Search - Todd Rundgren :: Extended Versions

STAY AWAY !

09/12/2002

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This album is a a disgrace, despite the fact that Todd is one of the most amazing live performers you could possibly see. I gave it one star because it contains the most amazing guitar work that Todd has ever released on the track "The Last Ride". However, you can get this and all these recordings in the King Bisquit Flower Hour CD from which all this music was taken. That CD offers more music, it is all in the proper context and contains liner notes and annotation.This is cheap for a reason. It stinks !"

No need to stay away

grego | Enumclaw, Wa USA | 10/18/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"What's with all the criticism of this FUN and affordable CD?

As Todd fans know, his concerts are more about elan and joie de vivre than anything else. What does that mean exactly? Elan is: "Enthusiasm: vigor. Spirit and style: flair." Joie de vivre means: "Lively enjoyment of life." This little CD has those qualities in spades, especially enthusiasm, vigor and flair.

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Sure, it has the usual assortment of bum notes and off-key singing... so what? This is a Todd Rundrgen concert, and that means it's loose and spontaneous, and darts around in unexpected directions without warning. I don't know about you, but that's what interests me about Todd Rundgren... his spontaneity... and there's lots of spontaneity here.

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It's simple really... if you like Todd... you'll like this CD, because his heart, his soul, his sense of humor, and dare I say it... his joie de vivre is fully on display here. There are however... no extended versions. The longest song is about 5:00 minutes and here's how to make this CD sound even better: Instead of beginning with Track 1 which is an a cappella version of "Real Man," begin with the last Track: the "Motown Medley" and set your CD player to Repeat 1 Disc. The a cappella song sounds wonderful after the sweet cooing and sensual saxophone of the Motown songs.

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When I play the disc this way, I feel like I've got my money's worth after just two songs, and yet there's still 30 minutes to go. Just imagine for a moment... really imagine the sweet sound of Todd singing "Ooh Baby Baby" while the piano tinkles softly in the background. Like I said, his heart and soul is on full display here, and this CD will easily pull you right into his world. As an added bonus, you'll get the sounds of an audience that's so out of their heads just to be in the same room with Todd, that they'll make you laugh just to hear their crazed enthusiasm. They even clap along through the a cappella song, and you can tell Todd loves it. He's got 'em in the palm of his hand. Such a FUN CD... it's almost like being there."

Pretty decent ...

PAUL MATKOVCIK | chicago, il USA | 02/14/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"but not great. The recordings are live and the tracks are not "mixed" together to simulate a "concert". There is no liner info at all with the CD. I think the recordings vary from performances in the mid-70's to the mid-80's. The standouts are "Real Man" from the "A Capella" tour and "Couldn't I Just Tell You" from what I think is a mid-70's tour as the song is performed with the near-original arrangement and TR sounds pretty young. Oh..."Last Ride" is good too. The kicker here for fans is "Couldn't I Just Tell You". Neophytes should go for another "Best of" CD. With that said...this is indeed a fine example of how well TR can sing and play live."