The Ballad Of

Todd Rundgren

You know, I can just hear the A & R men from record companies across the USA in 1971 saying:

"There's something wrong with that Todd Rundgren!"

...when they saw the cover to Todd's second solo album, The Ballad Of Todd Rundgren.

Todd Rundgren The Ballad Of Todd Rungren

Todd Rundgren: The Ballad Of Todd Rungren

Todd's at the piano, facing away from the camera with a hangman's noose around his neck. Looking at the back sleeve, you see Todd, still at his piano, still with the noose around his neck, looking bored!

They were right. There was (and is), something wrong with Todd. Still feeling his way, The Ballad Of Todd Rundgren is a huge improvement on Runt but cuts back on the rock and roll and instead, explores the world of sensitive singer-songwriting. However, in comparison to the great singer-songwriting albums of the time:

Ladies Of The Canyon...Joni Mitchell 1970
Blue...Joni Mitchell 1971
Sweet Baby James...James Taylor 1970
Mud Slide Slim ...James Taylor 1971
Tapestry...Carole King 1971
Tea For The Tillerman...Cat Stevens 1971
American Pie...Don McLean 1971

...The Ballad Of Todd Rundgren comes off as fairly limp and lacking confidence, though, considering that stellar list of multi-million sellers, such a criticism certainly doesn't mean that Todd's work was without merit.

Strangely, though, the album has a certain "something" about it, a home-made quality that actually positions it more with Paul McCarney's first solo album, McCartney than the albums listed above. When placed in that context, The Ballad Of Todd Rundgren starts to sound considerably more interesting, often sweet, very earnest and well, slightly goofy.

Here are some tracks that I'd recommend you check out:

Except for a sloppy first line, Wailing Wall remains stark and absolutely stunning. Is there a female blues singer out there who wants a cross-over hit? Look no further!

"...And from dawn 'til dark you hear her call
Down in front of the Wailing Wall
And she cries all day so sad and alone
'Til someone comes along and leads her home
Nobody listens and nobody seems to care
But everyday you'll find them there..."

Wailing Wall

Be Nice To Me is a young person's love song that's sweet and not at all twee, quite an achievement.

"...So tired, so sad
So sick of being had
By everyone who comes along
Would it be so wrong
If you played along
And please just be nice to me..."

Be Nice To Me

On the other hand, it could also make a great existential wail for a tortured nymph with some suitably ragged musical backing

The Range War is a cowboy Romeo & Juliet story that works

"...Your Daddy runs sheep
And mah uncle runs cattle
Nothin' can keep
Us out of this battle...
...They wage
As it burns up the range
...'Til no man
...Is left in
The saddle..."

The Range War

Boat On The Charles contains an unsuspecting suicide note &

Chain Letter gives a hint of Rundgren's capacity to use songwriting to have a laugh

The Ballad Of Todd Rundgren is a quiet Todd, very different from the lovable smart-ass of Something/Anything who would explode onto the scene the next year. That being said, I genuinely like this album's gentle understatement, so, check it out, it's a little gem.

Todd Rundgren: The Ballad Of Todd Rundgren

"...Ballad of Todd Rundgren (contains) songs...which Todd never surpassed in his career. All those who take the later fork in the road and never hear this earlier effort are making a big mistake..." Amazon reviewer Frank Lynch

"...Wailing Wall by itself is worth the cost. A True Genius..." Amazon reviewer It's Gold, I Tell ya

"...I'm not sure why there is any debate as to Todd Rundgren's place at the very top of Rock and Roll in the early 70's...This record was a perfect example as to how Rundgren could rock, sing ballads and generally HAVE FUN with his music..." Amazon reviewer Eric J. Hradecky

Todd Rundgren's Greatest Hits

For more info, see: