review 07/22/01 Schenectady

It was about 95 degrees outside when Todd took the stage at 3:00 at the Agnes MacDonald Music Pavilion in Schenectady N.Y. The crowd was large but quiet and it was an unusual setting for a Todd concert. All around the park people played baseball, swam in a giant swimming pool and drank lemonade, many were completely unaware that Todd was even playing a free concert in the park that day. The group that did gather sat on lawn chairs and blankets and quietly listened to Todd as he played one of the mellowest performances I have ever seen. He opened with a solo version of "Hammer In My Heart" played on his electric guitar. His voice was as crisp as I have ever heard it. Next he launched into a flawless version of " Cliche " on the 12 string. Todd seemed very relaxed in spite of the heat and by the time he brought special guest Jesse Gress onstage he had made a connection with the crowd. Todd and Jesse played Bossa Nova versions of " I Saw the Light " ," Mated " " Can We Still Be Friends " and a wonderful version of " Lucky Guy". Todd relied heavily on covers in his set including "Lady Madonna" by the Beatles " I Want You " by Marvin Gaye and the classic from Peter Pan ( and Wizard) " Never Never Land. For his encores Todd played " One World " and "The Wheel ". My family and I drove 250 miles for the show and it was well worth the trip. Todd took the time to sign an autograph for my 7 year old son and was very courteous with all the fans in attendance, taking time to shake a lot of hands and sign a lot of autographs.