Thanks for this. Not too many reactors cover Todd. Not sure why. Total genius musician and songwriter! He's a very successful producer as well. He's still active and performing. You should do an album reaction to "A Wizard, A True Star." Total masterpiece.
@@MarcBoudousquie No. There is only one God, for without Him there would be no Todd. This is coming from someone who has seen him +/- 50 times with the first show being in '75 actually promoting both this album and the first Utopia version with the Sales brothers, Moogy Klingman and a very young Roger Powell, so I am certainly a connoisseur of all things Todd and a perpetual student of all things God.
Todd is a favorite artist of mine. There is something holy, gospel-like, almost prayerlike about a lot of his music. It's up lifting, healing, ( in fact his album, "Healing" is like a full album of tantric healing). Some of his music is just fun and even goofy ( Bang the Drum). He does R&B covers ( LaLa Means I Love You, Mighty Love) He plays so many instruments and self produces. He's incredibly talented, and I think underrated.
@@jeffreybennett8893 I think "Healing" might be my fave of Todd's work! It has a "specific, special place" in my heart, as does most of my favorite music! It truly IS a very HEALING album, even with the goofy songs! But, yes, Todd has always been a very spiritual person and artist, and spoke to things I felt and believed!
Healing truly is one of my "stuck on a deserted island" lp's! I WISH someone would do a reaction to that entire album, and not miss the 2 sided extra with Tiny Demons & Time Heals ❤
Loved Todd from 18 tears old in 1971 Me and my then stunning girlfriend (Angela ) both still at school at that time would sing ' I saw the light ' to each other waiting on her bus home. Man's a genius.
I was beginning to think you’d never return to Todd. Thank you! Todd is my all time favorite artist. This entire album is amazing. But side two is the most unique/strange music I’ve ever heard. This my second favorite album of his next to A Wizard, A True Star, which is my number one album of all time. Hopefully other Todd fans will encourage you to do an entire album listen (side 1 MUST be listened to in its entirety). This man is a genius!
Agreed! So Glad you are getting into Todd- if you have a chance check out the other band Utopia which is considered Prog. TR is a class all to himself, totally unique and so talented
A Wizard, A True Star from 1973 is one of his best. Side One is one piece, a series of linked songs that don't seem related but come together at the end, bridged by the song "International Feel". It gets pretty strange at times, but overall it's a lesser-known progressive rock masterpiece.
Todd is my fav artist. He is so diverse and his albums ( both solo and with Utopia) explore loads of genres and styles. The lyrics on these tracks on are all themed around Todd being himself, playing and recording what he wanted (he had received a lot of comments from some critics about being more ‘experimental ‘ and his exploration of synths and studio techniques following the relative success of his more commercial sounding ‘Something/Anything” 1972 double album) and telling people to find their own way and make their own decisions/views and not just blindly follow him (or any other band/artist). He was a noted guitarist and some people couldn’t handle his use of synths and layering. He has always been known for his skills of arranging backing vocals and recording all of the parts himself. He grew up listening to the works of Gilbert and Sullivan. Thank you for this marathon. Because of your love of Yes/prog I recommend you check out the first Utopia album “Todd Rundgren’s Utopia” from 1974
Hi Guys ! I saw Todd live at Knebworth in '79 when he was one of the artists on with Led Zeppelin. It was a scorching hot summers day. I was playing frizzbee and this music was on stage. Great memories ! Boy the things I could tell you about that time. Great reaction. Thankyou ! Byeee Jim X
Side two!!!!!! Most epic, original, bizarre, way ahead of its time piece of music you will never ever hear any musician/artist do before or since!!! 🤘🏼🔥🤘🏼💯🎹🎹🎹🔥🤘🏼
whether ya'll react or not, you should watch Todd on Live from Daryl's house from a few years back, it is Amazing! For the Want of a Nail still gets to me
There are similarities to Hall and Oates Philly soul sound with a dash of 10cc quirkiness. Then it definitely goes Zappa "Death of" is almost Zombie Woof. He changed musical direction quicker than most people could change their socks.
FYI, the Moog synthesizer made its debut in 1964 and was used on some experimental records before being used in mainstream pop by artists including the Monkees (1967), the Doors (also '67) and the Beatles (on the Abbey Road album in 1969).
@@MissAstorDancer It wasn't much of an album, mostly noise, but fun. (Dolenz of the Monkees did it better, considering there were less than half dozen synths existing then)
I kept thinking I was listening to Zappa! Huda thunk? Speaking of Talking Heads, why not do a Patreon of both "Naked" and "Stop Making Sense"? Both are so interesting and chock full of great songs and performances. From Frank, the Joe's Garage trilogy is awfully good, but it's all interesting...like Dead Can Dance (Lisa Gerrard). Todd's big hit was "Hello, It's Me" which is pretty good too. Loved these today. Totally new to me.
OOOO. a favorite artist. Glad you got here. This does have a pretty good range. I Love Utopia's prog stuff, his ballads are great, Philly Soul sound... the range is too much to cover. The live album Back to the Bars gives a great introduction of accessible music. A Wizard a True Star (solo) is a full spectrum of music that breaks molds, (Just One Victory is amazing) Utopia Another Live will hit all the Prog notes, The Seven Rays, or The Wheel... And on The Hermit of Mink Hollow (solo) you get All the Children Sing and Determination for a few prime cuts. I would go on about the first Utopia album, but I'll stop ... for now. ☮
Side 2 of this is A Treatise On Cosmic Fire. 36 minutes of instrumental music that mere words cannot describe. Must be heard to be believed it’s incredible.
Been listening to Todd my whole life from 1974 to the present. This is fabulous, there is no music out there like Todd's. I saw the Initiation show in NYC at the Beacon Theatre 1976. Still just as exciting today. I'm glad to see a lot of new following by younger music fans, keep his music alive forever!!
