CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE FULL SIZE TO BE ABLE TO READ ARTICLE
The "almost" official blog for everything Todd Rundgren Related........................................................................................................................................................................... Please visit the sister facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Ma4utopia?ref=hl
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Review: "Todd The Angry God!" - Morristown Green Article at NJ.com
Todd the angry god by George!
Friday October 10, 2008, 11:36 AM Ear
plugs are no match for Todd Rundgren's "Arena" tour!
There is plenty of bad news to grouse about these days.
But Todd Rundgren went a step farther. He grabbed a laptop, barricaded
himself in a linen closet at his eco/smart Hawaiian home, and emerged
with 13 snarling, tonsil-burning, ear-blistering songs. This guy knows
how to do angry.
The album is called "Arena," and Todd and his band hammered out every
track at the Community Theatre on Thursday.
Fans who came hoping to hear such '70s pop classics as "Hello, It's Me"
or "Can We Still Be Friends" took awhile to warm to this aural assault.
But Todd overpowered them, breaking their will to resist by the fourth
or fifth song.
"Arena" sounds like Frank Zappa-meets-AC/DC. . .with catchy riffs and
sharp lyrics (when they cut through the din).
"Seek the truth," Todd advised between tunes, blasting the country's
"horrible, horrible" leadership by "cowards, perverts, liars and
hypocrites."
The songs from "Arena" are meant to be heard together. Concept albums,
alas, are not dead. It's nice to know that after 20 albums, Todd
Rundgren still has something to say. Plenty, in fact. At the top of his
lungs.
But let's hope, for everyone's sake, that there is no sequel to "Arena."
Because Todd would have to get really riled for that. Which probably
would mean the world had come completely unhinged.
Todd Rundgren at the Community Theatre on Thursday.
Backing Todd Rundgren are drummer Prairie Prince, bass player
Rachel Haden and Todd's former Utopia band-mate, Kasim Sulton. Guitarist Jesse Gress
Todd Rundgren, at Morristown's Community Theatre.
Todd Rundgren played for an hour and 45 minutes on Thursday.
Todd Rundgren: "I'm in the same freaking boat as you guys," he told the big crowd, referring to economic meltdown. "Seek the truth!" advised Todd Rundgren,
citing "horrible, horrible leadership (by) cowards, perverts, liars and
hypocrites."
A force of nature--Todd Rundgren puts the pedal to the metal
at age 60
by George! by George!Todd Rundgren at the Community Theatre by
George!Todd Rundgren by George! by George!Todd Rundgren's band performs
songs from new "Arena" album at the Community Theatre on Thursday
Friday October 10, 2008, 11:36 AM Ear
plugs are no match for Todd Rundgren's "Arena" tour!
There is plenty of bad news to grouse about these days.
But Todd Rundgren went a step farther. He grabbed a laptop, barricaded
himself in a linen closet at his eco/smart Hawaiian home, and emerged
with 13 snarling, tonsil-burning, ear-blistering songs. This guy knows
how to do angry.
The album is called "Arena," and Todd and his band hammered out every
track at the Community Theatre on Thursday.
Fans who came hoping to hear such '70s pop classics as "Hello, It's Me"
or "Can We Still Be Friends" took awhile to warm to this aural assault.
But Todd overpowered them, breaking their will to resist by the fourth
or fifth song.
"Arena" sounds like Frank Zappa-meets-AC/DC. . .with catchy riffs and
sharp lyrics (when they cut through the din).
"Seek the truth," Todd advised between tunes, blasting the country's
"horrible, horrible" leadership by "cowards, perverts, liars and
hypocrites."
The songs from "Arena" are meant to be heard together. Concept albums,
alas, are not dead. It's nice to know that after 20 albums, Todd
Rundgren still has something to say. Plenty, in fact. At the top of his
lungs.
But let's hope, for everyone's sake, that there is no sequel to "Arena."
Because Todd would have to get really riled for that. Which probably
would mean the world had come completely unhinged.
Todd Rundgren at the Community Theatre on Thursday.
Backing Todd Rundgren are drummer Prairie Prince, bass player
Rachel Haden and Todd's former Utopia band-mate, Kasim Sulton. Guitarist Jesse Gress
Todd Rundgren, at Morristown's Community Theatre.
Todd Rundgren played for an hour and 45 minutes on Thursday.
Todd Rundgren: "I'm in the same freaking boat as you guys," he told the big crowd, referring to economic meltdown. "Seek the truth!" advised Todd Rundgren,
citing "horrible, horrible leadership (by) cowards, perverts, liars and
hypocrites."
A force of nature--Todd Rundgren puts the pedal to the metal
at age 60
by George! by George!Todd Rundgren at the Community Theatre by
George!Todd Rundgren by George! by George!Todd Rundgren's band performs
songs from new "Arena" album at the Community Theatre on Thursday
REVIEW: Rocker Rundgren returns with new CD, Orange Peel show
http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008810090344
With over four decades in the music business as a performer, producer
and digital innovator, Todd Rundgren has never settled into a
particular style. He's had solo hits in the '70s with songs like "I
Saw the Light" and "Hello It's Me" and explored experimental synthy
prog-rock territory with the band Utopia. He's also produced albums
for a diverse range of artists from XTC to Meatloaf to Patti Smith to
Cheap Trick. Just two years ago he stepped into the position of Ric
Ocasek to front a touring incarnation of The New Cars.
