Rating: 
Summary: Pass over this one.
Review: I have seen Todd solo and with Utopia so many times, I cannot count it. Enjoyed each show, thought this would be a nice addition to the collection. I was wrong. It is the worst release of any artist I have ever seen. An actual piece of crap. Todd's pseudo-intellectual attitude seems to have gotten the best of him, thinking his fans would buy anything he puts out. He was right. I bought it, watched it, took it back and demanded my money. He should be embarrassed by this one. A real stinker.
Rating: 
Summary: The Ultimate Utopia DVD to date
Review: I never got to see Utopia in concert (due to age and not being a TR fan till post Utopia Era) and had always heard that 1980 was the year to see them in - the height as you will. When I saw that this concert was coming out on DVD I knew I had to have to to see if the hype was real.> It is - this DVD is so full of great Live material. This show is an amazing show and I am so glad that they captured it so I can see it over and over. There is a nice present day interview with Todd about the show but I do wish there was a little bit more extras included. But all in all - a must buy for any casual or hard core fan of any of these talent musicians.
Rating: 
Summary: Flashes of the old Todd
Review: I think if you watch "The Last Ride", it about sums the whole DVD up. There's Todd, up front, singing the first 2 note/syllable, and a roar goes up from the audience as they recognise it. And then its the Todd Show from then almost to the end of the song. It's Todd's dilemma, you see. He's torn between his innate desire to please his fans (you know who you are!), to give them what they want - ie him - and his genuine hope for the success of the band Utopia. So even his career at that time is also encapsulated in this song. It starts explosively, a well-known classic that we all know by heart, even down to the qiver in Todd's voice. But then the rest of Utopia join in and screw up the song, and Todd (almost shamefully) picks up his guitar and slides back into the band for the big guitar solo at the end (we get to keep at least this much). On the other hand, if you actually like Utopia, then like the Curate's Egg, it's good in parts. Luckily very large parts - of very Utopian keyboard solos, skreechy Todd guitar riding over the top - but the soundtrack is slightly muddy, and the band (distinctly, IMHO) go out of tune through some of the songs...and don't seem to notice! Also Roger Powell sings like the only song videos he's ever watched are AOR Power-ballads, C&W...and Bee Gees. Kasim's much better behaved, quite fetching (I've been told by a female acquaintance) in those white pants. But for me the crowning disappointment is the way Todd's hand-held mike cuts out just into "Love Is The Answer", missing out the first lines of the song. My favourite Todd song. But it's a good video none the less. A great chance to see a live performance by an artist/artists that you may only have heard before.
Rating:
Summary: Flashes of the old Todd
Review: I think if you watch "The Last Ride", it about sums the whole DVD up. There's Todd, up front, singing the first 2 note/syllable, and a roar goes up from the audience as they recognise it. And then its the Todd Show from then almost to the end of the song. It's Todd's dilemma, you see. He's torn between his innate desire to please his fans (you know who you are!), to give them what they want - ie him - and his genuine hope for the success of the band Utopia. So even his career at that time is also encapsulated in this song. It starts explosively, a well-known classic that we all know by heart, even down to the qiver in Todd's voice. But then the rest of Utopia join in and screw up the song, and Todd (almost shamefully) picks up his guitar and slides back into the band for the big guitar solo at the end (we get to keep at least this much). On the other hand, if you actually like Utopia, then like the Curate's Egg, it's good in parts. Luckily very large parts - of very Utopian keyboard solos, skreechy Todd guitar riding over the top - but the soundtrack is slightly muddy, and the band (distinctly, IMHO) go out of tune through some of the songs...and don't seem to notice! Also Roger Powell sings like the only song videos he's ever watched are AOR Power-ballads, C&W...and Bee Gees. Kasim's much better behaved, quite fetching (I've been told by a female acquaintance) in those white pants. But for me the crowning disappointment is the way Todd's hand-held mike cuts out just into "Love Is The Answer", missing out the first lines of the song. My favourite Todd song. But it's a good video none the less. A great chance to see a live performance by an artist/artists that you may only have heard before.