"Real Man" was the single from the album, so that's why it has the most hits. Other cool '70s singles by Todd include his signature "Hello, It's Me," "We've Got To Get You A Woman," the beautiful "A Dream Goes On Forever" and "Can We Still Be Friends?" His 1972 "Something/Anything" album is possibly his most accessible, with great tunes like "I Saw The Light," "It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference" and "Dust In the Wind" (not the Kansas song), plus some comic gems like "Slut" and "Piss Aaron." 🤣
Couldn't I Just Tell You is a Rundgren banger too! His album A Wizard A True Star is cool and weird. He produced excellent LP's for XTC, Psychedelic Furs etc
and in the vocals at the end of Fair Warning Todd slips in references to some of his songs, like "it's a long time and a long way to go", " why don't you think of me", "just one victory", "because your dream goes on forever", like little Easter eggs to find. We recently saw Todd and Adrian Belew live playing the music of David Bowie. Needless to say, it was EPIC. Todd has different sounds on many of his albums, for better or worse. Another great album is Nearly Human, where all the songs were recorded by the band and all the backup singers in one take together. The album ends with a wonderful gospel tune so your instincts weren't far off. Please review I Love My Life from Nearly Human, or anything else from that one and happy listening!
Thank you for taking the time to post about this! I was going to do it the first time I watched the vie, but I just thought it seemed like more effort that it was worth! It's so frustrating sometimes, when one is really enjoying a reaction, but then comes a section like the end of this song, when one KNOWS that the reactor has NO CLUE of the importance of it! But it simply is a hazard of being a "reactor", and a hazard for any "old-timer" fan of a reactor. Us old listeners know that there will be SO VERY MUCH context lost on the reactor. Some things - like being a lifelong, die-hard fan of an artist's body of work, and having experienced all the albums chronologically and in "real time"- well, those things must be personally experienced to really understand. If only there was some way to TRULY communicate to another person what an experience was really like!! Documentaries are great, and learning the history might be interesting for some reactors. But, let's admit it: Us old-timers, who LIVED IT, know that there is no way somebody like Nick & Lex, will EVER really know what it was like. How do you REALLY explain about something like The Beatles, so someone who didn't live through it? Very frustrating to NOT be able to share what the experience was ACTUALLY LIKE.
@@MissAstorDancer Right?? I wrote pretty much the same thing he did (before I saw his post) and added all the references were also backed by Edgar Winter's stellar Sax!! 🎷 Old timer here too!!
@@MissAstorDancer It does get frustrating sometimes😀. I watch a few different reactors, both movies and music, and while I love seeing others enjoy things that I love I often wish I was in the room with them so I could old-mansplain "No this means this and that is because of that!".
@@phildureau1279 - Oh, you understand, fer sure! I! Thing is, though, so often with subjects like this, you really did "have to be there"! Even "'splainin" doesn't really get there!!
Wireless headphones !! YES !! That's all I use now! LEX - you have to switch so you can get up and move. 🤘😮👍 Thanks Mark. I haven't listened to Todd in years. I'm so glad to get back to his music. Cheers 🍁
Wow, what can I say about Todd Rundgren? He is a man of many hats. He’s an excellent producer, musician, writer. The soul, and the feeling from his music. His melodies and strong structure are out of this world. Wishing you both much happiness
Your perfect reactions were exactly as I expected! Well done. Todd is a continual surprise. (Maybe you’ll do a full-album reaction sometime on Patreon, since this is a fully interconnected concept album.) Also, you were hearing the beginning and ending of Side One. Finally, who was playing the sax on the final track? EDGAR WINTER! Thank you both! ❤😂
I was introduced to Todd Rundgren’s music in the late 60’s when he was with Nazz. Their debut album featured an early version of “Hello it’s me” and “Open my eyes”. Great songs. I like the entire album. Give it a listen and thanks for your reaction videos.
When you know more of his catalogue, you notice his references in Fair Warning near the end at 31:50: They are Hello it's Me, A Long Time and a Long Way to Go, I saw the Light, In My Eyes, Just One Victory, A Dream Goes on Forever, and then back to Real Man. All with that amazing saxophone solo by Edgar Winter. I bought this vinyl back in '75 & still have it today.
Side 2 - Treatise on Cosmic Fire is a looong but throughly astounding instrumental masterpiece. Waiting for you to do that some day. Thanks for doing more Todd.
These are my four favorite Todd Tundgren songs. The album is the longest cut album in history. On the cover, it says not to play the album with a worn stylus because that will permanently damage the album.
Your smiles listening to Todd's incredible cuts......are the stuff that I had going on for me when I bought the album in 75,.....I have been a deep fan of his since the radio play of "Open My Eyes with his band, Nazz in 1968....I was 12......at 67, he is still up there on my list of musical genius. It is so refreshing to see this study and description that you 2 have acknowledged, Thank You Both, so much.
Todd started in a 60s psychedelic rock band ( The Nazz). Became a pop star (people called him the male Carole King). Decided that wasn't him and became a rule breaker, pioneer and on the cutting edge of progressive psychedelic rock. His album A Wizard A True Star was hailed as an astonishing breakthrough in music although I prefer the subsequent album simply labeled Todd. He later formed the band Utopia which began with his established psychedelic progressive rock which later morphed into pop/punk new wave style of music. I have attended more Todd concerts than I have Grateful Dead shows and have been lucky enough to see him perform during his many phases. Always does an exhilarating and inspiring show and he can really shred on the guitar when he wants too. I hope you get too hear much more of his music.
Thanks for doing this Todd marathon Nick n Lex! Todd and Utopia, some of my favorite music. He's overlooked by the masses but the inner circle and critics alike know of his prolific composing, arranging. producing and instrumental skills. A force to be reckoned with. His style as you aluded to, is hard to pin down but you rightfully picked up on that R&B, Gospel sound, growing up outside of Philadelphia and influenced by the late 60s early 70s smooth "Philly sound" R&B. But yeah, he has a lot of influences besides R&B. On "Fair Warning" Edgar Winter, who you guys like, is guest saxophone soloist. The synthesizers in the mid 70s were still only playing one note at a time Polynote synth didnt get popular until the 80s and that spacey washing sound in "Real Man" was probably a phase shifter ( popular 60s psychedelic effect) Todd used it in his 60s group The Nazz. Much to explore with Todds music I"m glad you two have started! Thanks again.
