Todd Rundgren
Question:
> You know, I’ve been a huge Todd fan for years, but unassuming and > amiable were words I’ve never heard used to describe him.
Jimmy, all I can tell you is what I saw at the concert — I’ve been a fan of his for years, but I’m not one of those types that’s into every little minute detail of the guy, I just like his music. He seems to be one of those artists that has a lot of those hard-core, groupie-type fans — but I ain’t one of them. He came off as unassuming in the show the other night, and his rapport with the audience was certainly amiable. How he deals with his band and production clients is another matter altogether. He is definitely a unique character.
Response:
Producers are not suposed to be yes-men! Sometimes they may seem like pricks, but they are there to bring out the best songs/playing etc to a recording. I think Todd’s production credits speak for albums is ‘Healing’, the way he modulates his voice on that album is simply great. Aloha, Jerry
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> Are you sure Keith is alive? > He looks dead! > Pt
Yeah, he should be! Did you see how he screwed up ZZ Top’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? I was pissed. Whoever chose him to get up there with his fried brain and drunken ass, should be shot! God I hope it wasn’t Billy, Dusty or Frank?
Response:
>> But, since the room was full of Rundgren fanatics, no one seemed to care — > A guy I’ve loved for years, doing brand-new songs I’d never heard before, > songs that don’t sound like his old stuff, but all good! >There are only 4 musicians I have ever loved this much. >Mick Jagger – songwriting >Keith Richard – songwriting/riffs >Jimi Hendrix – being Jimi >Stevie Ray Vaughan – working his ass off to pay homage to so many others. >2 are dead and 2 suck now. Can you figure it out?
Are you sure Keith is alive? He looks dead! Pt
Response:
> I once heard this comedian who did a bit on how concerts for > people over 35 should be. He had a bunch of things in it like "No > opening act, show is an hour starting at 7, the band plays all of > their hits and nothing from their new album that nobody likes." I > like that idea. Give the people what they want.
Do you really like that??? Sound hellish to me. If that’s what I wanted, I’d by the K-Tel Greatest Hits Collection, only available for a limited time. But wait, there’s more! Operators are standing by! > Depends on if the album is good or not.
I’d say, it more accurately depends on if the tunes are good or not. Ideally, the live and recorded experiences are different. I don’t want to hear a recreation of the record on stage, I want something more edgy, more energetic, and I’ll happily accept some technical flaws to get the rest. > They’re so savvy that they constantly whine about how crappy > Tood’s Patronet site is and they never get the stuff they were > promised.
Except those of us who never subscribed in the first place! > Actually, it’s the lack of guitar. Todd is one of the best > guitarists I’ve ever heard (even though he’s sloppy and plays out > of tune a lot, he plays with a lot of feeling).
Several of Todd’s other records are light in guitar department, so I don’t think that’s a valid minus-point against this record in particular. I’m listening to Liars with headphones right now – on the song "Living" at the moment – and while there’s not much guitar, what there is is cherce. I would have liked this album to have featured a live band, but that was Todd’s artistic decision, and I think the results are good. I’m also really looking forward to hearing them brought fully to life by the excellent band he’s traveling with.
Response:
>> Read some of the interviews he gives where he talks about feeling > above his audience and and other pompous crap. >I’ve never heard or read anything like that. Are you sure?
Well it’s mostly older interviews where he said that. But yes, check the net for some of his older interviews and you will find many quotes like that. > Just the other day I read an interview he gave about the Liars > tour where he said that he wasn’t planning on playing too many > audience favorites because he gave that to them on the last tour > and now it was the audience’s turn to give back to him. >I have a feeling that didn’t come out quite the way he meant it. >He’s right, he’s been flogging the same setlist for several years. >Most fans are thrilled that he has new material and is playing it. >And there are some old popular favorites in the set.
