Mark “Moogy” Klingman was a musicians’ musician, his songs recorded by rock, blues and pop elite – “I’m A Free Man” by James Cotton, “Ain’t That A Kindness” by Johnny Winter, “Just A Sinner” by Carly Simon, “Let Me Just Follow” by Bette Midler, “Friends” by Midler and Barry Manilow – and served as a musical director for various artists and projects, also producing and playing keyboards. Moogy toured with Lou Reed and played with his pal Andy Kaufman, but it’s another of Klingman’s buddies, Todd Rundgren, that he’s always associated with. Mark’s stint with the latter’s UTOPIA may not have been long, spanning the band’s first years and two albums, yet when the veteran fell ill, Todd organized concerts to raise funds for his medical expenses – in January and November of 2011. Unfortunately, Moogy died from cancer three days before the second one, on November 15th. Both were recorded, though, and May 1st will see the release of a 4CD/2DVD box set comprising the two sets.
Titled “Benefit For Moogy Klingman” and featuring a great selection of UTOPIA songs, it’s a poignant document – especially with Mark present on-stage for the first show – which looks like this:
UTOPIA –
Benefit For Moogy Klingman
CD 1 –
Highline Ballroom – New York, NY – January 29th, 2011:
1. Moogy’s Boogie
2. Never Never Land
3. Crying In The Sunshine
4. Lady Face
5. Dust In The Wind
6. Utopia Theme
7. Freak Parade
8. Another Life
9. The Ikon
CD 2 –
Highline Ballroom – New York, NY – January 29th, 2011:
1. Heavy Metal Kids
2. The Wheel
3. Set Me Free
4. Do Ya
5. Last Ride
6. Just One Victory
7. Sons Of 1984
8. (You Got To Have) Friends
CD 3 –
Peekskill Performing Arts Center – Peekskill, NY – November 18th, 2011:
1. Utopia Theme
2. Freak Parade
3. Heavy Metal Kids
4. Another Life
5. Something’s Coming
6. The Seven Rays
CD 4 –
Peekskill Performing Arts Center – Peekskill, NY – November 18th, 2011:
1. Do Ya
2. The Wheel
3. The Ikon
4. Freedom Fighters
5. Just One Victory
DVD 1 – Live from Highline Ballroom
– as on CDs 1 & 2
DVD 2 – Live from Peekskill Performing Arts Center
– as on CDs 3 & 4
