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Issue #48, Part 2 - November 16, 2004
Jay Sciascia: 'How about them Red Sox!' blah, blah, blah! I know you guys are trying to get me at it, but I've got Fox Sports World now, so I'm back on soccer … so there!!
John Clark: Yeah, I did a gig with Nazareth in Trondheim a few months ago. I said hello to Dan but Miller Anderson was talking to him and says I can't be all bad - I can still do my Scottish accent. I still ken the Doric!
Uncle Harry: I never say never.
Francis L. has finally decided 'Hymn for the Dudes' is the favourite all time MTH song. 'Blistering Ralpher solo after 'you ain't the nazz - you're just a buzz'. I remember we slowly lowered the D.B. level so we could get the full impact for the solo. It works, doesn't it!
Hope Campbell: (In happy mode!) 'Tell Trudi it was a pleasure to meet her.' Not a moan it sight!!!
Alan Hart asks, 'Were Queen our opening band when we played Chatham Central Hall in 1972? Don't remember. We did a tour with them opening but I'm not sure if that encompassed Chatham.
Andy Jones said we actually gained fans at the Manchester gig. Glad something came out of it.
John Gill just visited Shrewsbury for the first time. 'Lovely place - what made you want to leave?' Well, Shrewsbury has actually improved over the years unlike a lot of towns. It was kind of drab and empty when I lived there. It could have been me - the urge to see the world and all that. I was bored and it wasn't much fun at home, either.
David Sasha went to a rock 'n' roll party dressed as me - wig, shades the lot. Did 'Roll Away the Stone' which led to, 'Whatever happened to him' etc. The point being, there will be a number of new faces a the Astoria this year.' Bravo!!
Dave Hancox said the Detroit show was two and a half hours long!! And some people think it was too short! You chaps must remember I'm a gentleman of a certain age. I don't want to flog myself to death! Why an acoustic instead of a Les Paul? I just figured that Mastro and Jack the Mechanic were both electric and I didn't want to muddy it up.
Kat says I'm seriously Kewl!!! Bush or Kerry - the leaden proletariat have spoken! I notice Colin Powell up and left - what a surprise that was! Do Cardiff again!
Tom McGarry: That's Joe Elliott from Def Leppard introducing me on the 'Strings Attached'. Heard a line Billy Bragg copped off of me. How do I feel about my lines being adopted and used? Flattered, in this particular case.
Jeffrey Stanke: A Hercules safety model; had no speeds. You just got on it and pedaled. I used to go to school at Whitchurch Grammar. The school was outside the town - at least a couple of miles as I remember. Everyday. Never even noticed it.
Ritchie Nomad saw us at Lupos in Providence - going to B.B. King's in December. Have I been approached by Mohegan Sun? I don't know. I leave that to Paradise. Says the Wolf's Den is a good setting.
Bob Francis loves 'Great Expectations'. That track was recorded in L.A. for Pasha (it was a film track). Can't remember who the band were. I think they were from L.A. [Shooting Star - Ed]
David Fowler: Thank you, David.
Steve Karmazin understands there's a deep catalog of songs and comes away from a gig thinking - they didn't play that, but, they did play that. Well, that's it in a nutshell. You can't do them all, so you do what you fancy at the time. There's no answer to this problem You mention 'Still Love Rock 'n' Roll' but I did that on the Ringo tour for awhile and got fed up with it.
John Huntingdon: Well, you said a lot! You're basically confronting the same problems we all have on different levels. I think it's great you do what you do with adults with learning disabilities. There's more to life than showing off! How do you take it further - you just keep banging on the doors. There's no secret to it and you seem well aware of the miserable state of the industry so you know how difficult that can be. Corporate pop takes up a lot of room and it's basically a waste of time, but that's how it is. This is what you have to deal with, so deal with it!!!
John Marlatt's son thinks he's cool because he went to a rock concert in Fort Wayne. John wants us to go back when his son's 21. You never know!!
Dave Holland: 'What about a duet with Noddy Holder on Jools Holland's New Year 'Hootenanny' - maybe get Bob Plant involved - superb!! Well, I'll be there, don't know about the others.
Keith Nickless says there's a shop in Convent Garden called, 'England Rocks'.
Matt Nojonen gives us some culinary advice plus, 'Great show at Beachland.'
Dave Nagy: Noted.
Now they're doing the leaves; I can't hear myself think.
Peter (Rotterdam): That CD was unmixable and had to be stopped. Secret have a DVD that will be out in England in February called, 'Just Another Night'. Live at the Astoria. This is tops - I've seen it.
Dave T.: Any chance of U.S. shows with Mick Ralphs? He's a bugger to get on a plane. Hates flying. We'll see.
Andreas Hageving has a band Janx Spirit and among other things would like to open for us. Logistically, it's difficult for us to have an opening band. We normally don't use one.
