Todd is God

TOP 15 Albums 2011 Album of the Year Bon Iver – Bon Iver - There really wasn't an album I returned to more in 2012 than this one. Not a dud track on the whole album (although the Bruce Hornsby impersonation was a bit odd) Here's Bon Iver performing Perth on Later with Jools Holland And the Rest: - Ryan Adams Ashes & Fire. One of my favourite songwriters, and this was his best collection in a few years. Mostly stripped down. Great stuff. Lucky Now video The Civil Wars – Barton Hollow . Not on the album, but they do a good range of covers in addition to their own stuff. Here is them doing Billy Jean on Later with Jools Holland The Leisure Society – Into the Murky Waters : Pastoral English folk/pop music at its finest. A delightful discovery. Well crafted tunes, and great delivery. Dust on the Dancefloor video Scoobuis Pip – Distraction Pieces … Video for Let em Come Abigail Washburn - City of Refuge: Abigail Washburn performing " Chains " live at Musi...

Todd played 3 nights at London's Jazz Cafe this week. I went along to Monday and Wednesday's gigs. It is a venue that holds around 300 people, so is pretty 'cozy' as far as viewing experiences go. A continuation of the dates he'd been doing in the US recently it was billed as “The greatest hits tour his fans have been waiting to see for years.” On Monday night he joked about this, adding if this were really the case the gig would be over after 15 minutes, although he did add that these were the songs he thought fans 'might' like to hear. He certainly cast his net wide album-wise, with 15 Todd and 1 Utopia album covered in the set list. He may have not been playing every fan's favourite songs, but he was certainly trying to cover most of his albums. As a result it covered a wide variety of his career and allowed him to dip in and out of some of the different styles he's used over it – power pop, rock, blues, soul, bosa nova etc. For me, when I see ...

They may have met 3 years ago, but it is only really in the last year that the duo of Joy Williams and John Paul White (aka The Civil Wars) have started to make a big musical splash, both with fans, and fellow musicians alike (Adele was so impressed on hearing them she immediately signed them up to be her support act on her US tour). And it is really not hard to see why on the evidence of their debut album Barton Hallow. Stunning vocal harmonies and wonderful bitter sweet songs, have already made it, for me, one of the albums of the year. So a trip out to the wonderful surroundings of The Union Chapel to see them live was too good a chance to miss. I was not disappointed. A 80 minute set – including two encores (the second highly unexpected, and had Williams in tears) – was joy from start to finish with the pair showing a natural playful chemistry both with audience and one another. John Paul has a touch of Johnny Depp about him, whilst Joy is a bit of a minx. Musically they mixed th...

Two fun video interviews with Todd, first up KHPR/Hawaii Public Radio afternoon host Dave Lawrence speaks with music icon Todd Rundgren at Hungry Ear Records, Kailua, on Oahu as part of annual Record Store Day festivities (April 2011) And then way back to 1978, where Todd predicts the failure of videodisc and predicts intercative computer controlled TVs. And back to now, Todd talks about the new album, and modern music "Today, the songs are written totally to audience specifications. "We already know what the audience going to like so let's just create that!" to Spinner magazine.

So, a new Todd album. Of course being Todd it is never as simple as that, so this album came about from a 3 day, band camp exercise. In yet another way to finance a record, Todd agreed to sign up and allow fans to participate in the process. Gigatone’s myRecordFantasy essentially gives fans the opportunity to enter the recording studio with their favorite artist (or at least favourite that has agreed to sign up to this process) in the making of their new album. If you're good enough you might get to play on the record and you're also treated to a couple of evening gigs at the camp by the artists. A fan-boys wet dream essentially. That , of course, whilst fun, does not guarantee that the output will be any good. Add to that, that Todd announced that his idea for this record was to pick a selection of songs off albums he had produced for other artists and do contemporary 'dance' covers of them, and some people might already be going Ooooooooo….Kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk. Thank...

I love this song, but I think I must be mad posting my version of it online - esp accapella . Needless to say, Todd makes a better job of it. The Vineland - Honest Work

A brilliant song, off one of my favourite Todd productions {with added bonus of todd in the video} Heard Todd's - [Re]Production album for the first time today. Full review next week.

