Todd Rundgren At the Pantages 01-22-2008

On Tuesday night I had the pleasure of reconnecting with an old musical friend – Todd Rundgren.  As many of you know, I am a longtime fan of Todd's – going back to my Philly roots. 

This concert, described by bassist Kasim Sultan was a "plug in and play" show, was part of the short  "Freeze Your Ass Off" tour.  There was no warm up band, no sets or effects,  just four guys pumping out the rock to warm the gray haired crowd of faithful fans.

Todd, clad in sexy black leather pants and black t-shirt, was joined by his longtime bass-player, Kasim Sultan, guitarist Jesse Gress, and former Journey drummer, Prairie Prince to "shred" his rock anthem guitar solos.

This tight set did not indulge us with love ballads or metaphysical questions, instead the songs were collected from the rockers of  Todd's 30 plus year oeuvre.

Set List:  All songs from Todd Rundgren albums, unless noted

Buffalo Grass

    2000   One Long Year

I Hate My Frickin' ISP

   2000   One Long Year

Black Maria

   1972 Something/Anything?

Soul Brother

    Cover

Mammon

    2004  Liars

Fascist Christ

    1993  No World Order

I Saw The Light

    1972    Something/Anything?   a top 100 hit

Black and White

    1976   Faithful

Lunatic Fringe

    Cover

#1 Lowest Common Denominator

     1974   Todd

Drive

     1983  Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect

Tiny Demons

    1981 Healing

Mystified

    1985   Utopia, POV

Broke Down and Busted

     1970 Runt

Slut

     1972 Something /Anything?

The Walls Came Down

     Cover  original by The Call

One World

     1982  Utopia, Swing To The Right 

Encore:

Hawking

     1989  Nearly Human

Trapped

     1977  Oops Wrong Planet

World Wide Epiphany

     1993  No World Order

Todd entertained the crowd with short comments, but mostly with his great, tight songs, guitar solos, and a little fancy footwork, that looked pretty good for a guy turning sixty.

Shout outs to old friends Kate and Bill, and of course to Lani, who was selling merchandise.  She  helped me pick out my new sage green Foamy sweatshirt.  Foamy is Todd's guitar.

Links:

The Todd Rundgren Connection – Website with everything you always needed to know about Todd Rundgren.

Todd Rundgren Radio -  Web Radio at it's finest.  New weekly shows about all things Todd.

Michele Rundgren -  This link is to "iTune In, iTune Out," a hilarious one act play, written and directed by Michele Rundgren.

YouTube Metalunatic has posted individual videos of Todd performing most of the songs in the Set List above, at a concert from May 2007.  Other You-Tuber's have posted videos from the current tour, as well.

Todd Rundgren interview on Minnesota Public Radio.  Todd appeared on "Mid Morning" on the day of the concert.  The interview can be heard here.

Comments

[tt]

Some guy yelled out for them to play "White Punks on Dope".
Prairie Prince was known more for The Tubes.

Thanks for the set list.

[inintyhon]

Hello! 

new to the forums. just thought i would introduce myself! 

My name is Rick

[Doug]

Thanks for the compliment about Rundgren Radio! Rundgren Radio II is going to be launched soon and can be found at www.RundgrenRadio2.com probably the first of May '08.

[Bub]

Great Review! Thanks

Bob

[TONY ANTONI]

Todd is a cool dude. Intelligent,Tall + handsome...