After listening to Todd for 55+ years, I'm surprised that there have been so few who've commented on the influence of musical theatrical motifs in his work. I'd bet a lot that he listened to tons of Broadway musicals and operetta in his childhood . . . .
I had this album so very long ago. TR is so unique. I love how he 'wraps' back around to Real Man at the end. I'm not sure the exact name of the other song off the same album but "Will the real God please stand up" is also great.
@@MarcBoudousquie Yup, and Eastern Intrigue is best heard on Back to the Bars and blends into Initiation with absolute perfection! Splitting the 2 up is a form of sacrilege. 😂
Alright you two, I'm exposing my ignorance. Did I just hear Lex utter the phrase dark mode? That sounds vaguely sinister. Please enlighten me, what is that?....Todd is still a beast. I saw him in concert a Arrowhead stadium in Kansas City in the mid seventies. The bill also included the beachboys, loggins/messina, doobie brothers, and the Ozark mountain dardevils. How's that for an eclectic mix of talent. That was an afternoon concert on a Saturday. Everyone was seated in the stands and well behaved. Saw another concert at Arrowhead around the same time period. It was a night concert. Everyone was on the field. The line up included jethro tull, blue oyster cult, grand funk, and deep purple... Totally different vibe. Everyone was high and drunk. There was so much smoke in the air, you could barely see the stage. It was a real shit show! I miss the insanity of my youth!
Need to go back to Todd’s beginnings. His band, Nazz, a great collection of R&R, ballads, and just great music. I think he was around 19 at this time. You could see that he was destined for greatness.
Big Todd fan here, so thanks for reacting to him. I'm here for any other Todd music you choose to react to. 'Real Man' is Motown in outer space. 'Fair Warning' is Motown back on Earth.
I know I'm late to the comment party but something you might have missed at the end of Fair Warning, just before he jumps into a reprise of Real Man, he lists off several of his other songs like "A Long Time and a Long Way to Go", "A Dream Goes on Forever", "I Saw the Light", and "Just One Victory". This foreshadows the callback to Real Man.
I'm not super familiar with Todd Rundgren's music, but I enjoy everything I've heard. These were all songs I would listen to again, especially the second track. Wow!
Todd was so cool. He did what he wanted to do and you never knew what you were going to hear from one album to the next. The lyrics of the last track from A Wizard A True Star actually announced his new project /band Utopia which came about the next year.
Thanks very much for your reaction from Initiation. I've just stumbled across your channel from other Todd Rundgren related channels (can't remember where exactly, but the important thing is i've found you! I've been a Todd fan since 1975 and i'm completely biased to his brilliance. I watched your previous two Rundgren/Utopia reviews (I Saw the Light & Caravan) and love the way you smile and react to the tunes. As a long time Todd fan, it brings me great joy to see see others embrace the joy that is his music. Thanks again and keep up the joyous work!
Todd & Daryl Hall are buds from the same area of Philly…. And both took much from the old soul groups from that area. So many great songs in different genres - soul, rock, pop, ballads. The music & the words are clever… the feelings are heartfelt. Todd is overall brilliant.
… at the very end of Fair Warning… during which he’s calling Into question the way his fans saw him as a pop savior, following him and his words as gospel (ahem)… Todd is throwing out phrases from some of his other songs. And then he switches back to “Real Man” as an ender to show that he is just a man trying to talk to people through His music.
Born To Synthesize: If I had to guess I would say Todd used a Ring Modulator for the effects. Also this was the longest lp ever made and he has a substantial explanation on the slip cover stating that each side is over 30 minutes and if your needle is worn it will destroy the record immediately. The debut Utopia had the same issue but was a bit shorter. Too bad you missed out on Eastern Intrigue which is a must listen. This is my favorite Todd solo album mainly because of side 2.
I'd bet my house on Ring Mod, along with speed-manipulated tape echos. Bear in mind this was 1975 and the selection of processing tools was waaaay limited compared to now. But Todd didn't just play instruments - he played the studio like nobody else. BTW musician/engineer/producer for about 50 years, so I'm confident with what I'm hearing.
Politically, Todd is such a Leftard. Musically, he's a damned genius! I have just about every album of his. The first that I bought was Runt: The Ballad of Todd Rundgren. There are some amazing love songs on there. "Boat on the Charles", Be Nice to Me", "Hope I'm Around" (the last is just lovely). I love this album "Initiation", I like the whole album and when I first heard it, I fell in love with "A Treatise on Cosmic Fire" (35mins). "Fair Warning" has my favourite line "I'd rather live by a dream, than live by a lie". A Rabbit hole has emerged and it's beckoning you... …and he has an album called "A Capella" whereby he makes all the sounds of the drums and instruments (as well as his singing), just with his voice.
The one Todd Runddgren album I bought! Real Man and Initiation are excellent, lush synthy. Star Wars reference.there, Sith Lords . Very fine to see the growth of Lex' musician ear. I' all about the wall of sound, and boy do you get that in Fair Warning. Sax is Stelly Dan level. The air playing and looks on Lex's face when it resolved back to Real Man just made my day.
Todd relied on Roger Powell heavily for synthesizer expertise. Check out the album credits. A member of Todd’s Utopia, Roger is a synthesizer legend. He taught Pete Townshend, Billy Preston, Herbie Hancock and David Bowie.
When I saw the track listing I hoped this would be one of your very best reactions, and I wasn't disappointed. Now I want to see how you respond to side two. All I'll say is that you'll have heard nothing like it, so far 'out there' you'll wonder how you're ever going to get back.
Todd is such a genius, and a very eccrentric artist. Acquired taste for sure. Fun reaction, pretty sure he did everything on this album. Lexi...the background vocals are Todd, Nick....ummm known what a synth is since 68. (big smily)
Hey Nick and Lex! I've been listening to Todd Rundgren for decades and he really is a genius songwriter/vocalist/producer/guitarist. It's funny that even with all those years of listening to Todd, I only know Real Man out these 4 songs, but that doesn't surprise me because there have been many requested playlists you've listened to which have included obscure songs from popular artists. If you want to introduce someone to an artist that they've had little to no exposure to, I'm not sure why you would request obscure songs from deep in their catalog that in many instances, are nothing like the majority of their material, especially their hits.
