good Vibrations" (the Beach Boys)
3. "Rain" (the Beatles)
4. "Most Likely You Go Your Way and I'll Go Mine" (Bob Dylan)
5. "If Six Was Nine" (Jimi Hendrix)
6. "Strawberry Fields Forever" (the Beatles)
Yeah. Great surprise 👍
Love Todd.
On his album ‘Hermit of Mink Hollow’ side one is labeled The Easy Side and side two The Difficult Side.
I think you would enjoy that album also. More conventional but still has plenty of Toddness.
I stumbled upon Todd Rundgren back in 1977, with Runt: The Ballad of Todd Rundgren, that I found in a bargain bin in my record store. It had me trying his albums. Next was "Something/Anything" and then "A Wizard a True Star". I love them all. His first live album, "Back to the Bars", was just amazing, and you should listen to that one, it's wonderful.
The track that you really loved on side one is my favourite on that side "Flamingo", followed by "When the Shit Hits the Fan".
L Shankar? Never heard of him, so I don't know the album.
Side two begins with a beautiful peach of a soulful song "Sometimes I don't Know What to Feel" (this is fabulous on "Bar to the Bars").
"Love between the ugly is the most beautiful love of all" what a line from "Does Anybody Love You?"
The "Back to the Bars" version of "I'm So Proud" within the track "Medley" is just beautiful.
Another beautiful track is "I don't want to tie you down". The raunchy rock tune "Is it my Name" is really good. And the perfect finish is his rock anthem "Just One Victory".
What an album!
I'm off to listen to "Back to the Bars"; I've talked myself into that masterpiece! Teaser: "The Verb to Love" czcams.com/video/SILiRh8eQPU/video.htmlsi=tM_KJNmraszgODdV
You'd love Nazz 1 thru 3 (in that order). Todd's musical introduction to the world.
dude when i was 15 this song saved my life
Still one of the best LP's of all time. Crazy good.
Excellent! Thanks for taking the time to review this album in which Todd took a departure from the path of the prior Something / Anything album.
Also, ice cream in coffee is always great.
Is there "Something/Anything", better than sitting up here in my skunk hollow, ( literally the road I live on Quassick, is Mohecan for skunk hollow!), listening to the guy from Mink Hollow spew his musical guts on vinyl! No American Band or N.Y. Doll can go far without the guidance "A Wizard, A True Star. Coffee and T.H.C. an hour and a half of Todd and J.P.? Sounds like Utopia to me! Peace and Love. But please don't "Touch Me There" Mr. Shankar!
You are so cool, JP! I am enjoying watching you react! You are obviously very intelligent.
Thanks for doing this one Justin! I consider myself a Todd fan - but not hardcore. I bought a handful of his albums in my younger days, but this was one I never got, but was curious to check out at some point. Never got around to it until this morning. The first side had some very good moments, but the experimental bits did nothing for me. In contrast, side 2 was excellent! Loved it!
Happy you enjoyed Mark! Ty ty
Love it. On just side one, Todd introduces, then discards, about 5 times as many hooks as there are on most whole albums. Plus he includes a ton of time signature and tempo changes. It is *a lot* on first listen (maybe too much), but it really holds up under multiple relistens.
Parts of it are so darn beautiful!!
Side 1: A Wizard, Side 2: A True Star. 'Nuff said. (Thanks for the shout-out!)
If you liked this album, I think you'll like "A Capella" as well.
A massive THANK YOU Justin. Been a big Todd fan since mid 70s and this is my fav album. Watching you listening and reacting to it reminded me of my first listen all those years ago. Check out his 1976 ‘Faithful’ album next - especially side 2. It was my birthday yesterday so thank you for a mighty fine end to my celebrations
Thank YOU for watching :)
Love Todd. Seen him many times, in every decade from the ‘70s on til recently.
Brilliant youngster has has a great career as musician and producer.
OK. So you've done Todd's Progressive Rock (Utopia), Synth Pop (Initiation), and Experimental (Wizard). Now, proceed to what is acknowleged as his masterpiece (Something/Anything), one of the greatest pop albums of all time.
Far as I can tell, he's only done the two hits from Something/Anything.@@Paul-Martin_67
You called it when you said side 1 was like flipping through a radio dial. But, you know. On acid.
😵💫
The word "Genius" gets tossed around a lot. but Rundgren fits it. This came out in 1973! Listen to Flaming Lips, or Tame Impala now, these sounds are still showing up in popular music. This album blew everyone's mind when it came out. People expected another "pop" masterpiece (like Something/Anything), and this came out instead..
L. Shankar. Smoking a cigar in the jardin in Mexico. Great time joining you on this listen. Acie-tinged soul. This was one of David Sanborn's first appearances on record.
l. Watching in my computer room at my desk, with really great speakers. 2. The album you showed was by L Shankar. I bought this album when it was released, my second year in college. My roommates hated it so I'd jam to it with headphones. At that time, Bowie, Lou Reed and Todd were my favorites, and still are. So good to see you tackle this album in its entirety. Todd's second album, Runt: The Ballad of Todd Rundgren, is my favorite album. I'd suggest you giving it a listen, it's equally incredible and has his most exquisite vocals. Thanks again for giving some love to one of my favorites!
again, a pleasure to hear this beloved album. imagined a very stoned teenager hearing this in early 70s.....
Fantastic reaction to a masterpiece. Loved watching you on side 2.
Thanks Jon :)
Great review. I see a lot of 1st time listens and you are top of the class.
Appreciate that Tekk
There never has been, nor never, never will be an album like this again. And "Just One Victory" is the reason I'm still alive. Oh, yeah, and Cool Jerk in 7
There are those that want to know what particular strain of cannabis Todd was into in 1973, after listening to this.
