Had Elliot not been injured on the tour bus when the driver swerved and tossed him out of the top bunk and broke his shoulder, this would have lasted a while. I saw one of the last shows of the initial tour right after he was injured. They wrapped him like a mummy under his clothes. Elliot said there was no way he wasn't going to play the show in Boston. After Boston he was checked out in NY and they had to end the tour. They came back to finish up the cancelled dates the following year but it has lost record company support by then.
@@walkerbrothersmusic Thanks for the info. I never knew about that. The live show they released on CD was amazing. I thought it sounded a bit edgier than a regular Cars show. Still, it would be nice if these guys could regroup one more time, especially since both Ben and Rick are gone. Rundgren did a fantastic job as front man signing Ben and Rick's leads.
Taking the signature song of Benjamin Orr and cutting out after 8 bars for a moment of silence in his honour = a class act. This band was pulled together so that Hawkes and Easton could go out on the road again, and even though it was an enormous hassle for everyone, all the performers put everything they had into it. That should be recognised whether you're a purist or not.
It is extremely difficult to duplicate or replicate a vocal sound to a song "Unless it's a country song then you can mix and match" just kidding seriously Todd Rundgren just shows here how much of a vocal chameleon he is and what an ear he has for the style and he can bend and shape his vocal style and range to fit so many styles. Amazing artist.
@@MrSmokeydog I have to say.... I saw the new Cars with Blondie at Ravinia and they were smoking on the Car's numbers. Certainly Easton and Hawk were great and Todd is.. well Todd as you can see and hear but don't forget Prarie Prince on Drums and Kasim Sultan on Bass and Vocals! Kasim sang "who's gonna drive you home" and also did Benjamin Orr some justice on that one!
OrchestrationOnline The Cars were such a unique, quirky band with great musicians and incredible songwriting. One of those bands with songs that you recognize literally two seconds in. They were awesome.
Todd Rundgren is a legend. I don't even think he needed to be part of a New Cars, but he did so because he had respect for the band and wanted to be a part of its history. He did just fine vocally, really captured the same sardonic quality of Orr in the original. Hawkes even played the same synthesizer as on the original.
Todd you did Ben Orr proud my man.. he is def smiling down from heaven cheers!! i think Todd tried to hit Bens notes so kudos for that i miss Ben he was so sweet and beautiful!!
I was afraid this was going to suck, but it rocks! Then I realized -- this is Elliot and Greg, who've performed this song 10,000 times at least -- and they're both great musicians. Plus Rundgren -- come on, how could it be bad? Why shouldn't great songs be covered if they can be played well? Nobody can replace Benjamin, but that's not the point. This honors the original Cars and Ben's memory.
Your comment is logical, but I don't think this interpretation has honored the cars and Ben, I don't think it's necessary either! ... we'll never know! Respect and intention will always be in every way, but about tastes there is nothing written! .. In particular this song is a hymn!
I think it's a very decent rendition, not as good as the original by any stretch but good in its own way and especially as a kind of tribute to the original. Nothing to be ashamed of.
I always thought that people did not give Rundgren and his band working with Elliot Easton and Greg Hawkes enough credit. They of course could not replicate the sound exactly with their voices, but the instruments were spot on. It was close enough at the time I was willing to listen to them. Of course, when Ric Ocasck shocked the world in 2010 and came back to The Cars just two years later, that was just amazing.
If this never happened - we might not have had a reunion in 2010. I think like or not like - and the story is this was NOT the original first pick "to drive the NEW Cars - we should just enjoy they are back. I admit BUT NOT TONIGHT and WARM were great songs on ITS ALIVE.
so .. Ric doesn't want to tour .... Ben is sadly gone ... Elliot Easton & company needs to make a living. What's wrong with that??? I think it sounds respectfully good... compared to the original lineup. It's great to hear well done versions by almost half the members or the original.
This was an interesting fusion of musicians. All 5 of them are masters at their particular craft. I'd love to see them get together again, but do more of Todd's songs.
What an honor for the Cars to get to play w/Rundgren. I hear the passion of Cars fans, but the fact is Rundgren is a legend, a wizard, a true star. Just my humble opinion.
Todd's always worth watching and listening to. He had an album back in the day where he covered other band's songs, The Beatles, Beach Boys, Hendrix. Can't think of the name of the album, though.
