Ian Ten Boom: How to get ones hands on Don Krishner's MTH performance? Beats me.

Chris Kelly: Jools was great. What did I think of the Ukelele orchestra? You know, I didn't see that bit when I was there, but I've seen it since and they were great!! Shades of Bonzo Dog Do Dah Band, but totally different. Loved it!

Stu: 'I know you've cited Bob Dylan as a major influence, but which songs really did it for you?' It's not a particular song, it's an overall impression that you get. His approach, his willingness to open up and become a vehicle for whatever is in the air. Same thing with Hendrix, same thing with Fellini. You're hearing or seeing something special. Lennon was another. With Lennon it was simplicity, which is the hardest and the most daring thing to do. Dylan's songs too, were reasonable simple. Got a great ear for a good tune!

Tim Kearns: More power to you, Tim. Let me know what happens with North Korea and if you go - be careful - the guy running that place is very strange. Logic seems to have no place. Weird.

Mike Butterworth - thanks for making the numbers up! We won't do the Beerkeller.

John: Will I sign autographs in LA? All depends on what I'm signing.

Julian: Don't hold your breath. It's going to take a while.

Kenny Mac: Friday, 20th May - that's what I've got.

Martin Watkins! Australia!

Tom McCool surfing through old gospel and blues CDs stumbled upon the recordings of J.M.Gates. Used to record his sermons from the 20's to the 40's. One of the sermon titles is, 'Death Might be Your Santa Claus'. Well, that was a Guy Steven's title and Guy was a fanatic for old records so that's where he might have nicked it from. Interesting!

Eddie Jackson: How old am I and when will I retire. Well, I'm older than Bob (according to him) and if George Bush has his way, none of us will be retiring!

Mike Riley just got 'Rant' in Barnes and Noble. The review he saw in B+N said, 'still vibrant.'

Andrew: Can't remember that far back.

K.S. Norway: Trondheim this year? We're trying.

Paul: Toronto, please. You want to talk to Paradise (my agency).

Ritchie Anderson: Lucky sod. See you soon?

Janey says I'm lovely - almost as cute as Tru.

Tom McGarry: Happy about Aberdeen. Just got MTH Anniversary - 'immense'.

John Holcomb: I don't know if the Astoria is viewable over here. I hope so too. Trudi tells me it is. You know, you can get mult-regional DVD players on the web reasonably cheaply. They don't sell them in shops because the U.S. companies want to get rid of their old stock, but it's common practice in Europe.

Edward Shirley: How long did it take to record Jools Holland? It was done as you saw it. 'Rehearsals'. One and a quarter hours the first day, 30 minutes the second day. Their guy did the arrangements. I was working in the U.S. It was all very much dive in and do it. Not for the faint of heart.

Stephanie Pugh is happy to see us going to Austin, but says SXSW are difficult to get into. I thought I was doing a 'free' show.

Eric Vegas: Thanks Eric. We are aware of Steve's show and are trying to work something out.

Steven Fisher (London) is going to Aberdeen show as it somehow leaves him with a sense of achievement. Probably will be more room as well.

Howard: Do 'Junkman' at Joe's Pub. Actually, I just read Genya Raven's book. Fearless as usual. What a girl!

Jim: Come to Atlanta - do I still have the Maltese Cross? Nope.

Jeffrey: Talking about 'Threads of Iron' on mad Shadows. Says it sounds like an out of control train, with no brakes, speeding at 100 mph plus, on a mountain downgrade. That's exactly what it was.

Paul Dorman: No plans for Phoenix at the moment.

Tim Wilson: Come to St. Louis!

Tim: Australia!

Jerry Murphy: the name rings a bell, but that's about it.

Rich Vann: Do you know what happened to Ronno's Blue Tele? I was playing it the other night at Suzi's in New York.

Jim Stotts looking forward to SXSW. Also says he's noticed a pick up of interest spurred by Satellite radio (XM and Sirius). Says he's heard non -predictable MTH and IH tracks on XM's channel 40 (Deep Tracks).

Andy: Are you coming to Glasgow? Yes (on 20th May).

Rob: Noted.

