http://www.courant.com/entertainment/music/sound-check/hc-danton-todd-rundgren-concert-revie20110326,0,7621125.story
Todd Rundgren Shows Wide-Ranging Musical Ability With Full-Albums Show in Hartford
9:05 a.m. EDT, March 26, 2011
Apart from indulging his super-fans, Todd Rundgren's full-album show Friday in Hartford was also an excellent demonstration of his wide-ranging musical taste and abilities.
That's true even on a song-to-song basis, but the diversity of Rundgren's catalog was thrown into bold relief when he performed his 1973 album "Todd," followed by his 1981 album "Healing," at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts.
Re-creating the albums on stage back-to-back emphasized Rundgren's penchant for pushing, prodding and stretching music as far, and in as many directions, as possible. (Additional evidence: he said in a recent interview that's working on an album of dance music.)
"Todd" was classic weird-'70s, with a jumble of guitars, keyboards and drums on songs balancing a sense of experimentation (layers of synthesizers and crying guitar on "The Spark of Life") with rock 'n' roll heft (the brash chugging guitars of "Heavy Metal Kids"). The curtain came up at the start on Rundgren alone on an empty stage, back to the audience and wearing a silvery high-neck cape as his five backing musicians stepped (or rolled, in the case of the drummer and keyboard players) into place.
The band, dressed in colorful blares of patchwork psychedelia, advanced and receded as necessary for the songs, on which Rundgren sang, played guitar and occasionally sat down at an upright piano.
After playing the second-to-last song from "Todd," the curtain came down for an intermission while the band readied itself for "Healing."
That one was weird-'80s, with a heavier emphasis on keyboards and the contributions of a vocal choir. Dressed in tunics of varying colors, the musicians — Jesse Gress, Greg Hawkes, Prairie Prince, Bobby Strickland and Kasim Sulton, with choirmaster Dirk Hillyer — created atmospheric passages with synthesizers, broken up on "Golden Goose" by a skittering, descending guitar part and pierced on "Healing Part I" by a shrill electronic instrument that looked sort of like a clarinet.
The show was the opening night of a brief five-date tour, and there was a miscue or two, which Rundgren laughed off.
"First show, you know," he said during the "Todd" portion. "It's a privilege and a liability."
The crowd seemed to see it only as the former. In fact, when Rundgren and the band returned for an encore performance of "Sons of 1984," the one song they left out of the "Todd" half of the show, some of the faithful stuck around to sing another chorus or two after the final curtain had come down.
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Saturday, March 26, 2011
top five cities
High Five
What counts in music today
By Sarah Rodman
Globe Staff / March 25, 2011
Over 40 years into a wildly diverse career, no one can accuse singer-songwriter-producer-technological visionary Todd Rundgren of slacking off. In addition to a five-show jaunt that brings him to the Berklee Performance Center on Sunday to play his albums “Todd’’ and “Healing’’ in full, Rundgren has a quirky pair of albums in the pipeline: one of Robert Johnson covers, the other a dance music album. In June he’ll convene Todd Rundgren’s Musical Survival Camp in the Catskills. (For more info check out www.tr-i.com.) When asked by phone from his home in Hawaii earlier this week what he’d like to opine about for his “High Five,’’ the genial genius offered up a handful of favorite cities graded highly for walkability, food, and folks.
TOKYO: From faithful fans to beautiful parks, Rundgren is a fan. “It’s a terrific place to walk around, that’s one of the things that makes a great city to me. That’s why LA will never be on my list.’’
NEW ORLEANS: “It’s still the global music stop, if you want to go to a city that’s just boiling with music in a way. You can’t go out the door without hearing something. When you talk about food, there is probably no other city, at least in the US, that takes its food so seriously.’’
VENICE: Rundgren cites the architecture and romantic ambience, but waxes most rhapsodic about the food. “I remember the first plate of pasta I had in Venice and it was like I had never had pasta before.’’
CHICAGO: “Of the cities I haven’t lived in, it’s far and away my favorite. The people in Chicago have a real sense of Chicago. They get really passionate about it.’’
KATHMANDU: A trip in the late ’70s had a profound effect. “It was this sort of peaceful enclave in a place where poverty and religious strife was all around, and yet you found this sense of peace there that was hard to locate in a lot of other places.’’
© Copyright 2011 Globe Newspaper Company.
What counts in music today
By Sarah Rodman
Globe Staff / March 25, 2011
Over 40 years into a wildly diverse career, no one can accuse singer-songwriter-producer-technological visionary Todd Rundgren of slacking off. In addition to a five-show jaunt that brings him to the Berklee Performance Center on Sunday to play his albums “Todd’’ and “Healing’’ in full, Rundgren has a quirky pair of albums in the pipeline: one of Robert Johnson covers, the other a dance music album. In June he’ll convene Todd Rundgren’s Musical Survival Camp in the Catskills. (For more info check out www.tr-i.com.) When asked by phone from his home in Hawaii earlier this week what he’d like to opine about for his “High Five,’’ the genial genius offered up a handful of favorite cities graded highly for walkability, food, and folks.
