SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: TODD RUNDGREN – SABAN THEATRE 2016

TODD RUNDGREN
SABAN THEATRE 2016
CLEOPATRA RECORDS

Thanks to Cleopatra Records, it is a good time in history to be a Todd Rundgren fan. Cleopatra Records continue with their deep dive and re-release of live recordings by Rundgren from the 2000s. As with a great many ‘legacy’ artists, Rundgren has toured relentlessly and he seldom (if ever) disappoints an audience and perhaps has not received recognition for these shows. His 2000 tours are, arguably, some of his best shows, and this re-release of Saban Theatre 2016 (in Los Angeles) goes a long way to support that statement. Originally released in 2019, and only as a download. Now it is available on a two-CD set. Not only is the music fantastic, but it sounds great too.

Rundgren was very busy during the 2000s recording and touring. And while his music never met with the success of his releases in the 1970s and 1980s, he made some brilliant music. Rundgren was never one to rest on his laurels and he continued (and continues) to explore and experiment with music. This concert, which features songs from his then current album, Global, features songs from that album as well his entire career.

As with his other shows and respective live albums, the hits are here (“Bang the Drum All Day”, “I Saw the Light”, “Hello, It’s Me”) but there are also deep cuts and songs from the then current album he was promoting. It makes for a very interesting live album with not so much surprises, but rather a balance to keep diehard fans and those who are not such big fans happy.

“Sometimes I Don’t Know What To Feel” (from 1973’s A Wizard, a True Star) comes alive with a fantastic arrangement, whereas “Lost Horizon” (1985’s A Cappella) is much closer to the original with a distinct Daryl Hall influence. And “Rise” actually sounds better live than on the original studio album (Global, 2015). His version of “Bang the Drum All Day” becomes a bit of a screamer and it sounds great. The epic, “Black Maria” (Something/Anything? 1972) sounds like the prog epic it is, and here, it sounds glorious.

Rundgren is an excellent live performer, and I am not sure he ever gets enough credit for his stage presence and ability to perform complicated songs live. And he does it with such ease. The excellent backing band helps, of course, but it is Rundgren front and centre, with his humour, strong vocals, and incredible musical ability that make his concerts, and Saban Theatre 2016 such a sheer delight.

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