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Issue #84, Part 1 - March 2008

BARACK OBAMA BARACK OBAMA BARACK OBAMA

Mike Orr: Thanks, Mike. Regards and best wishes to Tom.

Tom Graham: Oreoles - poetic license!!!

S.B.E.: Don't know.

Rockin' Rob: The Lester Bangs interviews were the craziest - and the best.

Jeff: No plans for 2008 U.S. tour. Busy writing.

Papa Pete: 'Come back to the Coachhouse.' It will be my pleasure.

Alan Keinch: Try me again nearer the time. It is kind of expensive!

Jon Pool: Thanks for the support, John.

Dr. Arthur: I have no idea.

Jerry Murphy: Do MTH get royalties from 'Juno'? Indeed they do. Mick Ralphs came up with the 'Dudes' intro. Never heard the Monkees version of 'Every Step of the Way.'

John Kershaw listened to my CD on the streets of Baghdad where he was serving as a political/Military officer for the State Department. 'Turned more than one young soldier onto your stuff.' I'm only just getting this email post UK tour, John, - so I've missed lunch! 'World Was Round' wasn't a reply to Thomas Friedman's 'World is Flat'.

Elmer Rasmussen (Denmark): Not to my knowledge.

Kelly had Molly - congratulations!! But can she dance?

Jonathan Riley: 16 years old - high school student - just discovered, 'Dudes' in 'Juno' - and so it goes. 'Great movie - great song.'

That was the back end of January - now we're onto February.

John O'Rourke: We get performance royalties.

Mike Constanzo: (1) Pretty much a fatalist when it comes to flying. Mick Ralphs had it real bad. (2) Tour buses suit me. You can sleep. (3) Barack Obama - I'd be happy to work for him for nothing - he's special.

Frank: Yup.

Greg Joyce: F# It suits my range.

Edward asks if I ever encountered Wilson Picket? No, but 'Don't Fight it' and 'Midnight Hour' are two almighty songs sung by an amazing singer.

Frank: 'How come the dates with Steve Miller got cancelled?' My back went out - I was bedridden for three months. If Steve Miller still wants me, my back is fine now. Yes, I remember the Masonic Temple gig. One of the few I do recall. Fun night!

Kelly Wallace did some work for a friend - plumbing, drywall repair, electrical, woodworking etc. - two days work. On the table his friend left him a copy of MTH Dudes - the Anthology three CD set as well as the Queen poster with MTH and a large picture of me and Ronno. 'Then he had the nerve to ask how much he owed me? I figured I owed him two more days. Need any work done, Ian?' Where do you live?

Francis L is on about 'Juno'. 'It's great to never go out of style.'

Pat: I think I'm about the same. Trying to get it simpler.

Stale: Regards to the chaps in Skulls.

Carey Lewis: Not this year - I'm in writing mode.

Lou D: Bjorn's a bit possessive of the 'Artful Dodger' although we have heard rumours that it is being released in Europe.

B. Barr: Not gigging for the time being but check the site now and again. Regards to Brittany.

I'm getting a lot of questions about the 'coming' tour which I'm not answering because I've already addressed it.

Mike O'Connor: Well, it was Pete Frame, Dave Stopps and Kris Needs territory wasn't it? I met Dave Stopps on the Ringo tour (he manages Howard Jones) and Chris and Pete came to a recent gig in Milton Keynes. The gig itself was great but like I say I remember the people - 'Zig Zag' and all that.

Mott Hupfel: Don't remember that.

Hope Campbell: Well, thank you.

Mike P: 'Just listened to 'Boy' obviously written for DB?' Not so.

Joe Crnobrna - love that word 'recovering'.

Jack: That's Yep Roc's department. They're doing it in England.

Richard Rumple: Can't remember. She was getting up there in years but she tore right into my soul. Brilliant.

Mike Channon says MTH got a mention on 'Coronation Street'. Fame at last! Lizards and Grammatical bacteria? Sort of spring to mind.

