Way back in 2005, Todd Rundgren and Joe Jackson teamed up for a series of joint shows, each performing 11-song solo sets, plus a duet encore. With New York-based string quartet Ethel opening and joining the men on some of their tunes, audiences got treated to an understated but truly great couple of hours. I happened to catch one of these concerts and can attest it was a unique experience, showcasing these two major talents stripped down, just as any fan would want to hear them. The two-CD and DVD State Theater New Jersey 2005 captures one of these unique shows.
Ethel, described as “virtuosic alternative’ string quartet, opens. They manage around some rich, kinetic sounding pieces of music. Jackson is up first after them, beginning with a terribly sweet tinkly piano version of “Hometown.” Hearing him singing to just his sublime piano accompaniment on this and songs like “Different For Girls” reminds one instantly how heart-breaking and honest this man’s songs can be.
Jackson also gets the crowd jumping as he strides right into his hit “Steppin’ Out.” Then he has fun with “Is She Really Going Out With Him.” The crowd is up and clapping at this point, actually breaking Jackson up laughing as they shout “where” right after he sings the “look over there” in the verses. He even teases with the crowd’s clapping by speeding up his piano playing and slowing it down to purposely throw them off time.
Todd Rundgren in next. He begins on acoustic guitar with “Love Of The Common Man,” “Lysistrata,” and an echoey “Tiny Demons.” Then he switches over to piano for “Compassion” and “Hello, It’s Me” before moving over to electric guitar on “Black and White.”
Ethel backs Jackson on “Other Me” and Rundgren on “Pretending to Care.” Jackson, Rundgren and Ethel then trot out a sensational cover of the Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Everybody remains on stage to end the concert with the most rockin’ tune of the night, Rundgren’s “Black Maria.” There are times you are watching a live performance and you just know you are seeing and hearing something truly special. State Theater New Jersey 2005 is one such moment in time.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