Last week he released "Arena," a disc of intentionally big rock
songs. Rundgren plays all of the instruments on the album of
bombastic stadium-style anthems, and he has recently put together a
touring band to recreate the disc on a national fall tour, which
visits The Orange Peel on Wednesday.
Question: Tell me about the new album.
Answer: It's a result of the kind of touring I've been doing lately —
much more guitar oriented, not so dependent on synthesizers and other
kinds of sounds. I've discovered that a lot my fans seem to enjoy
that kind of presentation. It takes them back to the old days of when
Utopia was just a fledgling band. A lot of it has to do with the
response I've been getting in recent months and years.
Q: Why did you play all of the instruments on "Arena?"
A: That's something I started doing on my very first solo album.
People associate that type of approach with me. There's a particular
character to a song when one person is doing everything. There are
certain stylistic earmarks, because I play or program all the parts
the way I hear them, as opposed to how another musician might hear
them.
Q: How are the songs translating with a full band?
A: The record just came out this past week, but we've been playing
the tunes at shows since June. I've been surprised how receptive
people have been to material they've never heard before. That's a
measure of success in how this concept is coming together.
Q: You have an extensive discography. How much of it will you cover
at The Orange Peel?
A: We certainly throw in some older material. I even like to mix in
some covers — songs that the audience might not be highly familiar
with. There are songs out there that have been orphaned by their
original bands, so we'll adopt them for a while. We do "Red Rider" by
Lunatic Fringe and "Walls Came Down" by The Call — songs that were
minor hits in their day.
Q: In the future do you expect to do more playing or producing?
A: I don't expect to make a self-conscious change from the variety of
things I've been doing. I've been doing less producing, but that's
more because of global changes in the music industry. Budgets for
recordings are not as great. I made "Arena" entirely on a laptop.
Musicians don't call up producers as often.
Jedd Ferris writes for take5. Email him at jeddferris@gmail.com.
With over four decades in the music business as a performer, producer
and digital innovator, Todd Rundgren has never settled into a
particular style. He's had solo hits in the '70s with songs like "I
Saw the Light" and "Hello It's Me" and explored experimental synthy
prog-rock territory with the band Utopia. He's also produced albums
for a diverse range of artists from XTC to Meatloaf to Patti Smith to
Cheap Trick. Just two years ago he stepped into the position of Ric
Ocasek to front a touring incarnation of The New Cars.
Last week he released "Arena," a disc of intentionally big rock
songs. Rundgren plays all of the instruments on the album of
bombastic stadium-style anthems, and he has recently put together a
touring band to recreate the disc on a national fall tour, which
visits The Orange Peel on Wednesday.
Question: Tell me about the new album.
Answer: It's a result of the kind of touring I've been doing lately —
much more guitar oriented, not so dependent on synthesizers and other
kinds of sounds. I've discovered that a lot my fans seem to enjoy
that kind of presentation. It takes them back to the old days of when
Utopia was just a fledgling band. A lot of it has to do with the
response I've been getting in recent months and years.
Q: Why did you play all of the instruments on "Arena?"
A: That's something I started doing on my very first solo album.
People associate that type of approach with me. There's a particular
character to a song when one person is doing everything. There are
certain stylistic earmarks, because I play or program all the parts
the way I hear them, as opposed to how another musician might hear
them.
Q: How are the songs translating with a full band?
A: The record just came out this past week, but we've been playing
the tunes at shows since June. I've been surprised how receptive
people have been to material they've never heard before. That's a
measure of success in how this concept is coming together.
Q: You have an extensive discography. How much of it will you cover
at The Orange Peel?
A: We certainly throw in some older material. I even like to mix in
some covers — songs that the audience might not be highly familiar
with. There are songs out there that have been orphaned by their
original bands, so we'll adopt them for a while. We do "Red Rider" by
Lunatic Fringe and "Walls Came Down" by The Call — songs that were
minor hits in their day.
Q: In the future do you expect to do more playing or producing?
A: I don't expect to make a self-conscious change from the variety of
things I've been doing. I've been doing less producing, but that's
more because of global changes in the music industry. Budgets for
recordings are not as great. I made "Arena" entirely on a laptop.
Musicians don't call up producers as often.
Jedd Ferris writes for take5. Email him at jeddferris@gmail.com.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Video: Park West Chicago 10/7/2008 texaspoiboy
upped on youtube by texaspoiboy
black maria
love in action
black maria
love in action
Video: Park West 10/7/08 Chicago debraharris
upped on youtube by debraharris
black maria
open my eyes
i saw the light
black maria
open my eyes
i saw the light
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Review: by Bill Kopp www.musoscribe.com
The personal and the universal
Todd Rundgren rocks out, but keeps it real
by Bill Kopp in Vol. 15 / Iss. 11 on 10/08/2008
When the character Forrest Gump compared life to a box of chocolates
("you never know what you're gonna get"), he could have just as
easily drawn a comparison to the music of Todd Rundgren. Throughout
his career—beginning in 1967 with proto-powerpop quartet Nazz,
through his solo work, albums with Utopia and extensive production
duties for others—Rundgren has charted an idiosyncratic path.
