Oh God that was great, thank you. Always loved that tune from Faithful. He'll be at the Fox Theatre in Redwood city, 25 miles from me, on January 11th. The only thing keeping me from getting a ticket is that I start a new out of town job one week before the show so I don't even know if I'll be around until I start. If I am, I'll be there. Looks like a great setlist, too.

I'm in line for the show at the Birchmere right now! Can't wait!

He takes a dig at his fanbase between songs, he probably repeats this story at each show, but says something like: "I go through emails and it is apparent that many of you never moved on from 35 or 40 years ago. So if you feel like you just woke up from the floor of the Agora, here is what you might hear next..."

He takes a dig at his fanbase between songs, he probably repeats this story at each show, but says something like: "I go through emails and it is apparent that many of you never moved on from 35 or 40 years ago. So if you feel like you just woke up from the floor of the Agora, here is what you might hear next..."

Yes. He said this tour is for the fans who wanted 45 year old music played exactly like he played it 45 years ago. Then said, "As if nothing has changed in all that time."

I get where he is coming from. I've seen Todd a lot over the decades beginning with Utopia in the 70's. I've caught his last 4 shows at the Birchmere. Two, including last night's, were "greatest hits". Last night's was probably the least inventive and the least polished show I've ever seen him perform.

Don't get me wrong. I had a blast. The sound was great. The players all really talented. Some of the harmonies were spot on... really good show... but I left less wowed than in the past.

"God Said", "Love in Action" and "Soothe" were all stand outs. There are songs I would have liked to hear, particularly "Fascist Christ" and "Can We Still Be Friends".

Please don't tell Todd. I don't want him to think I'm complaining. 😉

All in all a darn good show. A great night out. I'll go see Todd whenever he is within spitting distance. I'm looking forward to something completely different next time he comes to town.

(From http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/todd-rundgren/2015/the-birchmere-alexandria-va-1bf221a8.html )

I Saw the Light
Love of the Common Man
Open My Eyes
(Nazz song)
Sometimes I Don't Know What to Feel
Rise
It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference
Buffalo Grass
Hammer in My Heart
(Utopia song)
Lost Horizon
Determination
Black and White
God Said
Love in Action
(Utopia song)
Lysistrata
(Utopia song)
Soothe
Bang the Drum All Day
I'm So Proud / Ooh Baby Baby
I Want You (Marvin Gaye cover)
Kiddie Boy (Nazz song)
Drive
Rock Love
(Utopia song)

Encore:
Black Maria
Couldn't I Just Tell You
Hello It's Me

Todd is...just...out there somewhere. He's a great songwriter, musician, and arranger. There are many sides to his music. I found this show he did with the Amsterdam Orchestra from a few years ago. Pretty cool to see & hear his music performed with a full orchestra.

Rundgren opened his Something Anything North American Tour in 1973 at tiny Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC. The first half of the show was Todd solo piano/guitar with music from the album piped in because he played every instrument on those tunes. Not too many people were aware of who he was or that he had been a session player with the Beatles like Billy Preston. He was at his cynical comic best during that part of the show but after intermission he came back with full band and blew the doors off the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium - especially with a tour de force encore of She May Be A Slut But She Looks Good To Me. I was hooked for life.