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[diarmaid]

First off, don't fret, i'm not comparing the two in any way. However, i have a quesiton about both.

Firstly, does anyone know where to get a copy of Clinton's 'The Awesome Power of a Fully Operational Mothership'. I've never been able to find it. Also, is it any good. I've heard its 'awesome' but who knows.

Also,does any one like todd rundgren. Long shot maybe, but i've been listening to his something/anything? album and its great. Want to have a look of his other stuff but not sure what to go for seein as theres tons of the fucking stuff.

Any thoughts?

Cheers Diarmaid

[Dave]

Both of them are erratic geniuses, they've produced some world-class stuff but also, sadly, some unlistenable bollocks.

On the Clinton album, my impressions of it were that it sounded dated and flabby when it came out, and I haven't changed my opinion on that. He was trying to recreate the Parliafunkadelicment feeling that was so successful at their zenith (Maggot Brain, Cosmic Slop etc.) but I don't think anything on "The Awsome Power..." would have made it onto any of those albums. I can't recall the last time I saw it on a record shop rack, Clinton and co have never been known for keeping their back-catalogue readily available, especially not the minor works. Amazon may be your best bet.

If you like "Something/Anything", you'll probably love "Runt" and "Runt; The Ballad of Todd Rundgren". Both were released about the same time, and are similar in style, although "Ballad..."'s low-key tone might be a bit hard going if you're not in the mood. His work with The Nazz is top quality garage-psych, definitely worth investigating. Also, give "Liars" a spin. It only came out a couple of years ago but there's a lot of worthwhile stuff on there. It's the return to form Clinton could only dream about.

[diarmaid]

Cheers Dave. Heard snippets of 'awesome power' but not enough to get a good idea. Though did sound as you say like it wasn't nearly as good as the mid-career p-funk. (maggot brain, clones and standing on the verge are my favourites).

I'll have a look at runt and ballad (there the first two aren't they?). Is his stuff with Utopia any good or is it for aquired tastes and not necasarily the pop lover i am?

D

[Dave]

The Utopia stuff is very, very bombastic and, um, of it's time, shall we say? If you can imagine Peter (fucking) Frampton fronting ELO you're getting there. The songs drag on for ten minutes at a time and everyone in the band gets a chance to showcase their chops. For completists and prog fans only.

[black_matter]

Ive only ever heard singring and the electric guitar by utopia. Needless to say it's mad.

[Pierre Von Mondragon]

Ah well, at least Dod Clinton hasn't lost his eye for a good title.