Rock Archeologia

Todd Rundgren - A Wizard, a True Star (1973) 

Artist: Todd Rundgren
Album: A Wizard, A True Star
Label: Bearsville
Catalog#: BR 2133
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Shaped Sleeve
Country: US
Released: Jun 1973
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Pop Rock, Synth-pop
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Bitrate: lossless
Duration: 00:55:56

• This is the original 1973 pressing, which had a sleeve with specially shaped corners, an innersleeve with all lyrics, credits & a photo collage. It also included a postcard with a poem by the then almost unknown Patti Smith. Todd promised that anyone who would send back this postcard would get his name on the next record. He kept his promise on the back of the poster included on his 1974 album Todd.

• Something/Anything? proved that Todd Rundgren could write a pop classic as gracefully as any of his peers, but buried beneath the surface were signs that he would never be satisfied as merely a pop singer/songwriter. A close listen to the album reveals the eccentricities and restless spirit that surges to the forefront on its follow-up, A Wizard, a True Star. Anyone expecting the third record of Something/Anything?, filled with variations on "I Saw the Light" and "Hello It's Me," will be shocked by A Wizard. As much a mind-f*ck as an album, A Wizard, a True Star rarely breaks down to full-fledged songs, especially on the first side, where songs and melodies float in and out of a hazy post-psychedelic mist. Stylistically, there may not be much new -- he touched on so many different bases on Something/Anything? that it's hard to expand to new territory -- but it's all synthesized and assembled in fresh, strange ways. Often, it's a jarring, disturbing listen, especially since Rundgren's humor has turned bizarre and insular. It truly takes a concerted effort on the part of the listener to unravel the record, since Rundgren makes no concessions -- not only does the soul medley jerk in unpredictable ways, but the anthemic closer, "Just One Victory," is layered with so many overdubs that it's hard to hear its moving melody unless you pay attention. And that's the key to understanding A Wizard, a True Star -- it's one of those rare rock albums that demands full attention and, depending on your own vantage, it may even reward such close listening. - Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

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 • Side One:
A1. International Feel – 2:50
A2. Never Never Land (Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Jule Styne) – 1:34
A3. Tic Tic Tic, It Wears Off – 1:14
A4. You Need Your Head – 1:02
A5. Rock & Roll Pussy – 1:08
A6. Dogfight Giggle – 1:05
A7. You Don't Have to Camp Around – 1:03
A8. Flamingo – 2:34
A9. Zen Archer – 5:35
A10. Just Another Onionhead/DAda Dali – 2:23
A11. When the Shit Hits the Fan/Sunset Blvd. – 4:02
A12. Le Feel Internacionale – 1:51 
 • Side Two:
B1. Sometimes I Don't Know What to Feel – 4:16
B2. Does Anybody Love You? – 1:31
B3. Medley:
I'm So Proud / Ooh Baby Baby / La La Means I Love You / Cool Jerk – 10:34
(Curtis Mayfield, Al Cleveland, William "Smokey" Robinson Renaldo "Obie" Benson,
William Hart, Thom Bell, Donald Storball)
B4. Hungry for Love – 2:18
B5. I Don't Want to Tie You Down – 1:56
B6. Is It My Name? – 4:01
B7. Just One Victory – 4:59

     Mastered At – Sterling Sound
     Distributed By – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Members:
Todd Rundgren – vocals, guitars
Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker – horn
Rick Derringer – guitar
Mark "Moogy" Klingman, Ralph Schuckett – keyboards
Jean-Yves "Frog" Labat – synthesizer
Barry Rogers – trombone
David Sanborn – saxophone
John Siegler – acoustic bass, cello
John Siomos – drums

-----  ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ----- 

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