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Issue #69, Part 1 - November 13, 2006

Sorry about that! Trips away, relatives, friends and business etc...

Tom Semiol: 'Have you heard Howard Stern's version of 'Dudes'? 'Blonde on Blonde' meets 'Mad Shadows'!' Leave it to the pros, Howard.

Paul Stirk: We tape some gigs, but just for fun.

Jim Scully: 'Ronson, best ever!' Well, Mick did love Jeff Beck.

Brian Delgross (Hanoman) - Best of luck chaps! Stan's just fine.

Jeffrey: 'Shrunken heads' are a punk band in Germany! Well, that's not here is it. Weather's crap, but has been great. Rome was perfect.

Jim Stotts can't understand why cd's costing $60-80 on the web can't be re-released. On about the 'Once Bitten' CD. Sony UK have a new triple coming out. Great artwork and a couple of newish songs which never made an album.

Francis L: David probably demo'd the vocal and then I probably worked on my interpretation of it afterward. As far as I can recall, the harmonies were Buff, David, Mick and Stan - but I can't be sure. Am I the first Brit rapper? Who knows?

Hope Campbell is now part of an internet radio show SportstalkCleveland.com called the Guido and Harni Show. It's on Monday and Thursday mornings at 1 AM Eastern time. Nights are dedicated to music, random chat - not sports. Good one.

Susie Flory writes a lovely email and asks for dates and sequences that are as hazy to me as they are to her. Let it ride! Actually, Campbell Devine's wrote a bio and it's full of dates. Check it out.

Steve Hooley: Nah-cross gone - play Waterford (Ireland)! We'll see.

Diane Buchta: Hates radio - switched to satellite (good girl!). 'Little Steven has a great show - you could do the same!' actually, I have thought about it. The stuff I loved doesn't get heard much nowadays. Not quite ready, perhaps.

Glynn Myatt: Says 'Astoria Live' is superb. Thank you, Glynn.

Andrew Cave: No, That was the only one, and tell your old man one of us was!

Phil Huband: You have an agent, and there are legal contracts. The agent gets half up front and you get the other half before the show. Promoters get better as the gigs get bigger (and you fill them). It's (especially) when you're small and really need the money that promoters will screw you. Tradition!

Susie Flory: Michael Scapino was our lighting engineer. Great guy; sadly missed.

Arthur Byrne: Queensland? Not at the moment, but thanks for asking.

Amish Bob: Pat Kilbride, Toronto, Canada. Amazing.

Pat: Did I ever play lead on any of my songs? Never had to with Ralpher and Ronno around, although I did write the intro to 'Old Records Never Die'. I played it then he erased it and played it better!

Peter Jordan suggests the world would be a better place if people were totally honest with each other. I agree - but try telling the rest.

Rick Lake on Bob's new record: I've heard it and I like track 6.

John: Any chance of 'Bastard' again, live? It's definitely a thought.

Olin Jenkins: 'Is title track your fave from the new album, 'Shrunken Heads'? It's up there.

Bryan McGowan: I know Howie likes to have fun with me and that's great. I have a mortal dread of singing any National Anthem anywhere, and I'd be crap at play by play.

Willie fi Glasgi: Want, Want, want - you're all want, Wullie!

Karen is extending her IH collection. Prefers 'Once Bitten' to 'Rant'. Likes 'Ships'. Mal - Karen said you turned her onto me and you're not too well. So get better soon and thanks for the conversion!

Mike Belshaw: I remember Elton popping into the dressing room and saying how much he liked 'Roll Away the Stone'. He had 'Candle in the Wind'. I said how much I liked CITW and he said, 'You don't like that, do you?' I like anything that's good.

Amo Ross: Thanks!

Julien Morris: Thank you, Julien - I'll alert the troops.

Tim Hands: Upstairs it's pronounced, 'Shrowsbury'; downstairs - 'Shroosbury'.

