Todd Rundgren: The Live Version of 'A Wizard, A True Star' May Be Better Than The Album

July 2009

Todd Rundgren will be performing the entire "A Wizard, A True Star" album live in Akron, OH on September 6th and 7th at the Akron Civic Theatre. Additional information, including how to purchase tickets, can be found at www.AWATSlive.com. Less than 100 tickets remain for the first night and the show is expected to be sold out soon. Tickets for the repeat concert on Monday night went on sale two days ago.

In a recent interview in the Detroit Metro Times, Todd said he plans to mix up the order a little bit which could be an improvement. "While I haven't locked my approach down yet, I think it's likely that the running order may be different than the original. A Wizard, A True Star was made when all long-players had to be split into sides, and I think the concept may actually be improved a bit with a little reordering."

Despite the mention of changing the running order, Todd admitted he plans to recreate most of the signature sounds on the album as best he can. "I've picked the band and instrumentation with an ear toward recreating most of the signature sounds. I think audience expectation will be that we stay pretty true to the original, but everyone realizes that there are certain challenges that may require creative solutions. We certainly can't travel with a pack of dogs just for one little interlude!"

Todd and his band will perform other songs from his vast catalog before embarking on the full album presentation.

Todd's "A Wizard, A True Star" band lineup will include some of the members from his former bands Utopia and The New Cars. The all-star band lineup for the Akron "A Wizard, A True Star" gigs include: Todd Rundgren, Kasim Sulton, Prairie Prince, Jesse Gress, Greg Hawkes, and Roger Powell.

http://www.prlog.org/1027...he-lp.html

Kool, thanks for the info!




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Wow....cool concept on Todd's part. The studio album has always remained bangin' to me. Very jazzed about hearing it in a live format.

I hope it's so great that they decide to take it on the road. This was the first Todd album I owned and it got me hooked!

Right on for Todd.

carlcranshaw said:

I made the mistake of seeing Todd here in Seattle last year...he played a tiny club called the Triple Door, and, I have to say, it was the WORST show I've ever seen. His band was hacky, he was full of schtick (had this falling on the stage routine that didn't work), and his playing was uninspired. It's too bad....Todd produced one of my favorite records ('Skylarking')...I would've expected more from a man with such rabid fans.