I once heard this comedian who did a bit on how concerts for people over 35 should be. He had a bunch of things in it like "No opening act, show is an hour starting at 7, the band plays all of their hits and nothing from their new album that nobody likes." I like that idea. Give the people what they want. >Personally, I love the idea of playing most or all of your new >record in a concert. Reminds me of the great concerts of the ’70s >when an artist’s new record and concert tour was a fresh and unique >experience, not just another trip around the same old.
Depends on if the album is good or not. > He’s only fortunate that the majority of his audience would never > read an internet interview because saying something like that when > you charge $30 a head is possibly the most pompous thing I’ve > heard in a long time. >I think Todd’s audience is more likely than most artists of his era to >be internet-savvy.
They’re so savvy that they constantly whine about how crappy Tood’s Patronet site is and they never get the stuff they were promised. > And Liars is boring 
>I just got the record yesterday, and I’m digging it. There’s not a lick >of bass guitar on it, though, so maybe that’s in your way.
Actually, it’s the lack of guitar. Todd is one of the best guitarists I’ve ever heard (even though he’s sloppy and plays out of tune a lot, he plays with a lot of feeling).
Response:
> But ask a lot of people who have worked with him if he’s > unassuming and amiable. Watch the Meat Loaf VH-1 special and hear > stories about how big a dick Todd and Jim Steinman were to Meat > Loaf when making Bat Out Of Hell.
You’re right about that. He’s quite the control freak, and from what I hear, is prone to browbeating people until they do what he wants. Check out Andy Partridge’s stories about the production of XTC’s Skylarking. Todd got a great album out of them, but it sounds like it was a very uncomfortable situation. Todd’s not the Mr. Sensitive that his lyrics might lead you to believe. > Read some of the interviews he gives where he talks about feeling > above his audience and and other pompous crap.
I’ve never heard or read anything like that. Are you sure? > Just the other day I read an interview he gave about the Liars > tour where he said that he wasn’t planning on playing too many > audience favorites because he gave that to them on the last tour > and now it was the audience’s turn to give back to him.
I have a feeling that didn’t come out quite the way he meant it. He’s right, he’s been flogging the same setlist for several years. Most fans are thrilled that he has new material and is playing it. And there are some old popular favorites in the set. Personally, I love the idea of playing most or all of your new record in a concert. Reminds me of the great concerts of the ’70s when an artist’s new record and concert tour was a fresh and unique experience, not just another trip around the same old. > He’s only fortunate that the majority of his audience would never > read an internet interview because saying something like that when > you charge $30 a head is possibly the most pompous thing I’ve > heard in a long time.
I think Todd’s audience is more likely than most artists of his era to be internet-savvy. > And Liars is boring
I just got the record yesterday, and I’m digging it. There’s not a lick of bass guitar on it, though, so maybe that’s in your way.
Response:
"Ed Cregger" > > Rats! Now I wish I had gone to a Yes concert! <G>
Ed Cregger You’ve got 19 days to get your tickets for the ATL show. See ya there. let me know if you need a ride. m
Response:
very nice and accurate writeup. as a musician and sound tech, i really enjoyed the slop and looseness as it was fresh and inspired hope. great show great album great artist
Response:
> But, since the room was full of Rundgren fanatics, no one seemed to care — > A guy I’ve loved for years, doing brand-new songs I’d never heard before, > songs that don’t sound like his old stuff, but all good!
There are only 4 musicians I have ever loved this much. Mick Jagger – songwriting Keith Richard – songwriting/riffs Jimi Hendrix – being Jimi Stevie Ray Vaughan – working his ass off to pay homage to so many others. 2 are dead and 2 suck now. Can you figure it out? P.S.- The Beatles are Gods forever.
Response:
>I don’t really know, with ticket prices being as crazy as they are today — >they were $30, so judge for yourself, I guess. Having paid $120 bucks a pop >to see Paul McCartney from 100 yards away, this seemed like a fair deal to >me. A couple of times during the show, the thought did cross my mind that >all the monkey business was unprofessional, verging on the "they don’t >really give a damn about their audience", but I realized that I never >stopped smiling through the whole show, so there you go. Todd has a kind of >unassuming, amiable way about him, and that helped.