Michelle Rundgren (or company she involved in) is launching a vocal training app called VocalizeU The app features a number of tools to help musicians with perfecting their vocal abilities including: A Vocal Studio complete with microphone and mixer tools via a virtual “Home Studio” along with a journal and calendar apps to keep track of your progress. A Vocal Recorder that allows you to sing over existing music in your library (karaoke mode). A patented vocal evaluation will test your vocal abilities and offer suggestions on how to make it stronger using programmable scales. Pitch training uses pre-programmed metronomes to get your timing just right.

This is a recording of me playing my song Epitaph

A fun clip

Running Order: Chasing Your Ghost Dancing Barefoot Dear God Everything I Can’t Take It Is It A Star? Love My Way Nothing To Lose Out Of My Mind Personality Crisis Prime Time Take It All Tell Me Your Dreams Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad Walk Like A Man

Kasim has posted news of the new Todd tour. Apparently it will be a 3 'set' affair: One Acoustic set sandwiched between two Electric sets. John Ferenzick joins the usual suspects on Keyboards for the tour. Todd will also be on Letterman again, 15th June.

Abigail Washburn (with Kai Welsh) @ Borderline, London An American clawhammer banjo player and singer Washburn was in town in support of her third album City of Refuge. I really like the record – one of the nicest surprises of the year, thus far in fact, but neither I - nor the 'I'm not really into folk music' person accompanying me to the gig were quite prepared to be as blown away as we were by Washburn and musical collaborator Kai Welsh. The sheer power of their combined voices and Washburn's banjo and Welsh's acoustic guitar was nothing short of breathtaking, and certainly ranks as one of the finest gigs I've been to. Jessica Lea Mayfield @ Borderline, London One of those artists I had heard about in passing and went along just because tickets were cheap. Well worth it though, as Mayfield has the same kind of vibe that Lucinda Williams has, and plays a similar style of country music. Best is yet to come from this young lady. Rush @ 02 London Always promised...

. First song from upcoming Todd Rundgren album (re)Production has been posted online. The project (which features fans playing most of the instruments) sees Rundgren covering songs off albums he produced for other artists such as “Love My Way” from the Psychedelic Furs, “Better Than You,” by the New York Dolls, “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” from Meat Loaf and Dear God from XTC. The first track posted is his version of Bourgeois Tagg’s “Out of My Mind.” As promised by Todd, sounds like it's going to be a pop record.

Thought it was time for another quick, here's what I am listening too, update. The five albums I have listened to most in the past month. I Like them all very much. The Leisure Society - 'Into The Murky Water' Sick of Sarah - Sick of Sarah Steve Earle - I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive Foo Fighters - Wasting Light Sarabeth Tucek - Get Well Soon Oh and my favourite song of the moment? Ellie James (unsigned artist) Calm Before the Storm http://soundcloud.com/elliemakesmusic/ellie-makes-music-the-calm - I LOVE it.

Seems Todd's expected appearance (other than in audience on the 6th) was pulled. According to Michelle's Facebook page: "Sorry Everyone...i wish i had better news. American Idol decided to go in a different direction with their musical theme so they didn't use Todd. I think we should show them what they missed by focusing on The X Factor!" Seems in addition to her facebook page , she has also joined Twitter

More records that have caught my attention in 2011 Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes Swedish songstress delivers one of the finest pop records of 2011 thus far. Youth Knows Know Pain live http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oApxDMGZEw&feature=fvst Anna Calvi - Anna Calvi One of the more interesting new female talents to come out of the UK. Great voice and very talent guitarist. Her version of Jezebel by Edith Piaf is quite something. Anna Calvi 'Blackout' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx7rkcEvFm4&feature=fvsr Ron Sexsmith: Long Player Late Bloomer Seems to have been around forever without 'making it'. This album combines classic sounding elvis costello with teddy thompson style vocals. Believe it When I See It http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3dw3Qcr8u4

I have plugged my podcast here before, but here goes again. The Latest music review podcast from Pete and I - which the critics are calling our 'best yet' is now available. You can listen/stream on our site: http://cttbmusic.co.uk/cassette-recording-1977 , or better still subscribe in iTunes THe latest is a little different as we go back in time to look at 'new' LPs from: Fleetwood Mac, The Clash, The Stranglers, Al Di Meola, Judas Priest and Blondie. Do we prefer sides one or two? Do we think this punk / new wave thing will catch on? Will Fleetwood Mac sell any records? Will Scott mention Todd Rundgren? Find out.Listen now. The ideal soundtrack for a lazy sunny day.

