Last Call To Action! “Rock The Vote” For Todd!
The Hall of Fame voting continues for only a few more days, when they will announce the inductees, with an induction ceremony on March 29, 2019.
You can click here and vote once a day until Dec. 9th!
https://www.rockhall.com/fanvote/vote?v=1
If I want more peace in the world
Then I must make peace with myself
Time to look at “2nd Wind”, which was Todd Rundgren’s thirteenth solo studio album, and as always, Todd came up with a unique way of recording the album. It followed the release of one of his most acclaimed records.
Todd’s previous album, “Nearly Human” almost cracked the top 100, and “The Want Of A Nail” was a #15 hit on “Mainstream Rock” charts. It was hailed by critics and fans alike as one of this many masterpieces. Here is a look at that classic:
https://johnrieber.com/2014/08/26/todd-rundgren-is-nearly-human-todds-6-fingered-masterpiece/
As with its predecessor, “Nearly Human”, Rundgren chose to record “2nd Wind” ‘live’ with a full band, as opposed to playing all of the instruments himself.
That’s right: once again Todd chose a unique recording method for the album – “2nd Wind” was a collection of new songs recorded in studio live.
The album was recorded at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, California. The album kicks off with one of my favorite Todd songs:
“Change Myself”
The album begins with a great song that showcase a more reflective Todd:
“I want to change the world
I want to make it well
How can I change the world
When I can’t change myself
Try again tomorrow
I’d love to change your mind
Capture your citadel
How could I change your mind
If I can’t change myself
Try again tomorrow”
Take a look at the music video:
Thanks to kruegerVP | Visual Production – who posted this on Youtube with this note:
“My first collaboration with Todd Rundgren (1990), this was the first all 3D computer animated music video.”
Todd was really into video and computer animation – and I own one of these!
Yes, a VHS of the recording sessions – a behind-the-scenes look at the recording of the album! I also own this, which is a collection that has some of the album’s material on it as well…
And thanks to “HarryRunt danu” for this – the next three songs on the album from that terrific BTS/performance clip!
“Love Science” / “Who’s Sorry Now?” / “The Smell of Money”
Here is a look at these three songs in order – the first two classic Todd songs, the third from a unique source…first, take a look:
Bravo to “HarryRunt danu” for sharing this great BTS/perfomrance video on Youtube! Now, as for “The Smell Of Money”…
The album includes three songs (“The Smell of Money”, “If I Have to Be Alone” and “Love in Disguise”) written for Rundgren’s musical version of the Joe Orton play/screenplay “Up Against It.” Here is the list of songs from that project:
The full suite of Todd’s songs for the musical was released as an album only in Japan. A more upbeat version of the song “Parallel Lines” also appeared on “Nearly Human”.
“If I Have to Be Alone” and “Love in Disguise” are next, both from “Up Against It”…here is a beautiful live version from 2012 of “If I Have To Be Alone”, which begins as a soft ballad and then builds into a mighty crescendo…you can imagine how powerful it would be if performed on a Broadway stage:
“Kindness” and “Public Servant” are next, then a beautiful, spiritual song:
“Gaya’s Eyes”
“Gaya’s crying, cant you hear her crying
Like a whisper, oh so very soft and low
If you listen, underneath the status quo
Will she still be friends and once again
Pardon our ignorance?
Can we make amends so near the end?
Is there no second chance?
No one hears when Gaya cries
No one cares to wonder why
Cant they see the tears in Gaya’s eyes?
Gaya’s crying (yes she is)”
Here is the live version from the recording sessions – audio only – but you can really hear the perfect balance of orchestra and Utopia backup singing….
“Second Wind”
The album ends with the title track, an inspiring song that speaks to his looking forward:
“Old rocking chair
It beckons you like a junkie’s needle
Start thinking feeble
Cowardly lion
The special today is karma yoga
Glued to the sofa
Where was I when we lost power?
Where was I when lies were spoken?
Where was I when evil snuck in?
Where was I when hope was choking?
A spy in the house
Someday one of the kids may catch us cussing
Then turn us in
Family ties
They used to be colors in a rainbow
Now we fly solo
Give me back the passion flower
Give me back the nonconsumer
Give me back my lack of reason
Give me back my sense of humor
Blow like cyclone my second wind
Blow like typhoon my second wind
Blow like tempest my second wind”
Here is Todd performing it live with the Metropole Orchestra in 2012:
Always a believer in cutting-edge technology, Todd used the video for the album’s only single, “Change Myself,” as a showcase for the NewTek Video Toaster, a desktop video card for the Commodore Amiga computer.
Here’s a look at how Todd created some of Apple’s first graphics!
Todd spent a lot of time in the 80’s at the forefront of the video revolution. He also turned out great albums as well.
“2nd Wind” was released in 1991 and reached number one-hundred and eighteen on the Billboard 200 album chart.
Reports at the time said that Todd grew tired of the label’s insistence that he include more “single worthy” songs on his albums.
Todd wouldn’t release an album with a record label again for more than a decade, until 2004’s “Liars.”
Instead, Todd continued to explore new musical avenues, including interactivity!
Here is a look at Todd’s “No World Order” album that followed:
Let me know what your favorite song is from “2nd Wind!”
Categories: Art, Books / Media, Classic Rock, documentary films, Independent Cinema, Memoirs, Music, Obscure Music, Talent/Celebrities, Technology, The Beatles, Todd Rundgren, TV Show, Uncategorized
johnrieber 
Like you, my favorite song from Second Wind is “Change Myself”.
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Yes, I have always loved the song…thanks so much for your note!
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I hope that Todd appreciates you, John. Your devotion as a fan knows no bounds!
Best wishes, Pete.
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