Kevin Tring: 1) Any chance of Jools again when you come to the UK? That's up to them. 'Do Johnny Walker'. I like John - it's up to him. 2) Well, I think it's the music, but the web certainly gives everybody a chance to get together. Before there was nothing. 3) What current TV shows? Island at War; seen here on PBS. Favourite comedians? Tommy Cooper, Morecombe and Wise, Richard Pryor, early Steve Martin, Hancock, Spike Milligan, Sellers … 4) I've been at it so long I don't think I have the faintest idea as to the effect my songs have. I can't rewind. I'm just glad people say these things. Thank you.

Phil Ash ordered 13 tickets for the Astoria after seeing Jools Holland.

David: Are LA shows strings or band? Band, but I'll play some slow things. I always do.

Alex Franklin: Sends a poem and it's appreciated. Thank you.

Ken: 'Silver Needles'? Sid Vicious.

Chris McVilly (Tasmania) got 'Strings Attached'. 'Fantastic.' Says I'm being played over there twice a week. Good!

Jim McConnell wants 'Angeline' and 'Laugh At Me' on the UK tour. We'll see.

Pat says Joe's Pub is sold out. That's good, isn't it? P.S. fantastic bridge on 'Soap and Water'. Mmmmmmm

Gino: Talkin' about Ronno's work on things like 'Big Time' and 'Once Bitten'. 'Was he just so juiced he ran with them?' No, everything was slowly worked up until he had what he wanted. Andy York - the same way - won't let it go until it's right. People forget Ronno was a consummate arranger, not only of guitar, but strings - you name it. Beautiful piano player to boot.

Mike Moore: No San Francisco date. Two in LA and Vegas only. Mike says XM Satellite playing 'loads of MTH and IH'. At last!!

Alan Scot: No, I tour when I feel like it and it's usually for fun. Mind you, Jimmy (the Greek) Mastro's making me do a little more these days.

John Cutler is going to Aberdeen. It's nearer - may be T-shirt as well! All right!

Gene Jeanie: Any hope of a San Fran date? Not at he moment. I think they think I am what I'm not.

Gary: Who's playing the Galaxy? Me and who I bring that's who.

Aldo Fedder: Actually, Aldo, we're looking at three German dates. Nothing confirmed as of yet, but we're on it. Watch the site. If they happen it would be around the first week of May. Things can change with songs in the studio. I am guided by the guys I work with. Do I play unfinished songs to people? Sometimes, if I'm not too sure. Just did it today with Andy York.

PeeJay: 'Is your bass player from Joe Jackson? Yes, Graham Maby will be on bass for me in England this year. Great player, great singer and a great chap. We're giving Gus a year off to recover!

Tom Whitney: Did Mick ever talk to me about working with David Lynn Jones on 'Hard Times on Easy Street'? I'm sure we did, but I've forgotten the actual conversation.

Tom Villemaire: Toronto! You must! We'll see.

Thom Williams: Torch bearer in South Georgia. Keep the faith.

Chief Brody says his brother wants to know the forest where the Wildlife cover was shot. I'd like to know too! [Editor's note: County Durham]

Faron Schultz wants Portland and Seattle. I think we were offered Portland but it wasn't enough to get up there.

Alexander Falk: What were the 'dreams' and 'wishes' in the lyric of 'American Music' Well, that's written from a 14 year old's perspective. Did I get what I wanted? Well, it ain't been too bad.

Mark Nicholson: Tell Gibbo the 'Big man from Buxton' will be at three gigs. Well, it's the U.S. band this year, so I'm sorry, but Gibbo won't be there. I'll tell him when I talk to him though. The American keyboard player is Andy Burton. We go straight to the UK from Europe and it's the only way to do it - no time to rehearse in England. Hey, change is as good as a rest. Gibbo's still in the mix.

Chris Dove wants Exeter in Devon. Bit of a schlep that.

Tod Denison: 'Finally - LA!'

Kersten: I think that's 'Women's Intuition' from YUI ORTA.

Glenn: Boston! Hey, you chaps are doing very well without me at the moment. We'll get there.

Lisa: My horse keeps pulling and will not stop. Do you have any helpful tips on how to control this? Sell it. It hates you!

Robert Small: Do you recommend, 'All The Young Dudes' by Campbell Devine? Yes.

Peter Jordan: Enjoyed 'Memphis' on Hootenanny and 'Strings Attached'. Different treatments; why does it translate so well? Don't know really. Both bands really knew how to play. Who knows?

Pete Spence: Newcastle! I love Newcastle.

