TR-i (The Rundgren-index): The Nazz Years

No.#1 in a series.

Todd Rundgren (a.k.a TR-i) has always been a enigma. As a record producer, band leader, multi-instrumentalist and tunesmith of the highest order, Rundgren could have easily chosen to churn out an endless flow of impeccably crafted radio friendly melodies to assure himself mainstream stardom and a lengthy career as a pop music-meister. Instead, he chose to follow his heart, straying off the grid early in his career to create an increasingly esoteric output and by process, become an innovator in electronic experimentation, the video arts, computer software design and web-based music delivery; all the while keeping one foot firmly planted in the unique form of fringe pop music that he continues to create today. Always the maverick, Rundgren first follows his interests and passions, less concerned with commercial success, yet savvy enough to know who and what butters his bread. Having long ago established a loyal fan base, he has effectively freed himself from the constraints of music industry standards to indulge in his quirky experimentation, secure in knowing that his fans will gladly follow him to the ends of the earth. It’s a unique position for an artist to find themselves, but credit must be given to the man himself for designing his circumstance. If he weren’t the humanist he is, Rundgren could never have achieved his reality, for it's his belief in his own self-potential as well as that of greater mankind, combined with his compassionate focus on our mutual human needs that have empowered not only himself, but also his longtime followers in ways that other rock artists simply cannot touch. Intelligent, articulate and prolific, Rundgren could easily be construed as the embodiment of the Renaissance man, not that he presents himself as such, but his multi-faceted history suggests otherwise. It can be difficult to pin any one classification on the man other than simply 'artist,' or perhaps to echo the title of one of his landmark LP's , 'A Wizard, A True Star.'

This will be the first in an on-going audio profile of Rundgren, each focusing on a different and specific dimension of his 40 year career in music.

The Nazz Years

Formed in 1967, The Nazz was Todd’s first professional outing. Power pop quartet, short-lived, British Invasion inspired, 2 LP’s proper, 1 posthumous collection of odds & ends, sharp dresser’s all; lots of velvet, ruffled shirts, brocade and flash. Instrumentally adept, harmonically strong, Rundgen penned material with a derivative sound, but derivative in only the best ways; heavy on The Who, Yardbirds, Small Faces and The Move. Drummer displayed a stylistic affinity for Keith Moon, bass player laid down a solid foundation, lead singer doubled on keyboards and Rundgren despite his young age, showed a remarkably well-developed approach to guitar histrionics.

Here’s the 31 track set list called 'The Nazz Years' with entertaining historical commentary supplied by Todd himself:

1.) ‘The Year Is 1965...’ 2.) Open My Eyes
3.) ‘...The Summer Of ‘67...’
4.) Back Of Your Mind
5.) ‘...It Sucks!’ 6.) When I Get My Plane
7.) “That Don’t Sound Like The Nazz To Me!”
8.) Crowded 9.) ‘In The Fall Of ‘68...’
10.) Not Wrong Long
11.) Rain Rider 12.) ‘...Todd Rundgren’
13.) Under The Ice 14.) Forget All About It
15.) See What You Can Be 16.) Wildwood Blues
17.) ‘...Nazz, Nazz’ 18.) Sing Me A Song (Outtake)
19.) Lemming Song 20.) Take The Hand
21.) How Can You Call That Beautiful?
22.) “Hey! Ain’t That The Nazz Over There?”
23.) Hang On Paul 24.) Kiddie Boy
25.) Featherbedding Lover 26.) If That’s The Way You Feel
27.) Meridian Leeward 28.) Christopher Columbus
29.) ‘Nazz Radio Commercial’ 30.) Only One Winner
31.) Some People

To download, click here, unzip and play loud!