By Kevin Coughlin
One thing you can count on at a Todd Rundgren show: Fans are no longer of an age where they must dash home to relieve the babysitter.
Which led to this wondrous scene last night in Morristown, after the curtain went down on the singer’s “Todd/Healing” mini-tour.
The crowd picked up where Todd left off, filling the Community Theatre for three minutes with the swirling, hopeful refrain from Sons of 1984:
Worlds of tomorrow/ Life without sorrow/ Take it because it’s yours/ Sons of 1984
The concert’s first half was a complete recreation of the 1974 double-album, Todd. Backed by longtime tour-mates Prairie Prince on drums, Jesse Gress on guitar, Kasim Sulton (of Utopia fame) on bass, Greg Hawkes (The Cars) on keys, and Bobby Strickland on sax and other instruments, and framed by a gorgeously trippy laser light show, Todd was at his theatrical best preening through goofy numbers like An Elpee’s Worth of Toons and Gilbert & Sullivan’s Lord Chancellor’s Nightmare Song.
Other highlights from the set: The anthemic A Dream Goes on Forever, the poppy Izzat Love, the heavy Last Ride and the soaring Don’t You Ever Learn.
At times Todd’s vocals were lost in the mix–always a challenge with so much is going on, musically and visually.
The real magic began in the second half, with the complete performance of Todd’s appropriately titled 1981 album Healing.
In our recent interview with Todd, he swore that a brush with death had nothing to do with this album. Whatever inspired Healing, last night’s crowd certainly seemed grateful for the effort.
Healing is a mystical, spiritual, ultimately uplifting body of work that sings about the need for Compassion, and our ability to overcome the Tiny Demons that test us daily. The joyful message was underscored onstage by the Princeton Pro Musica choir, and by lyrics from the hypnotic Healing Part I:
Listen, listen
Listen for the sound
That is not in the music
Only you can hear it,
Only you can use it
It’s the sound of someone breathing,
It’s the breath of life
It’s the sound that you are weaving
With the thread of life
Like Brian Wilson’s Smile, Todd Rundgren’s Healing is best absorbed from a live performance. The motifs and threads are more organic, more visceral, than on the recording. And it’s always better sharing an upbeat vibe with kindred souls — and kindred voices.
One more thing.
Todd, about that gig at Obsessions in Randolph back in ’87. Where you refused to play Hello, It’s Me…
All is forgiven.
Like you sang last night, time heals the wounds that no one can see.
* * *
PODCAST: Hello, it’s NOT me, the electric, eclectic, eccentric Todd Rundgren
This happened at the Keswick as well…I’m sure that it happened at all the stops because it seemed to be lead by all of Todd’s tried and true fans.
What a beautiful beautiful concert…..This could not have come at a better time for me….it was truly Healing. I cannot watch the webcast enough & cannot wait for the DVD.
Thank You to all that made this happen and to Todd for the Healing. You are a beautiful, insightful human being.
Love from Glenside PA
Compassion is the greatest inspirational song that no one knows but Todd fans. So sad. Healing is a masterpiece. Never fails to move me. I insist on my children listening to Todd because I hope one day he will be recognized as THE composer of his day.
Hi Michael–Thanks for that. I have both albums, but the late hour got the better of me. Unfortunately, you can’t update a video on YouTube without messing up the link. (Anyone know a workaround for that?) Anyway, it will be fun to see what Todd does next. –Kevin
Sorry i missed the show. Tell Jeff if he follows Todd, he’ll hear Utopia songs eventually, like in last years a Wizard a True Star Tour.
Kevin:
You captured the essence of Todd and the evening beautifully. Please know, however. that “Sons of 1984” is from Todd, not Healing. He played it at the end because it’s just a great way to end a show.
Absolutely Beautiful!!!!
Thanks, Jeff. “Love is the Answer” is a great song. I have to confess, I always liked Utopia’s “Deface the Music” album, parody or not.
Kevin,
A fair review for the night. As a longtime fan since the 1970’s and more smitten with Todd’s Utopia work; it was enjoyable to see Heavy Metal Kid, King Kong Reggae stir up so much of energy from the crowd. It was an absolute thrill to be part of a similar audience participation experience of what is heard on the song Sons Of 1984 on the 1974 lp Todd. Many incredible shows have been seen and experienced by me over the years. However, continuing the chorus lines of Sons Of 1984 with you and the others at the Mayo Community Theater in Morristown was truly a memorable and uplifting experience. That alone was worth the ticket price and 3 hours of driving to see the show.
Interestingly, Todd was quoted in an interview in the past year or so stating that he did not see a possibility of a Utopia reunion. However, Adventures In Utopia and Oops! Wrong Planet would attract possibly the same size crowds, but I would predict a more spectacular evening than last night’s wonderful show. Utopia’s Love Is the Answer has always been a warm and wonderful song to experience. And I would LOVE to see the Community Theater filled with Utopia fans and dancing and singing to “Rock Love”. Caravan, On The Road To Utopia, Set Me Free, The Very Last Time, Second Nature, You Make Me Crazy are highlights of Adventures In Utopia and they need to be performed again soon.
Thanks Todd for coming to New Jersey for the limited tour performing Todd and Healing.
Thank you for the positive review! You better get use to not hearing Hello It’s Me….