Todd & Patti were/are indeed good friends & kindred spirits - to me, both are an odd yet appealing mix of east coast street smarts and poetic mysticism. . . here's a fun example of what I'm talking about, a 15-minute conversation between the two of them from a promo-only LP released to promote Todd's 1979 live album "Back To The Bars":
That was a trip! Thanks for sharing that. I didn't know they made those promo LPs and I never would have looked for or found that. Very cool.
Also interesting to hear their very different views on life, Patti in love and planning to have a family, Todd advocating the individualist point of view. The Beatles vs Stone preference, not surprised either for some reason.
How many is "only a few more"? Few enough that we can postpone the intervention? And why don't they give us emojis so you can know I'm (mostly) kidding?
I know, where are the friggin emojis? I guess you have to cut and paste them in from somewhere else, which is more trouble than it's worth. Maybe write the emotions in brackets [half-smile with puzzled eyes] or [glare at the offender who keeps writing about Todd Rundgren for too long when geez there are other artists in the universe for crying out loud].
I'll be moving on after 2-3 posts (I may combine two). Let me know if there's someone else I should profile from here to kingdom come.
I think for me it has to be someone widely known (and even revered) in terms of growing readership as a new stack, and someone I'm personally keen to delve into and know more about. I might do Richard in a piece (as opposed to a series). But coming out with a new plan next week, so I'll see how he might fit in. Thanks for the rec!
That's an interesting question. It also makes it more fun to pick someone who's collaborated with a number of other people.
My heart says, Sinead O'Connor, but it might be emotionally draining to do a whole series on her.
Billy Bragg isn't well enough known, but I have the impression that his career intersects with a variety of interesting people.
Bootsy Collins or Bernie Worrell? (I see that the latter has been described as "the kind of sideman who is as influential as some bandleaders")
On a complete tangent, I was returning to this post because I had thought of your line about "falling-in-love-and-heaven-help-me songs" listening to this version of "Someday Soon." Most versions of the song have a little too much emotional distance for my taste.
Thanks, and Todd Rundgren was a good choice for a series. I knew the name, but didn't have a good sense of his career, and it has connected to a range of interesting artists.
You mentioned this would be your last post on Todd as a producer. Having said that, I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on his production of XTC's Skylarking. I realize a lot of ink has been spilled on that album already, but still...
I was going to talk about that in a more general post about his producing, but I'll do a separate post about it since you're interested and it's quite an interesting story -- and because you're from Endicott!
Did you go to U-E? I spent so much time in Endicott -- Washington Ave, the library, the toy store, and my fave the Northside swimming pool. So many great memories.
Indeed I did! I grew up a few blocks away from the Cider Mill. My family would go to Tony's for Italian, which was located in the old K-Mart/Philadelphia Sales plaza. Whenever I visit my daughter and I always try and go to Lupo's for spiedies.
Omg, loved the cider mill and Lupo's, used to shop at K-Mart and Philly Sales all the time. I don't remember Tony's but I think there was a pizza place in the Endwell Plaza. Or Brothers 2 on Watson Blvd.
Kind of you to say that. Anyone can write on substack if you have stuff you want to write about (if you ever should get the yen). I appreciate the sentiment and the support.
I loved Todd's anecdote of meeting and spending time with Patti! It struck me how someone as wildly and differently-talented as Patti HAD to be signed, and her talent "documented" (ala Dylan, and others who, perhaps especially, deal in words). But, the challenge for Clive (with both, as it happens!...although, John Hammond was the one most directly guiding Dylan's early career from the label perspective), has been to, somehow, make this unique "acquired taste"-talent attractive and appealing to the masses! After all, they've got to recoup on their investment!
So, the Dylans and Pattis, at some point (and, I think history reveals they did, to their credit), had to acquiesce just a tad, and focus on doing something that crept just a little closer into "hit record" land! I think that helps explain "Because the Night" and "Dancing Barefoot," among others of hers.
Got what may be a surprise collab that Todd did in the '70s, Ellen, coming up in this Tuesday's Tune Tag with Robert C. Gilbert! Wonder if you can guess with no clues!
That's intriguing. He produced the New York Dolls, also War Babies with Hall and Oates, and started Utopia. But don't tell me -- let me wait and be surprised.
Dylan and Patti were not my cup of tea when I was younger, but now it's a different story. Appreciate their storytelling abilities and their unique talent. So have to agree that they're an acquired taste that's been made appealing to the masses, kind of like putting avocados on toast! Clive adored Patti and was bummed when she left music to settle down with Fred. Good for him and us that she decided to start up a solo career. I find her very compelling to listen to both speaking and singing.
Glad you liked the piece and thanks for sharing that great cover. Love the unexpected almost psychedelic part somewhere in the middle. Never heard of the Feelies so it's cool to find out about them.
Very cool song! I'm not as familiar with Patti Smith's catalogue but this one has a great production and vocal.
Yes, think so too. She has a very unique style as someone who started as a spoken poet. Very much into lyrics, and I love what she says in this song.
❤️
Todd & Patti were/are indeed good friends & kindred spirits - to me, both are an odd yet appealing mix of east coast street smarts and poetic mysticism. . . here's a fun example of what I'm talking about, a 15-minute conversation between the two of them from a promo-only LP released to promote Todd's 1979 live album "Back To The Bars":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LNXD_UXpKY
Spoiler alert: Todd is a 'Beatles Guy' and for Patti it was The Stones. Why am I not surprised?
That was a trip! Thanks for sharing that. I didn't know they made those promo LPs and I never would have looked for or found that. Very cool.
