Biography
Todd Harry Rundgren is an American multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Hailed in the early stages of his career for both his own material and for his production of other artists, supported by the certified gold solo double album Something/Anything? in 1972, his career has produced a diverse and eclectic range of recordings often both as a solo artist and as a member of the band Utopia. Rundgren has often been at the forefront as a promoter of cutting edge recording technologies. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_Rundgren
Album & Cover
The album was recorded during week-long stints in New York City (The Bottom Line), Los Angeles (The Roxy), and Cleveland (The Agora). The music featured the best of Rundgren’s most commercial work spanning seven of the eight solo albums released in the 1970s up to, but not including his most recent at the time. This effort was in place of rumors of a re-release of his out-of-print first two LPs, Runt, and Runt. The Ballad of Todd Rundgren. The only offering from those were “The Range War”, and the bulk of the material came from Something/Anything?, A Wizard, a True Star, Todd, Initiation, and Faithful. The finale included past and present members of Rundgren’s Utopia: Roger Powell, Kasim Sulton, John Wilcox, John Siegler, Ralph Schuckett, and Moogy Klingman. Also joining in were the Hello People: Norman Smart, Greg Geddes, Bobby Sedita, and Larry Tasse. Special guest stars were Rick Derringer, Spencer Davis, Daryl Hall, John Oates, and Stevie Nicks. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_to_the_Bars
The design brief for this live album, according to Aubrey Powell, was a cover image that displayed Todd Rundgren’s virtuosity… the front cover image focuses on his hands with its long tapering fingers that plays his guitar.
Cover Location: Hipgnosis Studio, London, UK with Moroccan desert landscape background.
Who Did What: Photography – A. Powell. Photography By – Chuck Pulin, Kevin Ricker, Michael Ricker, Richard Creamer.
Label: Bearsville 2BRX 6986(US), Bearsville K 65511(UK)
Source: Vinyl. Album. Cover. Art, The Complete Hipgnosis Catalogue: Aubrey Powell
| Side One Real Man Love Of The Common Man The Verb “To Love” Love In Action A Dream Goes On Forever |
Side Two Sometimes I Don’t Know What To Feel The Range War Black And White The Last Ride Cliché Don’t You Ever Learn? |
Side Three Never Never Land Black Maria Zen Archer -Medley -I’m So Proud -Oh Baby Baby -La La Means I Love You -I Saw The Light |
Side Four It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference Eastern Intrigue Initiation Couldn’t I Just Tell You Hello It’s Me |
Credits
Mixed By – Todd Rundgren
Mixed By [Assistant] – Tom Edmonds
Performers—
Bobby Sedita (tracks: B1 to D5),
Daryl Hall (tracks: D1 to D5),
Greg Geddes (tracks: B1 to D5),
John Oates (tracks: D1 to D5),
John Siegler (tracks: B1 to D5),
John Wilcox, Kasim Sulton (tracks: A1 to A5, D1 to D5),
Larry Tasse (tracks: B1 to D5), Moogy Klingman (tracks: B1 to D5),
Norman Smart (tracks: B1 to D5),
Rick Derringer (tracks: D1 to D5),
Roger Powell (tracks: A1 to A5, D4),
Spencer Davis (tracks: D1 to D5),
Stevie Nicks (tracks: D1 to D5), Todd Rundgren
Producer – Todd Rundgren
Written-By – Todd Rundgren (tracks: A1 to A5, B1 to B6, C2, C3, C4d, D1 to D5)
Notes
Recorded live at The Bottom Line in New York, The Roxy in Los Angeles and the Agora in Cleveland
Gatefold sleeve and printed inner sleeves
