Notes on Todd Rundgren Show

I saw TR at the HOB in Los Angeles last night and offer some observations- for anyone who might be interested.

IMHO, TR is a masterful songwriter with a giant perverse streak that consistently undermines his chances for wider commercial success. Last night, he offered lots of support for this theory. He made it clear from the start that familiar pop tunes were not in store. Prior to the encore (I had an expiring babysitter and reluctantly missed it in order to stay married) he played only "I Saw The Light" from his "Greatest Hits" list.

Instead the show was a nasty blues/rock guitar showcase. Jesse Gress (Music Editor of Guitar Player), Kasim Sulton and Prarie Prince played a show that plied a triangular patch of musical territory bounded by Mountain on one side and Led Zep and Yardbirds on the others. Never saw the Yardbirds live, but -again IMHO- this show far outpaced any Mountain or Led Zep show I've seen- and I've seen each in their prime a handful of times.

For my taste, the TR/Gress guitar combo was less ostentatious and more compelling than Page's pyrotechnics and more interesting than Leslie West's soloing while every bit as gritty. The music was just tuneful enough (think "Never In My Life") to draw the listener in - while always celebrating the blues in that great Mountain/Yardbirds/Zep fashion. For me, it walked a fine line with bravado and swagger - as good as this king of thing gets.

TR is a wonderful player (he may linger a bit too long at the bottom of the fret board for some tastes) and Jesse Gress' playing was flat out amazing. (I hadn't heard of him til last night). They dueted extensively during a stunnng electric blues work-out (Black and White?) with which I was unfamiliar. More recognizeable fare like Black Maria also stretched into monster guitar displays.

There was pretty much zero hint of TR's beautiful pop craftmanship the entire night. I'm a big fan, and have seen TR before, but this show was an entirely different animal. One of the best nights of pure psycho rock music I can recall.

Then again, the best ones always seem the toughest to recall, don't they?

Marty