Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#142 in the Series) is Todd Rundgren, TheHermit of Mink Hollow.
I can’t believe it’s been 32 years since TheHermit of Mink Hollow was released. But when you do the math 1978 …2010 yup, 32 years.
This was one of the very first album that I can remember that the artist played EVERY instrument. The only one I can think of that might have been earlier was Jon Anderson, Olias of Sunhillow. That was 1976 but did have a very minimum of contributors. TheHermit of Mink Hollow was exclusively Todd.
It’s even harder to believe it’s been that long when you give it a listen. It easily passes the test of time.
Stand out tracks include the opener, All The Children Sing, Can We Still Be Friends, Hurting For You, Too Far Gone, You Cried Wolf and the great Onomatopoeia.
When I was looking for information on this album I found a great story. This is from Wikipedia:
In The 30 Rock Episode 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?
You have to love when Todd gets a reference on network television.
Hermit of Mink Hollow peaked at # 36 on the Billboard Album Charts.
Can We Still Be Friends peaked at #29 on the Pop Singles Charts.
There is great website called Live From Daryl’s House. It features the great Daryl Hall and various guests. Todd was a guest about a year ago. Here’s a video of a great version of Can We Still Be Friends with the two Philly boys, Todd, Daryl and the late, T-Bone Wolk. Following that is a rare video of All The Children sing.
Cool Album of the Day 