We don't requests obscure tracks. Fans of the channel know that we don't discriminate the deep cuts. I guess the channel has always been this way and that's why we grow slower but people actually stay for the ride.
@@NicknLex Thanks for responding! I figured that was the reason and I thought I heard you mention before that you like to hear songs from an artist that are a little different than their radio hits.
Utopia (1975) is The Gold Standard when it comes to Prog Rock and Todd Rundgren. One of the all-time great pieces! They did it live on Don Kirschner's show once. Check that one out!
Great selections some of his best. His sound is unique. Lots of great comments I’m learning a lot. Nice marathon from the rainbow spinning wheel of musical fate. Dark Mode and Sith? Hmmmmmm 🧐❤️❤️❤️
One of my favorite Todd albums! I also love Healing and Faithful, from around the same period. He just released a new one about a month ago, Space Force. They’re all great!
A must listen is the theme song "Utopia" from Utopia's first album. About 14 minutes long. Actually the whole album is worth a listen. The 2nd side of the original vinyl album is just one song, The Ikon, over 30 minutes long.
Keep in mind that this is when synthesizers were being developed and you had to do lots of programming. There were no digital recorders or pitch transposers. “Todd” was a pioneer, “A Wizard/ True Star”.
THANK YOU! Great reaction. There you have gotten a small taste of where Todd can go in the course of one album. Try to imagine where he has gone over a fifty- plus year career (you can’t…unless you dive in). Just an incredible, genius musician, performer, producer…and criminally underrated on every level. If you listen to more of his catalog you will see how soul music (as well as many other genres) have influenced him…especially his vocal arrangements which are insane! Hard to pick any one album to recommend because they are all so different, but maybe one of the LPS where he does everything himself…like ‘Hermit of mink hollow’ or ‘Healing’. Or even better…his live album ‘back to the bars’ is fantastic…and a great sampling of his solo career (not the utopia stuff )through 1978. Some of the songs here are on there, including a KILLER ‘eastern intrigue/initiation’ where todd BURNS on guitar….and his voice is more mature and soulful on the record. I hope you will dive in!
TR, one of those uncommon talents, like Prince, prolific composer, experimenter, multi instrumentalist and talented vocalist, producer, you name it. The breadth of musical expression in his discography is amazing.
TODD is also a popular producer and an engineer from back in the day: he produced MEATLOAF for instance. The guy's amazing and his catalogue just goes on an on --- try out his LIAR album which is fantastic (such a true voice, emotional and funny.)
Todd was definitely influenced by Motown. Loved his solo stuff and stuff with utopia. Probably have seen him at least a half a dozen times live. His live shows are something to behold, he’s so talented and a great singer, great instrumentalist but there’s one more thing he has a lot of other talented artists don’t and that is presence, playing live he exudes greatness and just draws you in when he performs.
Thanks!
Thank you kindly for your Super Thanks donation; it is much appreciated! ❤❤
Thanks for this. Not too many reactors cover Todd. Not sure why. Total genius musician and songwriter! He's a very successful producer as well. He's still active and performing. You should do an album reaction to "A Wizard, A True Star." Total masterpiece.
Todd is God! 🥰
He’s doing a big Toddfest in Hawaii for his 75th. Should be a blast. Just saw him again in that Bowie tribute show. Fantastic as usual.
I totally agree. His best album, IMHO. Need to hear the whole thing, because all the songs blend together.
Oh, "Wizard a True Star" and "Something, Anything"........ breathtakking.
@@MarcBoudousquie No. There is only one God, for without Him there would be no Todd. This is coming from someone who has seen him +/- 50 times with the first show being in '75 actually promoting both this album and the first Utopia version with the Sales brothers, Moogy Klingman and a very young Roger Powell, so I am certainly a connoisseur of all things Todd and a perpetual student of all things God.
Todd is a favorite artist of mine. There is something holy, gospel-like, almost prayerlike about a lot of his music. It's up lifting, healing, ( in fact his album, "Healing" is like a full album of tantric healing). Some of his music is just fun and even goofy ( Bang the Drum). He does R&B covers ( LaLa Means I Love You, Mighty Love) He plays so many instruments and self produces. He's incredibly talented, and I think underrated.
Golden Goose - no 'Bang the Drum' on that one. Great album, love 'Tiny Demons' especially.
@@jeffreybennett8893 I think "Healing" might be my fave of Todd's work! It has a "specific, special place" in my heart, as does most of my favorite music! It truly IS a very HEALING album, even with the goofy songs! But, yes, Todd has always been a very spiritual person and artist, and spoke to things I felt and believed!
Healing truly is one of my "stuck on a deserted island" lp's! I WISH someone would do a reaction to that entire album, and not miss the 2 sided extra with Tiny Demons & Time Heals ❤
Totally philly sound your talking about ,almost preachy gospel ...that’s when T.R. Really shines!
Fabulous Artist! You must listen to, A Wizard, A True Star. Fantastic album 👌
Loved Todd from 18 tears old in 1971 Me and my then stunning girlfriend (Angela ) both still at school at that time would sing ' I saw the light ' to each other waiting on her bus home. Man's a genius.
There are grown men walking around today that I rocked to sleep singing them this song.
I was beginning to think you’d never return to Todd. Thank you! Todd is my all time favorite artist. This entire album is amazing. But side two is the most unique/strange music I’ve ever heard. This my second favorite album of his next to A Wizard, A True Star, which is my number one album of all time. Hopefully other Todd fans will encourage you to do an entire album listen (side 1 MUST be listened to in its entirety). This man is a genius!
Agreed! So Glad you are getting into Todd- if you have a chance check out the other band Utopia which is considered Prog. TR is a class all to himself, totally unique and so talented
regarding side 2, I used to drift off to sleep listening to that ...and then be rudely awakened 30 minutes later by the returning drum, haha!