I saw him perform the whole of side one, plus "Just One Victory" as their set closer.
Stunning.
I was introduced to Utopia in 10th grade, then about a year later Todd released his live album "Back to the Bars" which I couldn't get enough of. In '79 I saw Utopia at the Roxy in West Hollywood - been a fan ever since.
Always a treat to be at a Todd show singing along to Just One Victory. As much as you were into the medley, JP, you might want to check out Todd's covers album Faithful. Also, there's a great video on YT of his song Want Of A Nail with guest vocal from Bobby Womack. Then there's the episode of Daryl Hall's show where he goes to Todd's house in Hawaii (gorgeous) and two great blue-eyed soul guys just seem to have a great time playing each other's tunes. Check it out! Great reaction, by the way.
'One of' the greatest albums ever made, way ahead of its time, however, it takes an effort. JP, never watched you before... Brother, You've got the Music in you, and 'you' took me back to '73', as a kid it was one of my first records... I never forgive myself for stealing it.
The song that begins the medley of covers on side B is a Curtis Mayfield's "I'm So Proud", which he first recorded with The Impressions in 1963.
Yes! You finally made it to AWATS! An unbelievably creative and varied album, I mean how many different genres are on display within those 60 or so minutes? Yet at the same time, totally his own unique vibe and style throughout. Todd is one of the true originals in popular music history, and this is the album that truly displays that the most. I absolutely love it, it's a total trip from start to finish! | can never quite decide which is my favorite Todd album, this one...or the first Utopia Album (Todd Rundren's Utopia). They are clearly his two best, and I love em both!
What an amazing album by a wizard and a true star Todd Rundgren!
I am beaming right now because of your reaction to my favorite album. You get it.
You're a drummer, right?
Thanks so much! Yes, I'm a drummer (but I consider myself very amateur lol)
I like how you get to the end of side one and think you've got a handle on the record and then bam, side two is knee deep in soulville...
A very enjoyable investigation, Justin, thank you.
I think this album might easily have a subtitle - A Kid In A Toyshop.
Side One: It's like the Abbey Road medley on speed, a mixture of sweet melodies, swirling synthesisers, rampant rock and extremely dextrous production. Is it eclectic or manic? You need a clear head to focus on the through-line amongst the key changes, sound effects and endless invention.
But I can't help loving it even after all these years (decades, I fear). For me, TR's solo work tends to win over the albums with Utopia. Is it the richness of the choral harmonies, as opposed to a full-band workout? The instrumental and vocal textures are frequently plain irresistible.
L. Shankar popped in for a moment.
Side Two: The songsmith takes over, but be ready for the gear (and genre) changes.
His ear for homage is found again on Faithful where the first side is occupied by high-grade cover versions, the second by Rundgren compositions that give side one a run for its money - soaring melody and rich ballads, immaculately produced.
[As a producer he was much in demand for his wide-ranging familiarity with different genres. He took over from George Harrison on a Badfinger album that bore two hit singles and some dispute with GH about credits.
He was also hired to revive the music of Cliff Richard in the U.K.]
Only 50 years ago.. (I was 12) Thanks to a couple of cousins. Just think, 1 year before, we had Supper's Ready.
Keep in mind that this genius one-man performance 'way back in 1973 was 100% analog on magnetic tape ... not a byte of digital manipulation. (And Todd himself created every single sound!)
L Shankar... Yes, JP I'm still around, I just comment less often but for this, I wanted to let you know I'm still with you, my friend. My college roommate was a Todd fan and exposed me to his music. I think you should delve into "Something/Anything?" (if you haven't already and you might have reacted to a few of the songs in the past), it was his debut album using his name, he again did most of the album on his own. The double album is ranked among the most significant albums of the 70's. I also HIGHLY recommend "Another Live". This is personally my favorite album, it was recorded 3 years after "Something/Anything?" and features him with Utopia at this point. It's a live album recorded in Central Park NYC in 1975 with a wide variety of his prog stuff and some of his soulful songs, it's a great balance. The first side is stellar, containing only 3 songs of prog and soul ("The Wheel" and it's lovely). A few of the songs that were performed live were songs never previously released so it's not a concert of all previously released material and 100% is HIGHLY recommended. You know there is another solo performer named Pete Townsend from a very popular classic band who put out an album called "White City", perhaps you might even have it on CD (hehehehe). You should react to a song called "Give Blood"; you'll like it a lot... Keep up the great work!!... With that, peace out!
Ty Swirl :) Heres Give Blood per your request 😉 czcams.com/video/TunfhjYriok/video.html
When I was a senior in high school in ‘72 a friend of mine turned me on to Todd Rundgren with his Runt: The Ballad of Todd Rundgren lip. It really showcases his song writing and musical skills. That same year his Something / Anything album came out which to me was his masterpiece with him doing everything on 3 sides of that lp. Fast forward to fall of ‘73 and I had the chance to see Todd on his A Wizard, A True Star tour in which he didn’t do a lot from that album, for obvious reasons. His band for the show were ultimately the Utopia lineup and those guys on the AWATS lp. After the show I attended a small gathering with the University of Alabama’s student entertainment committee and Todd and band attended, all crammed in this small apartment. The band members were interested in the females and what “party favors” were available to sample while Todd sat in an easy chair with me on the floor in front of him asking all kinds of questions about the making of Something / Anything. He was such a down to earth guy and you could tell there was a lot of intelligence sitting in that chair. I chatted with him for about an hour and no one else really bothered with him. It was a party after all. An evening I’ll never forget.