Neil Bennett: It never ceases to amaze me how difficult it is to get 'Rant' or 'Strings' on the shelves of these stores, yet they cheerfully stock a rip-off album that I don't sanction. What a bloody mess. Sorry, Neil, you were conned. Take it back!!! I've mentioned this CD before in the Horse's Mouth. DON'T BUY 'Standing in the Light'. I don't make a penny on it.
Hal likes TRACKS magazine. The one with REM on the cover has a nice remembrance of Guy Stevens on the back page.
Hunty: Aaah…life's too short. It still sticks in the craw a little, but I never think of it unless somebody brings it up. Thanks!
Alec Terdag is having trouble learning 'Ships'. C We walked to the F just my G and E and the A min ran around AM7 on the sand F. That a start!
Richard Aloi feels I've never been promoted enough by record companies. Well, I slipped in the 80's so they kind of lost interest; it's been a long way back and we're still not there yet.
Mark Nicholson: Astoria DVD is out in February 2005.
Bob Rynerson knows Steve Holley! Who else was in the band? James Mastro (small hat) mandolin, guitar; Jack the Mechanic - lead guitar; Graham Maby - bass; and Andy Burton - keyboards.
Stu in Saudi loved Hoboken. Record a gig from the board and sell it over the Horse's Mouth. Not enough help - too much trouble.
Paul Wilson asks: 1) If I was in charge of my industry what three things would I change for the better? i) I would de-corporatize radio. ii) I would de-corporatize record companies; iii) I would get people in who knew a little more about music and a little less about business. 2) How did Trudi and I meet? What were the first things said and where was your first date? Mind your beeswax!! 3) What has been your worst investment and your best investment? There haven't really been any bad ones, and Trudi take care of the OK ones and the good ones. 4) What's the most extravagant thing I ever bought? I bought Trudi a Merc for her birthday. 5) What's the hardest part of my job? Writing - but it's also the most fulfilling. 6) What do I like most about my job? Gigging with the chaps. 7) What's the funniest thing that ever happened to me on stage? I'm afraid it's the old pants splitting routine. You can also look pretty funny when lenses fall out of your shades. Tripping over light stands goes down well! 8) If I suddenly came into a fortune, what would I do? Freak!!! 9) What's my idea of heaven on earth? It can't happen in this lifetime. People are still too stupid. Hell? We apparently just voted for it. 10) (This is really 15 but I've left out some of them) Have you ever been really hard up? Yes - I actually starved at one point. (It was in Germany in the 60's). 11) What was the most lucrative work or period of time you have enjoyed? The last few years, actually. 12) Do I spend money on something special? No, not really. I'm not big on spending. I like efficiency, so money comes in hand for that. I like my own house and not having to worry too much about the mortgage. A few bob does ease the old worry problems. My only vices are fags and champers.
John Pottage: 'Which band member introduces, 'Sucker' on the MTH live CD.' Haven't got a clue. I'd guess at Pete. He used to announce quite a lot back then.
Bobby Balloch collects memorabilia. Says he has the original flight invoice for the U.S. Diary tour. What do I think? Good luck. 'P.S. Henrick Larsson is still God.' Wonder where you're from!
Chris Clark: 'What's happened to the Astoria DVD?' I told you - I've seen it and it looks and sounds great. Out in February in the UK on Secret Records.
Pat: 'Keith Richards never thought of writing songs until Andrew Oldham locked him and Mick up in the kitchen for a weekend. Did you always want to be a songwriter?' I was tinkering with it in my late teens and twenties, but I never really started properly until I was in MTH and the others encouraged it. When you've got a band to play with it gets easier, but Oldham was right. On the odd occasion, when I've been 'made' to come up with it, I usually have. Inspiration comes in different ways. Desperation being one of them!
Willie fi Glasgee: Just when my wrist was beginning to develop carpel tunnel…I'm confronted with this! 48 songs I'm supposed to learn by next week! We start recording at Hampden Park next Monday (are you sure there's no a game?). Willie's spared no expense purchasing two brand new kazoos and a maltese cross kazoo (love it!). Well, I'm not going to list them here, but it is actually a great list of songs, so I'll hang it on the wall in the basement in case the occasion ever arises (wouldn't mind murdering 'Desperado'). Says he'll see me next week at rehearsals. Away wi ye.
Brian Calingaert: Just saw 'Breaking the Waves' (Memphis opens it). Says he was blown away by all the tunes. Looking for a soundtrack. 'Teachers' soundtrack was OK. Got a gold record on the wall.
Amish Bob asks, 'Do I still do 'Standing In My Light'? Yes, we still do it. Not every night, but we do still do it now and gain.
Fiona (Glasgow): 'Great to hear you're coming to Glasgow in May.' We'll be there.
