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Review: Todd Rundgren at Antone’s
The faithful came hungry to hear whatever musician Todd Rundgren was dishing out Saturday at Antone’s, which as it turns out, was heavy on the hard rock.
Rundgren, 60, known for his ever-morphing musical styles, blazed through the night with guitar power, and the fans, who know and love the oldies - and who are mostly oldies themselves - held on, even though the bulk of the songs were new and far removed from his softer side.
His band kicked off with “Love in Action,” followed by a series of other familiar tunes of the amped-up kind. When a string broke during “Black Maria,” he quickly switched to a guitar he said he’d purchased hours earlier in town.
“We’d like to give you a palate cleanser before the entrée,” he said, concluding the oldies review with 1970s-era hit “I Saw the Light.”
Then he moved on to the main course, 13 guitar-laden songs, straight through, from his upcoming “Arena” release. The sweaty, jump-kicking Rundgren was jovial, joking about the heat, and as much as he played that electric guitar like a frenzied typist, he’s too much a melody-maker not to infuse lyricism into his songs, such as the money-back guaranteed “Courage.” He touted “Mountaintop” as a sports anthem, along the lines of “Bang the Drum All Day.”
It was a lot to digest, but the jam-packed crowd stayed with Rundgren, as he alternated between rock wailings and his richer vocals. Bandmates Jesse Gress, Prairie Prince, Matt Bolton and Rachel Haden were dead-on the whole night. Finishing with “Manup,” they marched off the stage — having expertly gotten the job done.
They returned shortly, offering “Couldn’t I Just Tell You” for dessert, followed by a soulful “Just One Victory,” where a smattering of the audience got into the requisite hands-over-head clapping. Not for lack of interest, but because after a two-hour repast, we were too full to move.
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Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: In The Clubs, Music, Reviews
Comments
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By jim
July 21, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
If you were not prepared you might have been caught off guard because… a funny thing happened at the Todd show Saturday night - a rock concert broke out!
I have seen Todd too many times to count anymore (starting back in ‘75). I was just a Runt when I first took a Boat On The Charles. In my early teens I Saw The Light so I Went To The Mirror and said Hello, It?s Me. I tried my hand at being a Zen Archer but could not attain even Just One Victory, but A Dream Goes On Forever so I?ll forgo the Useless Begging. When I was nearly 15 I thought to myself now I am a Real Man, only to realize that it was just a Clich钮 By now I was Too Far Gone and the Tiny Demons had taken hold of me. I tried to Hideaway but the Chant of Johnee Jingo forced me to play The Waiting Game. As I have grown (and aged) I have found a Second Wind and somewhat of a Worldwide Epiphany to the point that Time Stood Still while I Cast The First Stone on to the Buffalo Grass. But Truth be told, all these shows have been Sweet.
I Stood Up and cheered for all of ARENA ? I was neither Mad nor Afraid to Manup Today. No Weakness could stop my Courage to Strike a cheer for Todd.
:)
By Bill Avey
July 21, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
This was a fabulous show which featured Todd returing to his roots and his strengths—guitar playing and singing. Throughout all of Todd’s tinkering with various musical genres, the backbone of what makes Todd Godd (yes, with two D’s, can’t be sacreligious), he has been at his best playing juicy solos and singing those Philadelphia-soul inspired lyrics. The tragedy of Todd Rundgren is that most people only know him for “Bang the Drum All Day” or “Hello, It’s Me” or for “Can We Still be Friends”, and don’t misunderstand me, they are classics (not BTD, in my opinion; I hope to never hear that one again), but what makes Todd special is his guitar playing and singing. Anybody who thinks Todd Rundgren can’t rock out or play guitar needs to go see this show and buy this record, “Arena,” when it comes out in a few weeks. For more about what what I thought of the show, review my article on TRCONNECTION.COM under Tour Info and then look for the July 19th date.
As one of the most loyal TR fans ever, I have to say I have stuck with Todd through all his music experiments, no matter how bad they may have actually been, so this new approach at an old theme was just “refreshing.” Todd is back better than ever at age 60. Keep on rocking, Todd, and your true fans with keep coming out to hear it!
By Stephen
July 21, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
I came all the way from Baltimore to attend this show and I am fully satisfied with the full dosage of Todd Rundgren style, guitar-driven, manna for the ears. The new music is fantastic. The performance was top-notch and Antone’s was hotter than all getout. Sweat or no sweat, it was great to see the 60 year old Rundgren still at it after all these years. I must mention Prairie Prince on drums. I watched him carefully and saw him do things on a simple drum set that left me standing in awe. A definate bonus.
The line of fans outside of Antone’s was very long and the wait to get in was very long. I must have lost ten pounds sweating in the Austin heat, but I would do it again if I have the chance. Imagine ten or twenty years from now……..a line of Todd fans with their walkers and canes……….count on it!
By David Everitt-Carlson
July 23, 2008 6:05 AM | Link to this
It’s a long way from Texas to Vietnam but that’s where I am. Can’t wait for this show to hit Saigon! http://wildwildeastdailies.blogspot.com/
David