You know, I’ve been a huge Todd fan for years, but unassuming and amiable were words I’ve never heard used to describe him. Humorous, yes. Self-deprecating, yes. But ask a lot of people who have worked with him if he’s unassuming and amiable. Watch the Meat Loaf VH-1 special and hear stories about how big a dick Todd and Jim Steinman were to Meat Loaf when making Bat Out Of Hell. Read some of the interviews he gives where he talks about feeling above his audience and and other pompous crap. Just the other day I read an interview he gave about the Liars tour where he said that he wasn’t planning on playing too many audience favorites because he gave that to them on the last tour and now it was the audience’s turn to give back to him. He’s only fortunate that the majority of his audience would never read an internet interview because saying something like that when you charge $30 a head is possibly the most pompous thing I’ve heard in a long time. And Liars is boring
Response:
Wow, that’s great. They’re back here in T.O. May 7th, I’m going unless a totally spectacular gig turns up… NeilN
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > One of the reasons that I never attended a Yes concert was because I > knew > > that they could never approach their album’s sound in a live > performance. > I’ve got news for you Ed, Yes is amazing live… Some things are slightly > different, of course, but not because they can’t pull it off. I think the > only limiting factor at a Yes show is the venue. I saw them a while back > at > Massey Hall in Toronto, which is an excellent hall to enjoy music. They > FREAKED me right out…. And I don’t do any sort of chemical mind > expanders > outside of coffee. (The FOH guy’s mix was also absolutely impeccable, all > credit going where it’s due ) > You like Roundabout? you HAVE to hear Chris rip that up live… > They guys don’t struggle to reproduce their recordings, they effortlessy > dance their way through a 30 year plus catalogue. The news is , Yes music > is > even better live, and if you truly love it, it is an incredible > experience. > How do you think that they can continually tour and sell out everywhere? > We return you to your regular programming now… > NeilN > Now I KNOW I’ll have to attend one of their concerts! > Yes is my favorite band of all time. > Ed Cregger
Response:
> Dude, Todd’s been giving half-assed unrehearsed shows for years > now. He’s been doing solo gigs for the past couple years, little > variation in the set lists, and he’d rarely get it right. He’d > play and make it seem like it’s all a goof and > who-the-hell-cares-anyway. Lots of long-time fans have been > turned off. I was really hoping the band would force him to > ratchet up, since his last full band – Power Trio, in 2000 or 2001 > was excellent. > Hope things improve, he can be so good if he sets his mind to it.
I think it will. This is a bigger band than the power trio, with some excellent musical foils. This is basically the same band he’s toured with a few times before, but with Kasim Sulton replacing Larry Tagg on bass. They work well together. Todd always seems to rise to the challenge when there’s somebody there to motivate him. I’m looking forward to the Boston show.
Response:
> Why? That’s what live music is all about. If I want to see polished songs > performed just like the record, I’ll stay home and watch MTV.
I guess it takes all kinds to make a world, John. I like superb live performances. Anything less and I’d rather enjoy a recording, but only a perfect one. One of the reasons that I never attended a Yes concert was because I knew that they could never approach their album’s sound in a live performance. On the other hand, when I saw Waylon Jennings live in the mid sixties, his live performance was extremely close to his album in every way. Ed Cregger
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Why? That’s what live music is all about. If I want to see polished songs > performed just like the record, I’ll stay home and watch MTV. >I guess it takes all kinds to make a world, John. >I like superb live performances. Anything less and I’d rather enjoy a >recording, but only a perfect one. >One of the reasons that I never attended a Yes concert was because I knew >that they could never approach their album’s sound in a live performance. >On the other hand, when I saw Waylon Jennings live in the mid sixties, his >live performance was extremely close to his album in every way.