TOKYO: From faithful fans to beautiful parks, Rundgren is a fan. “It’s a terrific place to walk around, that’s one of the things that makes a great city to me. That’s why LA will never be on my list.’’
NEW ORLEANS: “It’s still the global music stop, if you want to go to a city that’s just boiling with music in a way. You can’t go out the door without hearing something. When you talk about food, there is probably no other city, at least in the US, that takes its food so seriously.’’
VENICE: Rundgren cites the architecture and romantic ambience, but waxes most rhapsodic about the food. “I remember the first plate of pasta I had in Venice and it was like I had never had pasta before.’’
CHICAGO: “Of the cities I haven’t lived in, it’s far and away my favorite. The people in Chicago have a real sense of Chicago. They get really passionate about it.’’
KATHMANDU: A trip in the late ’70s had a profound effect. “It was this sort of peaceful enclave in a place where poverty and religious strife was all around, and yet you found this sense of peace there that was hard to locate in a lot of other places.’’
© Copyright 2011 Globe Newspaper Company.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Article: Todd Rundgren plays Count Basie Theatre on Monday
http://www.app.com/article/20110325/NJENT01/103250306/Todd-Rundgren-plays-Count-Basie-Theatre-on-Monday
Written by
ED CONDRAN
CORRESPONDENT asbury press
It's generally not the norm to be on good terms with long-time ex-girlfriends — unless you're Todd Rundgren.
"I have all the respect for Todd in the world," singer-songwriter-model Bebe Beull said about her former live-in beau. "He's a great guy and a wonderful musician."
Rundgren, 62, should be accustomed to the praise by now. During his salad days of the early '70s, ardent fans, especially those who packed the Tower Theater in his native Upper Darby, PA., displayed "Todd Is God" signs.
"Those were some amazing times, but so much has happened since then," Rundgren said.
Rundgren has morphed considerably since his first hit, the mellow "Hello It's Me," charted in 1968.
"That is like a lifetime ago," Rundgren said. "I've done so much since then."
Indeed, Rundgren has appeared on more than 40 albums, recording either under his own name or along with a band. He's been in groups from the Nazz to the Cars, and has produced such venerable recording artists as the New York Dolls, the Psychedelic Furs and Patti Smith.
"I've been around a lot of musicians, and there is no one else like Todd," Smith said. "He's an original."
Unique artists don't often break the Top 20. Rundgren has only breathed pop's rarified air twice, with "Hello It's Me" and "I Saw The Light."
"Having hits isn't everything," Rundgren explained. ""There's more to music than that."
What's made Rundgren so special is that he has always been an innovative artist, one willing to shed his sonic skin every few years. Yes, he wrote and recorded the ubiquitous classic rock track "Bang on the Drum All Day," but his quirkier material is his calling card. The rock n' roll maverick also broke serious ground in electronic music. Little wonder Rundgren became a cult favorite.
Despite his versatility, Rundgren has been remarkably consistent over his 40 plus-year career, from his Nazz days through his latest studio album, 2008's "Arena."
The aptly titled disc picks up where Rundgren left off over a quarter century ago. This time he decided once again to play big rock guitar.
"I wanted to do an arena-rock style rock record," said Rundgren, who will perform Monday at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank. "I had a lot of fun making the album."
You never know what Rundgren is going to do. Just when you thought he would never make another rock-guitar album, it drops.
"Being predictable is never fun," Rundgren said. "Taking chances isn't easy, but it's more satisfying."
Written by
ED CONDRAN
CORRESPONDENT asbury press
It's generally not the norm to be on good terms with long-time ex-girlfriends — unless you're Todd Rundgren.
"I have all the respect for Todd in the world," singer-songwriter-model Bebe Beull said about her former live-in beau. "He's a great guy and a wonderful musician."
Rundgren, 62, should be accustomed to the praise by now. During his salad days of the early '70s, ardent fans, especially those who packed the Tower Theater in his native Upper Darby, PA., displayed "Todd Is God" signs.
"Those were some amazing times, but so much has happened since then," Rundgren said.
Rundgren has morphed considerably since his first hit, the mellow "Hello It's Me," charted in 1968.
"That is like a lifetime ago," Rundgren said. "I've done so much since then."
Indeed, Rundgren has appeared on more than 40 albums, recording either under his own name or along with a band. He's been in groups from the Nazz to the Cars, and has produced such venerable recording artists as the New York Dolls, the Psychedelic Furs and Patti Smith.
"I've been around a lot of musicians, and there is no one else like Todd," Smith said. "He's an original."