To a casual observer, his stylistic changes might seem haphazard.
Rundgren attributes his approach to restlessness: "I have never
actually seen myself as a stylist, someone trying to develop a
personal style and milk that until the public loses interest in it,"
Rundgren says in an interview with Xpress. He says that his musical
approach "is as much about entertaining myself as it is entertaining
anyone else."
His latest album—Arena, released Sept. 30 on HiFi—is his 20th solo
album of new material (depending on how you count). And it marks
something of a return to form. His last studio release, 2004's Liars,
was a concept album (the songs all "fit into a thematic puzzle," Todd
says, "about dishonesty in modern life"). So, too, he says, is Arena.
But is it a topical album specifically about current events? "If you
want to talk about leadership by deception and cowardice," Rundgren
says with a laugh, "then a certain 43rd president's name might pop
into your head. But that doesn't mean that he thought these ideas up.
This goes back to the frickin' Roman Empire: Nero fiddling while Rome
burned."
As is his hallmark, Rundgren's lyrics try to bridge the personal and
the universal, angling toward the timeless rather than the timely. He
says that if these songs were "totally specific to one personality, I
wouldn't feel as inclined to write about them. Because 10 years from
now, people will forget about that person. Our loathing of George W.
Bush will eventually dull into a kind of lingering disgust, because
we won't have to deal with him anymore."
Rundgren observes that the qualities of leadership and heroism "are
things that come out of us; they become manifest in various
personalities and situations." Yet he says that he's most interested
in writing about "the part that's inside us, pre-manifestation."
"This particular record is about the concepts of courage and
cowardice, and how they manifest from the small—like personal doubts,
extremely internal things—to interpersonal reactions, and how those
characteristics play out between people ... all the way up to crises
in leadership, to the political milieu that we find ourselves in,"
Rundgren notes.
But as its title suggests, Arena rocks, too. While Rundgren has made
significant forays into singer/songwriter territory (The Ballad of
Todd Rundgren in 1971), prog rock (much of Utopia's early output),
bossa nova (1997's With a Twist ...), Broadway (1991's 2nd Wind) and
even hip-hop (1992's No World Order), Arena leans toward fist-
pumping, anthemic rockers with hooks and catchy choruses. Concert-
goers should expect a loud, raucous, rocking evening.
All of the songs on Arena were written early this year; when Rundgren
played in Greenville, S.C., a mere six months ago, he didn't play any
of the new songs. ("I hadn't," he admits, "even started on the new
material then.") The album was recorded at his home on the Hawaiian
island of Kauai, with Rundgren playing all of the instruments.
But on this tour, he performs the whole of Arena (plus other songs
from the rockier end of his extensive catalog) with a top-notch band
that includes longtime musical associates Prairie Prince (drums)
Jesse Gress (guitar, vocals) and Todd's former Utopia band mate Kasim
Sulton (keyboards, guitar, vocals). Rachel Haden, daughter of famed
jazz bassist Charlie Haden, plays bass and sings. But it's Rundgren
the audience will see out front, singing lead and wailing on guitar.
Rundgren's stop at The Orange Peel is his last before he's off for a
month of dates in Europe.
So what unusual direction might Rundgren—now 60 years old—pursue
next? If he's decided, he's not telling. "I imagine there are a whole
lot of things that I could explore. I'm not like Paul McCartney," he
observes, "longing to write my symphony."
Meanwhile, the baker's dozen of new songs on Arena manage to have it
both ways: They rock out in a melodic fashion, yet lyrically they
convey what's on Todd Rundgren's mind these days. "I didn't
necessarily want to do something political or topical," he
explains. "I wanted to do something about people. Something that
is ... human."
[Bill Kopp is an Asheville-based music journalist whose features and
reviews can be found at ]http://www.musoscribe.com.]
who: Todd Rundgren
where: The Orange Peel
when: Oct. 15 (8 p.m. $25 advance/$27 door.
http://www.theorangepeel.net or 225-5851)
For more or to leave comments :
http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2008/100808the_personal_and_the_universal
Todd Rundgren rocks out, but keeps it real
by Bill Kopp in Vol. 15 / Iss. 11 on 10/08/2008
When the character Forrest Gump compared life to a box of chocolates
("you never know what you're gonna get"), he could have just as
easily drawn a comparison to the music of Todd Rundgren. Throughout
his career—beginning in 1967 with proto-powerpop quartet Nazz,
through his solo work, albums with Utopia and extensive production
duties for others—Rundgren has charted an idiosyncratic path.
To a casual observer, his stylistic changes might seem haphazard.
Rundgren attributes his approach to restlessness: "I have never
actually seen myself as a stylist, someone trying to develop a
personal style and milk that until the public loses interest in it,"
Rundgren says in an interview with Xpress. He says that his musical
approach "is as much about entertaining myself as it is entertaining
anyone else."