Notice there is a site for people to set up own todd pages etc here http://toddfan.com/

Todd will be appearing in a producer role on American Idol on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 it seems. Time to talk about the old days with Randy Jackson, and talk parenting with Steven Tyler, I guess.

Decided to try and write a 'rock' song over the last month, and this is what I came up with. It's called, "Goodbye Hello" and features my nod to Jan Hammer in the Miami Vice influenced Synth on the Chorus [ see him and Al Di Meola playing my fav Jan tune Cruisin' here ]

What records have caught my attention so far 2011?? The Decemberists - The King Is Dead Going for a more folk/REM sound on this record (with a couple of blatant REM rip off tunes – but at least they get Peter Buck to help play them!). A string set of songs and an album that is a grower. Good vocal support from Gillian Welsh. [ Visual Companion piece to album video ] Go! Team - Rolling Blackouts This is their third album (and last if the band are to be believed). It sticks to the musical formula that the band created on their first album taking parts of hip-hop, 60s pop, brass bands and stage musicals and mixes it all up to make infectious pop music. Whilst it could be argued the trick is wearing thin, I think this is one of the more uplifting records of the year thus far. [ Secretary Song video ] The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow The Civil Wars are Joy Williams and John Paul White, and they make simple voice and guitar music that it at times quite beautiful. If you like the stripped dow...

Hello It’s Me is on the soundtrack to the new Simon Pegg/Nick Frost film – Paul. Meanwhile, US band, TV Girl sample this on their song 'If You Want It'

Utopia (Mark II) Reunion that is scheduled to take place at the Highline Ballroom this Saturday and Sunday (January 29th and 30th) will get a webcast. Nevessa Productions announced that they’ll be broadcasting the concert (the Jan. 30th show) via todocast starting February 2nd, on-demand for 30 days. So, get your credit cards out and order for $19.95.

UK band The Mummers have a new EP out entitled 'Mink Hollow Road' which features a cover of Todd's Fade Away.

According to this article in the Sacremento Bee, those auditioning to be on the new Todd album will be helping him record versions of songs by artists he's previously produced ... with a dance beat... 'Rundgren threw the campers a curve Monday by announcing that the songs they'd record on the Gigatone album – remakes of hits he produced for other artists such as the Psychedelic Furs' "Love My Way" and Meat Loaf's "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad" – would be set to a dance beat to reflect contemporary radio.'

The Hold Steady release Live (acoustic) at Soho iTunes Session on January 18th. They also contributed a new song "Just Saying" to the soundtrack of the The Dilemma.

First Listen: The Decemberists, 'The King Is Dead' The band returns with a stripped-down record featuring Gillian Welch and R.E.M.'s Peter Buck [Calamity Song is pure Murmur period R.E.M], and the whole album can be listened to at NPR .

Thanks to my regular reader - you know who you are! - for keeping an eye on the blog and anyone else who has dropped by over the last year. If you can't get enough of me then I do a music podcast (reviewing new albums) with a friend - Come Taste The Band , and I also do my own music that can be found on my Myspace site and also my own music site where tunes can be downloaded. I will also continue to post Todd related and occasional "other" stuff in this new year, such as my views on Paul Myers' book - A Wizard a True Star.

Apparently, Todd Rundgren's Utopia - i.e. the original 1974 lineup: Rundgren, Klingman, Siegler, Schuckett and Ellman (plus Kasim) are doing a couple of gigs at the Highline Ballroom in New York City on January 29th and 30th.