I wouldn't normally use this blog to talk about personal stuff unrelated to writing, but last night I saw Todd Rundgren, my all time favourite musician, at Sydney's The Basement. It was Todd's first appearance ever in Australia (discounting an appearance at an ensemble at the Opera House last January) and having been a fan for 35 year or more, you can imagine the level of my anticipation at seeing the legendary guitarist, songwriter, producer, synth whizz kid and all-around musical genius live for the first time ever, on his Todd Rundgren's Joshnson Down Under tour...
Margi, Graham and I travelled from Wollongong to Sydney. After coffee at a Starbucks at Circular Quay, we went to the Basement where he had a drink or two before the band area opened. Then we had a sit-down dinner. The basement is a very atmospheric yet intimate venue seating only about a hundred people, with room for a hundred more or so standing. I talked to a few other Todd fans (it was obvious who they were 'cause they were singing lyrics from "Want of a Nail") - one bloke had flown up from Streaky Bay, Adelaide to see Todd. "He's ugly as fuck, but man can he play guitar!" opined this guy. Well, I don't second that opinion (except for the guitar playing comment). His mate had been to the US several times to see Todd play, including at the House of Blues in LA, and had met Todd and Michelle on several occasions.
After listening to a two-man support act consisting of Davey Lane (ex-You Am I/The Pictures) and Tony Featherstone (The Badloves), who were actually quite good, but merely delayed the appearance of Todd and his band (I was ravening to see the Toddmeister) - the support act confessed themselves diehard Toddheads - there was a delay of about an hour before Todd and the band took the stage at around 10.30 pm. My friend Danny Lovecraft had turned up as well, which was great - I was really happy that he was going to see Todd live. We both bought the new album (Todd Rundgren's Johnson) which is otherwise yet-unreleased in Australia, before the show.
Todd had come straight over from a couple of gigs in New Zealand (Auckland and Wellington). On this tour he was using Jesse Gress, the guitarist who had just toured with him on the A Wizard A True Star/Healing shows he did in the States recently. I guess I was disappointed that Todd didn't bring Kasim Sulton, longtime Todd offsider and former Utopia member, to play bass, nor Prairie Prince to play drums (especially as apparently they will join Todd on the Japan leg of the tour), but in order to keep costs down in Oz, Todd used a rhythm section of local musos - Damien Steele Scott (of Adelaide funk/soul band Goose) on bass and Mick Skelton (who has played with the Angels, Kevin Borich, Wes Carr, the tongues and others) on drums. These musicians certainly acquitted themselves admirably.
Anyway! This was going to be a showcase for the Robert Johnson blues numbers from the latest album, mixed with various other songs of Todd's career. Part of the anticipation lay in wondering which of Todd's own songs he would perform, and he had a few surprises in store. I'm not that familiar with Robert Johnson's songs, and although I'd tried to acquaint myself with a few of them ahead of time, most of them were new to me, so it fascinating to hear them being performed.
The band came on, a cheer went up from the crowd, and they launched into the Johnson number "Dust My Broom." Man, were they tight! A far cry from the loose, rather shambolic early warm-up performances when this show initially went out on the road in the States. Todd was wearing a white t-shirt with a sort of bull's-eye design on it. As usual, he also wore some very cool shades. After that it was straight through two more Johnson blues numbers, "Stop Breakin Down" and one I have identified as "Kiddy Boy" on the napkin where I scrawled the song titles as they played - but I think I have misidentified that one. Next was "Soul Brother", which I was elated about - one of my favourite Todd songs. The version the played had a slightly more relaxed, laid back feel at first, and Jesse took the solo on guitar whereas it has been played by a flute-like synth in the past (for instance, on the Liars tour). It wound up to hard rock, almost screaming pitch by the end. The place was going off!
Next up was more Johnson - "Walkin Blues" and another one Todd introduced as being a sort of Texas blues (I'm unsure of the name of it). The band were rockin' hard! Next was a real treat - "Bleeding" from Runt: The Ballad of Todd Rundgren. That one fitted right into the funky, bluesy style of the evening's set. Todd switched from the guitar he had used to this point to a red Telecaster - "come dance with me baby, for just one number" quipped Todd - and the band launched into an absolutely blistering version of "Black Maria." After that excitement had died down, there were two more Johnson blues numbers - "Last Fair Deal Gone Down" and "Love in Vain". The crowd was loving it! Jesse was all hair and frantic riffing, the drummer was pounding away like mad, the bass player was confidently playing patterns in supreme sideman style, and Todd was consummate - of course - making every complex lick he played look so easy.
