Customer Reviews

Another Live

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Excellent music with selections unavailable anywhere else. The recording quality is not the greatest but the music overcomes. Concert was recorded at the Cape Cod Coliseum and was the result of a three hour show. The opening group Orchestra Luna failed to arrive and Todd stepped up to the task. If you are a Todd fan this is a "must have".

I had this recording in vinyl and have loved it for a long time. I sold all my albums years ago and have slowly replaced the best ones (I had a LOT of vinyl so it's taken a long time). I cannot recall whether the sound quality was particularly bad on the elpee. But this "remastered" version sounds like a bootleg, especially on the cover songs which had appeared on side 2 of the album. The mix is VERY spotty and uneven, and the sound is muddy in a lot of places. Perhaps Castle Records didn't have much to work with...after all, it's a 25 year old master tape of a live concert (not sure how much of a difference that makes). The CD is still worth having though, if only for the thrill (no kidding) of listening to the first three cuts. They are truly awesome.

Few musicians are as talented and complete as Todd Rundgren...he's a great vocalist, guitarist and composer as well as a visionary. None of his best songs sound the least bit dated (even though many are 25 or 30 years old) because they are so well crafted.

I'm actually still waiting to find this treasure on CD; however, I still spin this gem on my turntable! I was first liberated by Todd with the 1974 release of Todd Rundgren's Utopia. From instrumental challenges and goose bump-driving guitar solos to heart pounding piano stretches, this orchestration puts a visual choreography into one's mind while listening. The experimentation of synthesizers mixed with Todd's incredible guitar licks and progressions is taken to another level with the 1975 release of Todd Rundgren's Utopia Another Live. This album was so exciting that it should have hit Broadway, with Mr. Triscuits and Something's Coming. Heavy Metal Kids is signature Todd Rundgren, and remains my favorite to this day! If you like(d) Todd's music from this era, you might also like Yes's Relayer from the same period (1974).

The only thing that holds this back as the greatest live album in my collection is the actual recording. Don't let that stop you from buying it though. You'll look at show tunes in a new way after "Something's Coming" and the instrumental work on this jazzy album makes you wish you could have been there. "Another Life" and "Seven Rays" are alone with the price of admission.

This album was recorded on the tour promoting Todd's Initiation album, features Utopia with two new members Roger Powell and John "Willie" Wilcox as well as featuring back up singers from David Bowie's Young Americans. Unlike most live albums, most of the songs on here hadn't been released on other records and there are no overdubs. The first half is made up of all new originals and starts off with a great song called Another Life by Todd and Ralph. I was always bummed that Utopia never played this song more as it's one of their best. The Wheel is a strong tune with Todd playing an acoustic guitar and this version has an almost carnaval feel to it. The Seven Rays is another very strong song written by Todd and John and has a cool instrumental section in which the keyboards are used to good effect.

The second half opens with Intro which is an instrumental bit between Todd and Roger before giving way to Roger's Mr. Triscuits which Roger would later rerecord for Air Pocket. This leads into a nice cover of Something's Coming. Heavy Metal Kids is the first song on the album to have already made an appearence elsewhere in a studio version Todd. The band then does a cover of The Move's Do Ya which was also a concert staple of ELO (the group that evolved out of The Move). The release is rounded out with a stunning version of Todd's A Wizard, A True Star song Just One Victory. All in all, a true classic that has aged like fine wine.

There are several versions of this album on CD--some out of print, some of questionable quality, some just plain expensive. To my ears, this new import is great. It sounds exactly like I remember it sounding on my turntable. And I can't think of a better compliment you can give the remastering of an old favorite...
...oh, and regarding the cover: it's a cardboard jacket like an LP. The CD is printed to look like vinyl and comes within its own plastic LP insert sleeve. There are two slips of paper in there, too. One side of one sheet has the song listings. The rest is in Japanese.

It was Summer in Jersey, when Utopia performed this concert. Todd flew in on a winged Unicorn named Raul, making several passes over the amazed audience. He landed and spent several minutes arguing Quantum Theory with a gnome, a surly wood nymph and an Italian, before bestowing immortality on the crowd...

It doesn't make a difference where this was recorded, it is a fine work. Unfortunately, it is the start of the Broadway period for Todd. i never cared for the pop stuff he did so much of (and that I ended up buying, hoping for more of the original Utopia). If I wanted Andrew Lloyd Weber, then I would buy Cats (might as well offend both camps). If that is your cup of tea, then you have several albums to choose from.

If you like the space/psych prog from the previous album (like I do) then this is the last of it. So enjoy!

Have loved listening to Todd since 1973 and have been to all of his concerts, in Michigan, including the one at Pine Knob, near Detroit, where this was recorded. We (about 15 of us) sat fifth row center and the concert was awesome. Would recommend this recording to any true Todd fan.

I was at the concert in central park when this album was recorded. I have probably been to 100 or more shows ,but this was by far,the best. If you are a fan of Todd Rundgren, then this is an essential addition to your collection.I only wish there was a video of the show.

This live recording was culminated from a series of concerts that Utopia performed during August of 1975. [...] this is an actual live album. Whether or not crowd noises were mixed in the studio is subject to discussion however I was present during this particular song. As a matter of fact, it was festival seating, we were there very, very early and Todd exited the stadium prior to the opening with an attractive girl, they took a walk along the Ohio river alone, he spoke to us when leaving and returning to the stadium. Very cordial and I still feel badly for my inebriated behavior during the show. You know how it is when you are young and stupid. This album has been one of my favorites since it's release. I also have the vinyl release on Bearsville Records.