I have enjoyed the Yes concerts I’ve been to far more than listening to their records. Chris Squire is an amazing talent who really shines in performance. Not to mention Bill Bruford… I’ve also seen a bunch of different Todd shows over the years, including a solo show where he spent a good portion of the time fooling around with his Powerbook, trying to get the "band" going, and a Nazz show. When he’s on, he’s on, but if he’s feeling "experimental" things can be spotty. Tood plays mainly for Todd. Claude
Response:
> One of the reasons that I never attended a Yes concert was because I knew > that they could never approach their album’s sound in a live performance.
I’ve got news for you Ed, Yes is amazing live… Some things are slightly different, of course, but not because they can’t pull it off. I think the only limiting factor at a Yes show is the venue. I saw them a while back at Massey Hall in Toronto, which is an excellent hall to enjoy music. They FREAKED me right out…. And I don’t do any sort of chemical mind expanders outside of coffee. (The FOH guy’s mix was also absolutely impeccable, all credit going where it’s due ) You like Roundabout? you HAVE to hear Chris rip that up live… They guys don’t struggle to reproduce their recordings, they effortlessy dance their way through a 30 year plus catalogue. The news is , Yes music is even better live, and if you truly love it, it is an incredible experience. How do you think that they can continually tour and sell out everywhere? We return you to your regular programming now… NeilN
Response:
> Saw Todd Rundgren last night, the opening show of his latest tour. The new > material from "Liars" sounds great, Todd’s pissed off about organized > religion these days, obviously. > Todd announced that they hadn’t rehearsed this show, and their performance > seemed to bear that out.
Dude, Todd’s been giving half-assed unrehearsed shows for years now. He’s been doing solo gigs for the past couple years, little variation in the set lists, and he’d rarely get it right. He’d play and make it seem like it’s all a goof and who-the-hell-cares-anyway. Lots of long-time fans have been turned off. I was really hoping the band would force him to ratchet up, since his last full band – Power Trio, in 2000 or 2001 was excellent. Hope things improve, he can be so good if he sets his mind to it. Dave earguy
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> One of the reasons that I never attended a Yes concert was because I knew > that they could never approach their album’s sound in a live performance. > I’ve got news for you Ed, Yes is amazing live… Some things are slightly > different, of course, but not because they can’t pull it off. I think the > only limiting factor at a Yes show is the venue. I saw them a while back at > Massey Hall in Toronto, which is an excellent hall to enjoy music. They > FREAKED me right out…. And I don’t do any sort of chemical mind expanders > outside of coffee. (The FOH guy’s mix was also absolutely impeccable, all > credit going where it’s due ) > You like Roundabout? you HAVE to hear Chris rip that up live… > They guys don’t struggle to reproduce their recordings, they effortlessy > dance their way through a 30 year plus catalogue. The news is , Yes music is > even better live, and if you truly love it, it is an incredible experience. > How do you think that they can continually tour and sell out everywhere? > We return you to your regular programming now… > NeilN
Now I KNOW I’ll have to attend one of their concerts! Yes is my favorite band of all time. Ed Cregger
Response:
That seems fair indeed , with prices being what they are these days…. NeilN
Response:
> I have enjoyed the Yes concerts I’ve been to far more than > listening to their records. Chris Squire is an amazing talent > who really shines in performance. Not to mention Bill Bruford… > I’ve also seen a bunch of different Todd shows over the years, > including a solo show where he spent a good portion of the time > fooling around with his Powerbook, trying to get the "band" going, > and a Nazz show. When he’s on, he’s on, but if he’s feeling > "experimental" things can be spotty. Tood plays mainly for Todd.
Rats! Now I wish I had gone to a Yes concert! <G> Ed Cregger – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Claude
Response:
> I saw Tony Levin a few years back and Jesse Gress was playing guitar. He’s > one of the sleepers ( to the general public) I was directly in front of his > amp, front stage, 10 feet away, and he sounded wonderful. > I’m glad you could feel the intimacy in that show, that’s a cool thing. Did > the ticket prices reflect the "live rehearsal" scenario ?
