Monday, July 26, 2010

Todd On Monday : Utopia, C.W. Post 1973



I'm fascinated by this show for a number of reasons. It was recorded in May of 1973, just a little over a month after the release of "A Wizard/A True Star," so we get some tunes from that album, which until the recent performances of the entire record had been a rarity.

It's also only a year since the release of "Something/Anything?" and our man is already fed up with stardom. Check out the piss-take "Hits Medley." Rundgren has made no secret of his aversion to commercial success and giving people what they want. I just didn't realize it happened so early in his career.

There is also a rarely played "Devil's Bite" from "Runt," as part of the "Heavy Metal Kids" medley, and some tunes that may or may not be Moogy Klingman or M. Frog Labat compositions. If anyone can enlighten me, I'd be grateful.

Sound quality is not the greatest. It's an almost 40 year old audience recording that is a bit boomy. But, I find it completely listenable. Your ears will adjust.

Special thanks once again to Frank B.


TRACK LIST

Dive Bombin'
Utopia Theme
Black Maria
International Feel
Never Never Land
Tic Tic Tic It Wears Off
Couldn't I Just Tell You
When The Shit Hits The Fan
Le Feel Internacionale
~unknown instrumental~
We Are Crazy
Is It My Name
Hits Medley
Heavy Metal Kids>Devil's Bite
Utopia Theme (Reprise)

ZIP FILE

10 comments:

steve simels said...

I'm not completely sure, but I may have been at this show.

I was still hanging out at Post (my Alma Mater) back then, and people I knew ran the concert series, so I used to watch a lot of shows from the wings backstage.

Sal Nunziato said...

I thought I recognized the voice talking over Black Maria. ;)

soundsource said...

I actually was at the show as well as Woodstock, Altamont, Monterey Pop Festival and The Isle of Wight. Well actually I was on the road to Woodstock and turned back and I didn't make it to Altamont, Isle of Wight or Monterey Pop but I really was at this show. I went to Hofstra just down the road (so to speak) which as an aside was the home to the first few of the ABC In Concert Series shows. Is anyone really interested in this trip down memory lane.

Anonymous said...

"We Are Crazy" is indeed a Jean Yves Labat number, taken from his "M. Frog" album, which was probably released in the vicinity of the show. It's a fantastic album, produced by Todd, who also played and sang a bit on it as well. Seek it out...I came across completely by accident a year after it came out, and I've been captivated by it ever since.

Sal Nunziato said...

Thanks for the M. Frog comfirmation. I had the vinyl years ago, but I don't remember it at all.

Noam Sane said...

I'm very interested in this trip down memory lane, thanks Sal. Real interesting set list.

The heat seems to be taking its toll on some folks.

Michael said...

Ah yes, the medley. is it my imagination or is this something of a lost art form? My mind reaches back to the Wizard album, of course the Big Medley on side two of Abbey Road. I guess you could count Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey. Macca loves medleys, clearly. The Who's magnificent "My Generation" medley on Live at Leeds. They are staples of live shows, at least they used to be. Does anyone still do them? I have no idea, I haven't seen or heard one live in ages.

Sal Nunziato said...

The one and only time I saw Stevie Wonder in concert, late 80s I believe, it was a 2 hours medley. Seriously, 90 seconds of about 90 songs.

I'm pretty sure Prince hasn't played a song in its entirety since 1983.

Anything Should Happen said...

Nice One Sal!

Anonymous said...

thanks Sal, I've been drooling over this one for many years!!!!