Larry Butti: The duet with Plant was his idea and his choice. Is there a difference playing with a U.S. band compared to a UK band? It's the people - the individuals that make the difference. It doesn't matter where you are from. I choose the man and the musician. Did I enjoy working with Plant? Of course - who wouldn't? What was my take on Zep back in the day? I was a Stones fan. Why couldn't I play new material? The time factor- we only had two days and the band had a load on what with Nils, Robert and me.

Rick Downs: Southern California? Soon as possible.

Clyde Hartman says 'All the Young Dudes' appears somewhere on Bob's official Web Site (Rock Classic's of the 70's). The Royal Seal!

Hoba: How's life? (real good). Norway soon? I hope so.

Terrance is listening to Ellen Foley's 'Young Lust' and asks if the background banter was intentional? Anything to put her off 'singing'.

Mike Turner: This is great, but I can't print it. (But it's great, thanks)

Carl Todaro: 'Play the Bowery again! Nice place the Bowery.

David Shasha: Yup, that's Ellen.

Pat: Steve Popovich (Cleveland International) played it to Clive Davis and Clive Davis (Head of Arista) played it to Barry Manilow.

Craig Russell: 'You're always wanted here in Cleveland.' Actually, I might be popping over that way for an odd song or two pretty soon.

Dan Sutton: Detroit? Oh, yes - when we're sorted.

Bucks Burnett: A young lady does an Ian Hunter my space page, but I don't have anything to do with it myself.

Daniel Costa: Where do I stand on religion? Well, if you look at it logically - nobody knows. To me Atheism is as daft as religious zealotry. They are beliefs - but no one really knows. Where were you before you got here? Faith and trust. I was just in the Vatican with Trudi - powerful stuff.

P. Thanks.

Carl Wragg: He was fine.

Ian Kell: Was 'Apathy' your most prophetic song ever? 'Aint no Rock 'n' Roll no more just the music of the rich.' Pretty much true on any level - we're heading for poor versus rich disaster, which the rich will avoid because they're rich. I think 'Death of A Nation' applies too. There's a lot more ignorance and arrogance with the rich and they're showing their knickers. Thatcher/Reagan? 'Greed is good'. Barack Obama knows what to do. Sadly, no equivalent in the UK - which is showing small signs of anarchy.

Tom Gardner: Thanks, noted.

Max: 'Are you or Mott getting much play on satellite or cable music channels?' Not up on that.

Larry Woodside informs me that I blew the title: it's ERRORFM.COM not ERROR.COM (9AM TO NOON PST). Sorry, Larry. P.S. 'Sunshine Eyes' } youngest son, Jesse.

James Takahashi: 'Thanks for putting up with all us Horse's asses with all our incessant questions - how long does it take?' Usually, six or seven hours. I just write down my immediate reaction and hope for the best - then Trudi types it into the computer - which she informs me is the hard part (actually, reading your writing is the hard part). 'Laugh At Me' - I guess Sonny got laughed at and I related to that. Very often people say, 'I knew he'd make it!' after the fact. I think Sonny got that as did I. I approached it the same way as he did. It's pretty clear, lyrically.

Bill Maxwell says Jerry Lee Lewis's 'Last Man Standing' is great. I've been meaning to get that.

Barry: West Coast? I'm sure we'll get there.

Ian Martin: Aberdeen? Just don't know at the moment.

Kelly Wallace: Glad you were able to sort it. We're snowed under after being away - everything's miles behind - I know I'm missing quite a few this time - sorry!

Ginger: Boston! Boston! Boston! Boston! I know - I know - I know - I know!

Brian Gatien: Syracuse! Says I was there last in '74!

John Pottage: Guy was all of this multiplied by four.

Jim: Anywhere south of the Mason/Dixon line. You know, you chaps make me feel more popular than I actually am - lovely isn't it!

David Fowler: Thank you, David.

Stale: I talked to Bjorn, but I have no movie. Don't have the other DVD thing either.

