Nearly Human Tour Japan 90

Recorded in Japan during his 1990 'Nearly Human' tour, these CDs run through songs from his whole career. 17 tracks. Slipcase. Castle. 2003.

Nearly Human marked a couple turns in Todd Rundgren's disparate, cultish career: The 1989 album marked his last release for a major label and heralded the retreat to cyber-artistry he would pursue for most of the following decade. But the album's blue-eyed soul tack was also perfect fodder for Rundgren the Entertainer, and this 16-track double album (recorded live at Tokyo's Sun Plaza in January of ‘90) arguably marks one of the musician's last turns as bigger-than-life rock star. Powered by a well-oiled 11-piece ensemble, Rundgren lights up "The Want of a Nail" and other core Human tracks with showy, Vegas-ready swagger, amping up crowd-pleasing mainstays like "Hello It's Me," "Real Man," and "Can We Still Be Friends?" in the bargain. There's a focused urgency to Rundgren's voice throughout, even if the James Brown shtick of the 13-minute closer, "I L! ove My Life," seems to argue that his tongue is ensconced firmly in cheek, even in the hottest spotlight. It's a muscular performance that evokes fond memories of the Rundgren incarnation many fans may well miss the most: stage-strutting star. --Jerry McCulley