I've always loved Todd Rundgren.... It's so awesome to see him... Back in the 70s.. Playing "Hey Its Me" on a Grand Piano....like a guy version of Carol King...👍👍👍👍 And then... Literally 30 years later... Rocking out with his c..k out.... Killing it as Cars lead singer.... The man is going on the fast track to R&R heaven..👼🎸🎸🎸 Also... So cool!... He's being inducted to the hall of Fame this year!...2021
Ok I'm pleasantly surprised this dude ain't half bad, so respect to him for this! The guys all loved Benjamin Orr, but there will never ever EVER be another Benjamin Orr. Benjamin you were beautiful, mysterious, talented , gifted and amazing. ❤️❤️
This is the great project that never was. They sound better, look better, have more appeal, and would have put the band back at the top again. There will never be another Ben Orr, but this is a stellar version of the Cars. Todd Rundgren was perfect for this band.
They just weren't doing well. I saw the tour in a 3000 person venue and there weren't even 500 people there. They still rocked it out anyways. I got my 5 dollar ticket's worth (no exagerration) because they really did put on a great show. I felt bad for them though because hardly anybody showed up. They just couldn't get any real interest from an audience.
Todd is an incredible vocalist and instrumentalist. If you were trying to cover this many vacant slots, he is the one you want. Check out his album Something/Anything recorded in the early 70's. He played just about every instrument and did all the vocal tracks, in his home studio. Check it out.
@@MrShenanigans28 Neither Maccartney, Lennon or Wilson hold a candle to TRs level of virtuosity...yes they are/were music geniuses, but Rundgren is right up there with them. Listen to his version of Strawberry Fields, it's very good.
And now Ric is gone. ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS PERFORMANCE AT THEIR ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTION! LAST SONG PLAYED BY THE SURVIVING ORIGINAL MEMBERS....YOU'RE JUST WHAT I NEEDED. Gentlemen...thank you from all your LOYAL TRUE FANS....YOU WERE DEFINITELY....just what WE needed.❤😞😢🙏🎶😊
I just love seeing Todd do these tunes-for all the years of airplay,these tunes are actually still a way more advanced rock sound than (most) anything today-and Prairie-forget about it...KINGS
HAWKS-Coolest key lines!I miss rick and david robinson.Hey I'm a pro drummer named david w robinson!This is one of my all time favorite tunes.The 1st tune i ever played on guitar and drums both!!!The Cars!
Ric didn't want to tour for another reason - he's set for life. The songwriter makes the majority of the income from a song. Greg and Elliot are working musicians who need to make a living and this was an opportunity for them to do so. Todd brought two of his favorite sidemen to this and they did a great job of bringing this music back. Greg played with Todd on several different tours after this. By the way, Ben's parts were usually sung by Kasim, who has a tenor voice.
Ben is missing, RIP but not Rick. He was arrogant and didn't write everyone's parts. This group of stellar musicians kept it alive. Why do so called fans complain ? Do you prefer the band is dead and can't see a live show anywhere except on Utube ? Very respectful and fine performance with Todd and The Cars. RIP Benjamin Orr
I wish these guys had continued forward with this version of the band. Rundgren gave them instant credibility even without Ocasik in the lineup. There is a great Cars Tribute band out of Atlanta called Carpool you must see if you like these guys!
Todd Rundren has very smooth vocals and did a good job 👏🏻. I actually enjoyed this new band until the original came back a short while later for one last hurrah! 💥🔥🎸😎
Wow! This was very cool! No it's not Ric and Ben, but who else is? Right. Good to finally hear from one of my favorite bands of the 70's and 80's. Well done Todd R.
Nothing like Benjamin singing this tune I love the effort but The Cars ended when Benjamin passed He was the only one with that velvet tone voice so awesome!
I don't think there is anybody who can do Rick Ocasek, and it is better not to try. I certainly respect Todd Rundgren for giving it a shot, he is at his best in the new material.
Very true about Rundgren! Whatever he touches seems to turn to gold. Only thing is...I don't think there is any comparison between The New Cars and the original. Just can't replace a Ric Ocasek or Ben Orr. They are who made The Cars The Cars. Just my humble opinion.
The new cars were okay but.... for those who haven't heard The old, The CARS are writing their first album in 23 years give or take. There is a sample of their song Blue tip on the facebook page.
