Todd Rundgren has been a Rock God since the first Nazz album was released in the Fall of 1968. While the Philadelphia based band weren’t a massive hit, Todd’s next band Runt featured Hunt Sales (Drums) and Tony Sales (bass) who were the sons of Soupy Sales. They had a major hit with “We Got To Get Your A Woman.” The song was such a hint that it was billed as being by Todd Rundgren and Runt became the name the name of the band. Don’t feel too bad for the Sales brothers as they would eventually join David Bowie for Tin Machine. Todd was a studio wizard and became a major star during the ’70s with albums that mainly featured him as producer, engineer and performer. He also put together his band Utopia. In his spare time, Rundgren produced the New York Dolls’ first album, Meatloaf’s Bat Out Of Hell, Patti Smith Group’s Wave, Psychedelic Furs’ Forever Now, XTC’s Skylarking and dozens more. He was finally inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021 and skipped the ceremony since they should have voted him in back in 1995. Rundgren is still on tour and might be coming to your town this year.
Todd Rundgren: Liars Live captures his tour from 20 years ago. Even though he’d been around for decades at this point, Rundgren had new music to offer his fans. When he arrived at The Egg Performing Arts Center in Albany, New York on June 9, 2024, Rundgren wasn’t going to do a greatest hits nostalgia show. He had just released his Liars album and was ready to do more than one song.
What makes Liars Live stand out beyond the fresh music is a cool stage set up. He has the four members of the band playing on spaces that resemble windows found in a cathedral. The band stays put on their platforms while Rundgren stands at the front of the stage. During the first half of the show, each member is dressed as a different kind of Holy man. The band for the tour featured John Ferenzik (keyboards), Jesse Gress (guitar), Prairie Prince (drums) & Kasim Sulton (bass) with Todd singing and sometimes playing guitar. They’re a tight unit. There’s a wardrobe change right before “Soul Brother” so they’re in colorful suits for the second half. The new (it was new 20 years ago) songs from Liars sound great on stage. “Past” is would have been a massive hit in 1974 as he distills that smooth blue-eyed Philly soul once more. Todd’s voice hits all the right notes, and his two-toned hair works perfect with his orange suit. This was a show so worth capturing on the tour.
The Setlist on the Blu-ray is:
- Truth (from Liars)
- Buffalo Grass (from One Long Year)
- Mammon (from Liars)
- Fascist Christ (from Liars)
- I Hate My Frickin’ I.S.P. (from One Long Year)
- While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Beatles cover)
- God Said (from Liars)
- Liar (from Liars)
- Soul Brother (from Liars)
- Flaw (from Liars)
- Sweet (from Liars)
- Past (from Liars)
- Love Science (from 2nd Wind)
- Born To Synthesize (from Initiation)
- Feel It (from Nearly Human)
- The Want Of A Nail (from Nearly Human)
- Hello It’s Me (from Something/Andything)
- Just One Victory (from A Wizard A True Star)
Todd Rundgren – Liars Live presents the uncompromising and entertaining legend on a great night. He could have easily cranked out his classic rock hits of the ’70s. Instead, he delivers a set that should remind his audience that night that we’re still doing good things in our lives. The fact that the audience is on their feet at the end asking for more proves that they were ready for something new from Rundgren.
The Video is 1.33:1 full frame yet looks great transferred to 1080p. The stage lighting does odd things to the performers’ outfits. The Audio is Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0. Todd Rundgren did the mixing so pick which version works best with your home entertainment system.
Tour Scrapbook (4:44) includes the blueprints to construct the stage props, how they prepped with the set-up, the band religious outfits in bright light, the backstage passes, the tour t-shirt, backstage photos, and Ultraman.
Japan Video Diary (14:14) is handheld video of the band’s tour of Japan. He has to explain the Jetson’s theme song during a dinner. We get to see Todd waiting on the Bullet Train. His son Rex warms up the crowd while wearing a big suit as part of the Pimp Posse. I used to see Rex playing baseball for the Carolina Mudcats. There’s a great after party with Japanese fans that includes a local band doing a Nazz tune. Todd eventually joins them for “I Saw The Light.”
Cleopatra Records presents Todd Rundgren – Liars Live. Directed by Ralph Umhoefer. Produced, Edited and Mixed by Todd Rundgren. Starring Todd Rundgren, John Ferenzik, Jesse Gress, Prairie Prince & Kasim Sulton. Running Time: 119 minutes. Rating: Unrated. Release Date: July 19, 2024.
