Customer Reviews

Back to Bars

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

 

 

and I did play this album to death back when I had a turntable... but since the advent of CDs this was one album I had not gone about getting. I figured I had so many excellent Todd CDs and DVDs... but recently something was calling me to go Back to the Bars.

I am so happy I did! All you Todd lovers out there who have not heard this remastered recording, I beseech you to get it! Crystal crystal clear, you can heard every breathe, every instrument. All the songs we have known and loved and thought had been played to death... NO! This is a collection of gorgeous renditions. Also, to me , Todd tends towards trebly recordings ( The New Cars recent live recording, while great fun, is a little too tinny for example) but this one is rich and real and man... close your eyes and you are there. Truly, Todd at one of his many peaks. Way over 5 stars.

PS-The liner notes have a good Todd interview.,but I could not find a listing of the performers. I don't think they are listed, which is a flaw in this remaster. The musicians should have been credited!

Todd's a special guy. Find out why with this comprehensive overview of his career to date (1978). He's had so many careers since then you'll have keep up, but Back to the Bars shows that he is simply a great musician, backed by great musicians, playing great songs. What more do you need?

Leave it to Todd Rundgren to take what was quickly becoming a tired concept - the double album recorded live - and release a stunning snapshot of his already legendary career.

The 20 cuts - which clock in at nearly 1:44 - were recorded in three magical and smaller venues - The Bottom Line in New York City, the Agora in Cleveland and the Roxy in Los Angeles - and released in December 1978.

Along with his band, Utopia, Rundgren featured special guests Spencer Davis, Stevie Nicks, Daryl Hall and John Oates. By taking what was essentially a project to fuel the arena rock circuit and recording in clubs, the focus is placed firmly on the music and not the spectacle which can easily overshadow any artist.

Rundgren lets his music do all the talking and it sounds fantastic.

The performances are nice, especially "A Dream Goes On Forever," which might best the original. For those who thought Todd was going overboard with his Starship Captain persona of the mid-70's, the self-effacing banter is welcome comic relief.

todd. says it all to a small but vocal contingency of discriminating rock/pop conniseurs. this album is the best live overview of todd's career, with tunes ranging from 1971's 'range war' to the current (at the time) release, 1978's 'hermit of mink hollow', one of the most critically acclaimed albums of that year. this double live album has something for everyone. the hard rocking metal tinged 'black maria' to the power pop anthem 'couldn't i just tell you' to todd's soul medley from 1973's 'a wizard a true star'. ever the master balladeer, it shows with gems like 'it wouldn't have made any difference' to 'the last ride' to 'don't you ever learn'. find out why todd is america's most durable and beloved cult figure. a true double live gem.

This was a perfect live album showcasing Todd's ability as a Solo performer, I haven't heard it in years and it seems hard to get a copy of this gem. Todd Rundgren the producer would not allow an imperfect Live album out. This album really showed what he was capable of in Live performance if I remember it correctly. Having seen this tour at the El Macombo in T.O. The shear breadth of material shows Rundgren as a performer worth seeing Live. Clearly as good as the early group Utopia see Another Live. Hope this will be Reissued.

Could be the most enjoyable live "non-boot" release of the ol' Toddster in existence. To hear this reminds you of the incomperable connection the artist immediatly establishes with his audience. Excellent quality for a live recording-even on the LP version.

If you've ever seen his live shows, this one will be a constant reminder of the fun you have. Reminds you of the warm evening in late spring when you saw him at an outdoor venue.

Buy it. Sing along with every track. Play air guitar or piano in your car! Amaze your friends!

Being a long time Todd fan I couldn't pass this CD up when it was on sale at Best Buy. My only beef is that the production values of some of the live recordings are not up to Todd's usual high standards. At the same time the truly live nature of this CD revives my fond memories of Todd's concerts at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta - some of my all time favorite concerts. The play list is not the order I would use but an edited play list or a CD-R cures this problem quickly. The bottom line is that this CD is worth adding to the plastic mass of the true Todd fan who has the original CDs and wants to expand his/her collection.

This live recording was originally a double LP release. The set list is excellent, but unfortunately the live versions aren't quite as good as the original studio recordings. After all, one of Rundgren's strengths is as a producer. As for Back to the Bars, Todd's stage patter can be annoying to me, and his singing can use a bit of restraint in spots. If you have the originals, which I did, then this one is superfluous. What if you don't have the originals, should you start here? I'd recommend the originals, perhaps an anthology, but better yet start getting the albums.

Pretty poor live recording by today's standards ( or then ! ) .
High points are patchey on this set .
Most of the material is very close , in performance , to the studio versions ..... so what's the point ??
Just get your studio albums , turn down the treble , and make a clapping-whistling sound between each track .
Anyway ... the sleeve IS embarrassing .