Jeffrey: Off you trot. Take care.

Terrance: I'd liked the 'Power Stations' (the band) stuff and I wanted Bernard. Mick didn't. He'd got the snare sound from a garage which was no longer there so it was all a bit of a waste of time. The record sounds very good but lacks personality.

Ed: Don't know. Might get boring.

Mark - 'Shrunken Heads' best since 'Schizo'. Ian Hunter My Space page is going awry. Requested friendship a month ago and have not been added. Your fan base on myspace is shrinking.'

Eric Law: ' Shopping and heard 'One of the Boys''. Sack that man immediately!

Bill McCue: (1) Yes, Mick sang the first two verses. I was off the song. (2) Jerry Weems band (I think they were called Bonnaroo) opened for us. Ronno hated him, so I knew he was good!

David J. Piwonski: Maybe Mike Scott and me don't' 'network' enough. Maybe we don't kiss enough bottoms - who knows? And really, who cares?

Jeff Betschel: 'Are you coming to Canada or the U.S. soon?' Well, I live in the U.S. but no dates are schedule for the remainder of this year. This could change if I manage to get this record sorted.

Ray Mackie: 'Any chance of an acoustic in the NY area?' It's a possibility, but not until later this year; I'm all for next year.

Ed (NY): The Jerkin Crocus website in the UK may have a few left.

Steven Petrus: Not at the moment.

Ronnie Currie: Noted

Joey Porter: Every guitar has a song in it. I like picking up other peoples or those hanging on shop walls. I've no idea what triggers creativity - I guess inspiration - desperation - observation - desolation - all the tions! I do like my privacy and fortunately, people are very polite.

Brendan Jones: Try Amazon.com.

Paul Holmes - Not at the mo.

Mike Costanzo: Always have a fast pack just in case and I use Vocal Zones (I think that's what they're called). You get them in Boots - red boxes.

Steve Ronson: Noted.

Billy Innes: Like sometimes say on stage. Gospel is the greatest form of music for me. Unfortunately, I don't have those kind of chops - so I've kind of adapted. Yes, gospels in my stuff and soul - just a different way of doing it. Full marks for noticing!

John Sutton: Has Trudi ever worked outside the house - does she have her own separate career? The last long term job she had was as assistant to the principal of the United Nations School in New York (Pele's son was a student at the that time). We moved, business started picking up and now she has my back covered. She's the bridge between me and the other businesses I can't stand.

Peter Jordan: Sorry, Peter - it's just too long ago.

Patty + Chip: How are you guys doing? Glad you're up to date.

Paul Johnston: I can't remember, but I would imagine it's about two people triumphing over the odds that keep them apart. Get the rather large stone out of the way etc.

Steve Wardrip: Good luck with the song, chaps. The lyrics are fine.

Bryan Paterson: 'Wow - for the first time ever, I was critical of Ian re: his last acoustic tour. Felt the set list was a missed opportunity and was simply the same set with a smaller band. Just back from Edinburgh, and was blown away. To hear 'Rain'/'Scars'/'Where Do You All Come From' and so many other gems was just fabulous - and here's the hypocritical bit - I'd love to hear this set with the full band.'

Pete Camilleri: Australia!! When a decent offer comes along we'll have a look.

Amish Bob: Lester Bangs + Ben Edmonds - street lengths ahead of their time.

Barry Kilkelly: 'BLOODY HELL ARE YOU STILL GOING?' Better than ever, mate.

Benge Wallgren: I like it both ways (In the nicest possible way).

Leslie: 'There's a bootleg with demos/drafts from YUI Orta. Track list: 'Sons + Lovers', 'Beg a Little Love,' Look Before You Leap,' 'The Loner,' 'Big Time,' 'Ill Wind,' 'Wings,' - as far as I know, 'Ill Wind' was recorded with Robbie Alter - other tracks too?' Ronno played on all the tracks on the album. Robbie helped out on the demos. I still prefer Robbie's interpretation of 'Wings' and 'Loner'. I think 'The Loner' is one of the best things I've written. You never hear much about it.