His latest album—Arena, released Sept. 30 on HiFi—is his 20th solo
album of new material (depending on how you count). And it marks
something of a return to form. His last studio release, 2004's Liars,
was a concept album (the songs all "fit into a thematic puzzle," Todd
says, "about dishonesty in modern life"). So, too, he says, is Arena.
But is it a topical album specifically about current events? "If you
want to talk about leadership by deception and cowardice," Rundgren
says with a laugh, "then a certain 43rd president's name might pop
into your head. But that doesn't mean that he thought these ideas up.
This goes back to the frickin' Roman Empire: Nero fiddling while Rome
burned."
As is his hallmark, Rundgren's lyrics try to bridge the personal and
the universal, angling toward the timeless rather than the timely. He
says that if these songs were "totally specific to one personality, I
wouldn't feel as inclined to write about them. Because 10 years from
now, people will forget about that person. Our loathing of George W.
Bush will eventually dull into a kind of lingering disgust, because
we won't have to deal with him anymore."
Rundgren observes that the qualities of leadership and heroism "are
things that come out of us; they become manifest in various
personalities and situations." Yet he says that he's most interested
in writing about "the part that's inside us, pre-manifestation."
"This particular record is about the concepts of courage and
cowardice, and how they manifest from the small—like personal doubts,
extremely internal things—to interpersonal reactions, and how those
characteristics play out between people ... all the way up to crises
in leadership, to the political milieu that we find ourselves in,"
Rundgren notes.
But as its title suggests, Arena rocks, too. While Rundgren has made
significant forays into singer/songwriter territory (The Ballad of
Todd Rundgren in 1971), prog rock (much of Utopia's early output),
bossa nova (1997's With a Twist ...), Broadway (1991's 2nd Wind) and
even hip-hop (1992's No World Order), Arena leans toward fist-
pumping, anthemic rockers with hooks and catchy choruses. Concert-
goers should expect a loud, raucous, rocking evening.
All of the songs on Arena were written early this year; when Rundgren
played in Greenville, S.C., a mere six months ago, he didn't play any
of the new songs. ("I hadn't," he admits, "even started on the new
material then.") The album was recorded at his home on the Hawaiian
island of Kauai, with Rundgren playing all of the instruments.
But on this tour, he performs the whole of Arena (plus other songs
from the rockier end of his extensive catalog) with a top-notch band
that includes longtime musical associates Prairie Prince (drums)
Jesse Gress (guitar, vocals) and Todd's former Utopia band mate Kasim
Sulton (keyboards, guitar, vocals). Rachel Haden, daughter of famed
jazz bassist Charlie Haden, plays bass and sings. But it's Rundgren
the audience will see out front, singing lead and wailing on guitar.
Rundgren's stop at The Orange Peel is his last before he's off for a
month of dates in Europe.
So what unusual direction might Rundgren—now 60 years old—pursue
next? If he's decided, he's not telling. "I imagine there are a whole
lot of things that I could explore. I'm not like Paul McCartney," he
observes, "longing to write my symphony."
Meanwhile, the baker's dozen of new songs on Arena manage to have it
both ways: They rock out in a melodic fashion, yet lyrically they
convey what's on Todd Rundgren's mind these days. "I didn't
necessarily want to do something political or topical," he
explains. "I wanted to do something about people. Something that
is ... human."
[Bill Kopp is an Asheville-based music journalist whose features and
reviews can be found at ]http://www.musoscribe.com.]
who: Todd Rundgren
where: The Orange Peel
when: Oct. 15 (8 p.m. $25 advance/$27 door.
http://www.theorangepeel.net or 225-5851)
For more or to leave comments :
http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2008/100808the_personal_and_the_universal
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
VIDEO: VEGAS PRIVATE PARTY "PISSIN"
thanks oc sheri for bringing this to my attention
Brian Grace playing sax with Todd Rundgren in Vegas (front)
Brian Grace playing sax with Todd Rundgren in Vegas (front)
Clash magazine – Todd Rundgren Returns to His Roots (October 7)
CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE FULL SIZE
Clash magazine – Todd Rundgren Returns to His Roots (October 7)
RUNDGRENRADIO TONIGHT RALPH SCHUKETT
Ralph Schuckett Tuesday, 10/07/08 8:30 ET
Please join us for an evening with Ralph Schuckett Tuesday at 8:30 pm ET.Ralph has been all over the place...member of Todd Rundgren's Utopia, session work with The Four Tops, Carol King, James Taylor, Hall & Oates, Cher, Phoebe Snow, and Bette Midler. He's also produced music for Sophie B. Hawkins, Belinda Carlisle. And if that's not enough, he's even done music for Pokemon. .... to name a few of his accomplishments.We'll also have the first match of the Battle of the Todds. Listen in so you'll be informed on how to Rock the Vote!Callers are, of course, welcome. See ya on the radio! RundgrenRadio.com
Please join us for an evening with Ralph Schuckett Tuesday at 8:30 pm ET.Ralph has been all over the place...member of Todd Rundgren's Utopia, session work with The Four Tops, Carol King, James Taylor, Hall & Oates, Cher, Phoebe Snow, and Bette Midler. He's also produced music for Sophie B. Hawkins, Belinda Carlisle. And if that's not enough, he's even done music for Pokemon. .... to name a few of his accomplishments.We'll also have the first match of the Battle of the Todds. Listen in so you'll be informed on how to Rock the Vote!Callers are, of course, welcome. See ya on the radio! RundgrenRadio.com
Monday, October 6, 2008
REVIEW: FUN AND MUSIC B.R.COHN FALL FESTIVAL
October 6, 2008 Fun and music at the B.R. Cohn Fall FestivalJ.M. Berry Sonoma Valley Sun
The threat of rain and the actual occasional shower didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the near-capacity crowd Saturday, as the sun peeked through the clouds at near-perfect weather for the kick-off of the 22nd year of the charity concert.
