TCCDM Pulls One Out..."A Wizard, A True Star" - Todd Rundgren (1973)

"A Wizard, A True Star" - Todd Rundgren (1973)    

I probably have more albums from bands that have been produced by Todd Rundgren, than I do his own albums.  He's a musical savant in the studio, no doubt, and I absolutely admire his third-eye visions, but his solo output can be a little hit or miss for me.  Still, there are a handful of Rundgren albums that I've actively been keeping an eye out for.  "A Wizard, A True Star" was one of them.  

Side one is a kaleidoscope of musical ideas that stop by the house for a quick hello, stand on the front porch, but never come inside.  Pop psych.  Pop rock.  Pop prog. Experimental.  Melody truffles from every direction are all crafted in meticulous, precise measures.  Everything is as it should be.  A headphone wearer's delight.  Like a Miyagi-Do circle protecting the egg in "Cobra Kai"..."A Wizard, A True Star" is impossible to crack.  

Side two is more soulful song driven.  Nothing was released as a single, but a couple would've fit nicely on the radio.  And the 10-minute medley Rundgren included is as cool as a hall pass.  Medleys are usually a red flag, but here, the songs are anything but boring.  Each track is cradled and given a Rundgren flavor all its own.  A baby's brain with an old man's heart as it were.  The bottom line is...I enjoyed this one better than "Something/Anything" and that surprised me.

"A Wizard, A True Star" - Todd Rundgren (back)

"A Wizard, A True Star" - Todd Rundgren
(inside gatefold)

Cherry-picking from this tree will only give you a small piece of the equation.  It's like the weather in Kansas.  If you don't like it, stick around a while longer.   Having said that...I would suggest dropping the needle on side one and letting it ride.  Whatever your opinion of Rundgren, for 1973, "A Wizard..." was more than ambitious and pretty badass.

I had a hard time finding a nice copy of "A Wizard...".   I wanted an OGL pressing with the gimmix die-cut cover.  Usually, you see them rough-handled with splits and ring wear.  Or else in nice shape, but unfairly priced.  This one fell right in my wheelhouse.  A gorgeous cover with a gorgeous piece of vinyl to spin.  I mentioned Rundgren had a third eye, but his "third ear" depicted on the cover may be more on target.  

At nearly 56 minutes, "A Wizard, A True Star" is still one of the longest single-disc LPs to date.  The album was supposed to include a large band-aid with a Patti Smith poem written on it.  Also, a picture postcard asking buyers to "send this card in and we'll put your name on the next record."  Both were missing from my copy.  I've never come across these inserts firsthand.

"A Wizard, A True Star" - Todd Rundgren
(Custom inner record sleeve front/back)

Bearsville label

Cat #  
BR 2133
SIDE 1  DEADWAX
BR-2133-  T1  31554-1C  STERLING  RL  D
SIDE 2  DEADWAX
BR-2133  31555-3  STERLING  RL  F  T1 

"International Feel" - Todd Rundgren / "A Wizard, A True Star" (1973)

TRACKS:
A1   "International Feel" 2:53
A2   "Never Never Land" 1:25
A3   "Tic Tic Tic It Wears Off" 1:15
A4   "You Need Your Head" 1:07
A5   "Rock and Roll Pussy" 1:10
A6   "Dogfight Giggle" 1:10
A7   "You Don't Have To Camp Around" 1:05
A8   "Flamingo" 2:35
A9   "Zen Archer" 5:25
A10  "Just Another Onionhead / Da da Dali" 2:25
A11  "When The Shit Hits The Fan / Sunset Blvd" 4:01
A12  "Le Feel Internacionale" 1:46
B1   "Sometimes I Don't Know What To Feel" 4:15
B2   "Does Anybody Love You?" 1:31
B3   "Medley: I'm So Proud / Ooh Baby Baby / La La Means I Love You / Cool Jerk" 10:35
B4   "Hungry For Love" 2:11
B5   "I Don't Want To Tie You Down" 1:56
B6   "Is It My Name?" 3:50
B7   "Just One Victory" 4:50

PERSONNEL:
Todd Rundgren - vocals, guitars, keyboards, synthesizers, bass, drums, percussion, saxophone, electronic effects, production
MOOGY & THE RHYTHM KINGS
  Mark "Moogy" Klingman - keyboards
  Ralph Schuckett - keyboards
  John Siegler - bass, cello
  John Siomos - drums
ADDITIONAL:
Jean-Yves "M. Frog" Labat - synthesizer
Rick Derringer - guitar
Michael Brecker - saxophone
Randy Brecker - trumpet
Barry Rogers - trombone
David Sanborn - saxophone
"Buffalo" Bill Gelber - bass
Tom Cosgrove - guitar

Good stuff.

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