It's fascinating to discover how well Rundgren's studio whizz-kid genius translates to the live arena. And while this box avoids his early-to-mid-'70s heyday, it's still full of wondrousness. The two single CDs, Live In NYC '78 and Another Side Of Roxy, are both vintage pop-rock sets with the odd curious detour (NYC's twinkling "Never Never Land" and Roxy's unhinged "Lord Chancellor's Nightmare Song"). But the two double-disc sets, A Cappella Tour and Live In Chicago '91, are a must. A Cappella Tour captures a stripped-down Todd and offers swoonsome solo renditions of "Love Of The Common Man" and "Too Far Gone" alongside overlooked gems from Healing and A Cappella. Chicago highlights his soulful early-'90s incarnation, featuring a reworked "Hello It's Me" and a titanic Marvin Gaye medley. If you love Todd, you need this.
It’s fascinating to discover how well Rundgren’s studio whizz-kid genius translates to the live arena. And while this box avoids his early-to-mid-’70s heyday, it’s still full of wondrousness. The two single CDs, Live In NYC ’78 and Another Side Of Roxy, are both vintage pop-rock sets with the odd curious detour (NYC’s twinkling “Never Never Land” and Roxy’s unhinged “Lord Chancellor’s Nightmare Song”). But the two double-disc sets, A Cappella Tour and Live In Chicago ’91, are a must. A Cappella Tour captures a stripped-down Todd and offers swoonsome solo renditions of “Love Of The Common Man” and “Too Far Gone” alongside overlooked gems from Healing and A Cappella. Chicago highlights his soulful early-’90s incarnation, featuring a reworked “Hello It’s Me” and a titanic Marvin Gaye medley. If you love Todd, you need this.
