Todd Rundgren - A Wizard A True Star Live At The Paradiso (2010)

Todd Rundgren and his big band had decided to give us an appointment in Amsterdam for the closing of a tour dedicated to the rendition of his legendary 1973 album ‘A Wizard A True Star’, initiated on September 5th last year in Akron, Ohio. Fourteen concerts altogether, 12 in the U.S. and 2 in Europe, among which the Hammersmith Apollo in London last Saturday and then Monday night, at the Paradiso, in Amsterdam. Costumed by Michelle Rundgren, Todd has built a show whose priority is the visual. Two groups of musicians perched on platforms in all white tuxedos coated, form the "big band". The (many) keyboards on which Ralph Schuckett (with Rundgren from 73 and especially since Utopia II), Greg Hawkes (Keyboardist for The Cars) and Bobby Strickland (already present in 2 Rundgren’s albums, "Nearly Human" and "Second Wind") put their fingers are on your right; Jesse Gress, Kasim Sulton and Prairie Prince are facing them and on your left. I confess that although I already watched some videos circulating since the first concert in Akron Ohio, I was amazed by the performance. We must still remember that this album was released in 1973, that Todd wrote all these tunes over several years with recording equipment of thirty seven years old, which belong to the prehistory of the recording! The show is here for Part 1 and there for Part 2, enjoy.

Rough Mix

A selection of some great pictures from the Paradiso show by Lion Keezer













Sometimes I don't know what to feel. Sometimes I don't know I just don't know what to feel Sometimes I don't know what to feel Everything I thought that I knew starts to look so unreal There's a ringing in my head that keeps me awake at night Sometimes I don't know what is right Today I saw a car crush my little dog under its wheel It did not even stop, it just sped off and out of sight Sometimes I just feel so afraid But I know that no one else has it made So if I just believe in myself I won't need no help from nobody else and I can make it alone And everything will be cool, I got to keep on keepin' on There's nothing else I can do Sometimes I don't know what to do Someone said the world's going to end and I think its true I thought there was some love in the world but I guess I'm wrong Sometimes I just feel so alone I don't want to admit to my friends that I feel confused I wonder what I'd do with myself if the world was gone Something makes me stay on my feet Don't you dare admit to defeat And if I tell myself it's all right I can comfort myself through the night and watch another day dawn And everything will be cool

When the Shit Hits the Fan. Earthquake in New York City, the Chrysler Building fell in my yard But when the shit hits the fan,I think I'll have to make my way back to Sunset Boulevard The IRA has just hit London, they blew up half of Scotland Yard But when the shit hits the fan, I guess I'll try to make my way back to Sunset Boulevard Cruisin' down a mountain highway, someone's cut the brakes on my car But when the shit hits the fan, I know I have to get my ass back to Sunset Boulevard