The Turtles have to be one of the most fun rock acts playing today, with a show that borders on a circus act. The repertoire ran the gambit of '60s rock classics, including the handful of hits they had during the day, intertwined with joking about their ages and generally poking fun at the '60s.Up next was Todd Rundgren, and we're not sure that the laid-back winery crowd was prepared for what was going to hit them. Rundgren and band hit the stage in all black with a full-blown hard rock assault that included many of his past hits and a large chunk of his new album, which will be released this week. Playing guitar the entire set, Rundgren assumed every "rock position" known, and even a made up a few new ones, all while laying down shredding guitar riffs.Kris Kristofferson's turn was next and using only guitar and a harmonica, he captivated the crowd's attention with his thought-provoking lyrics and classic vocals. Many of his songs harkened back to the '60s, with themes about ending the war and social injustice. The American legend seemed to be having a great time on the winery stage, laughing and smiling throughout his set.Wrapping up the show were perennial favorites the Doobie Brothers, who were absolutely polished and in mid-tour form as they laid down favorite after favorite in true Doobie Brothers style. Front man Tom Johnston was very enthusiastic on stage, running right out to the crowd with his wireless guitar, getting everyone pumped up and into the music. The brothers closed the set with the classic "Listen to the Music" that had the whole crowd singing along.Sunday's show, which also features the Doobie Brothers and the Turtles and adds Dave Mason and Robert Cray to the bill, was sold out.http://sonomasun.thmm.com/?p=4783
RARE concert advertisement NAZZ
HERE IS A OLD CONCERT ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE NAZZ OPENING UP FOR THE BEE GEE AT FOREST HILLS STADIUM IN NEW YORK
Sunday, October 5, 2008
XM radio...Oct.6 10-11:00 pm deep tracks channel
Todd Rundgren's "Arena" World Premiere 40 Deep Tracks 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM (1 hr)
It's Todd Rundgren's first studio album in 5 years, "Arena." It is a guitar-based concept record inspired by the movie "300," in which a small group of men had to face an invading overwhelming army. They knew they would most likely die, yet undertook their mission with a sense of duty and courage. Todd used that to compare our leaders of today. He says it is up to all of us to hold our leaders accountable and take actions in our daily lives to improve the world we will leave for our children. Catchy, guitar-based, the album is being hailed as Todd's best music in decades. Normally, he doesn?t talk directly about songs, but he feels this is too important, and will actually share his meanings and intentions. He'll also recount a few amusing stories about 3 of his most beloved past songs.
Add to My Favorite Shows
It's Todd Rundgren's first studio album in 5 years, "Arena." It is a guitar-based concept record inspired by the movie "300," in which a small group of men had to face an invading overwhelming army. They knew they would most likely die, yet undertook their mission with a sense of duty and courage. Todd used that to compare our leaders of today. He says it is up to all of us to hold our leaders accountable and take actions in our daily lives to improve the world we will leave for our children. Catchy, guitar-based, the album is being hailed as Todd's best music in decades. Normally, he doesn?t talk directly about songs, but he feels this is too important, and will actually share his meanings and intentions. He'll also recount a few amusing stories about 3 of his most beloved past songs.
Add to My Favorite Shows
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Rundgren talks new album, New Cars - Northwest Herald News Article
Rundgren talks new album, New Cars
By ERIC SCHELKOPF -
Observant fans a few years ago might have caught a glimpse of musician Todd Rundgren sitting in the stands of Elfstrom Stadium in Geneva watching his son, Rex, play for the Kane County Cougars.
These days, Todd Rundgren is touring the country in support of "Arena," his first new studio album in four years. The new album comes on the heels of his recent stint as the frontman of The New Cars, a reunion of sorts for new wave group The Cars.
The writer of such classic hits as "Hello, It's Me" and "Can We Still Be Friends" recently talked about his latest project in an interview prior to his appearance Monday at the Park West in Chicago.
How did you like sitting in Elfstrom Stadium watching your son?
It was great. Those were some of best times that Rex had playing baseball.
You are coming to town with your new album, "Arena," which also describes the album's sound – arena rock.
It does describe the sound and the mood, I suppose. There are a lot of themes of conflict and heroic battles. So the arena theme has something to do with that as well.
Was it fun making the album?
I always enjoy making records. Sometimes it's a little hard getting off the dime. You have to build up a head of steam or a little energy, but that usually comes once I get my head into the process. There is always the possibility that I will get it into my head that I want to make a record and I start making it, and nothing comes out. But fortunately for me, I haven't found myself in that situation yet. I am still able to get the creative juices going and eventually if I stick with it, I've got a record.