Next up was another treat - the old Nazz classic "Open My Eyes." Lots of people singing along with that one. Funny, in 35 years of being a Todd fan in Australia I'd hardly ever met anyone else who knew his music, but there were quite a few at this gig. Next up was one I'd been hoping for - an actual Utopia number, but fitting right in with the blues theme -"Mystified." As in other recent performances, the band strung this one out for all it was worth, also doing the clever segue in the middle into "Broke Down and Busted" (from Todd's very first solo album, Runt) before coming back to "Mystified" and the epic screams of the "your head might explode!" section. There was the odd cry of "We love you, Todd!" and "Show us your Johnson!" from the audience.
Then it was another one I'd been hoping for - "Unloved Children" from Nearly Human - again, a song which fit right into the hard, driving, funk/blues feel of most of the night. Todd's banter in between songs was entertaining and amusing, as always, displaying his wry sense of humour.
Then - and I could hardly believe it - we heard the opening chords of "I Went to the Mirror" from the Something/Anything album. That was really one out of left field! The band pulled it off in fine style, psychedelic overkill at the end and all...Two more Johnson songs followed, the first being "Come on in My Kitchen." I'm afraid I couldn't identify the second song at all - maybe another fan who was at the gig will remember. Then there was another song which I wrote down as "Keep Movin'" but I don't know if that's the right title. Next up was the classic "No 1 Lowest Common Denominator" from the Todd album of 1974 - a Todd concert staple. Once again, the psychedelic freakout of the middle section was pulled off with aplomb. Yow!
After that, a solitary song from Todd's recent Arena album made its appearance - "Weakness." It was great to hear that live, as it mixes Todd's heavy and melodic sides really well. The band followed up with two more Johnson numbers - "Travelling Riverside Blues" and "Crossroads Blues." The volume and the energy were high, and every song finished with Todd's trademark leap as he hammered down on the last cutoff. At this point, the band had been playing about one and three quarter hours, and briefly went offstage. The audience pounded the tables, calling out for more.
I had wondered if Todd would do any keyboard numbers, and sure enough when they returned for an encore, Todd sat down at the keyboard/synth, introducing his "hit single", "Can We Still Be Friends." A very nice version of that was played, with Jesse and Todd doing the choir-like vocal bridges. Todd got up from the keyboard to rapturous applause, and said "Well, I sense that we haven't quite satisfied your sweet tooth." Then they launched into "I Saw the Light" - still the song that most people would know Todd by, unless they are diehard fans like me.
The gig was nearly over, much to my regret. It was nearly 1 in the morning. I could have cheerfully listened to another couple of hours of material, but the final song was (another surprise!) "Boogies/Hamburger Hell" from the Faithful album. Ending it, Todd flicked a couple of guitar picks into the audience, and the show was over. Man, what an experience!
I waited for the band to appear afterwards, as I had brought some things I had hoped to get Todd to sign. While waiting for Todd, I saw Jesse but didn't get to speak with him, but I did congratulate the local drummer and bass player and shake their hands regarding their tight performance.
After about fifteen minutes, Todd came out to sign for fans at the merchandise booth. This was it! I would finally meet my hero! I had way too much stuff with me, and I knew I couldn't impose on him to sign everything. But when I came to the front of the queue, he kindly signed a photo of himself, my copy of the new album, the book A Dream Goes on Forever and my LP copy of Acapella. So much I wanted to say to him, but there wasn't time! He was very kind, though, and apart from signing my stuff, took a couple of minutes to talk to me about the issues regarding Acapella and its non-re-release on CD, due to Albert Grossman and Bearsville label problems. I also said to him "I've been waiting so long to hear you live...oh - "waiting so long" - that's a familiar line, isn't it?" (referencing "Just One Victory"). He laughed at that. He also took the time with me, as he did for the many other fans queued up, to have my photo taken with him. What a legend! I was in no way disappointed by the night - it was great, and meeting him in person capped it all off. This is one happy Australian Todd Rundgren fan!!!.