Also interesting to hear their very different views on life, Patti in love and planning to have a family, Todd advocating the individualist point of view. The Beatles vs Stone preference, not surprised either for some reason.
How many is "only a few more"? Few enough that we can postpone the intervention? And why don't they give us emojis so you can know I'm (mostly) kidding?
I know, where are the friggin emojis? I guess you have to cut and paste them in from somewhere else, which is more trouble than it's worth. Maybe write the emotions in brackets [half-smile with puzzled eyes] or [glare at the offender who keeps writing about Todd Rundgren for too long when geez there are other artists in the universe for crying out loud].
I'll be moving on after 2-3 posts (I may combine two). Let me know if there's someone else I should profile from here to kingdom come.
There can never be too much Todd. ;-)
Yes, he's been fascinating, but he's done so much I'm a bit exhausted just contemplating it. Does he have to be so darn accomplished?!
>>Let me know if there's someone else I should profile from here to kingdom come.<<
How about Richard Thompson?
I think for me it has to be someone widely known (and even revered) in terms of growing readership as a new stack, and someone I'm personally keen to delve into and know more about. I might do Richard in a piece (as opposed to a series). But coming out with a new plan next week, so I'll see how he might fit in. Thanks for the rec!
That's an interesting question. It also makes it more fun to pick someone who's collaborated with a number of other people.
My heart says, Sinead O'Connor, but it might be emotionally draining to do a whole series on her.
Billy Bragg isn't well enough known, but I have the impression that his career intersects with a variety of interesting people.
Bootsy Collins or Bernie Worrell? (I see that the latter has been described as "the kind of sideman who is as influential as some bandleaders")
On a complete tangent, I was returning to this post because I had thought of your line about "falling-in-love-and-heaven-help-me songs" listening to this version of "Someday Soon." Most versions of the song have a little too much emotional distance for my taste.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Neb0-Cg6BCk
I love Crystal Gayle and such a good song. Perfect example of those falling-in-love-and-heaven-help-me songs. Thanks for sharing that, Nick.
And thanks for the suggestions of people to profile. Adding to my list.
Thanks, and Todd Rundgren was a good choice for a series. I knew the name, but didn't have a good sense of his career, and it has connected to a range of interesting artists.
You get to own your obsessions!
That is an incredibly scary thought, knowing what my obsessions in general are!
You mentioned this would be your last post on Todd as a producer. Having said that, I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on his production of XTC's Skylarking. I realize a lot of ink has been spilled on that album already, but still...
From a kid just outside of Endwell (Endicott).
I was going to talk about that in a more general post about his producing, but I'll do a separate post about it since you're interested and it's quite an interesting story -- and because you're from Endicott!
Did you go to U-E? I spent so much time in Endicott -- Washington Ave, the library, the toy store, and my fave the Northside swimming pool. So many great memories.
Indeed I did! I grew up a few blocks away from the Cider Mill. My family would go to Tony's for Italian, which was located in the old K-Mart/Philadelphia Sales plaza. Whenever I visit my daughter and I always try and go to Lupo's for spiedies.
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Omg, loved the cider mill and Lupo's, used to shop at K-Mart and Philly Sales all the time. I don't remember Tony's but I think there was a pizza place in the Endwell Plaza. Or Brothers 2 on Watson Blvd.
Not sure you saw it, but I wrote a post on XTC, which turned out to be very popular and which you can read here (thanks for the idea!) -- https://rocknrollwithme.substack.com/p/skylarking-by-xtc-1986-with-todd
I read that! Thanks for the shoutout in your post. It was a bit trippy seeing my name there.
Thanks for all of your writings. Nice to see a local person make good.
Kind of you to say that. Anyone can write on substack if you have stuff you want to write about (if you ever should get the yen). I appreciate the sentiment and the support.
I loved Todd's anecdote of meeting and spending time with Patti! It struck me how someone as wildly and differently-talented as Patti HAD to be signed, and her talent "documented" (ala Dylan, and others who, perhaps especially, deal in words). But, the challenge for Clive (with both, as it happens!...although, John Hammond was the one most directly guiding Dylan's early career from the label perspective), has been to, somehow, make this unique "acquired taste"-talent attractive and appealing to the masses! After all, they've got to recoup on their investment!
So, the Dylans and Pattis, at some point (and, I think history reveals they did, to their credit), had to acquiesce just a tad, and focus on doing something that crept just a little closer into "hit record" land! I think that helps explain "Because the Night" and "Dancing Barefoot," among others of hers.
Got what may be a surprise collab that Todd did in the '70s, Ellen, coming up in this Tuesday's Tune Tag with Robert C. Gilbert! Wonder if you can guess with no clues!
That's intriguing. He produced the New York Dolls, also War Babies with Hall and Oates, and started Utopia. But don't tell me -- let me wait and be surprised.
Dylan and Patti were not my cup of tea when I was younger, but now it's a different story. Appreciate their storytelling abilities and their unique talent. So have to agree that they're an acquired taste that's been made appealing to the masses, kind of like putting avocados on toast! Clive adored Patti and was bummed when she left music to settle down with Fred. Good for him and us that she decided to start up a solo career. I find her very compelling to listen to both speaking and singing.
Great piece on a top shelf BANGER of a tune! Here’s one of those many covers from a lesser known group called The Feelies. Enjoy!
https://youtu.be/c_0Hok-2Prs?si=n9KebdIWP0wzLU6B
Glad you liked the piece and thanks for sharing that great cover. Love the unexpected almost psychedelic part somewhere in the middle. Never heard of the Feelies so it's cool to find out about them.