Rating:
Summary: Flashes of the old Todd
Review: I think if you watch "The Last Ride", it about sums the whole DVD up. There's Todd, up front, singing the first 2 note/syllable, and a roar goes up from the audience as they recognise it. And then its the Todd Show from then almost to the end of the song. It's Todd's dilemma, you see. He's torn between his innate desire to please his fans (you know who you are!), to give them what they want - ie him - and his genuine hope for the success of the band Utopia. So even his career at that time is also encapsulated in this song. It starts explosively, a well-known classic that we all know by heart, even down to the qiver in Todd's voice. But then the rest of Utopia join in and screw up the song, and Todd (almost shamefully) picks up his guitar and slides back into the band for the big guitar solo at the end (we get to keep at least this much). On the other hand, if you actually like Utopia, then like the Curate's Egg, it's good in parts. Luckily very large parts - of very Utopian keyboard solos, skreechy Todd guitar riding over the top - but the soundtrack is slightly muddy, and the band (distinctly, IMHO) go out of tune through some of the songs...and don't seem to notice! Also Roger Powell sings like the only song videos he's ever watched are AOR Power-ballads, C&W...and Bee Gees. Kasim's much better behaved, quite fetching (I've been told by a female acquaintance) in those white pants. But for me the crowning disappointment is the way Todd's hand-held mike cuts out just into "Love Is The Answer", missing out the first lines of the song. My favourite Todd song. But it's a good video none the less. A great chance to see a live performance by an artist/artists that you may only have heard before.
Rating:
Summary: back on the street
Review: i think that sanctuary deserves a round of applause for releasing this concert!Todd and the Utopia really rock on this one.the sound is really good.the picture is good for a concert from 1980.the set list is awesome.and it come at a very low price.i've been a utopia fan for a long time and some of this is first time to see footage..I hope this is just the first of many more releases of todd and utopia dvds!hey ,this dvd has footage of willie playing bass and singing "gangrene" with todd playing drums and kas on lead guitar!now thats polyester rock.Roger does an excellant job on "sands of arrakis".kasim does the acoustic version of "dont hold me back"(what a bonus),and how humbling the video that goes with "bag lady "is.this concert has the band performing one of my favorite songs "the seven rays".this show also has todd doing a medley of his "hits" for the casual fan. its so nice to have fresh utopia product...back on the street.
Rating: 
Summary: Advanced for it's time, but shows its age
Review: I was there at this performance at Vets Memorial Auditorium, which was sold out at 3,964. One previous poster has a good question - where was Bolero? I recall that as a highlight, and opened Act 2. Didn't the band filter on stage one at a time, played a piece, followed by the next guy? Maybe it didn't translate well to video, too dark or something...each guy lit with one spot... The video exists primarily as it was simulcast live on local Columbus cable TV called "QUBE", which was waaay advanced for its time. When watching, one must remember, this is 24 years old now and looks a bit dated, but was pretty cutting edge for its day. The sound and video quality is sub-par when compared to today's standards. The performance is spirited with an adoring crowd. There were on-stage technical problems, but there was a lot on everyone's plate that night. Video cameramen with any experience onstage with the band was pretty rare in those days. I remember leaving the show elated, thinking it was one of the best I'd ever seen, and spent lots of time trying to explain the theatrical elements to friends who weren't there. Now, 24 years later, there's a DVD!! I bought it strictly for nostalgia/momento purposes (actually more like a souviner, since I was actually there).
Rating:
Summary: Advanced for it's time, but shows its age
Review: I was there at this performance at Vets Memorial Auditorium, which was sold out at 3,964. One previous poster has a good question - where was Bolero? I recall that as a highlight, and opened Act 2. Didn't the band filter on stage one at a time, played a piece, followed by the next guy? Maybe it didn't translate well to video, too dark or something...each guy lit with one spot... The video exists primarily as it was simulcast live on local Columbus cable TV called "QUBE", which was waaay advanced for its time. When watching, one must remember, this is 24 years old now and looks a bit dated, but was pretty cutting edge for its day. The sound and video quality is sub-par when compared to today's standards. The performance is spirited with an adoring crowd. There were on-stage technical problems, but there was a lot on everyone's plate that night. Video cameramen with any experience onstage with the band was pretty rare in those days. I remember leaving the show elated, thinking it was one of the best I'd ever seen, and spent lots of time trying to explain the theatrical elements to friends who weren't there. Now, 24 years later, there's a DVD!! I bought it strictly for nostalgia/momento purposes (actually more like a souviner, since I was actually there).
Rating:
Summary: it's worth it if you're a fan.
Review: it took me right back to 1980. the best of the Utopia DVDs. great power from Todd, he's never played better. video is a little fuzzy, but sound is good if you crank it up. this was the best tour Utopia did. that's it.
Rating:
Summary: Nickelodeon - the full thing!
Review: It's difficult for me to give anything associated with Todd Rundgren less than 5 stars, and the only reason I gave less than five stars is due to sound and picture quality. The live performance itself is GREAT. (Clarity of picture and sound quality is 2 1/2 stars - performance is 5 solid stars - making for overall 4 star rating for me). This exact same footage/performance/show was edited down to an hour several years ago and broadcast on Nickelodeon, which has been circulating among Toddheads for years. It's great to finally see the WHOLE show! I would strongly recommend this DVD to all Toddheads. For those just entering the wonderful world of Todd, get the Nearly Human Live in Japan DVD first. That's a better introduction to "our hero."
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