Todd Rundgren goes back in time on new DVD; Guthrie tribute falls short of Mermaid Ave.
Todd RundgrenTodd Rundgren, “Todd” (S’More Entertainment – DVD). 3 1/2 stars.
Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker, Yim Yames, “New Multitudes – Woody Guthrie” (Rounder). 3 stars.
DVD Spotlight
Todd Rundgren, “Todd” (S’More Entertainment). 3 1/2 stars.
A lot of veteran performers are taking this concept out on the road. Bruce Springsteen and Steely Dan for instance. The artist performs the entirety of one of their best known albums, thrilling their nostalgia-hungry fans to no end.
The latest is Todd Rundgren, who in 2010 went back to one of his most beloved works, performing the complete 1973 gem “Todd.” It was part of a very brief tour and this show was recorded in Rundgren’s hometown of Philadelphia, and subsequently released on DVD and CD.
Decked out in clothing that might have seemed futuristic in 1973 – but bizarre in 2012 - Rundgren and his band – which includes Utopia’s Kasim Sulton (bass) and the Cars’ Greg Hawkes on keyboards – they roll back the years with ease.
Sounding in sharp voice Rundgren delivers some of his most soulful ballads, including “A Dream Goes on Forever,” “Izzat Love?” and one of his most amazing songs, “The Last Ride.”
Rockers and prog-rockers should find equal joy in “Heavy Metal Kids,” “Everybody’s Going to Heaven/King Kong Reggae” and the record industry ripping “An Elpee’s Worth of Toons.”
Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker, Yim Yames, “New Multitudes – Woody Guthrie” (Rounder). 3 stars.
A lot of songwriters leave unfinished work behind them, mostly in big boxes down in the basement, hoping that someone decades from now will discover lost masterpieces.
Fortunately Woody Guthrie’s daughter Nora kept some wonderful archives of her father. Because when it comes to unreleased poetry, songs and writings, no one has Woody beat.
He’s been the subject of numerous posthumous recordings, most notably two stunning volumes of “Mermaid Avenue” by the colorful collaboration of Wilco and Billy Bragg.
Now Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker and Yim Yames have delivered their own set of songs. Based on Guthrie’s unreleased writings, the writer penned most of the work during his “California years.”
It’s not as good as “Mermaid Avenue,” but it’s nevertheless frequently fascinating, thanks to selections like “Changing World” with its Beach Boys-styled backing vocals; the full electric “V.D. City;” and the hushed and harmony-draped “Chorine My Sheba Queen.”
Songs to Download: “V.D City,” “Changing World.”
Rating Scale: One Star (poor) to Five Stars (a classic).