From the Press Release:
Over the next few months, Rhino will release classic albums and rarities from its vast music archive, showcasing records by key artists from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Each complete reissue will feature a bonus 7-inch, both pressed on translucent "Rhino Red" vinyl, based on the PMS color used in Rhino's logo.
To
ensure the highest audio fidelity, all 12 titles' lacquers were cut at
various mastering studios, including Bernie Grundman Mastering, The
Bakery, and Jeff Powell at Take Out Vinyl. All the
titles have been pressed at Third Man's state-of-the-art pressing plant
in Detroit.
My first thought upon seeing Todd Rundgren's debut "Runt" was "Again? Another reissue?" But the description said this:
Todd fans will certainly have heard of a mistaken rare 2nd pressing that
featured a different version of the album with unique mixes and edits.
We set out to duplicate that album, but could not find the actual tapes.
What we did find was an unissued early version of the album that is
also very different in terms of mixes, edits, and sequencing. A third
version!
Now, I don't know everything. But I wasn't buying this. A third version? Different sequencing? Nope. No such thing. So, I bought it.
As a Todd
fanatic, I wasn't expecting much.
This is the holy grail!
The fact that Rhino isn't
touting this release as such, is mind boggling. If you are a fan of this
record, you are familiar with the three song medley on Side Two. A full
length version of the first song in that medley, "Baby Let's Swing" appeared on the
aforementioned alternate mix mispress, but where were the full length versions of the
other two songs? For years, Todd himself claimed those tapes were long gone.
Well, here they are! 50 years later, FOUND!
This "3rd version" of the classic "Runt" album begins with "Devil's Bite" in a mix that is closer to Nazz's "Under The Ice." It is wonderfully filthy. The hit "We Gotta Get You A Woman" is brighter, with a touch more reverb and some percussion that seems a bit louder in the mix. You also get the two tracks that were left off the most common pressing, "Say No More" and an early version of "Hope I'm Around," which turned up on Todd's next record "The Ballad Of..."
BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!
The full length versions of "The Last Thing You Said" and "Don't Tie My Hands" that no Todd fan has ever claimed to have heard? They are here, in all their power pop glory!
This is like finally getting a copy of "Electric Nebraska!"
The fact that Rhino fails to mention any of this makes me think they have no clue about what they just released. If they had mentioned those full length tracks, I would have dropped $100 instead of the $29.99 the label is asking. This is a major find for Rundgren fans and those tracks (and this mix) are everything and more than one could have hoped for.
If you are a fan of this record, do not sleep on this release. It is a limited run of 2000, directly from the Rhino website.
12 comments:
Gotta snag one to rest beside my other three versions. Technically this one is the fourth. The 10-track, the 11-track and the 12-track and now the Ultimate!!
VR
I bought the bundle. I also bought the Jaco release and previously bought The Cars and Coltrane that Rhino released. The Cars s/t sounds amazing
Just ordered. Thanks for the heads-up. Your recommendations on these types of matters are invaluable to me. Especially in light of the prior post regarding vinyl reissues in general. It is so beneficial to know that when you say it is worth it, I can go purchase and know I will not be disappointed. Thanks again.
Like you, I was a bit "ho-hum" about it when it was first announced. It's one of the most important records in my collection but I already had the alternate mispressed version and thought it would be the same thing with slight differences that I didn't think I needed. Also not a big fan of colored vinyl. But you convinced me to go ahead and order it which it did. Am I glad I did. As you mentioned, Rhino did not really do it justice. The full versions of all 3 songs from the melody is worth the price of admission. The other differences are icing on the cake. Anyone who loves this album should have this version.
Question: If someone had to choose between the original and this new release to own, which would it be? Asking for a friend. :)
Thanks!
I just purchased this version over the Kevin Gray cut. Yikes!
You are not missing anything on the original by getting the new reissue. As cmealha said above, the three full length versions of the medley are worth the price of admission.
Another good reason to read the Burning Wood. As Jackie Mason would say "who knew"
Sal:
I just ordered one.
Thanks for the heads up!
Captain Al
This is truly wonderful!
Regarding the medley, Don't Tie My Hands has been around, from the Demos and Lost Albums boot, but is sounds like a re-record from the 80's.
Really, really looking forward to this - thanks!!
Randy
p.s. My only little beef is that it's not black vinyl with an Ampex label.
Randy,
If I am not mistaken, the version of "Don't Tie My Hands" on "Demos & Lost Albums"
was a live in the studio take with Utopia, recorded around the "Nearly Human" sessions. But don't quote me.
Prett sure the Utopia version of Don't Tie My Hands is from the Adventures in Utopia sessions in 1979.
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