This project started after The New Cars tour was cut short.
When we had that accident and Elliot Easton broke his collarbone and The Cars tour came to a screeching halt, I found myself with nothing to do. I figured out the simplest thing to do was a guitar quartet, and as it turned out, that seemed to be what the audience was longing for. I didn't realize there was so much pent up desire for it.
I understand you wrote "Arena" in your house in Hawaii on your laptop.
I recorded it all on my laptop, so I did some of it in the house and I did some of it while I was on the road. I would say that the lion's share of it I did here in my house, but not in anything that you could call a regular studio. Everything went directly into the laptop, so there really wasn't that much in the way of extra hardware. And I didn't really need a special environment.
You recorded the album in your linen closet.
Well, that was the vocals. I needed some place to kind of make noise, without disturbing the neighbors and without being disturbed. And the quietest place is my linen closet.
How did The New Cars project come about?
I've known Elliot Easton for a while. They wanted to get Rick Ocasek [the original Cars singer] to do it, but he was a little hesitant to go out. So I decided I would take a crack at filling in. It seemed to work. The audiences really liked it. The only problem was the accident we had that essentially brought our tour to a halt, our debut tour.
Was that fun to do?I enjoyed it. I enjoy a lot of these roles where I don't have to necessarily be the person totally responsible for the music. In the case of The New Cars, yeah I'm singing all the songs pretty much, but it isn't my material. I am not necessarily on the hook for the song.
TODD RUNDGREN
When: 7:30 p.m. Monday
Where: Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago
Tickets: $52.50
Information: 312-559-1212 or www.ticketmaster.com
By ERIC SCHELKOPF -
Observant fans a few years ago might have caught a glimpse of musician Todd Rundgren sitting in the stands of Elfstrom Stadium in Geneva watching his son, Rex, play for the Kane County Cougars.
These days, Todd Rundgren is touring the country in support of "Arena," his first new studio album in four years. The new album comes on the heels of his recent stint as the frontman of The New Cars, a reunion of sorts for new wave group The Cars.
The writer of such classic hits as "Hello, It's Me" and "Can We Still Be Friends" recently talked about his latest project in an interview prior to his appearance Monday at the Park West in Chicago.
How did you like sitting in Elfstrom Stadium watching your son?
It was great. Those were some of best times that Rex had playing baseball.
You are coming to town with your new album, "Arena," which also describes the album's sound – arena rock.
It does describe the sound and the mood, I suppose. There are a lot of themes of conflict and heroic battles. So the arena theme has something to do with that as well.
Was it fun making the album?
I always enjoy making records. Sometimes it's a little hard getting off the dime. You have to build up a head of steam or a little energy, but that usually comes once I get my head into the process. There is always the possibility that I will get it into my head that I want to make a record and I start making it, and nothing comes out. But fortunately for me, I haven't found myself in that situation yet. I am still able to get the creative juices going and eventually if I stick with it, I've got a record.
This project started after The New Cars tour was cut short.
When we had that accident and Elliot Easton broke his collarbone and The Cars tour came to a screeching halt, I found myself with nothing to do. I figured out the simplest thing to do was a guitar quartet, and as it turned out, that seemed to be what the audience was longing for. I didn't realize there was so much pent up desire for it.
I understand you wrote "Arena" in your house in Hawaii on your laptop.
I recorded it all on my laptop, so I did some of it in the house and I did some of it while I was on the road. I would say that the lion's share of it I did here in my house, but not in anything that you could call a regular studio. Everything went directly into the laptop, so there really wasn't that much in the way of extra hardware. And I didn't really need a special environment.
You recorded the album in your linen closet.
Well, that was the vocals. I needed some place to kind of make noise, without disturbing the neighbors and without being disturbed. And the quietest place is my linen closet.
How did The New Cars project come about?
I've known Elliot Easton for a while. They wanted to get Rick Ocasek [the original Cars singer] to do it, but he was a little hesitant to go out. So I decided I would take a crack at filling in. It seemed to work. The audiences really liked it. The only problem was the accident we had that essentially brought our tour to a halt, our debut tour.
Was that fun to do?I enjoyed it. I enjoy a lot of these roles where I don't have to necessarily be the person totally responsible for the music. In the case of The New Cars, yeah I'm singing all the songs pretty much, but it isn't my material. I am not necessarily on the hook for the song.
TODD RUNDGREN
When: 7:30 p.m. Monday
Where: Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago
Tickets: $52.50
Information: 312-559-1212 or www.ticketmaster.com
Friday, October 3, 2008
Article: Rocker Rundgren reflects on his Marin Years
Rocker Rundgren reflects on his Marin years
Paul Liberatore
Article Launched: 10/02/2008 11:52:42 PM PDT
Rocker Todd Rundgren, who once called Marin home, will be one of the performers this weekend at a charity music festival in Sonoma County.
IN 1996, AFTER LIVING in Sausalito for a decade, Todd Rundgren said aloha to Marin and began a new life in Hawaii.
"Marin is a lovely place," he told me then, "but I won't be sorry to leave. It's changed so rapidly in the last 10 years. That's one of the disadvantages of a lovely place. It attracts the feckless nouveau riche."
