Todd Cappella
-
Artist:
-
Album:
-
Track:
I always thought it was kinda cool that Todd Rundgren, lead guitarist and leading creative force behind the psychedelic garage-rock band Nazz, had a career that went far beyond that group's singular late-'60s splash with the blistering-yet-melodic track "Open My Eyes." He went on to acclaim as a solo artist who mastered the one-man-band/multi-instrument/studio-overdub technique that Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney plied to great success, as the leader of the prog-rock band Utopia, and as a hit-making producer whose clients have ranged from Grand Funk Railroad to Badfinger to XTC.
There's a little civic-pride component in my appreciation of Rundgren, since we're both Philadelphia-area natives. But I think I'd admire his pop-wise composing and arranging, his guitar fire, and his wit - no matter what his point of origin.
He's written beautiful ballads ("Hello, It's Me," a hit for him on his own, although originally recorded by Nazz), winsome rock numbers ("Couldn't I Just Tell You"), and enduring anthems ("Bang the Drum All Day"). But, in retrospect, the one song of his that I enjoy the most is the glorious "Something to Fall Back On," from his experimental, but delightfully listenable 1985 album A Cappella - which, true to its title, is comprised of nothing but Rundgren's voice, manipulated and layered to approximate a full ensemble of singers and players. On this collection of tunes, Rundgren does it all, including percussion, with his mouth and vocal chords. His aforementioned mastery of overdubs is way on display here, as is his love of and ease with that blue-eyed Philly soul plied by his Delaware Valley-spawned contemporaries Hall & Oates.
To hear Rundgren testify over a foundation of voice-driven techno-magic, take a gander at his 1985 promo video for "Something to Fall Back On." And to learn how expertly he adapted the composition for an actual live band, check out the subsequent concert clip shot during his 1990 "Nearly Human" tour.
"Something to Fall Back On" - Studio Version:
"Something to Fall Back On" - featuring Todd Rundgren (vocals, guitar); Lyle Workman (guitar); Bobby Strickland (tenor saxophone); Byron Allred (piano, synthesizer); Vince Welnick (keyboards); Larry Tagg (bass); Michael Urbano (drums); and Jenny Muldaur, Shandi Sinnamon, and Michele Gray (background vocals):
Comments (19)
The only time I saw Mr. Rundgren was around 1975. The start of the show was delayed to the point of audience aggrevation when Todd finally came out and did a solo act for a time. It was not well received and the show didn't rock until the rest of the band showed up. I always though that the band showing up later was due to logistics. I guess it could have been a foray into solo endeavors. More likely I think poor logistic issues helped push him towards self reliance. I always admired his abilities, even more now that you've pointed out his studio prowress.
Dabeef: Sometimes things get out of hand in the live arena, even today. And you can be sure that concert tech hadn't quite caught up to studio sound back in the mid-'70s. It must have been quite frustrating for a techie like Todd. Glad that the post was a fruitful one for you.
I sure hope this post wakes up the sadly absent bubb. He's an avid fan of The Runt & a fun & informative football prognosticator
And 'tis the season to be watching the ol' pigskin bounce around.
Nice post. Have you seen the latest episode of Live from Daryl's House? Todd is the guest. Excellent stuff. Check it out
http://www.livefromdarylshouse.com/index.php?page=ep23
inrumford: Haven't caught it, but I certainly will. Thanks for the heads-up.
good post, mike. wasn't gonna post that Sonos link again, but i WAS gonna post the link to Daryl's House. glad to see people paying attention to that stuff!
'And It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference' is another sublime piece from Acapella as well.
Robin: Any Sonos link is welcome, but yeah, Daryl's show fits this topic to a "T."
Jonh: As I recall, "It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference" made its first appearance on Todd's prodigious elpee Something/Anything? - along with another majorly gorgeous Rundgren track "I Saw the Light." Even if they're not on A Cappella, they are both keepers.
Well that's what 30-something years of good living and getting up too early does for the brain. I meant to write, 'Pretending To Care' is another sublime piece from Acapella.
Righty-o, Jonh!
Mike- I always loved Open My Eyes but I guess Todd has Something to Fall Back On, too. (Couldn't resist.) His high chorus here actually seems to conjure up the Bee Gees falsettos but, in spite of that drawback (drawback being due to the ridiculous amount of overplay they got back in the daze), this sounds really good.
Can't forget Todd is also part of the stellar lineup also including Jack Douglas, Tom Werman, Sir George Martin, Steve Albini and others who have produced Cheap Trick albums, too.
Fasted: Aye aye on Cheap Trick. But the guy has so many production credits that I'd have spent more time listing them than writing the post and listening to the song...twice.
True.
I saw Todd live a few years ago. He came on late then, too- about a half hour. No apologies or explanations- and it was a solo show, no opening act.
Anyway, he had his ups and downs (microcosm of his career, I guess) and some raggedy spots in the show but he was still entertaining.
At least he talks to the audience (and that was very entertaining). Saw the Black Crowes and Psychedelic Furs in the past month and neither said much of anything to the crowd except an occasional "thank you" after a song.
Hmmm. And didn't Todd produce the Furs? Why, yes he did! See?
I too love this track, and have a near-complete collection of Todd. I'm less a fan of his guitar work (too discordant). Taste being what it is, I love Todd the popmeister (except the execrable "Hello It's Me"). Todd the brave experimenter? Not so much. But the nuggets keep me coming back.
dermahrk: There are some "Todd is God!" folks out there. I'm more of a "Todd is good" guy. And I'm into his guitar at its melodic (his slide solos on the pop-rock) and its most extreme. That said, it's his sense of harmony and his vocal arrangements that really get me. Speaking of which, the trio of girl back-up singers on the live take are so right for the song and so entertaining as they do their dance steps and cutie-pie schtick that it's almost unfair to the rest of the band.
on the flip side of Dabeef's experience, my first Todd concert (circa '74) started with 90 minutes of Todd backed by a reel-to-reel deck parked centerstage. Playing mostly AWATS material, he switched deftly between guitar and keys, captivating the audience with theatrical "Zen archer" arrows to the heart. After a brief intermission, the 7 pc Utopia band took the stage for another 90, instilling a flavor of synth-spiced prog that left me a fan for life. If you tire of Utopia, fall back on Todd, and vice-versa..you know?
scot: Sounds like a spectacular. Downright Wizard-ly.