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Utopia at Their Peak
I saw Todd Rundgren's Utopia perform in Berkeley, CA on this same tour, and have fond memories of that show. So it was both a treat and a disappointment to see this footage of the Columbus concert. I'm very glad Rundgren decided to release it, but it's unfortunate that one of the highlights of the show was excluded, no doubt because of copyright issues. The piece that originally opened the second part of the show (after the intermission), was their unique performance of Ravel's Bolero. It was something that really had to be seen to be believed. Besides using one of the first examples of a loop in a live setting - at least that's how I assume it was done - we were treated to an electric / traditional hybrid of the piece. But it's been cut and all you see is the stage being cleared away during the fade up at that segment.
This rather glaring omission aside, and the fact that Todd's guitar is often out of tune (although that was true to form at the time), I hope Utopia and Rundgren fans get a chance to see this film, now on DVD. I must say also that all things considered, the video and sound quality are very good, as is the band's overall performance on this particular show.
There is an insightful interview with Rundgren on the DVD, which explains why we'll never see footage of the only tour that might have topped this one for the band - the RA tour. So all in all, a great little time capsule from one of the most underrated groups of the time.
This rather glaring omission aside, and the fact that Todd's guitar is often out of tune (although that was true to form at the time), I hope Utopia and Rundgren fans get a chance to see this film, now on DVD. I must say also that all things considered, the video and sound quality are very good, as is the band's overall performance on this particular show.
There is an insightful interview with Rundgren on the DVD, which explains why we'll never see footage of the only tour that might have topped this one for the band - the RA tour. So all in all, a great little time capsule from one of the most underrated groups of the time.
helpful•31
- gravity3
- Nov 24, 2004
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