Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Todd Rundgren at The Tralf, July 16, 2010


A bartender in the crowded Tralf Music Hall where Todd Rundgren was moments away from taking the stage explained the sweltering heat in the building by saying the sun bakes through the unfortunately placed windows all day making it difficult for the AC to chill the room at night.


Right. Or maybe money dictates the level of that cooler. Baby, it was hot in there.


On stage, Rundgren joked about the warm, heavy air while dousing the sweat off his face with a towel as he and his band delivered a nearly 2-hour blistering guitar led set of blues-great Robert Johnson covers and rock-great Tundgren classics. We were treated to a bright and sunny "I Saw The Light" at show's end.


There were times when the four piece band, infused deeply in the breath of supreme guitar instrumental heaven, sounded as accomplished and tight as any live rock music I have heard in my lifetime. I know Rundgren is a great songwriter, producer and singer. I had forgotten he is also a great guitarist.


I swear, the next time I intend to tell the world how I felt about a Todd Rundgren show, via online review, I will take notes. On this hot summer night, I was too busy dancing and drinking warm beer to offer a comprehensive account of the evening. Is this a German import or a Bud Light?


I can tell you this - Rundgren cooled a hot room. And then sizzled it. "Soul Brother" was particularly soooooo fine!