I don’t really know, with ticket prices being as crazy as they are today — they were $30, so judge for yourself, I guess. Having paid $120 bucks a pop to see Paul McCartney from 100 yards away, this seemed like a fair deal to me. A couple of times during the show, the thought did cross my mind that all the monkey business was unprofessional, verging on the "they don’t really give a damn about their audience", but I realized that I never stopped smiling through the whole show, so there you go. Todd has a kind of unassuming, amiable way about him, and that helped. Like I said, being a musician myself gave the whole thing an interesting aspect, I’m sure non-musicians were bothered by it more.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Saw Todd Rundgren last night, the opening show of his latest tour. The new > material from "Liars" sounds great, Todd’s pissed off about organized > religion these days, obviously. > Todd announced that they hadn’t rehearsed this show, and their performance > seemed to bear that out. Weren’t we just talking here the other day about > wrong tempos, stopping and starting over, etc.? Last night, they completely > stopped and started over, after they’d gone for six or eight bars, at least > three times. Once, the band was all shaking their heads "no" as Todd tried > to stop them, but Todd insisted. There were a couple of times when the > intro was just so badly bungled that you couldn’t even really call it > starting and then stopping, they had only hit three or four notes when they > had to "do over" — it was probably 8 or 10 songs that had bungled starts. > Plus, Todd forgot the lyrics on at least a half-dozen occasions. Lots of > futzing around with laptop computers on stage. Not a polished performance, > not even close. > But, since the room was full of Rundgren fanatics, no one seemed to care — > in fact, the whole show had an intimate atmosphere, it was as if we were > sitting in at a dress rehearsal, which was kind of fun. The mistakes > loosened them up, there were a lot of sheepish faces in the band, there was > no pretense. I was about 15 feet from the performers, so I could overhear > all their stage comments. Fun. > Also, as a musician, it was nice to see how pros can blow it, just we all > occasionally do. > Kasim Sulton was playing a black Spector 5-string, and looking good. Guy > still looks like he’s 24. Played like he always does, nothing flashy, just > solid playing and backup vocals. Ex-Tubes drummer Prairie Prince was > sitting in, John Ferenzik on keys, and Jesse Gress, a guy I’d never heard of > before, was on guitar. I like this guy a lot, a very versatile player, > covered styles from Dave Mustaine to Larry Carlton, and did it well. They > all came out in costumes, Kasim looked like Father Guido Sarducci, Prairie > Prince was decked out like the Pope, wearing one of those big miters that > looks like a post-hole digger. Jesse Gress had a Mandarin costume. I want > one. > Anyway, to sum it up — there’s nothing worse to me than going to see an > artist that you’ve loved for years, and then hearing nothing but tired old > songs, performed in a tired old way (or worse, the artist has taken all the > old songs you loved and, because he’s bored with them, messed with them and > ruined them) — this was just the opposite: A guy I’ve loved for years, > doing brand-new songs I’d never heard before, songs that don’t sound like > his old stuff, but all good! And the few oldies he did were done in a fresh > way, without being pathetic or campy. Check the tour out if you get the > chance.