A Wizard, A True Star from 1973 is one of his best. Side One is one piece, a series of linked songs that don't seem related but come together at the end, bridged by the song "International Feel". It gets pretty strange at times, but overall it's a lesser-known progressive rock masterpiece.
A lot of great rock composers used the linking small sections of musical ideas and songs together Bruan Wilson, Frank Zappa even Abbey Road B side!
This song made me cry its so lush and atmospheric slow thythm and blues. Great stuff guys....................
Todd is my fav artist. He is so diverse and his albums ( both solo and with Utopia) explore loads of genres and styles. The lyrics on these tracks on are all themed around Todd being himself, playing and recording what he wanted (he had received a lot of comments from some critics about being more ‘experimental ‘ and his exploration of synths and studio techniques following the relative success of his more commercial sounding ‘Something/Anything” 1972 double album) and telling people to find their own way and make their own decisions/views and not just blindly follow him (or any other band/artist). He was a noted guitarist and some people couldn’t handle his use of synths and layering. He has always been known for his skills of arranging backing vocals and recording all of the parts himself. He grew up listening to the works of Gilbert and Sullivan. Thank you for this marathon. Because of your love of Yes/prog I recommend you check out the first Utopia album “Todd Rundgren’s Utopia” from 1974
Rick Derringer - guitar
Dan Hartman - bass
Edgar Winter .-saxophone on Fair Warning at the time when they still were the Edgar Winter Group .
Hi Guys ! I saw Todd live at Knebworth in '79 when he was one of the artists on with Led Zeppelin. It was a scorching hot summers day. I was playing frizzbee and this music was on stage. Great memories ! Boy the things I could tell you about that time. Great reaction. Thankyou ! Byeee Jim X
Love Todd! Incredible musician! I am enjoying your reactions! Thanks for reacting to this wizard!!
Side two!!!!!! Most epic, original, bizarre, way ahead of its time piece of music you will never ever hear any musician/artist do before or since!!! 🤘🏼🔥🤘🏼💯🎹🎹🎹🔥🤘🏼
whether ya'll react or not, you should watch Todd on Live from Daryl's house from a few years back, it is Amazing! For the Want of a Nail still gets to me
And for an even more soulful Todd song, try “Hawking” - makes me emotional every time.. !
I have his "Live in Japan" DVD concert, which is utterly fantastic....and his rendition of "Hawking" absolutely tears me up every time!😂
There are similarities to Hall and Oates Philly soul sound with a dash of 10cc quirkiness. Then it definitely goes Zappa "Death of" is almost Zombie Woof. He changed musical direction quicker than most people could change their socks.
have you seen him on Live from Daryl's House?! Is truly Wonderful! You nailed it about the Philly sound, he and Daryl Hall go off!
😅Agree 100%!! Great comment!
@@debrabrabenec Thank you Debra. You can only call what you hear glad you agree.
@@alansmith7626 Hi Alan yes I have, it is genius he is one of the few that can out Daryl well Daryl.
FYI, the Moog synthesizer made its debut in 1964 and was used on some experimental records before being used in mainstream pop by artists including the Monkees (1967), the Doors (also '67) and the Beatles (on the Abbey Road album in 1969).
And George's very first solo LP was "Electronic Sound".
@@garyarnett1220 Thank you! I just learned a new Beatles factoid, which tickles me to pieces! Cool!
@@MissAstorDancer It wasn't much of an album, mostly noise, but fun. (Dolenz of the Monkees did it better, considering there were less than half dozen synths existing then)
the doors never used moogs
'I'd rather live by dream than live by a lie'.....and the rest of the lyrics after...no words...
I kept thinking I was listening to Zappa! Huda thunk?
Speaking of Talking Heads, why not do a Patreon of both "Naked" and "Stop Making Sense"? Both are so interesting and chock full of great songs and performances. From Frank, the Joe's Garage trilogy is awfully good, but it's all interesting...like Dead Can Dance (Lisa Gerrard).
Todd's big hit was "Hello, It's Me" which is pretty good too. Loved these today. Totally new to me.
Todd. A Wizard, A True Star.
Love Todd's music. Best in the world!
OOOO. a favorite artist. Glad you got here. This does have a pretty good range. I Love Utopia's prog stuff, his ballads are great, Philly Soul sound... the range is too much to cover. The live album Back to the Bars gives a great introduction of accessible music. A Wizard a True Star (solo) is a full spectrum of music that breaks molds, (Just One Victory is amazing) Utopia Another Live will hit all the Prog notes, The Seven Rays, or The Wheel... And on The Hermit of Mink Hollow (solo) you get All the Children Sing and Determination for a few prime cuts. I would go on about the first Utopia album, but I'll stop ... for now. ☮
LOVE Born to Synthesize!!! I remember when it first came out. Listened to it over and over.
Side 2 of this is A Treatise On Cosmic Fire. 36 minutes of instrumental music that mere words cannot describe. Must be heard to be believed it’s incredible.
Thanks for the memories NicknLex. Just got my first car in 75. 66 Pontiac Tempest blasting away to Todd. God Bless you 2.
Brings back fond memories of my (repainted, not by me!) pea green '69 Tempest!!
Fair Warning Todd takes you to the edge and brings you back
What a singer!
Been listening to Todd my whole life from 1974 to the present. This is fabulous, there is no music out there like Todd's. I saw the Initiation show in NYC at the Beacon Theatre 1976. Still just as exciting today. I'm glad to see a lot of new following by younger music fans, keep his music alive forever!!
I HIGHLY recommend the album RUNT: THE BALLAD OF TODD RUNDGREN. A lot of great tracks.
"Real Man" was the single from the album, so that's why it has the most hits. Other cool '70s singles by Todd include his signature "Hello, It's Me," "We've Got To Get You A Woman," the beautiful "A Dream Goes On Forever" and "Can We Still Be Friends?" His 1972 "Something/Anything" album is possibly his most accessible, with great tunes like "I Saw The Light," "It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference" and "Dust In the Wind" (not the Kansas song), plus some comic gems like "Slut" and "Piss Aaron." 🤣
Couldn't I Just Tell You is a Rundgren banger too! His album A Wizard A True Star is cool and weird. He produced excellent LP's for XTC, Psychedelic Furs etc
I will listen to Slut. As a feminist I think it's a mean concept, the word slut. But curious how TR used it.