After Sydney, Todd goes to Bateman's Bay NSW to play the Southern Blues Festival, then he flies to Melbourne to play the Corner Hotel and after that it's off to Japan. I hope he comes back to Oz one day, but even if he never does, I will die happy! I've finally met the muso who has influenced me more than any other, ever since I heard "Ra" and "A Wizard, A True Star" back in the early seventies. Todd is (still officially) Godd!
11 comments:
I was very sorry not to make it but family issues meant I couldn't.
Still, I'm really glad someone's blogged about the show - sounds like you had a great time.
I was half of the support act you had to endure ! I would have thought the fact the we punctuated every song with the fact the we were in awe of Todd and floored by the mere fact that we were breathing the same air would have made us all the more endurable, but at least you thought we were 'quite good'. Looking forward to playing Melbourne with him - he is an absolute genius and gentleman.
Great review Leigh! Got me very excited about Melbourne. Flying from Perth on Wednesday. Hoping to bump into likeminded Todd fanatics like myself there as there aren't many in Western Australia!
Looking forward to hearing your set as well Tony!
The song "Kiddie Boy" is actually a Nazz song!
Great review! (we saw you with your Accapella record in the bar beforehand, nice!) I loved every minute of that show, Davey and Tony were great, and Todd, well, God, amazing!! My favorite of the night was "Unloved Children"! I got to talk to Jesse and took a photo with Todd after the show. (When I told Todd that I was a NY transplant waiting 21 years for him to tour Australia, he put his arm around me and sang "you, are a native New Yorker..."
Great review, Leigh! One thing though - I'm pretty sure his shirt was black not white :-) The Texas blues was a Robert Johnson song called "Kindhearted Woman", and the one you've called "Keep Moving" is another Johnson number called "Hell Hound On My Trail." Cheers!
Just completed a hectic but fruitful few days seeing Todd's Johnson shows in uncharted territory. Namely Australia! Boy have I been waiting for this!
I flew from Perth Western Australia to catch TR's show at The Corner Hotel in Melbourne On Wednesday 6th.
Was lucky enough to hook with a likeminded facebook Todd fan who is a talented keyboardist (can play any Todd song) who performed a really melodic set as the support act.
Though I was initially disappointed that Todd was going to play predominately Robert Johnson tunes but that soon subsided as Todd leapt on stage to crank out "Dust My Broom."
For the next two and a bit hours TR dazzled his audience (a healthy and enthusiastic 600 or so) with his flawless guitarwork and wailing vocals.
Personal highlights for me were Black Maria, Unloved Children and No. 1 Lowest Common Denominator.
Todd's encore was the sublime Can We Still Be Friends on keyboard, I Saw The Light and Boogies. There was no doubt that the majority of fans had been yearning for more of these classics and wished that he had signed off with an anthem or two (Just One Victory, Love Is The Answer.)
Still beggars can't be choosers!
Todd then kindly visited loyal fans afterwards for autographs and pictures. Bought myself a t-shirt (signed by TR) and TR's Johnson CD. Haven't stopped playing it.
I then flew home to catch Todd in my hometown Perth playing at The One Movement Festival on Friday 8th October. TR played a 50 minute set....including less Johnson tunes this time around.
As it was late afternoon the crowd was sparse but I got to network with the diehards who were up close to the stage. Until now I always felt like I was the only fan in Perth. Have already pencilled in a Todd listening party with my new aquaintances.
Not only was I amazed with Todd's remarkable energetic performance but was heartened to hear him say after the show that "next time he visits Downunder he will play more of his original material." Here's hoping he delivers on his promise.
Cheers,
Gavin Bond
Great review Leigh. Now you're a 35 year old virgin who just had his cherry popped by Todd Rundgren's Johnson!
Todd Rundgrens gig at The Basement must have been fun. Some of yesterdays major acts do happily perform at smaller venues. This creates a more intimate atmosphere with the audience and gives the fans a chance to meet their idols. The Basement is an awesome little venue, very classy. Rock on!
Thanks for your review - I was Mad to have missed the shows in Australia being a dead set Toddhead (or tragic with still all my original vinyls !!!) and having seen him many times in the UK in the 70's and 80's so great to hear there are other fans in Oz and the shows sounded great.
Post a Comment