I never was one of his fans, although my brother thought Todd was worth listening to. Still, I wouldn’t wish the concert experience that you described on anyone. Including Todd and his band. Ed Cregger
Response:
I saw Tony Levin a few years back and Jesse Gress was playing guitar. He’s one of the sleepers ( to the general public) I was directly in front of his amp, front stage, 10 feet away, and he sounded wonderful. I’m glad you could feel the intimacy in that show, that’s a cool thing. Did the ticket prices reflect the "live rehearsal" scenario ? NeilN
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Saw Todd Rundgren last night, the opening show of his latest tour. The new > material from "Liars" sounds great, Todd’s pissed off about organized > religion these days, obviously. > Todd announced that they hadn’t rehearsed this show, and their performance > seemed to bear that out. Weren’t we just talking here the other day about > wrong tempos, stopping and starting over, etc.? Last night, they completely > stopped and started over, after they’d gone for six or eight bars, at least > three times. Once, the band was all shaking their heads "no" as Todd tried > to stop them, but Todd insisted. There were a couple of times when the > intro was just so badly bungled that you couldn’t even really call it > starting and then stopping, they had only hit three or four notes when they > had to "do over" — it was probably 8 or 10 songs that had bungled starts. > Plus, Todd forgot the lyrics on at least a half-dozen occasions. Lots of > futzing around with laptop computers on stage. Not a polished performance, > not even close. > But, since the room was full of Rundgren fanatics, no one seemed to care — > in fact, the whole show had an intimate atmosphere, it was as if we were > sitting in at a dress rehearsal, which was kind of fun. The mistakes > loosened them up, there were a lot of sheepish faces in the band, there was > no pretense. I was about 15 feet from the performers, so I could overhear > all their stage comments. Fun. > Also, as a musician, it was nice to see how pros can blow it, just we all > occasionally do. > Kasim Sulton was playing a black Spector 5-string, and looking good. Guy > still looks like he’s 24. Played like he always does, nothing flashy, just > solid playing and backup vocals. Ex-Tubes drummer Prairie Prince was > sitting in, John Ferenzik on keys, and Jesse Gress, a guy I’d never heard of > before, was on guitar. I like this guy a lot, a very versatile player, > covered styles from Dave Mustaine to Larry Carlton, and did it well. They > all came out in costumes, Kasim looked like Father Guido Sarducci, Prairie > Prince was decked out like the Pope, wearing one of those big miters that > looks like a post-hole digger. Jesse Gress had a Mandarin costume. I want > one. > Anyway, to sum it up — there’s nothing worse to me than going to see an > artist that you’ve loved for years, and then hearing nothing but tired old > songs, performed in a tired old way (or worse, the artist has taken all the > old songs you loved and, because he’s bored with them, messed with them and > ruined them) — this was just the opposite: A guy I’ve loved for years, > doing brand-new songs I’d never heard before, songs that don’t sound like > his old stuff, but all good! And the few oldies he did were done in a fresh > way, without being pathetic or campy. Check the tour out if you get the > chance.
Response:
Why? That’s what live music is all about. If I want to see polished songs performed just like the record, I’ll stay home and watch MTV. — Learning funk bass? visit www.js3jazz.com/store.htm "Speaking the Truth in times of Universal deceit is a revolutionary act." — George Orwell
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Saw Todd Rundgren last night, the opening show of his latest tour. The > new > material from "Liars" sounds great, Todd’s pissed off about organized > religion these days, obviously. > Todd announced that they hadn’t rehearsed this show, and their performance > seemed to bear that out. Weren’t we just talking here the other day about > wrong tempos, stopping and starting over, etc.? Last night, they > completely > stopped and started over, after they’d gone for six or eight bars, at > least > three times. Once, the band was all shaking their heads "no" as Todd > tried > to stop them, but Todd insisted. There were a couple of times when the > intro was just so badly bungled that you couldn’t even really call it > starting and then stopping, they had only hit three or four notes when > they > had to "do over" — it was probably 8 or 10 songs that had bungled starts. > Plus, Todd forgot the lyrics on at least a half-dozen occasions. Lots of > futzing around with laptop computers on stage. Not a polished > performance, > not even close. > But, since