Joe Jackson & Todd Rundgen @ Washington, D.C.

Todd Rundgren and Joe Jackson brought their duo solo tour, joined by Ethel, to the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C. The Tuesday, April 26, 2005 performance was very close to a packed house. Two artists tag-teaming on tour is a one way to draw both audiences to sell seats.

Ethel appeared on the bill first. This string quartet treated the crowd to four powerful numbers. Their mini-set generated applause and enthusiasm from the Warner audience. Ethel are Ralph Farris - viola, Dorothy Lawson - 'cello, Todd Reynolds - violin, and Mary Rowell - violin.

Without any fanfare for an introduction, Joe Jackson sat directly behind a grand piano and commenced his set with "Hometown". "Stepping Out" garnered quite a bit of applause appreciation from the quiet audience.

"Be My Number Two" featured a strong vocal from Jackson. Commenting that he was appearing in the seat of government city, he pounded out a powerful rendition of "Obvious Song". He encouraged the audience to decide how his humorous tale of lovers ends in "Love At First Light".

While working on a Disney film project, Jackson researched British songs written during the previous turn of the century and discovered a comical tune called "Hello, Hello, Who's Your Lady Friend" from 1913. Audience hand clapping gave the engaging piece a lift to its jaunty melody.

Jackson interjected only one new song, "Citizen Sane". Closing his set with "Is She Really Going Out With Him", the crowd called out a singular lyric during his pauses for maximum effect. Although he flubbed up just a bit, Jackson received a standing ovation as he departed the stage.

Todd Rundgren sauntered out onto the stage and launched into "Love Of The Common Man" on a black acoustic guitar. Within moments of beginning the tune, a guitar string broke, prompting Rundgren to gasp, "Ah, Jesus .... we have a new Pope". Pausing to pick up a second acoustic guitar, he completed the number to the roar of approval of his adoring fans.

Surprisingly, he sang a loose arrangement of the radio-friendly hit "I Saw The Light". Acclimating himself to the grand piano on stage, Rundgren quipped, "You confused me with your enthusiasm", before performing "Song Of The Viking".

For his final number behind the keys, Rundgren tinkered on the piano before announcing the melody to "Hello, It's Me". He delivered a strong vocal, accompanied by the crowd on the chorus. A major treat of the evening was a playful version of "Bang On The Drum" performed on Ukulele.

Rundgren introduced one new number on acoustic guitar, "Afterlife" a fierce ballad. His set ended with a standing ovation for "Lysistrata". RockonTour would like to acknowledge Wendy for her aid on naming the song titles.

Jackson and Rundgren appeared as solo performers on stage. Had they performed with the support of a band or a complete performance of Rundgren's "Up Against It" together, this would have made for a much more exciting concert.

Joe Joe Jackson setlist: Hometown * Stepping Out * Awkward Age * Take It Like A Man* Be My Number Two * Obvious Song * Love At First Light * Hello, Hello Who's Your Lady Friend * It's Different For Girls * Citizen Sane * Is She Really Going Out With Him

Todd Rundgren setlist: Love Of The Common Man * I Don't Want To Tie You Down * I Saw The Light * Black And White - AG * Song Of The Viking * It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference * Hello, It's Me - piano * Bang On The Drum - Ukulele * Beloved Infidel * Afterlife * Lysistrata - AG

Encore - TR, JJ & Ethel: Real Men * Pretending To Care * While My Guitar Gently Weeps * Black Maria

RockonTour Issue #44
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Their music doesn't lie
Joe Jackson & Todd Rundgren both get it on with Ethel

by Timothy Tilghman