Gary Ashton: 'Thanks for a great gig at Leeds. Did you know there were a couple of cast members from TV's 'Emmerdale' in the audience?' How did they get in?

Susan Doane: The Lem Lubin I knew was a record company man.

Jim McConnell: 'Loved the fact the set list was so different. Steve and James brilliant. You have a fantastic set of fans - great to met the usual suspects and new ones as well. When can we realistically see the full band again?' Probably in the spring of 2009.

Julie Elliott: We had fun!

Scott: 'Quality sow in Edinburgh. Good choice of support (Amy Speace). I've tried to (add) your MySpace site to my friends list for a few months with no response (www.myspace.com/varanger). Any problems? Only what I'm hearing now. We'll check it out.

Martin Fogal: 'Leeds - amazing, as usual.'

David J. Roberts: Hi David, I'd like to help but it's EMI (212-830-5155) - my publishing company that has to give its permission.

Jeffrey: I don't print most of it. Seriously.

Shawn: I don't know really. It's just me - what I don. I love the unknown.

Kendall Sassoon: Well! It's too late now, isn't it!

Phil and Mandy had a great time at the Lowry - 'Amy was great as well.'

Tania Parish: No, but I hear it's very beautiful - you never know.

Pat: My Mum and Dad are no longer with us, but my Mum had great taste in music - couldn't stand the music papers! Dad was kind of reluctantly proud. Not his cup of tea t all. My Mum was made when I wrote 'Sips'. 'Where's mine?' If they come - they come.

Euron Griffith much enjoyed Cardiff - especially 'World Was Round'.

Alan Graham: We all know about Islamic extremists - but we have to watch for corporate extremists - two equally terrifying enemies. Barack Obama - Barack Obama - Barack Obama…..

Lynne Davidson had a great time in Cardiff and my 'lovely' (hardly the word I would use) brother brought them back after the show. Lovely email though. Thank you, Lynne. Say hello to Bob.

Andy Baker: 'I don't know if you pick these up mid tour, but your gig at the Lowry (Manchester) was spot on. I thought you picked a set that matched the venue perfectly. Thanks for a great evening - thanks to James and Steve as well.' Thank you.

Bobby Balloch: Yes, it does make sense. I must admit I'd never thought of it that way. Hey - you never know.

Pete Johnstone: ''Allo! Fantastic night at Leeds City Varieties - loved it as always. Great times - you've still got it.'

Jim M: Yes.

Merwyn Thompson: Never met him. I'll tell Andy!

Jack: Yes, I remember him teaming up with Sham. NYY's.

Gary Spruch: Picky, picky!

William Kennedy: The next one I'm in the middle of - hence the time off the road. I'm a simple lad - can't do two things at once. Most of my stuff is out there now in one form or another. What's left is probably not up to scratch. No, I've never been to OZ.

David Morgan really enjoyed the Lowry. Intrigued by the small plasters we were wearing on our foreheads. I'd come in to the hotel room late and the wife was asleep so I didn't want to put the light on. Tripped and banged my head. Blood everywhere (I thought the tour was off!). Fortunately, it wasn't all that bad and Trudi had stuff for such an occasion. Steve and James put patches on as well as a gesture of solidarity (or stupidity). Scarred for life.

Paul Cavani: Enjoyed Cardiff. 'Thanks for a great trip.' Nipped down fi Scotland.

Chris: In my back garden.

Mike Channon: 'Plymouth awesome.' That's hardly the adjective I would use! We played well but really - that's not the kind of place I want to do an acoustic how in. Glad you enjoyed it.

Wheeler: Aint in it for the money. I like to do whatever comes naturally next.

Stay tuned for Part 2 ...