the room was full of Rundgren fanatics, no one seemed to > care — > in fact, the whole show had an intimate atmosphere, it was as if we were > sitting in at a dress rehearsal, which was kind of fun. The mistakes > loosened them up, there were a lot of sheepish faces in the band, there > was > no pretense. I was about 15 feet from the performers, so I could overhear > all their stage comments. Fun. > Also, as a musician, it was nice to see how pros can blow it, just we all > occasionally do. > Kasim Sulton was playing a black Spector 5-string, and looking good. Guy > still looks like he’s 24. Played like he always does, nothing flashy, > just > solid playing and backup vocals. Ex-Tubes drummer Prairie Prince was > sitting in, John Ferenzik on keys, and Jesse Gress, a guy I’d never heard > of > before, was on guitar. I like this guy a lot, a very versatile player, > covered styles from Dave Mustaine to Larry Carlton, and did it well. They > all came out in costumes, Kasim looked like Father Guido Sarducci, Prairie > Prince was decked out like the Pope, wearing one of those big miters that > looks like a post-hole digger. Jesse Gress had a Mandarin costume. I > want > one. > Anyway, to sum it up — there’s nothing worse to me than going to see an > artist that you’ve loved for years, and then hearing nothing but tired old > songs, performed in a tired old way (or worse, the artist has taken all > the > old songs you loved and, because he’s bored with them, messed with them > and > ruined them) — this was just the opposite: A guy I’ve loved for years, > doing brand-new songs I’d never heard before, songs that don’t sound like > his old stuff, but all good! And the few oldies he did were done in a > fresh > way, without being pathetic or campy. Check the tour out if you get the > chance. > I never was one of his fans, although my brother thought Todd was worth > listening to. Still, I wouldn’t wish the concert experience that you > described on anyone. Including Todd and his band. > Ed Cregger
Response:
Saw Todd Rundgren last night, the opening show of his latest tour. The new material from "Liars" sounds great, Todd’s pissed off about organized religion these days, obviously. Todd announced that they hadn’t rehearsed this show, and their performance seemed to bear that out. Weren’t we just talking here the other day about wrong tempos, stopping and starting over, etc.? Last night, they completely stopped and started over, after they’d gone for six or eight bars, at least three times. Once, the band was all shaking their heads "no" as Todd tried to stop them, but Todd insisted. There were a couple of times when the intro was just so badly bungled that you couldn’t even really call it starting and then stopping, they had only hit three or four notes when they had to "do over" — it was probably 8 or 10 songs that had bungled starts. Plus, Todd forgot the lyrics on at least a half-dozen occasions. Lots of futzing around with laptop computers on stage. Not a polished performance, not even close. But, since the room was full of Rundgren fanatics, no one seemed to care — in fact, the whole show had an intimate atmosphere, it was as if we were sitting in at a dress rehearsal, which was kind of fun. The mistakes loosened them up, there were a lot of sheepish faces in the band, there was no pretense. I was about 15 feet from the performers, so I could overhear all their stage comments. Fun. Also, as a musician, it was nice to see how pros can blow it, just we all occasionally do. Kasim Sulton was playing a black Spector 5-string, and looking good. Guy still looks like he’s 24. Played like he always does, nothing flashy, just solid playing and backup vocals. Ex-Tubes drummer Prairie Prince was sitting in, John Ferenzik on keys, and Jesse Gress, a guy I’d never heard of before, was on guitar. I like this guy a lot, a very versatile player, covered styles from Dave Mustaine to Larry Carlton, and did it well. They all came out in costumes, Kasim looked like Father Guido Sarducci, Prairie Prince was decked out like the Pope, wearing one of those big miters that looks like a post-hole digger. Jesse Gress had a Mandarin costume. I want one. Anyway, to sum it up — there’s nothing worse to me than going to see an artist that you’ve loved for years, and then hearing nothing but tired old songs, performed in a tired old way (or worse, the artist has taken all the old songs you loved and, because he’s bored with them, messed with them and ruined them) — this was just the opposite: A guy I’ve loved for years, doing brand-new songs I’d never heard before, songs that don’t sound like his old stuff, but all good! And the few oldies he did were done in a fresh way, without being pathetic or campy. Check the tour out if you get the chance.
Response:
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