A Wizard, a True Star

A Wizard, a True Star
Studio album by Todd Rundgren
Released	March 1973 (1973-03)
Recorded	1972-1973, Bearsville Studios, Woodstock, NY
Genre	Art rock, Pop rock, Power pop
Length	55:56
Label	Bearsville
Producer	Todd Rundgren
Professional reviews
allmusic link Rolling Stone (Not Rated) link
Todd Rundgren chronology
Something/Anything? (1972) A Wizard, a True Star (1973) Todd (1974)

A Wizard, a True Star is a progressive rock recording by Todd Rundgren, released in 1973.

The album, and especially the first side of the vinyl recording, is an extended medley after the fashion of The Beatles' late recordings; brief songs segue into one another, and the lyrics are frequently humorous or hallucinatory. The first side features a cover version of "Never Never Land" from the Broadway version of Peter Pan; the second side features a much-applauded medley of covers of doo-wop and bubblegum soul hits. Its length (55:56) pushed the limits of just how much music could fit on a long-player record (LP); as a result, the sound quality of this LP is usually less-than-stellar. The compact disc version was thought to avoid these difficulties. The first issue on vinyl (JW - 1 is written in the trail-off), the only pressing made from the original master, has the best fidelity; finding one in near mint condition is not easy.

Arthur Wood made the curious cover painting that is featured on the original recording.

First issues of the vinyl LP included a "band aid" poem written by Patti Smith, a short bio about the album as well as a postcard encouraging purchasers to send their name to be included on a poster in Todd's next album. Re-issues of the vinyl LP did not include any of these extras and the cover was a standard square cover instead of die-cut.

Beginning December 1st, 2009, in San Francisco at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, Todd Rundgren is scheduled to perform the entire "A Wizard, A True Star" album live in its entirety for the first time ever on the West Coast. Three more AWATS shows in California will follow: December 2nd in Sacramento at Crest Theatre, December 4th in Los Angeles at The Orpheum Theatre, and December 5th in Ventura at the Majestic Theatre. Source: http://www.AWATSlive.com.

Track listing

All songs written by Todd Rundgren except as indicated.

Side one

1. "International Feel" – 2:50
2. "Never Never Land" (Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Jule Styne) – 1:34
3. "Tic Tic Tic It Wears Off" – 1:14
4. "You Need Your Head" – 1:02
5. "Rock & Roll Pussy" – 1:08
6. "Dogfight Giggle" – 1:05
7. "You Don't Have to Camp Around" – 1:03
8. "Flamingo" – 2:34
9. "Zen Archer" – 5:35
10. "Just Another Onionhead/DAda Dali" – 2:23
11. "When the Shit Hits the Fan/Sunset Blvd." – 4:02
12. "Le Feel Internacìonále" – 1:51

Side two

1. "Sometimes I Don't Know What to Feel" – 4:16
2. "Does Anybody Love You?" – 1:31
3. "Medley: I'm So Proud / Ooh Baby Baby / La La Means I Love You / Cool Jerk" (Curtis Mayfield, Al Cleveland, William "Smokey" Robinson, Renaldo "Obie" Benson, William Hart, Thom Bell, Donald Storball) – 10:34
4. "Hungry for Love" – 2:18
5. "I Don't Want to Tie You Down" – 1:56
6. "Is It My Name?" – 4:01
7. "Just One Victory" –4:59

The album's original LP release placed tracks 1-12 on Side One, and tracks 13-19 on Side Two. The original cassette tape release of the album reverses Sides One and Two of the LP, in order to sequence the longer side first.

Personnel

• Todd Rundgren – vocals, guitars
• Michael Brecker – horn
• Randy Brecker – horn
• Rick Derringer – guitar
• Mark "Moogy" Klingman – keyboards
• Jean-Yves "Frog" Labat – synthesizer
• Barry Rogers – trombone
• David Sanborn – saxophone
• Ralph Schuckett – keyboards
• John Siegler – acoustic bass, cello
• John Siomos – drums

Charts

Album