Todd Rundgren: Utopia [DVD] [1980]

LIVE in COLUMBUS OHIO ,1980

For fans of Todd and his various incarnations this will come as a welcome surprise as it's a retrospective of sorts featuring stunning versions of classic Utopia songs. The line up is the long running classic with Roger Powell (keyboards) Kasim Sultan (bass) and Willie Wilcox (drums) all playing brilliantly and with great verve. Presented in three parts, each section features a new stage set and a change of costume. Part 1 starts off with the more poppy, late 70's material with excellent versions of "Love in Action" and "Trapped". The highlight here for me was "Caravan" which has a great section with Todd and Roger trading searing solos. Clothing is casual.

The highlight of Part 2 is most certainly the medley of classic Todd hits, although Rogers solo "The Sands of Arrakis" is a fantastic showcase for his sounds and playing. I consider Roger to be one of the great synth voices of the 70's although he seems to get lost in the shuffle. I' rate him alongside Jan Hammer and David Sancious anyday! Clothing in Part 2 is adequate.

The true gem of this DVD is Part 3, which is dedicated to Utopia classics. I was just a little too young to see this band at their heyday so the chance to see them performing"Just One Victory","Utopia Theme" and "Sing Ring and the Glass Guitar" is just too great to miss.For fans of Tods's guitar playing he is on form through out. Great sound and really intense solo's, Todd is truly an inspring player.Clothing in Part 3 is futuristic white jump suits, giving them the ambience of extras from "Logan's Run", which is cool in my book (my book being a kinda weird, dark sci-fi fantasy).

If this wasn't enough, there's also a great interview with Todd where he talks about his writing, production and compositions. It's informative and a nice extra.The sound and mix is good through out,althogh when it gets to Part 3 Willies drum sound is a bit odd,especially the toms.Otherwise the mix is good and the band sound cool,if a little busy in parts.

All in all, this is a great DVD for Todd and Utopia fans. All I ask is that someone release the FULL footage of the RA and early Utopia tours!

For fans of Todd and his various incarnations this will come as a welcome surprise as it’s a retrospective of sorts featuring stunning versions of classic Utopia songs. The line up is the long running classic with Roger Powell (keyboards) Kasim Sultan (bass) and Willie Wilcox (drums) all playing brilliantly and with great verve. Presented in three parts, each section features a new stage set and a change of costume. Part 1 starts off with the more poppy, late 70’s material with excellent versions of “Love in Action” and “Trapped”. The highlight here for me was “Caravan” which has a great section with Todd and Roger trading searing solos. Clothing is casual.

The highlight of Part 2 is most certainly the medley of classic Todd hits, although Rogers solo “The Sands of Arrakis” is a fantastic showcase for his sounds and playing. I consider Roger to be one of the great synth voices of the 70’s although he seems to get lost in the shuffle. I’ rate him alongside Jan Hammer and David Sancious anyday! Clothing in Part 2 is adequate.

The true gem of this DVD is Part 3, which is dedicated to Utopia classics. I was just a little too young to see this band at their heyday so the chance to see them performing”Just One Victory”,”Utopia Theme” and “Sing Ring and the Glass Guitar” is just too great to miss.For fans of Tods’s guitar playing he is on form through out. Great sound and really intense solo’s, Todd is truly an inspring player.Clothing in Part 3 is futuristic white jump suits, giving them the ambience of extras from “Logan’s Run”, which is cool in my book (my book being a kinda weird, dark sci-fi fantasy)

If this wasn’t enough, there’s also a great interview with Todd where he talks about his writing, production and compositions. It’s informative and a nice extra.The sound and mix is good through out,althogh when it gets to Part 3 Willies drum sound is a bit odd,especially the toms.Otherwise the mix is good and the band sound cool,if a little busy in parts.

All in all, this is a great DVD for Todd and Utopia fans. All I ask is that someone release the FULL footage of the RA and early Utopia tours!