@@mattjohn4731 Well, I don't think you'll find "Slut" to be particularly woke. lol
@@mattjohn4731 And Badfinger.
@@mattjohn4731 And Meatloaf Bat Out Of Hell!!
and in the vocals at the end of Fair Warning Todd slips in references to some of his songs, like "it's a long time and a long way to go", " why don't you think of me", "just one victory", "because your dream goes on forever", like little Easter eggs to find. We recently saw Todd and Adrian Belew live playing the music of David Bowie. Needless to say, it was EPIC. Todd has different sounds on many of his albums, for better or worse. Another great album is Nearly Human, where all the songs were recorded by the band and all the backup singers in one take together. The album ends with a wonderful gospel tune so your instincts weren't far off. Please review I Love My Life from Nearly Human, or anything else from that one and happy listening!
Thank you for taking the time to post about this! I was going to do it the first time I watched the vie, but I just thought it seemed like more effort that it was worth!
It's so frustrating sometimes, when one is really enjoying a reaction, but then comes a section like the end of this song, when one KNOWS that the reactor has NO CLUE of the importance of it!
But it simply is a hazard of being a "reactor", and a hazard for any "old-timer" fan of a reactor. Us old listeners know that there will be SO VERY MUCH context lost on the reactor. Some things - like being a lifelong, die-hard fan of an artist's body of work, and having experienced all the albums chronologically and in "real time"- well, those things must be personally experienced to really understand.
If only there was some way to TRULY communicate to another person what an experience was really like!! Documentaries are great, and learning the history might be interesting for some reactors.
But, let's admit it: Us old-timers, who LIVED IT, know that there is no way somebody like Nick & Lex, will EVER really know what it was like. How do you REALLY explain about something like The Beatles, so someone who didn't live through it? Very frustrating to NOT be able to share what the experience was ACTUALLY LIKE.
@@MissAstorDancer Right?? I wrote pretty much the same thing he did (before I saw his post) and added all the references were also backed by Edgar Winter's stellar Sax!! 🎷
Old timer here too!!
@@MissAstorDancer It does get frustrating sometimes😀. I watch a few different reactors, both movies and music, and while I love seeing others enjoy things that I love I often wish I was in the room with them so I could old-mansplain "No this means this and that is because of that!".
@@phildureau1279 - Oh, you understand, fer sure! I! Thing is, though, so often with subjects like this, you really did "have to be there"! Even "'splainin" doesn't really get there!!
Wireless headphones !! YES !! That's all I use now! LEX - you have to switch so you can get up and move. 🤘😮👍
Thanks Mark. I haven't listened to Todd in years. I'm so glad to get back to his music. Cheers 🍁
Wow, what can I say about Todd Rundgren? He is a man of many hats. He’s an excellent producer, musician, writer. The soul, and the feeling from his music. His melodies and strong structure are out of this world. Wishing you both much happiness
Your perfect reactions were exactly as I expected! Well done. Todd is a continual surprise. (Maybe you’ll do a full-album reaction sometime on Patreon, since this is a fully interconnected concept album.) Also, you were hearing the beginning and ending of Side One. Finally, who was playing the sax on the final track? EDGAR WINTER! Thank you both! ❤😂
Excellent choices Mark, great to get Todd on the channel.
I was introduced to Todd Rundgren’s music in the late 60’s when he was with Nazz. Their debut album featured an early version of “Hello it’s me” and “Open my eyes”. Great songs. I like the entire album. Give it a listen and thanks for your reaction videos.
This will be a good introduction! ❤🎉
When you know more of his catalogue, you notice his references in Fair Warning near the end at 31:50: They are Hello it's Me, A Long Time and a Long Way to Go, I saw the Light, In My Eyes, Just One Victory, A Dream Goes on Forever, and then back to Real Man. All with that amazing saxophone solo by Edgar Winter. I bought this vinyl back in '75 & still have it today.
Ooh now you're talking, and Todding. The man is a genius. Many more joy for you to discover down this rabbit hole!
Side 2 - Treatise on Cosmic Fire is a looong but throughly astounding instrumental masterpiece. Waiting for you to do that some day. Thanks for doing more Todd.
These are my four favorite Todd Tundgren songs. The album is the longest cut album in history. On the cover, it says not to play the album with a worn stylus because that will permanently damage the album.
Todd and Donald Fagen duet on a song called “The Man in the Tin Foil Hat”
Great one!
Great song, but a bit dated now - fortunately!
I wonder how they feel about their hero Biden & Co.......... Oops! @@JKonstage
Todd- like Yes...is musical genius
Your smiles listening to Todd's incredible cuts......are the stuff that I had going on for me when I bought the album in 75,.....I have been a deep fan of his since the radio play of "Open My Eyes with his band, Nazz
in 1968....I was 12......at 67, he is still up there on my list of musical genius. It is so refreshing to see this study and description that you 2 have acknowledged, Thank You Both, so much.
Todd started in a 60s psychedelic rock band ( The Nazz). Became a pop star (people called him the male Carole King). Decided that wasn't him and became a rule breaker, pioneer and on the cutting edge of progressive psychedelic rock. His album A Wizard A True Star was hailed as an astonishing breakthrough in music although I prefer the subsequent album simply labeled Todd. He later formed the band Utopia which began with his established psychedelic progressive rock which later morphed into pop/punk new wave style of music. I have attended more Todd concerts than I have Grateful Dead shows and have been lucky enough to see him perform during his many phases. Always does an exhilarating and inspiring show and he can really shred on the guitar when he wants too. I hope you get too hear much more of his music.
ITS THE WORDS!!!!! Be 16 in 75. Get your trip together "Be a REAL MAN
Word sister....
I think you would enjoy the title track from this album, it's very proggy and upbeat, with some ripping solos. And great vocal harmonies.
