Back to the Bars

Back to the Bars
Live album by Todd Rundgren
Released	December, 1978
Recorded	The Bottom Line in New York, the Roxy in Los Angeles, and the Agora in Cleveland
Genre	Rock
Length	103:23
Label	Bearsville Records
Producer	Todd Rundgren
Todd Rundgren chronology
Hermit of Mink Hollow (1978) Back to the Bars (1978) Healing (1981)

Singles from "Back to the Bars"

"it wouldn't have made any difference" October, 1978

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Allmusic	[1]

Back to the Bars is a live album by rock musician Todd Rundgren, which was released as a double LP in 1978.

The album was recorded during week-long stints in New York City (The Bottom Line), Los Angeles (The Roxy), and Cleveland (The Agora). The music featured the best of Rundgren's most commercial work spanning seven of the eight solo albums released in the 1970s up to, but not including his most recent at the time. This effort was in place of rumors of a re-release of his out-of-print first two LPs, Runt, and Runt. The Ballad of Todd Rundgren. The only offering from those being "The Range War", and the bulk for material coming from Something/Anything?, A Wizard, a True Star, Todd, Initiation, and Faithful. The finale included past and present members of Rundgren's Utopia: Roger Powell, Kasim Sulton, John Wilcox, John Siegler, Ralph Schuckett, and Moogy Klingman. Also joining in were the Hello People: Norman Smart, Greg Geddes, Bobby Sedita, and Larry Tasse. Special guest stars were Rick Derringer, Spencer Davis, Daryl Hall, John Oates, and Stevie Nicks.

Despite a hard push to replicate the success of Frampton Comes Alive!, Back to the Bars did not generate any significant singles or lift for Rundgren.

Track listing

All tracks written by Todd Rundgren; except where indicated.

Side one

1. "Real Man" – 4:47
2. "Love of the Common Man" – 4:25
3. "The Verb 'To Love'" – 8:00
4. "Love in Action" – 3:44
5. "A Dream Goes on Forever" – 2:42

Side two

1. "Sometimes I Don't Know What to Feel" – 4:13
2. "The Range War" – 2:56
3. "Black and White" – 5:34
4. "The Last Ride" – 6:03
5. "Cliché" – 4:12
6. "Don't You Ever Learn?" – 5:53

Side three

1. "Never Never Land" (Green, Comden, Styne) – 2:50
2. "Black Maria" – 5:41
3. "Zen Archer" – 5:43
4. Medley: "I'm So Proud" (Mayfield) /"Ooh Baby Baby" (Cleveland, Benson, Robinson) /"La la Means I Love You" (Bell, Hart) /"I Saw the Light" – 11:09

Side four

1. "It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference" – 4:27
2. "Eastern Intrigue" – 5:43
3. "Initiation" – 6:49
4. "Couldn't I Just Tell You" – 4:05
5. "Hello It's Me" – 4:27

Notes

Musicians on the album include Utopia (on Side 1, Side 4 Tracks 1-4), Edgar Winter, Rick Derringer, Spencer Davis, Hello People, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Stevie Nicks, and Rod Willcox

Personnel

• Thom Bell Composer
• Betty Comden Composer
• Richard Creamer Photography
• Rob Davis Guitar Technician
• Spencer Davis Guest Artist, Harmonica, Vocals
• Rick Derringer Guest Artist, Guitar
• Tom Edmonds Mixing
• Greg Geddes Vocals
• Adolph Green Composer
• Daryl Hall Guest Artist, Vocals
• William "Poogie" Hart Composer
• Hipgnosis Photography, Sleeve Design
• Mark "Moogy" Klingman Keyboards
• Paul Lester Liner Notes
• Curtis Mayfield Composer
• Warren "Pete" Moore Composer
• Stevie Nicks Guest Artist, Vocals
• John Oates Guest Artist, Vocals
• Chuck Pulin Photography
• Smokey Robinson Composer
• Todd Rundgren Composer, Guitar, Mixing, Primary Artist, Producer, Vocals
• Ralph Schuckett Organ
• Bobby Sedita Unknown Contributor Role
• John Siegler Bass, Cello
• Norman D. Smart Drums, Unknown Contributor Role
• Jule Styne Composer
• Larry Tasse Unknown Contributor Role, Vocals
• Utopia:
  • Roger Powell Keyboards, Trumpet, Vocals
  • Kasim Sulton Bass, Vocals
  • John Wilcox Drums, Vocals

Charts

Album

References