He ruffled some feathers with cracks like that, especially as he prepared to build a nouveau riche Balinese-Thai-style house and recording studio on the north shore of Kauai, where he still lives.
But they were said with a smile, and he's never really left us entirely.
He comes through on tour a couple of times a year and plays on Saturday at the B.R. Cohn Charity Fall Music Festival in Glen Ellen.
And he'll be visiting his wife, Michelle, who's living in the family's San Francisco apartment while their youngest son, ReBop, 16, attends San Francisco City College.
To be accurate, Rundgren lives these days in an empty nest. His oldest son, Rex, is a shortshop for the Los Angeles Dodgers' Triple A team, the 51s, in Las Vegas. And his middle boy, Randy, played a couple of years of junior college baseball and is now enrolled at a college in Missouri.
"I enjoyed living in Sausalito," Rundgren allows now, a dozen years after leaving Marin. "But the place where I live now is no slouch, either. And I don't yearn for the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area."
The 60-year-old Rundgren, a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who became a
star with radio-friendly songs like "We Gotta Get You a Woman," "Hello It's Me" and "Can We Still Be Friends?" does yearn for another hit, the kind of smash that would propel him into playing sports stadiums and arenas again.
That may be why he calls his new album, a classic guitar-driven rock record, "Arena."
"It's old-style, going back to the '70s rock music that would be appropriate for an arena," he says. "We're hoping it's a self-fulfilling prophesy, that eventually arenas will be where the music gets played. But, If you don't have music ready for the arena, you're not going to be in them."
IF YOU LOVE TODD
What: B.R. CohnCharity Fall Music Festival
Who: Todd Rundgren, the Doobie Brothers, Kris Kristofferson, the Turtles and Michael Finnegan
When: Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday; doors open at 11 a.m. (Sunday concert sold out)
Where: B.R. Cohn Winery Amphitheater, 15000 Sonoma Highway, Glen Ellen (Sonoma County)
Tickets: General admission $95 (lawn seating, no chairs permitted); VIP tickets $325
Information: 800-330-4064, www.brcohn.com/concerts
Paul Liberatore can be reached at liberatore@marinij.com
Paul Liberatore
Article Launched: 10/02/2008 11:52:42 PM PDT
Rocker Todd Rundgren, who once called Marin home, will be one of the performers this weekend at a charity music festival in Sonoma County.
IN 1996, AFTER LIVING in Sausalito for a decade, Todd Rundgren said aloha to Marin and began a new life in Hawaii.
"Marin is a lovely place," he told me then, "but I won't be sorry to leave. It's changed so rapidly in the last 10 years. That's one of the disadvantages of a lovely place. It attracts the feckless nouveau riche."
He ruffled some feathers with cracks like that, especially as he prepared to build a nouveau riche Balinese-Thai-style house and recording studio on the north shore of Kauai, where he still lives.
But they were said with a smile, and he's never really left us entirely.
He comes through on tour a couple of times a year and plays on Saturday at the B.R. Cohn Charity Fall Music Festival in Glen Ellen.
And he'll be visiting his wife, Michelle, who's living in the family's San Francisco apartment while their youngest son, ReBop, 16, attends San Francisco City College.
To be accurate, Rundgren lives these days in an empty nest. His oldest son, Rex, is a shortshop for the Los Angeles Dodgers' Triple A team, the 51s, in Las Vegas. And his middle boy, Randy, played a couple of years of junior college baseball and is now enrolled at a college in Missouri.
"I enjoyed living in Sausalito," Rundgren allows now, a dozen years after leaving Marin. "But the place where I live now is no slouch, either. And I don't yearn for the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area."
The 60-year-old Rundgren, a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who became a
star with radio-friendly songs like "We Gotta Get You a Woman," "Hello It's Me" and "Can We Still Be Friends?" does yearn for another hit, the kind of smash that would propel him into playing sports stadiums and arenas again.
That may be why he calls his new album, a classic guitar-driven rock record, "Arena."
"It's old-style, going back to the '70s rock music that would be appropriate for an arena," he says. "We're hoping it's a self-fulfilling prophesy, that eventually arenas will be where the music gets played. But, If you don't have music ready for the arena, you're not going to be in them."
IF YOU LOVE TODD
What: B.R. CohnCharity Fall Music Festival
Who: Todd Rundgren, the Doobie Brothers, Kris Kristofferson, the Turtles and Michael Finnegan
When: Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday; doors open at 11 a.m. (Sunday concert sold out)
Where: B.R. Cohn Winery Amphitheater, 15000 Sonoma Highway, Glen Ellen (Sonoma County)
Tickets: General admission $95 (lawn seating, no chairs permitted); VIP tickets $325
Information: 800-330-4064, www.brcohn.com/concerts
Paul Liberatore can be reached at liberatore@marinij.com
Thursday, October 2, 2008
REVIEW: CRAWDADDY MAGAZINE
Crawdaddy!