Unique artists don't often break the Top 20. Rundgren has only breathed pop's rarified air twice, with "Hello It's Me" and "I Saw The Light."
"Having hits isn't everything," Rundgren explained. ""There's more to music than that."
What's made Rundgren so special is that he has always been an innovative artist, one willing to shed his sonic skin every few years. Yes, he wrote and recorded the ubiquitous classic rock track "Bang on the Drum All Day," but his quirkier material is his calling card. The rock n' roll maverick also broke serious ground in electronic music. Little wonder Rundgren became a cult favorite.
Despite his versatility, Rundgren has been remarkably consistent over his 40 plus-year career, from his Nazz days through his latest studio album, 2008's "Arena."
The aptly titled disc picks up where Rundgren left off over a quarter century ago. This time he decided once again to play big rock guitar.
"I wanted to do an arena-rock style rock record," said Rundgren, who will perform Monday at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank. "I had a lot of fun making the album."
You never know what Rundgren is going to do. Just when you thought he would never make another rock-guitar album, it drops.
"Being predictable is never fun," Rundgren said. "Taking chances isn't easy, but it's more satisfying."
Thursday, March 24, 2011
cd sample release party march 30th @ Ramalama Records
Wednesday, March 30 · 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location .. Ramalama Records
3151 West Central Avenue
Toledo, OH
More Info TODD RUNDGREN will be in attendance and signing autographs for as long as he can take it :-)!
Gigatone Records is providing us with the a limited edition sample CD of reProductions for this CD Sample Launch Party on March 30th in Toledo OH. The new CD in its entirety is not expected to be released until this summer so event attendees are going to be a step ahead of other fans by several months! Hear the new music FIRST as Ramalama plays it over their speaker system while you wait to meet TR!
There will be a VIP line for fans that bring their concert ticket or will call confirmation.
We hope to see YOU there!
Location .. Ramalama Records
3151 West Central Avenue
Toledo, OH
More Info TODD RUNDGREN will be in attendance and signing autographs for as long as he can take it :-)!
Gigatone Records is providing us with the a limited edition sample CD of reProductions for this CD Sample Launch Party on March 30th in Toledo OH. The new CD in its entirety is not expected to be released until this summer so event attendees are going to be a step ahead of other fans by several months! Hear the new music FIRST as Ramalama plays it over their speaker system while you wait to meet TR!
There will be a VIP line for fans that bring their concert ticket or will call confirmation.
We hope to see YOU there!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
RundgrenRadio this tuesday Paul Meyers Author " A Wizard A True Star"
Tuesday 8:30pm at RundgrenRadio.com
Show starts at 8:30pm ET at RundgrenRadio.com! Paul Myers will be our guest and he'll be reading excerpts fro...m his book, "A Wizard A True Star: Todd Rundgren In The Studio" as well as answering questions from the inquisitive hosts and callers. Guest host Thom Jennings will be sharing the airwaves with Cruisermel for this Tuesday's show. Paul will only be on for about 45 minutes so the rest of the show will include announcements and a fan call in segment where you get to tell the hosts and listeners what you thought of the Todd+Healing concerts last September or give us the scoop on why you are going to the upcoming shows that start this Friday.
Show starts at 8:30pm ET at RundgrenRadio.com! Paul Myers will be our guest and he'll be reading excerpts fro...m his book, "A Wizard A True Star: Todd Rundgren In The Studio" as well as answering questions from the inquisitive hosts and callers. Guest host Thom Jennings will be sharing the airwaves with Cruisermel for this Tuesday's show. Paul will only be on for about 45 minutes so the rest of the show will include announcements and a fan call in segment where you get to tell the hosts and listeners what you thought of the Todd+Healing concerts last September or give us the scoop on why you are going to the upcoming shows that start this Friday.
Todd to peform on long island july 5th Boulton center
ON SALE WEDNESDAY 3/23 at 12PM
Todd Rundgren - July 5
http://boultoncenter.org/
thanks Jeff Miller for the heads up
Todd Rundgren - July 5
http://boultoncenter.org/
thanks Jeff Miller for the heads up
Interview : Todd on Hartford Ct radio sttion WNPR Colin McEnroe
Todd Rundgren will be interviewed Monday 3/21/11 on WNPR's Colin McEnroe Show. On Monday's show, Colin will take a look at the healing properties of music. Guests include musicians Todd Rundgren, Moogy Klingman, and more.
The show airs live from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on WNPR ...in Hartford, CT, and can be heard at 90.5 FM locally or stream...ed at www.wnpr.org. It rebroadcasts at 8:00
http://www.yourpublicmedia.org/content/channel/colin-mcenroe-show
The show airs live from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on WNPR ...in Hartford, CT, and can be heard at 90.5 FM locally or stream...ed at www.wnpr.org. It rebroadcasts at 8:00
http://www.yourpublicmedia.org/content/channel/colin-mcenroe-show
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