Drew Eckman: Try me again in the New Year, after the record's sorted out.

Clashman: Did I know Joe Strummer? Not well. I knew Mick mainly. Clever guy; very good; astute.

Rick Graves: We'll tour once the record is out.

Verne/Ohio: Oh, yes - any guitar - any piece of equipment - any sound can get the muse working. Every guitar's got at least one song to play you. I don't know how that works, biut it's true.

Big Dale read recently 'The Dolls' supported MTH in '73. 'How did you get on and were you fans of each other?' We got on great. Arthur Kane absolutely adored Pete Watts. Everything Pete did - Arthur copied. I still have a chat with David J when our paths cross - another clever chap.

Greg Naugle Jr.: I wasn't too keen on 'Mad Shadows' from a vocal point of view. Also, things were a little upside down at the time. Glad you liked it. Early MTH was extremely powerful. That's one of the reasons we have never regrouped.

Peter Denham: What's my view of 'Greatest Hits' or 'IH's greatest hits'? Well, I think we all know exactly how many greatest hits Mott's had and the same goes for me! Record companies own the masters; they put them out; they make money and yes, artists see a few bob if they are lucky.

Kelly: Mick often played a LP Junior.

Floridian John loves the book. Sony, UK asked me if I'd be interested in talking it through at some point. Perhaps. By the way- on the DVD front, Sony (and other labels) are still in negotiations with the Beeb who apparently want lots of dosh for the rights to the old TOTP's appearances. That's the hold up.

Kevin Dixon wants to use ATYD as a title of a chapter of his soon to be released 'FEY EXMACHINA' novel. I didn't write that song; that's David Bowie.

Paul Winnicky: Morriengello still lives in New Jersey, but is away most of the time as he's Bob Dylan's guitar tech and has been for a lot of years.

Michael Hyman: 'I think Mick Ralphs is underrated - so melodic and concise. You once said something about the way he played really did it for you. Could you expand on that?' Ralpher is a songwriter so he just doesn't wait for the solo to show off - his whole approach is coming from enhancing the whole of the song. That's why he's so good. Again, (like Ronno) you can say underrated, but Dave Gilmore invited him out. Ralpher's rated by the people that matter; but I wish he'd get out and about more. We did get out a couple of times when I was in London last week and had a great time. I wouldn't be surprised if we don't play together at some point. He's up for it and so am I. We'll see how it pans out.

Bart: What do you think about Dylan's new album? Love track 6.

John Sutton: 'Do you actually play guitar on stage or is it just a prop? Bit of both actually. I'm pretty good rhythm-wise but I do feel a bit of a dork without a guitar round my neck.

Clyde Hartman: 'Did you ever consider Farm Aid?' Before you consider, you gotta be asked.

Alan: How do you keep the bass and the foot from bleeding into one another? Use the bass from the bass and the thump from the foot. The foot doesn't have to be particularly bassy.

Curtis Mayfield: Never heard of Wounded Bird, but Angel Air are fine. I know they put out duff stuff once in a while, but he's very good on the statement end and actually represents MTH in legal proceedings. Trustworthy chap, Peter Purnell. Sony UK put out nice compilations, too. There's always the odd fly by night and life's too short. Isn't it?

Charlie Hart: I forwarded your email to Pete. He'll do what he wants.

Willie: On the IH October tour (minus me). Sounds like you all had a great time. You forgot the words to NWTR?! Slipping, Willie, slipping.

Steve Ailment: Seattle!

Jim Billings: Not bad, Jim, not bad!

Stu Junior: Do we get royalties from ATYD or does Bowie? There two lots of royalties - David gets the writer bit and we get the performance bit.

Dennis: Have you heard Dylan's masterpiece, 'Modern Times'? Track 6, Give me time.

Sinbad: Back's fine. Sorry about yours. Rest up if you can.

Charlie Wayne: Detroit! We'll be there.

