| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
lemonade kid
Old Love
USA
9880 Posts |
 Posted - 13/10/2012 : 19:53:21
|
HERMIT OF MINK HOLLOW
Is Todd underrated...oh yeah. Genius!
FULL ALBUM PLAY...listen & read on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iwG7cUleMI
Hermit of Mink Hollow is Todd Rundgren's eighth solo album, released in 1978. It was his first album to have no other musicians credited, though large portions of earlier albums also had been recorded alone.
The album is reminiscent of the artist's earlier, more pop-oriented records and marks a lyrical return to the subject of relationships (as in the single "Can We Still Be Friends"), as well as his views on social inequality (as in the songs "Bag Lady" and "Bread"). It remains one of his most popular albums.
Mink Hollow refers to a valley, and the road that runs through it, in Lake Hill, New York just west of Woodstock, NY. Rundgren recorded this album while living in a house on Mink Hollow Road.
The original track listing for the album, which can be found on the back of the album jacket, was rejected by Bearsville as being too haphazard. Bearsville re-listed the songs in a more "Pop Friendly" sequence, comprising the lighter poppy songs on "The Easy Side" and the more cerebral or harder rock songs on "The Difficult Side" All songs written by Todd Rundgren.
Side one - The Easy Side
1. "All the Children Sing" - 3:08
2. "Can We Still Be Friends" - 3:34
3. "Hurting for You" - 3:20
4. "Too Far Gone" - 2:38
5. "Onomatopoeia" - 1:34
6. "Determination" - 3:11
Side two - The Difficult Side
1. "Bread" - 2:48
2. "Bag Lady" - 3:13
3. "You Cried Wolf" - 2:20
4. "Lucky Guy" - 2:04
5. "Out of Control" - 3:56
6. "Fade Away" - 3:04
* Todd Rundgren - Arranger, Instruments, Producer, Vocals.
................
Todd Rundgren "The Hermit of Mink Hollow"
Posted 11 Jun 2012 in 70s, Albums of 1978, Albums of the 70s, Rock + Roll
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#714 in the Series) is Todd Rundgren, The Hermit of Mink Hollow.
If I ever opened a pub, I always had in mind to call it the Mink Hollow. And there alongside music and sports memorabilia would be some kind of musical device that would be able to play Todd Rundgren and Utopia songs. Especially from this particular masterpiece. Kind of in the same way it is hard to name a favorite Beatles song or album, it can be of equal challenge for me to name my favorite Todd work. But really this has always been my personal favorite, maybe because it was released just before I turned 16 and was in the midst of becoming capable of feeling pain and melancholy, more likely because it was at a time when I caught Todd live every single time he came to town, which back then seemed quite often. But mostly because this is an absolute wonderful piece of music that I played so often, I had to replace the vinyl.
It is pretty short as records go, 11 songs, 34:50. But every song carries a lot of meaning. I wondered what it meant when each side of the record was labeled, “The Easy Side” and the “The Difficult Side”. Was it side A was easier for him to write, or easier for us to listen to? That didn’t make that much sense, since because there are more emotional songs on side one, like the obviously personal greatest break up song ever, “Can We Still Be Friends” (the answer is almost always no). I was very disappointed to find out the record company Bearsville relisted the songs in a more pop friendly sequence as they rejected Todd’s track listing as too haphazard (this explains why the songs are out of order on the back of the album jacket, that was Todd’s original track order). It surprises me that a record he wrote, produced and played on his own, a true solo record, he would relinquish the rights to track order, but maybe I am thinking too much about it. The record company may have made a good decision, as I always felt the record flowed quite well between upbeat (“All the Children Sing”), to the next two sad tracks, to the meaningful (“Too Far Gone”), to the meaningless (“Onomatopoeia”- formation of words in imitation of natural sounds, or better put, words whose sound suggests the sense, so it actually has great meaning!).
“Determination” was always my favorite and I never saw him play it live, even if does sound more like a Utopia song than any other here. “You Cried Wolf” was the number I played most of for others and was most likely to put on one of the million mix tapes I have made for others. Each of these songs was filled with emotion and meaning and so you are better served listening to the record as a whole and not trying to over think the lush beauty of the natural talent of the artist. By the time “Lucky Guy” finishes, “Out of Control” is just what the record needed, with a return to the perfect Rundgren sound contained in his previous 8 releases. So what does it all mean? What’s it all about? I have to admit it caused me to ponder and at the end of the day, it was a power pop record that he recorded when he was left alone and living on Mink Hollow Road in Western New York. Still it’s one of the best records in my collection.
– John Driscoll
EDITORS NOTE:
Hermit of Mink Hollow also had an fun moment in the sitcom 30 Rock.
In the Episode titled ”The C Word,” the character Frank says that this is his favorite Todd Rundgren album. Show runner Liz Lemon tries to tell Frank that someone’s insulted her with a word that “rhymes with your favorite Todd Rundgren album” expecting him to name Runt. Frank responds: “It rhymes with The Hermit of Mink Hollow?
________________________________________________
Only after the last tree has been cut down,
Only after the last river has been poisoned,
Only after the last fish has been caught,
Only then will you find money cannot be eaten.
~ Cree Prophecy |
|
|
Joe Morris
Old Love
3492 Posts |
Posted - 13/10/2012 : 22:22:01
|
is this the album with all the short songs?
ANOTHER Todd album I have never heard! prolific much?!
I think this was an early album of his before Something Anything (his best)
Is he still touring with the New Cars? Their live album has the odd Nazz song, so its good to see that legend looked after!
Lennon having a go at him - LOVE how hes poking fun at him:
John Lennon's Letter to Todd Rundgren published in Melody Maker in response to Rundgren's February 1974 interview in the same magazine.
AN OPENED LETTUCE TO SODD RUNTLESTUNTLE (from dr winston o'boogie)
Couldn't resist adding a few "islands of truth" of my own, in answer to Turd Runtgreen's howl of hate (pain.)
Dear Todd,
I like you, and some of your work, including "I Saw The Light", which is not unlike "There's A Place" (Beatles), melody wise.
1) I have never claimed to be a revolutionary. But I am allowed to sing about anything I want! Right?
2) I never hit a waitress in the Troubador, I did act like an ***, I was too drunk. So shoot me!
3) I guess we're all looking for attention Rodd, do you really think I don't know how to get it, without "revolution?" I could dye my hair green and pink for a start!
4) I don't represent anyone but my SELF. It sounds like I represented something to you, or you wouldn't be so violent towards me. (Your dad perhaps?)
5) Yes Dodd, violence comes in mysterious ways it's wonders to perform, including verbal. But you'd know that kind of mind game, wouldn't you? Of course you would.
6) So the Nazz use to do "like heavy rock" then SUDDENLY a "light pretty ballad". How original!
7) Which gets me to the Beatles, "who had no other style than being the Beatles"!! That covers a lot of style man, including your own, TO DATE...
Yes Godd, the one thing those Beatles did was to affect PEOPLES' MINDS. Maybe you need another fix?
Somebody played me your rock and roll ***** song, but I never noticed anything. i think that the real reason you're mad at me is cause I didn't know who you were at the Rainbow (L.A.) Remember that time you came in with Wolfman Jack? When I found out later, I was cursing cause I wanted to tell you how good you were. (I'd heard you on the radio.)
Anyway, However much you hurt me darling; I'll always love you,
J. L.
30th Sept. 1974
|
 |
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
HERMIT OF MINK HOLLOW-genius fully realized
