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Issue #63, Part 2 - April 17, 2006

Fiona: Lovely.

Kelly Wallace: This thing costs money!

Kenny Sager: Thanks, Kenny.

Jerome Soligny: Are we too late? Trudi will contact you via email.

Johnny Jackson: You can do what you want as long as I'm listed as the composer. Thanks for asking.

Rob: 'How have you done with drugs and drink in your life?' All things in moderation! Never drank spirits; never did hard drugs. It's a mug's game. It might look cool to the vast army of romantic impressionables and it gets you press (isn't it pathetic), but in reality, I've never met a happy junkie and I've seen a few talented people pop off. Who's cool now!

John McMillan: 'How about Broadway?' C'mon Delsner!

Dennis Goodwin: 'Any chance of reissuing 'The Artful Dodger' or 'All Of The Good Ones' in the U.S.? Haven't got a clue. That's record company stuff.

Jeffrey: I just know how to get to New York.

Danny Rice: 'MTH one off in Manchester - what's the chances?' 0 %

Randy Reeves: 'Don't know if you heard this. But the Pulitzer Prize winner, Gary Webb, who wrote a series of articles and a book about the CIA - crack cocaine connection in LA committed suicide last year, and, according to his ex- wife, 'his favourite CD, Ian Hunter's 'Welcome to the Club' was in the CD player - playing when he died. He was the kind of journalist there are too few of.' Didn't know this. I'm sad and sorry.

Warren Richardson: We'll be out there. Just don't know when yet.

Jim Hardy: Oh, yes, a sense of humour is a definite must. Got to give yourself a break or it would be all too silly.

Ed: Saw a commercial for Ford. 'The accompanying music sounds unmistakingly similar to the chorus of 'Violence'. Sounds a bit Cat Stevens to me - 'Mathew and Son'? It happens.

Michael Howlett: I lived a lot of places. In London I lived a 10 minute walk from Wembley Stadium. The song you're referring to is 'Michael Picasso'. It's on the 'Strings Attached' DVD and CD I did in Oslo in 2001.

Steve hall: 'If you were taking Trudi away for a romantic weekend in the UK where would you go? She likes the Lake District.

Clyde Hartman: I always kind of considered 'Dancing on the Moon' to be a Darrell, Honest John thing and we never toured with it so it got a bit lost. You never know. 'Scars' and 'Never Trust a Blond' are good too. There's lots of good stuff on that record.

Ian Hollinghurst: 'Have you ever written under he influence?' I was fairly sizzled during the formation of 'Just Another Night'. Ronno had to remind me what it was about. You have to be fairly relaxed to let the subconscious through sometimes. I don't think it makes much of a difference in the long term. Sometimes you can lean on false shoulders. Be careful what you get yourself into or you might not be able to get out.

Todd Seager: Come to Canada. We'll try when we're sorted out with the record.

Stano: Where would you put Ronno as a guitarist against the likes of Clapton, Brian May, Keith, George Harrison? Ask them - they're all very respectful of what Mick did.

David Pickard: No, Shadow just did the one single. He was larger than life. I remember I loved his shirt and he just pulled it off, gave it to me and carried on working topless!

Bob Jones: I think 'Don't Let Go' is on 'Strings' CD (my version).

HonaloochieB: 'There's been a bit of discussion about the honors system on the message board recently. One of our number has approached Mr. Blair with a cash inducement to give you a knighthood or something similar. If it was offered, would you accept?' I don't know. It's all a bit daft nowadays isn't it? I was at the Queen concert recently and I asked Brian and Phil Collins what it was like to meet the Queen. They said it was OK. It's got to be a bit of a buzz - but - no!

Rooster got his tickets for the Dave Mason acoustic thing. I'll be there.

John: No word yet from Tony Blair but the campaign mentioned in the Guardian - the amount involved four figures- £30.23p (where does the 23p come it?!) Great stuff! I'll practice my kneel!

Pris saw Kenny Rogers on American idol last night. He looks different. Has he had a facelift?' They all have.

Tom: 'Do you get royalties from 'Can't Get Enough' ? It's exactly the same riff as 'One of the Boys'. No, I don't get any royalties. Mick wrote the riff for 'One of the Boys' as well. His riff. 'Play Dirty Laundry'

Shawn: 'Queen on American Idol' I'm not going there.

Edward O'Connell: 'Where are the Bradford cities 'n' the Orioles'? Oh, stop it.

Mike Riley: 'What's your favourite Spinal Tap song?' Oh, I don't know.

Mark: Gene Pitney. Totally unique; nobody like him. He was doing what he loved.

Rodney: Haven't heard much in the States about you. Are you planning a tour? Album first; then touring.