Patty Woltz: Great news about the Aquarian review. Unfortunately, there is not anything I can do about the age limit at the Stone Pony - that's their liquor license they are protecting. See you there.
Michael can't wait for the Downtown gig. Says Regis and Kelly spin the wheel - give away a trip and 'Drivin' Sister' was playing. Gawd…
Grant Smith drove 13 hours to see us in Chicago (know the feeling - we did Spain in June). Fantastic! Put 'Ballad of Mott' in the set. Some day.
Tom McGarry: Don't worry. Willie knows he's loved!
Steven Crayn: Good luck with it.
Bart asks, 'Did I duet with Ozzy?' No, I did the rap part and some harmonies. There was no point in my singing it. We know what that's like.
Steve McGough: Taxes me on corporations because he works for one. But if there weren't any - you'd actually see your boss and there would be an element of loyalty involved like there used to be. I live near a lot of corporate people. Many are scared of losing their jobs. There's no loyalty to the actual product or the employee. I know there are good ones, but there are many more bad ones. My problem is they keep eating each other and become so vast that governments can't even control them. Look at these drug companies. My argument is not with the people that make up and work for corporations - my argument is with the beast itself. Huge bullies stamping on each other out of pure greed. The monopoly ceiling is too high. Unelected people have too much power over our daily lives. Good luck to you, but I believe corporations are a bane. Just because they're here doesn't make it right.
Phil Taylor: 'Do Preston, again!'
Robert Small calls me a humanistic songwriter. I'm fine with that! Says I'm the only one that makes him weep. Oh c'mon, it's not that bad! Ronno loved the three Stooges.
Rick Goward pulling my pinnie again about the Yankees. I'm watching Arsenal!
Steve is coming to Farmingdale from Atlanta. Are his favourites in the set list? Come and find out!
Tricia Devine says if I ever need a teleprompter to give her a call. She runs the offices in Toronto and New York. Not yet, Tricia - not yet.
Bryan asks, 'What was the Inspiration for 'Little Star'? It just sort of came. I seem to remember an American Indian connection.
Rory Musil discovers P.J. Proby thanks to moi. Told you he was great. Says I do Nightingale better than Rod. I agree.
Daniel Halferty: Keep it going.
Julian Rchards wants to get unsigned bands and singers free photographs and or video to get themselves noticed. What do I think? I think every little bit helps.
Do you realize how much the Horse's Mouth has cost me in pens? Just ran out again.
Andrew Field: What's going on with the next studio CD? Not a lot. I can't settle. It seems like every few weeks I'm doing something. I've got a lot of unfinished ideas, which will or won't be finished. I'm figuring on sitting down with Andy after we both finish next spring and seeing what we've got. That's the plan, but it could change. Nothing could have been done to help Guy. Guy ran out of help. His was going on over a number of years. It was inevitable. Would I have made it without Guy? I don't know, but I doubt it. Was he a great producer? For some things - yes, he was a great producer. Wouldn't have seen him with Simon and Garfunkel though. Andrew's read the start of the Bob Dylan chronicles and believes me to be a better writer. I've read it all and think he beats me by a mile.
Paul Dorman saw John Mellencamp's A+E show and would love for me to do it. You have to be asked, Paul.
Keith Storey: Point taken, but let's not get too 'correct'.
Don Wilding notices both Blue Weave rand Miller Anderson have both been associated with Dave Cousins and the Strawbs. Did I get to know the Strawbs? No.
Steward Moffat: 'Any chance of 'Old Records Never Die' in Glasgow?' You know, I've tried this over the years, but it's not one of my favourites from a live performance point of view. Doubtful, sorry.
Paul Abbott asks if I've seen Nils Lofgren lately. No, not in a while.
Tim Kearns was in North Korea. Says it was surreal. The only western music that has infiltrated has been Celine Dion. (Have I got a tour for you, Celine!) Says the locals play traditional music punctuated by cheesy and cheap (made in China) electronic keyboard sounds. Tim thinks they were copping early Depeche Mode. Great to dance to though. How did you get to go?
Tom Ross: Eric may well have been on something on Schizophrenic. I can't remember. Put it down to lousy memory on my part.
Tony Mott wrote a piece about MTH; check out ABC Books Australia 'Every Picture Tells A Story' by Tony Mott. Nice one, Tony.
Dave Tyndal: 'Please do Ireland - you're a legend here too!' Hardly!
Alright! Done and dusted. Pitch black outside now; and so to dinner. I'll probably be late with the next one as I'm working and wind up in England around the time I should be doing this. I think I'll get another one in before Christmas, but if I don't the merriest of seasonal greetings to all you lovely people from the Patterson clan and subsidiaries. I missed a few, some intentionally. Nothing bad, I just couldn't think of anything to say! Tata for now as Cilla says.
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