Title - 'Benefit For Moogy Klingman'
Artist - Todd Rundgren's Utopia
Todd Rundgren's Utopia Benefit For Moogy Klingman is a very limited edition 4CD+2DVD multimedia box-set of live performances from Todd Rundgren's renowned prog rock project Utopia, and is as good as it gets for all their fans, trust me!
Indeed, these very special concerts were planned as fundraising events to help cover medical expenses incurred by founding Utopia member, and beloved Rundgren partner, Moogy "Mark" Klingman.
This expansive set (due out May 1st, 2020 via Purple Pyramid - Cleopatra Records) covers two full length concerts, plus contains a 12-page booklet featuring photos and liner notes documenting these spectacular shows.
Disc 1: Highline Ballroom - New York, NY - January 29th, 2011
1. 'Moogy's Boogie'
2. 'Never Never Land'
3. 'Crying in the Sunshine'
4. 'Lady Face'
5. 'Dust in the Wind'
6. 'Utopia Theme'
7. 'Freak Parade'
8. 'Another Life'
9. 'The Ikon'
Disc 2: Highline Ballroom - New York, NY - January 29th, 2011
1. 'Heavy Metal Kids'
2. 'The Wheel'
3. 'Set Me Free'
4. 'Do Ya'
5. 'Last Ride'
6. 'Just One Victory'
7. 'Sons of 1984'
8. '(You Got to Have) Friends'
Disc 3: Peekskill Performing Arts Center - Peekskill, NY - November 18th, 2011
1. 'Utopia Theme'
2. 'Freak Parade'
3. 'Heavy Metal Kids'
4. 'Another Life'
5. 'Something's Coming'
6. 'The Seven Rays'
Disc 4: Peekskill Performing Arts Center - Peekskill, NY - November 18th, 2011
1. 'Do Yah'
2. 'The Wheel'
3. 'The Ikon'
4. 'Freedom Fighters'
5. 'Just One Victory'
Disc 5: Live Concert DVD from Highline Ballroom
Disc 6: Live Concert DVD from Peekskill Performing Arts Center
So, with Moogy “Mark” Klingman having fallen ill and as his health deteriorated and his medical bills began to pile up, Todd Rundgren’s Utopia reformed for special benefit engagements to raise money for their dear friend.
The result was an astounding coming together in music and a spirit of compassion as former Utopia members, including Mr. Klingman himself, stepped on the stage behind their leader, Todd Rundgren, and gave the fans an incredible concert, one they would remember for a lifetime.
The first disc (and the first half of the Highline Ballroom, New York, NY - January 29th, 2011 show) opens with the precise, crystal clear acoustic piano playing of the jazzy 'Moogy's Boogie,' and backs that up with the dulcet tones of 'Never Never Land,' the languishing 'Crying in the Sunshine,' and then both the transcendent, twinkling keys of 'Lady Face,' and then a magnificent 'Dust in the Wind' (and no, not the Kansas song!)
Next up is a raucous 15-minute opus in the form of 'Utopia Theme,' which is backed by the expansive 10-minute, drum-led duo of the epic 'Freak Parade' and then 'Another Life,' which in turn sees the first disc round out with the 18-minute fan favorite 'The Ikon.'
The second disc then brings us the second half of the Highline Ballroom show from 2011, and opens with the guitar heavy rocker 'Heavy Metal Kids' and backs that up with the more sedate, harmonica-driven meanderings of 'The Wheel,' with the foot-tappin' pop excellence of 'Set Me Free' along next.
A cover of ELO's magnificent 'Do Ya' is for me, a die hard ELO fan since birth, an unadulterated joy to behold and that's followed by the dulcet 'Last Ride' and then the orchestrated, reverb guitar-influenced 'Just One Victory.'
The poppy, upbeat, Motown-esque beats of 'Sons of 1984' are along next and hen the concert (and second disc) comes to a close with their heartfelt, deeply motivating rendition of '(You Got to Have) Friends.'
Discs three and four contain much the same setlist, albeit not as expansive, this time from their live show at the Peekskill Performing Arts Center - Peekskill, NY - November 18th, 2011.
And then we get the luxury of discs five and six being DVDs that house both the aforementioned concerts.
Official 4CD+2DVD Purchase Link
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