To say that Todd Rundgren has long prided himself on being one of the most influential and innovative rock musicians and producers of our time is like saying that world peace is never ever going to reign.  And, some 35 years into his career, his talents are here for all to see, courtesy of this exquisitely conceived of these three DVDs.

Disc one entitled The Desktop Collection & 2nd Wind Live Recording Sessions, is packed with 18 tracks, 12 of which are live performances, while the remaining tunes are represented by their promo videos, revealing Todd's obsession with being at the forefront of multi-media innovation.  Incidentally, Todd is to retroactively thank for pioneering the world's first interactive audio CDs & enhanced CDs and was - at the time - responsible for the first music download web service for his fans.

Disc two Live in Japan is pretty self-explanatory, being a spectacular 90 minute stage-show from his 1990 Nearly Human tour in all its glory, a show so dazzling that it's reminiscent of David Bowie's Serious Moonlight tour. 

Backed by an 11 piece band, and smartly decked out under trademark long hair and beneath a snazzy suit fit for a bull-whupping matador, Todd opens with 'Real Man', before routinely rocking and rolling through the chilled-out pop-rock of 'Can't Stop Running', the sweetly endearing 'Can We Still Be Friends?' (which featured in the hit Jim Carrey comedy Dumb & Dumber) and 'Love In Action', that zestfully blasts off with its angular rock riff and euphorically catchy chorus.

Disc three Live In San Francisco was shot in June 2000 and sees Todd's stage set-up reduced to him on guitar and vocals, backed by just bass and drums. Even in this bare-backed state of affairs, Todd's attention-demanding stage presence startles, and after seeing him enduring the ordeal of sound-checking prior to the gig (and reeling from an in-depth guided tour of the guitars being used), tunes such as the melodically stirring 'Open My Eyes' and 'One World' shine bright alongside the sensational rock guitar solos within 'Yer Fast' and the charming 'Bang The Drums All Day', during which Todd's a quarter size acoustic guitar emerges along with a craftily borrowed vocal sample from 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight', which sounds fantastic.

As a complete collection, this Todd Rundgren set cannot be faulted and offers a fascinating insight into one feverishly ambitious man and his amazing rock music that is undeniably 'progressive' in nature, yet always graced with sincere pop sensibility.  And all coincidentally just in time for the release of his brand new album Liars.
(5/5)

Release Date: 10 May 2004

The Desktop Collection  Live in Japan  Live In San Francisco