Owen Kelley: Are there versions of 'Rollerball' and 'Twisted Steel' on the new disc? No. Amazed at how far people will come to see us. 'I thought I was obsessed for traveling 1000 miles. I can't hold a candle to some of those guys.' (Bless you all!) No wonder you're leery of us fans - I would be too if people traveled that far to see me.'

Jeffrey: Shrunken Skulls?

Rooster: It's on.

Bart: It was BIG. I loved it. Lots of lights. 4,000 crew. Made a change.

Rick Lake can't believe how the industry buried me. Well, some of it's my own fault. We're trying to rectify it.

Paul Steptoe says if they want tab of IH or MTH songs, Ben Milns and Steve Jeal should go to the Hunter-Mott site where there's a pretty comprehensive set of tab and lyrics.' What's a tab?

Kazz: Cardiff? You never know. I like Cardiff; good audience.

Merwyn Thompson turned his Mum (81) onto 'Strings Attached'. And the Vicar as well! Apparently, the vicar's quite smitten with God Take 1. You're right about 'Waterlow'; I'd rather not go there - very personal. But how lovely! Thanks, Merwyn.

Whizzkid58: Ever play with Rory Gallagher? I played several times with Rory including a couple of dates in Ireland before he moved to England (circa 66/67). Lovely man.

Ritchie: Locally, I keep myself to myself. You can appreciate that.

Ole: Come to Norway! We shall see.

Louie: 'Ever work with Neil Young?' Nope. All those years and never been on the same bill.

Kelly Wallace: You can never tell with Ralpher. He does turn up, but it's usually last minute and late!

Steve K.: 'Went to Wrexham vs Shrewsbury game at the weekend - what a bunch of divers Shrewsbury are - cheated their way to a 2-1 win. Who cares - it's the highest they've been in years. Up the town!

Gerry Zehr: Sorry about all this. It's just the way it is.

Chief Broddy: Do a Radio 2 session next time in the UK.'

Ed: Yeah, Pete was offered the gig with Bad Co, but wouldn't leave MTH. Had he gone, would that have been it for Mott? More than likely. Ralpher going was bad enough. Never trust a book.

Rick Goward: I did Steve's show last time I was in LA. We'll do it again.

Michael/Japan/new to site. 'Marionette' - was it ever done live?' It was originally done with MTH (Ariel Bender era). I reprised half of it last time out, using the front half of 'Morons'. Worked pretty well. Welcome aboard.

Willie: You're out of your mind!

Bruce: The Queen/American Idol thing. Hey - they like doing big stuff. That's the big thing in the U.S. Massive. Sad but true. Marketing - Marketing - Marketing…..

Caleb Miles: 'Rock 'n' Roll may be a losers game - but what the hell else is there to do?' A salient point.

John Von Reine: Thank you so much. I have to tell you though, when I was leaning over it was to be nearer the monitors!

Tom Culhane: I honestly don't know.

Kenny Mac asks if Ronson on the 'Short Back 'n' Sides' tour. I can't remember. Ronno did some of it and Robbie Alter. I think it was Ronno. I think I even remember the gig. My guess would be Ronno.

James: My Dad came from Hamilton, as did my Grandma and assorted aunts and uncles. I'd be in the room bed listening to all the conversations with the curtain drawn. Great days.

Jerry Murphy: On the Ringo rehearsals did any particular song make you cringe. One did, actually, but it was neither of the songs you mention. I thought the songs you mentioned are both great, actually. Different but great. My youngest, Jess, said I can't believe I just watched my Dad sing, 'Yellow Submarine'. (Not that he didn't like it.) And there are better people than me who have sung that song with young Ritchie.

Peter Jorden: 'You once said, ' Success is linked to quality control'. Do you think quality control slows down your writing output?' In my case, yes. There's no pressure trying to beat 'Rant'. 'Rant' was 'Rant'. This is totally different. There's no real comparison. I'd just like a proper shot business-wise.

Michael likes the more theatrical stuff. Well, I did too, but I go in and out of phases. I'm not theatrical at the moment!

James Mellenchamp: the latest disguise with no return address! James/John whatever your name is. You're taking up too much space. Off you trot.

Bruce Perreault: Have I influenced Alternative U.S. music? Nah. It's theirs. It's like any genre. You grow up a certain way at a certain time and that becomes what you do. That's why I'm a lousy rapper! Love Boston.

Anyway ...

Bear with us on the album. Also, thank you to the four authors who've kindly sent me their books (suitably autographed). Unfortunately, I'm not in reading mode at the moment, but I will be at some juncture and I'll be sure to read them.

Pete Peeve:

People who meet you at the front doors of stores and assail you with offers of 'help'. If I want to know something, I'll ask. It's annoying. I know it's not the person's fault, but all you front door greeters should gang up and tell your idiot managers to stop doing it. It's annoying and insulting. Disgruntled of Shrewsbury!

Sorry I missed some. Maybe next time!

IH
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