Thanks for doing this Todd marathon Nick n Lex! Todd and Utopia, some of my favorite music. He's overlooked by the masses but the inner circle and critics alike know of his prolific composing, arranging. producing and instrumental skills. A force to be reckoned with. His style as you aluded to, is hard to pin down but you rightfully picked up on that R&B, Gospel sound, growing up outside of Philadelphia and influenced by the late 60s early 70s smooth "Philly sound" R&B. But yeah, he has a lot of influences besides R&B. On "Fair Warning" Edgar Winter, who you guys like, is guest saxophone soloist. The synthesizers in the mid 70s were still only playing one note at a time Polynote synth didnt get popular until the 80s and that spacey washing sound in "Real Man" was probably a phase shifter ( popular 60s psychedelic effect) Todd used it in his 60s group The Nazz. Much to explore with Todds music I"m glad you two have started! Thanks again.
After listening to Todd for 55+ years, I'm surprised that there have been so few who've commented on the influence of musical theatrical motifs in his work. I'd bet a lot that he listened to tons of Broadway musicals and operetta in his childhood . . . .
I had this album so very long ago. TR is so unique. I love how he 'wraps' back around to Real Man at the end.
I'm not sure the exact name of the other song off the same album but "Will the real God please stand up" is also great.
That song is 'Eastern Intrigue.'
@@MarcBoudousquie Yup, and Eastern Intrigue is best heard on Back to the Bars and blends into Initiation with absolute perfection! Splitting the 2 up is a form of sacrilege. 😂
Edger Winters plays the sax on Fair Warning
Tod is GREAT !!!! Thanks for playing one
Love Todd! check out ~ Love is the Answer, The Verb to Love, Just one Victory, Wailing Wall. All of these songs Still make me cry !
Love them all.
A Todd fan since 1972, he is my favorite musician. Todd is godd.
Sax is insane on this track. Edgar Winter is in another World.
Alright you two, I'm exposing my ignorance. Did I just hear Lex utter the phrase dark mode? That sounds vaguely sinister. Please enlighten me, what is that?....Todd is still a beast. I saw him in concert a Arrowhead stadium in Kansas City in the mid seventies. The bill also included the beachboys, loggins/messina, doobie brothers, and the Ozark mountain dardevils. How's that for an eclectic mix of talent. That was an afternoon concert on a Saturday. Everyone was seated in the stands and well behaved. Saw another concert at Arrowhead around the same time period. It was a night concert. Everyone was on the field. The line up included jethro tull, blue oyster cult, grand funk, and deep purple... Totally different vibe. Everyone was high and drunk. There was so much smoke in the air, you could barely see the stage. It was a real shit show! I miss the insanity of my youth!
Need to go back to Todd’s beginnings. His band, Nazz, a great collection of R&R, ballads, and just great music. I think he was around 19 at this time. You could see that he was destined for greatness.
Yep! Love "Open My Eyes!"
Big Todd fan here, so thanks for reacting to him. I'm here for any other Todd music you choose to react to. 'Real Man' is Motown in outer space. 'Fair Warning' is Motown back on Earth.
My favorite Todd record is a wizard a true star and utopia is swing to the right!
Todd plays ALL the instruments and ALL the vocals!
I know I'm late to the comment party but something you might have missed at the end of Fair Warning, just before he jumps into a reprise of Real Man, he lists off several of his other songs like "A Long Time and a Long Way to Go", "A Dream Goes on Forever", "I Saw the Light", and "Just One Victory". This foreshadows the callback to Real Man.
I'm not super familiar with Todd Rundgren's music, but I enjoy everything I've heard. These were all songs I would listen to again, especially the second track. Wow!
Todd was so cool. He did what he wanted to do and you never knew what you were going to hear from one album to the next. The lyrics of the last track from A Wizard A True Star actually announced his new project /band Utopia which came about the next year.
Thanks very much for your reaction from Initiation. I've just stumbled across your channel from other Todd Rundgren related channels (can't remember where exactly, but the important thing is i've found you! I've been a Todd fan since 1975 and i'm completely biased to his brilliance. I watched your previous two Rundgren/Utopia reviews (I Saw the Light & Caravan) and love the way you smile and react to the tunes. As a long time Todd fan, it brings me great joy to see see others embrace the joy that is his music. Thanks again and keep up the joyous work!
Thank you for your kind words and support!! 💕 ✨
Fun fact: Todd was a huge fan and producer for the late great laura nyro.
Todd & Daryl Hall are buds from the same area of Philly…. And both took much from the old soul groups from that area.
So many great songs in different genres - soul, rock, pop, ballads. The music & the words are clever… the feelings are heartfelt.
Todd is overall brilliant.
… at the very end of Fair Warning… during which he’s calling Into question the way his fans saw him as a pop savior, following him and his words as gospel (ahem)… Todd is throwing out phrases from some of his other songs. And then he switches back to “Real Man” as an ender to show that he is just a man trying to talk to people through His music.
Born To Synthesize: If I had to guess I would say Todd used a Ring Modulator for the effects. Also this was the longest lp ever made and he has a substantial explanation on the slip cover stating that each side is over 30 minutes and if your needle is worn it will destroy the record immediately. The debut Utopia had the same issue but was a bit shorter. Too bad you missed out on Eastern Intrigue which is a must listen. This is my favorite Todd solo album mainly because of side 2.
I'd bet my house on Ring Mod, along with speed-manipulated tape echos. Bear in mind this was 1975 and the selection of processing tools was waaaay limited compared to now. But Todd didn't just play instruments - he played the studio like nobody else. BTW musician/engineer/producer for about 50 years, so I'm confident with what I'm hearing.
Politically, Todd is such a Leftard. Musically, he's a damned genius! I have just about every album of his. The first that I bought was Runt: The Ballad of Todd Rundgren. There are some amazing love songs on there. "Boat on the Charles", Be Nice to Me", "Hope I'm Around" (the last is just lovely).
I love this album "Initiation", I like the whole album and when I first heard it, I fell in love with "A Treatise on Cosmic Fire" (35mins).
