Old and new sounds

After the successful run of A Wizard a True Star album shows last year, Todd Rundgren is ready to do a follow-up. This time around, he’s revisiting TWO classic albums – Todd (1974) and Healing(1981). That’s right, Rundgren will be performing both albums in their entirety!! And once again, working behind the scenes to bring these shows to the fans are Doug and Mel of Rundgren Radio. As most TR fans know, Rundgren Radio has been instrumental in promoting/sponsoring TR gigs these last few years including AWATS, some “Robert Johnson” gigs and now the Todd/Healing shows. Without RR, this Todd/Healing tour probably wouldn’t have happened especially since no other concert promoter has stepped up to take the tour beyond the 6 initial gigs Rundgren Radio has put together.

If you haven’t done so already, head over to ticketmaster to purchase your tickets to one of these 6 shows. It doesn’t appear likely that Todd will be bringing this show anywhere else so if you love these two albums, this’ll be your only chance to hear the songs live in their entirety. But if you can’t make the drive, you’re still in luck!! Rundgren will also be providing a pay-per-view webcast of the September 14th show at the Keswick Theatre via todocast. head over to the todocast site for more info.

Hot on the heels of Rush‘s 2010 Time Machine Tour, Eagle Rock Entertainment is releasing the latest installment of their Classic Albums series featuring 2112 and Moving Pictures. The brand new documentary is coming out at the perfect time since the band performed the entire Moving Pictures album during the Time Machine Tour. Both 2112 and Moving Pictures are among the most significant albums in Rush’s long career.

Personally, “2112: Overture/The Temples of Syrinx” holds a special place in my heart since I had to memorize this amazingly complex piece for a cover band way back in my younger days. It was an absolute thrill to play once we figured out how to get through the whole thing without sounding like a trainwreck. As for Moving Pictures, it’s the best selling Rush album of all time. You simply can’t argue with classics like “Tom Sawyer”, “Red Barchetta” and “Limelight”.

Rush: 2112 & Moving Pictures – Classic Albums is out in stores NOW, available both on DVD AND Blu-Ray. This edition of the “Classic Albums” series is 112 minutes long with an additional 50 minutes of bonus footage that wasn’t shown in the broadcast version. Besides brand new interviews with Neil Peart, Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee, we get interesting commentary of the multi-track tapes with original producer Terry Brown. Also making an appearance in the doc is Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins.

I recently learned that Danny Wilde of the Rembrandts collaborated with the Gin Blossoms on the band’s new album, No Chocolate Cake. I think it’s a pretty good fit especially when you compare the melodic pop of the Gin Blossoms’ hits “Til I Hear it From You” and “Found Out About You” with Rembrandts songs like “Just the Way It Is, Baby” and “Johnny Have You Seen Her”. I’m sure that the resulting songs will be pure melodic bliss. Wilde co-wrote five songs on the new album as well as played keyboards on most of the tracks.

No Chocolate Cake will be out in stores September 28th through 429 Records. In the meantime, you can listen to the new single “Miss Disarray” by clicking on this link here (streaming link). And for a limited time, 429 Records is offering a free download of another album track, “Somewhere Tonight”, on their website.