Box O’ Todd is a limited edition collector’s box featuring previously unreleased live and studio recordings from the early 70s by legendary singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and producer Todd Rundgren. The set includes 38 tracks on three CDs, plus a 20-page booklet of liner notes by Dave Thompson, a signature guitar pic, three pins and a replicated backstage pass.
Live From Philadelphia 1971, the first CD, was originally broadcast on Philly’s WMMR-FM and features Rundgren with his Hello People band. “Banter & Soundcheck” is basically Rundgren going back and forth with the soundman about his mic not working, but the piano ballad “Believe In Me” is sweet, slight though, not offering much in the way beyond just some simple piano playing and Rundgren bemoaning some failure in trying to love. “Lady On The Terrace” is an chunky, pretty much country rock blue’s with organ featured and Tommy Cosgrove on lead vocal, while “I Got My Pipe” follows, a nasty nasally blues, with some clear-as-a-bell guitar leading.
“I’m Feelin’ Better” is all ‘hot house’ country blues rockin’, while “Before I Grow Old” is slinky and loose, sounding very Dr John. Overall, this first CD is not a Todd Rundgren you’re likely to be familiar with if all you know of Rundgren from Utopia or “Hello, It’s Me.” The second disc, from an Ultrasonic Studios 1972 concert (again with the Hello People) was also originally broadcast on the radio, happening a year later than the first CD. From the opening “Broke Down & Busted,” with its single note slicing horn working, we can hear Rundgren mining a soulful vibe here pretty much.
“Outside Love” is absolutely funky, a perfect groove with descending guitar trilling and organ/drum in lock-in shunk mode. Rundgren’s leading here certainly hints at things to come when he fronted Utopia. The audience certainly claps to the piano on “I Saw The Light,” a light version that sees Rundgren in clear, delicate voice. The piano and backing vocals under his pained vocal on “It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference” makes this tune one of the best of the set. “Feels So Good to Be Alive” is a further showcase of the band’s solid harmonies. The loud, almost Stones-like “Slut” ends the CD.
The fourth 11-track disc is really nine-song show (the intro is the first track here and there is another one deeper on titled “Banter’ which is just synth tuning) was recorded from Counterpart Studios Cincinnati in 1973. It features Rundgren with Utopia. Opening with Rundgren singing and playing piano on “I Saw The Light” and the slightly plodding love tune, “A Dream Goes On Forever,” we get the real first stirrings of the band on the bright hit “Hello It’s Me,” which becomes a bit unwieldy near the end (it’s the synth I think), but Rundgren has the audience clapping along well.
“Utopia Theme” begins with its Zappa-like mélange of guitars slices, synth and big drum hits, into a staccato stuttering prog instrumental first section. I recently heard Todd Rundgren on the Marc Maron podcast WTF describe Utopia as a concept from which he could really explore his guitar playing, as much as anything else. Here that idea comes to the fore to be sure. The distorted guitar led “Black Maria” “Hungry For Love” and “The Ikon (Segments)” (like “Utopia Theme” form the first Utopia album) ends. As a whole, Box O’ Todd presents a wealth of live recordings from Todd Rundgren. For an artist with as much material as Rundgren, a collection may only scratch the surface – a good indication there’s more to come.
~ Ralph Greco
