September 30, 2008 Playlist

  
"A Wizard, A True Star" by Todd Rundgren (1973)
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
Todd Rundgren  "A Wizard, A True Star"  1973 (USA)
Todd Rundgren is a prodigiously talented musical force whose rock career began with a notable psychedelic group called The Nazz in the late sixties, and continued with a number of memorable Top 40 singles in the 1970's.  However his greatest impact may be his role as a producer and studio engineer -- the list of albums he has helmed is simply staggering, including everything from Grand Funk Railroad ("We're An American Band"), Badfinger ("Day After Day") and Meat Loaf (Bat Out Of Hell) to hip platters by Patti Smith, XTC and the New York Dolls!  Todd was at the peak of his powers in 1973 when he recorded this progressive pop masterpiece, which features 22 songs stitched together into nearly an hour of amazing music.  (Todd plays a gig in Madison next week, check yer local listings!)
Here's Todd and his mid-70's band Utopia playing a medley of two tunes from the Wizard album, "Sunset Blvd / International Feel".  For further Runtage, here's a live bossa nova version of his old hit "I Saw The Light", and here's a performance of his biggest solo smash, "Hello It's Me".  For Todd's more psychedelic side, you can't do better than "Open My Eyes" by his first group The Nazz.  Finally, here's another clip by his very prog band Utopia, "The Utopia Theme".
  
(N) = New Release
(R) = Listener Request
 
Artist Song Album Year (label) Country
Killdozer One For The People Burl EP 1986 USA
Sonic Youth Stones Sonic Nurse 2004 USA
Blonde Redhead I Don't Want U Blonde Redhead 1993 Italy/Japan
Killdozer I Am, I Said (Neil Diamond - R) Little Baby Buntin' 1987 USA
The Wedding Present Kennedy Bizarro 1989 UK
 
 
Todd Rundgren International Feel A Wizard, A True Star
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
 1973 USA
Todd Rundgren Zen Archer A Wizard, A True Star
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
 1973 USA
Todd Rundgren Is It My Name? A Wizard, A True Star
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
 1973 USA
Todd Rundgren Hello, It's Me Something / Anything
 1972 USA
   
 
The Fiery Furnaces I'm In No Mood / Black Hearted Boy Remember (N)
 2008 (Thrill Jockey) USA
Red Plastic Buddha Forget Me Not Sunflower Sessions (N) 2007 (Spade Kitty) USA
Big Block 454 Lush Ulan Batar Bratislava (N) 2008 (self release) UK
Black Tempest Scorpions of Fire Telepathy & Mutilation 2007 UK
Wire Strange Pink Flag 1977 UK
 
 
DMBQ S.S.S. Esoteric Black Hair 2004 Japan
Far East Family Band Undiscovered Northern Land
   / Timeless		 Nipponjin 1975 Japan
Boredoms 77 Rebore Vol. 0 2001 Japan
OOIOO Track 7 (title in Japanese) Gold & Green 2005 Japan
 
 
Mercury Rev
 People Are So Unpredictable Snowflake Midnight (N) 2008 (Yep Roc) USA
Pink Floyd Sheep (R) Animals 1977 UK
Caravan Memory Lain, Hugh / Headloss For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night 1973 UK
   
  
Hampton Grease Band Halifax Music To Eat 1971 USA
   
  
Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band Nowadays A Woman's Got To Hit A Man Clear Spot 1972 USA
The Mothers of Invention (Frank Zappa) Why Don'cha Do Me Right? B-side 7" single 1967 USA
Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby Spotlight Kid 1972 USA
The Mothers (Frank Zappa) Dirty Love Overnite Sensations 1973 USA
             
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