"Fair Warning" has my favourite line "I'd rather live by a dream, than live by a lie".
A Rabbit hole has emerged and it's beckoning you...
…and he has an album called "A Capella" whereby he makes all the sounds of the drums and instruments (as well as his singing), just with his voice.
Hate to break it to you, but pretty much any artist of any worth is a "leftard."
The one Todd Runddgren album I bought! Real Man and Initiation are excellent, lush synthy. Star Wars reference.there, Sith Lords . Very fine to see the growth of Lex' musician ear. I' all about the wall of sound, and boy do you get that in Fair Warning. Sax is Stelly Dan level. The air playing and looks on Lex's face when it resolved back to Real Man just made my day.
Todd relied on Roger Powell heavily for synthesizer expertise. Check out the album credits. A member of Todd’s Utopia, Roger is a synthesizer legend. He taught Pete Townshend, Billy Preston, Herbie Hancock and David Bowie.
When I saw the track listing I hoped this would be one of your very best reactions, and I wasn't disappointed. Now I want to see how you respond to side two. All I'll say is that you'll have heard nothing like it, so far 'out there' you'll wonder how you're ever going to get back.
Real Man was the single, but for several tours was the opening number of the show.
Fair Warning is straight baby making music 🤣
Awesome!
Todd is such a genius, and a very eccrentric artist. Acquired taste for sure. Fun reaction, pretty sure he did everything on this album. Lexi...the background vocals are Todd, Nick....ummm known what a synth is since 68. (big smily)
Todd had lots of help on this one. Roger Powell, Edgar Winter, Rick Derringer, David Sanborn, Dan Hartman, Bernard Purdie & more.
Desperado guitar I remember a critic calling it on The Death of Rock and Roll.
So many great albums from Todd. Check out Ra or if you want to hear more commercial Todd, Adventures in Utopia. Love you guys!!
Hey Nick and Lex! I've been listening to Todd Rundgren for decades and he really is a genius songwriter/vocalist/producer/guitarist. It's funny that even with all those years of listening to Todd, I only know Real Man out these 4 songs, but that doesn't surprise me because there have been many requested playlists you've listened to which have included obscure songs from popular artists. If you want to introduce someone to an artist that they've had little to no exposure to, I'm not sure why you would request obscure songs from deep in their catalog that in many instances, are nothing like the majority of their material, especially their hits.
We don't requests obscure tracks. Fans of the channel know that we don't discriminate the deep cuts. I guess the channel has always been this way and that's why we grow slower but people actually stay for the ride.
@@NicknLex Thanks for responding! I figured that was the reason and I thought I heard you mention before that you like to hear songs from an artist that are a little different than their radio hits.
Utopia (1975) is The Gold Standard when it comes to Prog Rock and Todd Rundgren. One of the all-time great pieces! They did it live on Don Kirschner's show once. Check that one out!
Love his "Something, Anything" Album
Great selections some of his best. His sound is unique. Lots of great comments I’m learning a lot. Nice marathon from the rainbow spinning wheel of musical fate.
Dark Mode and Sith? Hmmmmmm 🧐❤️❤️❤️
I sure would like to sponsor a marathon of The Enid from Six Pieces. I think you 2 would absolutely love the inventors of English Symphonic Rock.
One of my favorite Todd albums! I also love Healing and Faithful, from around the same period. He just released a new one about a month ago, Space Force. They’re all great!
A must listen is the theme song "Utopia" from Utopia's first album. About 14 minutes long. Actually the whole album is worth a listen. The 2nd side of the original vinyl album is just one song, The Ikon, over 30 minutes long.
Fair warning is full of quotes from previous Todd’s songs like Just One Victory and Hello it’s me.
A wizard a true star
The new live Todd Rundgren has great versions of these songs
Just released
Utopia live in Chicago 2019 too
Great RUNDGREN Concert SF
One of my favourite LPs. Wait until you do side 2!
One of my favorite all-time songs is Hello, It's Me. I prefer the earlier version when Todd had the group Nazz in the late '60's.
Keep in mind that this is when synthesizers were being developed and you had to do lots of programming. There were no digital recorders or pitch transposers. “Todd” was a pioneer, “A Wizard/ True Star”.
blue-eyed soul...
Highly recommend side 2. It's nuts, very experimental stuff
right in my wheel house..Utopia will blow your mind.. something/anything is his best album..
THANK YOU! Great reaction. There you have gotten a small taste of where Todd can go in the course of one album. Try to imagine where he has gone over a fifty- plus year career (you can’t…unless you dive in). Just an incredible, genius musician, performer, producer…and criminally underrated on every level. If you listen to more of his catalog you will see how soul music (as well as many other genres) have influenced him…especially his vocal arrangements which are insane! Hard to pick any one album to recommend because they are all so different, but maybe one of the LPS where he does everything himself…like ‘Hermit of mink hollow’ or ‘Healing’. Or even better…his live album ‘back to the bars’ is fantastic…and a great sampling of his solo career (not the utopia stuff )through 1978. Some of the songs here are on there, including a KILLER ‘eastern intrigue/initiation’ where todd BURNS on guitar….and his voice is more mature and soulful on the record. I hope you will dive in!
Todd plays Sax too.
In Todd's autobiography he explains that this album deals with his literal trip around the world seeking 'truth' and spiritual enlighteent.
TR, one of those uncommon talents, like Prince, prolific composer, experimenter, multi instrumentalist and talented vocalist, producer, you name it. The breadth of musical expression in his discography is amazing.
TODD is also a popular producer and an engineer from back in the day: he produced MEATLOAF for instance. The guy's amazing and his catalogue just goes on an on --- try out his LIAR album which is fantastic (such a true voice, emotional and funny.)
Todd was definitely influenced by Motown. Loved his solo stuff and stuff with utopia. Probably have seen him at least a half a dozen times live. His live shows are something to behold, he’s so talented and a great singer, great instrumentalist but there’s one more thing he has a lot of other talented artists don’t and that is presence, playing live he exudes greatness and just draws you in when he performs.