A Wizard, a True Star

Infobox Album |
Name = A Wizard, a True Star
Type = studio
Artist = Todd Rundgren


Released = start date|1973|3
Recorded = 1972-1973, Bearsville Studios, Woodstock, NY
Genre = Art rock, Pop rock, Power pop
Length = 55:56
Label = Bearsville
Producer = Todd Rundgren
Reviews =
*allmusic Rating|5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:g9foxqy5ld6e link]
*"Rolling Stone" (Not Rated) [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/toddrundgren/albums/album/172574/review/5944693/a_wizard_a_true_star link]
Last album = "Something/Anything?" (1972)
This album = A Wizard, a True Star (1973)
Next album = "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 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 avoids these difficulties.

Arthur Wood made the curious cover painting that 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.

Track listing

All songs written by Todd Rundgren except as indicated.

ide one

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

ide two

# "Sometimes I Don't Know What to Feel" – 4:16
# "Does Anybody Love You?" – 1:31
# "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
# "Hungry for Love" – 2:18
# "I Don't Want to Tie You Down" – 1:56
# "Is It My Name?" – 4:01
# "Just One Victory" –4:59

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