Very Best Of Todd Rundgren CD

For all intents and purposes, THE VERY BEST OF TODD RUNDGREN is a one-disc condensation of Rhino's 1989 two-disc history ANTHOLOGY 1968-85. Wisely, this 16-track version de-emphasizes both Rundgren's spotty later career and his '70s jazz-rock band Utopia, whose thematic records and suitelike songs need to be heard in context to fully make sense.

Instead, THE VERY BEST OF TODD RUNDGREN focuses on the early days of the Philadelphia native's career, when he was effortlessly turning out soul-tinged pop classics like "We Gotta Get You a Woman," the impossibly wistful "Hello It's Me," and his two dead-perfect, impossible-to-improve-upon AM radio classics, the slinky "I Saw the Light" and the power-pop archetype "Couldn't I Just Tell You." In the context of these gems, even quirky later cuts like "The Want of a Nail" and "Bang the Drum All Day" sound stronger than before.

Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot.

Liner Note Author: Brett Milano.

Photographers: Lynn Goldsmith; Michael Ochs.

Personnel includes: Todd Rundgren, Utopia, Bobby Womack.

Personnel: Todd Rundgren (vocals, guitar, piano, synthesizer, percussion); Bobby Womack (vocals); Tom Cosgrove, Lyle Workman (guitar); Barbara Imhoff (harp); Roberta Freier, Paul Brancato, Stephen Gehl, Nathan Rubin, John Tenney (strings); Bobby Strickland , Michael Brecker (tenor saxophone); Mike Rose, Randy Brecker (trumpet); Jim Blinn, Barry Rogers (trombone); Vince Welnick (piano); Ralph Schuckett (Clavinet, organ, keyboards); Mark "Moogy" Klingman (organ, keyboards); Roger Powell (keyboards, background vocals); Jon Wilcox (drums, percussion, background vocals); Hunt Sales (drums, percussion); Kevin Ellman, John Guerin, John Siomos, Michael Urbano (drums); Gary Yost (tambourine); Tony Sales (percussion); Michele Gray, Richard Corey, Hope Ruff, Dennis Cooley, Cecilia Norfleet, Jeanie Tracy, Kasim Sulton, N.D. Smart II, Vicki Randle, Vicki Sue Robinson, Brent Bourgeois (background vocals).

Blister Pack