“Welcome to what I’m calling The Walking Dead Tour,” quips the man. “It’s for those of you who’ve been in a coma for the past 45 years.” This is his waspish way of telling his genteel Connecticut audience (back in December) that this is a greatest hits show. And what a set. It opens with I Saw The Light, Nazz’s Open My Eyes and Love Of The Common Man. Later, there’s a brilliant Sometimes I Don’t Know What To Feel and perky new-waver Love Science, culminating in Utopia’s One World by way of plenty more must-hears.
The smart Ridgefield Playhouse, the well-heeled fans and the sharp camera work all add to the safe, blue-eyed soul feel here. Rundgren’s four-piece band mainly keep clear of him as he stalks the neatly wired stage. If there’s a smack of this being another night at the office, he’s still a great performer, playing Kiddie Boy, Black Maria and a soul medley with gusto, and all 26 songs attest to his restless musical brilliance. The accompanying CD loses eight of them; the band’s bonus interviews with each other are fun. Tune in to find out Runt’s favourite book, and how he likes his Martini.