If Greg & Elliot hadn't put this version together, I don't think Ric would have ever reconsidered making another album and doing a short tour. The New Cars were so much more enjoyable as a live band than Ric ever let the Cars be.
The New Cars stage set was designed by Prairie Prince & Michael Cotten of The Tubes. The design sets for bands, big productions like Grammy Awards etc. They only used it on the first part of the tour up until the accident took them off the road. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-epzc00QQamo.html
Hey! That's Kasim Sultan on bass. Wow! You know how in the 60s suburban pre teen boys would stand in front of a mirror in their bedroom and air guitar to a Beatles record and pretend they were Paul McCartney? I did the same in the early 80s but it was Kasim Sultan. I just thought he was the COOLEST, man! 😆
I don't care what anyone says, my opinion is that this sucks!!! Nobody will ever compare to sweet, beautiful Benjamin! This actually makes Me sad, it should be him singing there. Stupid cancer ! RIP Ben, I'm always listening to your music
@benjaminorr1fan Todd was a rock LEGEND before anyone heard of the cars, so i'll bet elliot and greg are HONORED to have him aboard.not taking anything away from rik and ben,but todd makes the cars shit HAPPEN!!
Wow. This just proves the extreme valued power of Ben Orr. Love Todd's own stuff, (wore out Something/Anything album) but to me, this was not a good fit. But I'm sure it was fun for them.
Todd sounds great! He brings his own energy to the music. They should have kept pluggin away, people would have forgotten all about O'cassek, who just didnt want to be there and isnt 1/10 the musician runtgren is. shame.
"The New Cars" put on a hell of a show at The Ryman in Nashville 2006. They played their ass off! I would love to see the remaining original Cars live. If that never happens, " The New Cars" concert will do. It was that good.
Todd is not better. Ben is not better- except with The Cars. Don't try to compare the two. Todd had his music and Ben had his. That is all there is to it.
I think this sucks, but let me also say I think Easton and Haykes sound great still. got to remember something, Ric Okasek wrote all the cars material thus is probably living the rock star life style with his model wife, Greg and Elliot still need to make their money the hard way, by touring. The old Drummer owns his own nightclub in Boston I believe so he's set but these 2 guys need to make a living. so I have no problem with this what so ever. long live the music of the Cars.
Rundgren is a total legend,before the cars existed and after the cars crashed,and his amazing attention to detail shows here.great job.I bet they all had a ball.
+usamachinist Rundgren and Kasim take a back seat to no one.Todd and Kasim were two of the major players on Meatloafs Bat Out Of Hell-Rundren has been a force since the early 70's before Utopia,Kasim is a great singer and musician having played(and sung on Utopias biggest hit-Utopia wasn't a pop band like the Cars were) Joan Jett,Meat Loaf(bass and musical director) and now Blue Oyster Cult.
+beefoneeto Two Members of Utopia (Todd & Kaz), two members of the Cars (Elliot & Greg) and Prairie from The Tubes. This is a New Wave Supergroup. Perhaps not as tight of a band but they were trying to have fun playing music. The catalog of hit songs from all these groups including Todd producing and having Utopia play on one of the biggest selling records of all time (Bat Out Of Hell) is something that shouldn't be sneezed at. The Tubes' "Love Bomb" is still one of the best albums of the 80s. Few people have heard it and enjoy it on an esoteric level. Give it a try.
you are joking?! @@usamachinist ,Todd was a major star before the cars did anything,I love the cars,but their career is paltry compared to the expansive talent of Todd Rungren,and if you really don't know who Kasim and Prairie Prince are.....then sadly you are depriving yourself and showing your limited outlook.
Sorry, but this is like watching a Cars cover band. Todd is great - he's a brilliant musician, but not for a new-wave band like The Cars. His voice is nothing like Ben's - not nearly deep enough. Don't know who the bass player is, but he sucks. The drummer was too slow and missing beats. I know Hawkes and Easton pulled this together so they could tour again and bring these great songs to a broader audience, a newer audience, but it doesn't come close to the original. I commend them all for their efforts and Hawkes kills on the keyboards - Elliot is one of the greatest guitars on Earth - all in all, NOT BAD - but nothing like The Cars. A completely new take on this classic song.
