As fans gathered inside The Bear’s Den in The Seneca Niagara Casino, Niagara Falls, NY, on Friday March 28, 2014, to enjoy an evening of musical genius featuring the legendary musician, songwriter, Grammy winning producer, ever changing, never boring, non-stop musical force and influence that is Todd Rundgren, I’m sure a lot of them were expecting to hear his most famous hits. That was not the case. There is just too much extensive work that he’s been involved with to be boxed in to such a limited offering. This is, however, a good thing.
This was a relaxed but energy filled evening of up-close and personal entertainment and interaction with “The Wizard” himself as he took that stage at 8:00 pm clad in jeans, a blue t-shirt, and black and yellow running shoes. He was looking more like he was set for a typical Sunday walk in the park. The night would prove to be anything but.
Opening the show with Rebecca Black’s “Friday,” got the crowd into a partying mood right from the start. Arms in the air, his familiar voice was strong and perfect as he went right into Utopia’s “Love Of The Common Man” followed by “Cliché.” Together with stand-up drummer Prairie Prince, guitarist Jesse Gress, and bassist Kasim Sulton, flawless musicianship was experienced all night long and between songs, we weren’t sure which Todd we were going to get next. Would it be silly Todd, grumpy Todd, noisy Todd, soulful Todd, story-telling Todd? Not knowing was half the fun.
Recognizing the Native American heritage in the area, he stated that there was no better place to perform Johnny Preston’s “Running Bear Loved Little White Dove” than Indian territory. “I Don’t Want To Tie You Down” followed and then he took over as seating manager pointing out available seats to those who had a poor line of sight and sang Happy Birthday to an audience member. Cool! “Big Weekend,” a Tom Petty tune followed. Then we heard blistering guitar work in “Black and White,” and a totally kickass version of Tony Bennett’s “Are You Havin’ Any Fun.”
A short three (3) song piano interlude of “It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference,” “Too Far Gone,” with its nagging message of “Why don’t you write your mother? / Why don’t you call your family?” and “Past” led into a story about attending the recent Grammy awards and having to move out of Daft Punk’s table to being moved out of Madonna’s table and eventually, out the door of the VIP area after getting dirty looks from Paul McCartney’s body guard. Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” had the crowd dancing in their seats and isles and a long, jazzy, funked-up version of “Born To Synthesize” featuring trade-offs between guitar and Todd’s voice led to a cover of Question Mark and The Mysterians’ “96 Tears” from the 1960s, one of Todd’s signature songs from his early era “I Saw The Light.” It was kind of a bossa nova version, and Utopia’s “Lysistrata” wrapped up the set.
The encore included Zager & Evans “In the Year 2525,” Todd’s most famous song (though recorded with The Nazz) “Hello It’s Me” and “One World” closed out the show.
A fantastic evening of musical perfection was pulled from the hat. With Todd, you never know what to expect next. There was not a disappointed ear, soul or goosebump in the house.
Setlist:
Friday (Rebecca Black cover)
Love of the Common Man (Utopia song)
Cliché
Running Bear Love Little White Dove (Johnny Preston Cover)
I Don’t Want To Tie You Down
Big Weekend (Tom Petty Cover)
Black & White
Are You Havin’ Any Fun (Tony Bennett Cover)
Piano Set
It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference
Too Far Gone
Past
Get Lucky (Daft Punk Cover)
Born To Synthesize
96 Tears (Question Mark and the Mysterians Cover)
I Saw The Light (The Nazz song)
Lysistrata (Utopia song)
Encore:
In The Year 2525 (Zager & Evans Cover)
Hello It’s Me
One World (Utopia song)
We would like to thank Mary Lou Arnold from Todd Rundgren’s camp for the credentials to cover the show.
