70's Scenario (Philly team up, Edition #1)
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Artist:
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Album:Pop Masters: 70's Scenario
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Track:
Though I know "War Babies" spent some considerable time filtering into my subconscious through the second half of the 70's, the times I've listened to this unusual Hall and Oates 1974 set since have been unspectacular. So, though I was initially excited when our buddy dermahrk expressed a desire to hear some of the Todd Rundgren produced/ Utopia backed production, I felt myself shrinking from the task. But a promise is just that, so I cued it up.
Gotta say thanks to ya Mark. I dunno if it's due to the fact I was listening to a bit of the Philly duo lately or if I'm just longing for some Rundgren grooves(also a Philly native), but this hit all cylinders tonight.
It brought into sharp focus my own 1974 world, that started with the ominous threat of the draft hanging over our heads. Nuclear war was an unfathomable ever-present unreality, but we'd all known a lot of Viet vets, and knew how much the experience had changed most of them. Not in startling, descriptive detail mind you, but more in a change of character. Most who had left as outgoing carefree spirits returned as reclusive brooding introverts, and the red carpet was rolled right to my feet. I think it was 2 months before my 18th that the word came down. So, as Pete Townshend once said, "I have known no war." How did I deserve to so suddenly be released from those obligations? Not that I wasn't relieved. And then, the relief mutated into a decade of debauchery.
I guess I stray from the point. You've absorbed the themes of the times, now listen to the tunes. Sure, it's a Hall and Oates album, but I hardly hear John, and Rundgren and his boys are working every angle. "70's Scenario" works to set the despairing tone of the age, yet winds up more like a sonic blueprint for the Rundgren's acapella synth "Born To Synthesize" from the Real Man set. Daryll Hall tries like hell to personify the proto American Idol warble, but Todd butts right in with a patented solo and the Utopia jam-fest wins out in the end.
Side two of the vinly opened with the screaming air raid siren of "War Baby Son of Zorro" and lays out a vocal collage of the conflicts of growing up in an age of polarized views, all the while the finely crafted Runt-esque and Icon-ic musical passages pull your attention away from the story. One can hear much culled from the Todd album here, not the least of which being "The King Kong Reggae"...Daryll resigns himself by cranking up the reverb on the fade.
Finally, by the time "Screaming Through December" unfolds, Mr. Hall has resigned himself to the role of some erstwhile Ziggy Stardust - part of a proto-punk outfit living life fast and on the edge - finding some meaning in existing somewhere within the Hunter S. Thompson/Iggy Pop ideal of reality. The story remains focused and central here, and the trebley, brief jam - while still Utopian - provides the perfect complement to the characters' unraveling "...Faustus ate glass for an appetizer, and bled all over his synthesizer..."
They cleaned it up and took it to the pawn shop. Had to get the band-van back on the road...the show must go on, ya know...
Comments (7)
Thanks a lot for this. My first impression is that these tracks are extremely noisy, in some cases making it difficult to find the vocals. It does sound more like a Rundgren album than one by H&O. That's not all bad, since I'm a fan of both (but more so of Rundgren).
I am curious which Utopia is playing here - the early prog unit (which I don't care for) or the later lineup of Kasim Sulton, Willy Williams and Roger what's-his-name? "Screaming" sounds more like the prog unit.
no prob. was the right day to appreciate this. The Utopia personnel are from the earliest incarnation, that being the rhythm section of John Siegler on bass and John Wilcox on drums. Here's the complete lineup:
(wiki)
I'm digging the red button track. Will be back later to listen to the rest. . . .
that's cool "A", btw the album title is not Pop Masters:70's Scenario - it's War Babies. MOG is having its way with me!
War Babies. Have it in my car CD rotation as we speak. I agree one has to be in a certain frame of mind....but when I am, I crank er up and let 'er rip. Particularly theraputic after a stressful workday.
Todd producing is what makes it great, though. Such a distinguishable style. No matter what period he was in with his own music. (And I definately like some much more than others.) Can't you pick out Todd's hand on anything from a mile away and with your eyes closed?
I especially did at the very begininning of Son of Zorro...(referring to the last part of the last comment)
This was an informing an interesting post for sure.
And Screaming.....that song just got cooler as it went on!!
Listening to the other two tracks, I have to say, I'm underwhelmed. Not feeling 'em like '70's Scenario'. To me they just don't have that blue eyed soul feel that '70s Scenario has(& that they are known for in their later work which I loved). I guess there's too much Todd in those tunes for me, although I do like Todd but not when I'm expecting to hear H&O, haha.