The Magazine of Rock
Todd Rundgren
by Paul Myers
Todd Rundgren Arena (Hi-Fi Recordings, 2008)
Loyalty is essential for fans of the legendarily eclectic Todd Rundgren, because, from album to album, you never know just which Todd you're going to get. Throughout his over four decades as a recording artist, Rundgren has constantly confounded stylistic expectations in the pursuit of his untamed muse. Thus, it's been a wild ride from the so-called "proto power pop" of his first band, Nazz, to the piano-pounding, blue-eyed soul of his Runt years and his seminal 1972 one man band milestone, Something/Anything?
Since then he's also made stops at hard rock, Tropicália, R&B, AM pop ballads, and even a successful stab at laptop drum `n' bass with 2004's Liars. Then, there were the various incarnations of his band Utopia, which evolved from a populous quasi-jazz prog rock ensemble to a populist four-man new wave strike force over several wildly different albums between 1974 and 1986.
As an iconoclastic studio rat, Rundgren has redefined what it means to be a solo artist, particularly when technological advances have enabled him to march to the beat of his own drum machine.
Yet there are commonalities in his work, and even at his most conceptual, Rundgren's diversions always manage to bear melodically inventive fruit. And music aside, his lyrics have constantly strived to reconcile life's biggest spiritual and intellectual questions. As such, Todd's devoted fans trust him to show them a good time, wherever they may end up.
Even casual fans, though, will rejoice upon hearing that Rundgren has decided, on his 20th solo release, Arena, to crank up a good old "sing-along, guitar-rock" record. Naturally, Rundgren's philosophical bent leads him to spike these metallic leanings with a lyrical dissertation on the nature of anger, violence, and courage; albeit one that you can pump your fist and make devil horn hands to. Fittingly, the cover photo depicts a leaping Rundgren in a decidedly gladiatorial pose, bare-chested with guitar and shield at hand. What's put him on the warpath?
Well, it appears that, like many of us, Rundgren has had enough of eight years of the Bush Doctrine, and continuing on from Liars, a study of human deception, Arena dwells on the next step: Emotional consequences. I don't know about you, but when I find out someone's been lying to me, I usually get mad before I get even. Rundgren must feel that way too, because he opens with a track called "Mad." Starting with nimble acoustic fingerpicking in a cave-like reverb, the track escalates into stadium-sized rock rage as Rundgren's righteous anger boils over atop an aggressive eighth-note bass pulse and hard rock power riffing.
"This is more than upset,"Rundgren screams,"It's as enraged as I get / And you ain't seen me mad yet / And now I'm mad."
After staking out his hard-rocking territory, there's a brief soulful blues interlude on "Afraid" before he cranks it up again on "Mercenary." Rundgren could easily be talking about Blackwater, Inc.—the private military contractors hired by the Bushies in Iraq—when he sings, "Close your eyes and plug your ears and turn away / I will execute the task without dismay / Just leave upon the table what you've agreed to pay… I will do your dirty work."
"Gun" opens fire with a loaded Stratocaster over a Texas roadhouse boogie shuffle augmented with military chanting: "This is my rifle and this is my gun / This is for fighting and this is for fun." He's packin' heat, for sure, but one wonders how many NRA-lovin' Texas rednecks would lock and load to Rundgren's lyrical message: "I'm young, dumb, and I've got a gun / Public idiot number one / The constitution says that I'm so blessed / That I can clean my piece on the Supreme Court steps.
"Rundgren doesn't appear worried though, and fearlessly sticks to his thematic guns on the album's most striking tune, "Courage", a pressing call to find the bravery to follow one's convictions. Bold and anthemic, it's classic Rundgren, pondering the kind of emotional struggle he's previously explored in songs like "Real Man" from Initiation or "Determination" from Hermit of Mink Hollow.
"Weakness" glides masterfully back into Philly soul turf, this time with Hendrix-style ascending bass and guitar riffery, droning Hammond organ and a Wall o' Todd vocal chorus evocative of Something/Anything?
Next, Rundgren cranks up his best Angus Young guitar tone and affects a curiously Brian Johnson-like vocal rasp on "Strike." Sonically, it's as close as Rundgren has ever gotten to one of those massive Mutt Lange productions, complete with macho voices imploring the listener to "Strike while the iron is hot," and taunting, "Are you ready to rumble? / Are you just gonna grumble?
"Inversely, the slinky, cat-like "Pissin" calls out the kind of macho for macho's sake bore that launches futile battles just to win a pissing contest. Then, the testosterone subsides as themes of Zen enlightenment and reconciliation permeate the next three songs, "Today", "Bardo", and a proverb called "Mountaintop", in which a shuffling fuzz boogie riff roots a protagonist's lyrical search for a higher view of his world.
Nearing the end of the cycle, the manic Utopian rocker "Panic" implores the listener to avoid making rash decisions, even if the "room is on fire" before Arena's big finale, "Manup", hammers home the album's call to arms in a blazing finish.
In spite of the fact that Rundgren made Arena alone on his little laptop, the word that most comes to mind throughout is "big." This is big music—with big ideas, big drums, big vocals, and even bigger guitars—to be played in big halls. It's also the most accessible guitar-rock album Rundgren has made in years. To the Arena, then, and let the games begin.
http://crawdaddy.wolfgangsvault.com/Review/Todd-Rundgren-Arena.html#comments
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)