David Leighty: Noted.

Willie fee Glasgow: Thinks 'Somewhere' tailor made for me. I'm toying with it.

Peter Kinski: Who was 'Standing In My Light' about? Somebody you don't know and I do.

Steve K watched Hootenanny through 'beer goggles' (like that) loved it. Says London's Evening Standard likened Bob Geldof's writing to that of Bruce Springsteen's rewritten by IH (beats me). Also says 'The Rotters Club' is a three part drama on BBC set in the '70's and NME's plaster this kids wall. One is a MTH headline. Lastly, his Mum's invited me for a cup of tea in Wrexham. Thanks, Mrs. K.

Rich Becker: I can't bend Joe's Pub for tickets. I'm just playing there.

Brendan Callinan was in a huge Aussie band in the 80's called 'The Radiators'. He says they did 'Once Bitten' as an encore. Come to Australia! I would, Brendan, but nobody's asking.

Mary Sheferman is looking forward to Joe's Pub. Did we see the bear again? No, but we now have a possum (Percy) who waits till the birds have gone and eat their fallen seeds. The cat doesn't know what Percy is.

Owen Kelly: Very happy about 'Live' in Vegas.

Kim Ronson: It's a tricky old thing geography. I'm sure we'll meet up and I'll tell you what I know. We've noted your email address.

Jack: the webstore is fine. It's run by Rick Tedesco who is a big mate of mine. Don't worry.

Jim Scully: Why don't I play anything from YUI ORTA? Well, we did when it came out. I've done, 'Big Time' over the years and 'American Music'. There's no reason. You can only do so much in a couple of hours. I'll probably get round to them again sometime.

Dave Thompson: Any chance of a MTH DVD? Yes, Sony's working on it.

Alan 'Little Alex': Play Toronto!! What venue would I recommend for you to play at in NY? All depends. Small - Medium or Large?

Adrian: Noted with thanks.

Graham Stark: It's frowned upon, Graham. It really is. Don't tell me - I don't want to know!

Tissy: I don't think I said Newcastle would be in this year. I can't say this. It's the promoter who books me through my Agency - Helter Skelter. If he doesn't book me - I don't do Newcastle. I'd be there if the Newcastle guy had approached Helter Skelter.

Bjorn Svange: Happy we're doing Nidaros Blues Festival in Trondheim this year. Can you get a backstage pass? Haven't got a clue - not my department.

SW in Sweden: Young Swedish band who claim to sound like MTH would have sounded if they were raised on Smashing Pumpkins and Pearl Jam instead of the Stones and Dylan. I see.

Pat: Do I like John Prine? Of course … he's good!

Simon Moody: Not one Canadian venue planned? I regret naming me son after you and marrying Irene! I knew she'd be a problem!

Tom Whitney: Do I listen to CD's or the radio when I walk? No. I think.

Willie: Errrr. No. (except for the kazoo bit.)

Greg Horne says a Boston artist, Jake Brennan, covered 'Original Mixed Up Kid' on his latest CD called 'Love and Bombs' . He got in touch and it turned out to be very enlightening. And so to Vegas.

Oystein: Am I optimistic as to Scandi shows? At the moment, yes. It's still being sorted out, but we are hopeful.

Don Wood: Why did we cancel in San Francisco? It was a combination of logistics and not enough money.

Bob Norton: John Cale rang and said he was recording with Bobby Neuwerth, but Bobby was stuck in LA. Did we want to come in and use the time? So we did. I played bass and sang, Corky played drums and Ronno played guitar. John played piano and guitar. I remember John physically assaulting the engineer when he wasn't getting what he wanted. Great talent, John Cale, a bit Welsh though!

Dan McAllister: Flying from Portland to Hollywood. Play, Trudi's Song or Saturday Gigs. We'll see.

Steve K: Noted, with thanks.

Randall's looking for Joe's Pub tickets.

Brent: Sham Morris was Mick's musical buddy in Woodstock. He is extremely talented.

OK Girls and Boys, that's it for now. Things are getting busy next month but I'll try to fit one in. Thanks for all your continued support and sorry for the mails I've missed. The old wrists ain't what they used to be. Watch this sight for gigs. Things can change. I'm certain of the English dates.

Europe should be decided this week. I could get run over by a bus (or a cow). Anyway - be well!

IH