Howard Chapman: Philly, Boston? You'll know when I know it's confirmed.

Kevin Shannon: Back as above, plus Detroit.

Jeffrey: Have I got a 78 player? Yup - but it's disconnected and in storage. Blame Jess, I always do.

Rick Lane: 'Do you still tour if Andy's out with John Mellencamp? Sure - we have a pool of 'Rant' chaps.

Steve Parsons: 1) May (unless stuff happens) 2) How do I attract good guitarists? Well most good guitarists do like playing good songs, at least that's what they tell me.

Mark Hughes: I'll let you know as soon as stuff's confirmed. Confirmed is the work, my man.

Geoff Bryant: Todd and I did have a ball and it could happen again, but we're both busy on other projects at the moment.

Colin Powell: Nothing scheduled as of now in early 2007. The Sony packaging is great. I've just got one!

Dave Gariota: Did Ronno write the riff to 'Rebel Rebel'? I really don't know.

Bart: How does it feel going acoustic? I'm fine with it; I just miss the guys in the band.

Brian Andrew Marek: 'Do you ever feel in retrospect, you said more in the lyrics than you were conscious of at the time (re: Mad Shadows)?' Sure, I actually like the words more now than I did at the time.. It shows me where I was, much better than any memory. You mention despair and desperation and there was plenty of that around. 'My Mind's Gone' was magic. I still remember Phally and me doing it. Phal was great - I didn't know what I was doing so it must have been even harder for him.

Jerrry Grubb - all the way from Thailand. Jerry, you don't have to do this. I write 'em and you buy 'em. Every time you went out and bought a record - that is the deal. We're 50-50. We're even!

Heather in Florida: Currently working in Barnes and Noble where Dylan is prominently displayed. So, she'll try and do the same for me.

John (Mac): Have I ever met Jerry Lee Lewis? No, I could have, but I didn't - on purpose, actually.

Lunar Jen: Have I heard 'The Breakdowns'? Jen says they always bang on about me on their web site. Good Stuff! Best of luck! She says they're awesome - raw and rocking! I don't mind these young lads as long as they keep it down a bit.

Andy Allison: 1) 'When arranging a live set, how do you choose?' Well-known stuff at the beginning and end and maybe one 'epic' two thirds of the way through. The rest should be new or nearly new. 2) 'Are there any tunes you've wanted to do, but turn out differently, so much so, you never play them live?' I was supposed to tour with AAAB with the Fabulous Rhinestones, but I just didn't think I could hack all those slow tunes live. 3) 'How long does it take to rehearse a set?' Not long nowadays. My chaps pretty much know all the old stuff - and played on the new stuff. Four days is average. They don't even need that, but I need it to strengthen the vocal muscles. 4) 'Are there songs you won't ever do live?' Not really. Some songs just ain't that good so they get elbowed. 5) 'Would you do unplugged - acoustic and me?' Sure, why not. I've done it - it's fun - and I can hear myself! 6) 'Have you ever thought 'eff this and call it a day?' Sure, for 35 years! What else am I going to do? This is what I am. 7) Music industry/marketing manipulation/push rubbish/ignore talent how frustrating is it you're not appreciated by a bigger audience?' While it's expensive to market these days, whose fault is it? Record companies created their own problems and now whine when they reach their (shortsighted quarterly) logical conclusion. Hey, I'm here to write songs. I don't worry about what I can't control. Sure it pisses me off, I wouldn't be human it didn't, but I'm happy and I sleep nights. I've got a lot to be grateful for. 8) 'What still drives you?' I dunno. A chance lyric - a chance chord sequence. The guys in the band - especially Andy and James. People like you lot. I worked in factories and I know I'm lucky.

Rob: Any chance of a return trip to Austin? SXSW was outstanding. I love Austin. Ain't been there much, but it's great. Hopefully, we'll get down there next year.

Stay tuned for Part 2 ...