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Issue #86, Part 2 - May 15, 2008

Tony Francis is trying to locate the words for 'Shades Off'; I'll ask Trudi if she can help.

Shades Off By Ian Hunter

Where do you go when you've somewhere to run?
But the time isn't right and there's things to be done?
And you're trapped half-way up, you don't want to go back?
So you keep going on - compromising the lack?
And you see the green fields as you travel on by?
And you look at the things you'd forgotten to try?
And you wish you were young and you wish you were old?
For the songs always sung and the stories been told?
And you thought you were different but what did it mean?
For you tricked yourself trying - life's still unseen?
As it is, as it was, as it always will be?
Will you find out at all what it is to be free?
See it never was easy to live with a head?
So I kept to the back room and I live there instead?
What comes from the front-room is only for 'friends'?
I have a bay window but that's where it ends?
And it's here I see pictures and my madness is clear?
And there's no longer logic so therefore no fear?
And I'm almost dead with uncontrollable light?
Sometimes when I've written a song - it's alright ...

Paul Kennett: 'From exaltic (wrong spelling, but who cares!!) Hereford - the Bulls promoted to League 1 !!!!! What with this and seeing you in Cardiff and Bilston (last autumn) what a few months I've had!' My personal opinion about all this that Stan stopped supporting them (in favour of Acrington!) AND THINGS HAVE LOOKED UP EVER SINCE. Yours - from the bottom of League II (as usual).

Kenny Mac: 'Regarding the gig with that smoke which doesn't hurt your voice - I played for 10 years with dry ice - now I don't, and I'm glad you mentioned it, because it definitely makes a difference. My throat used to dry out - now it doesn't.' There you go.

Kelly Wallace: No, this stuff will be owned by somebody and they'll want paying - that's why it's only available to companies.

Paul Kennett - Part II: 'Were any acoustic shows recorded? Three, but I've yet to OK them.

Alan from Kent Washingon: My favorite Doctor Who? Actually, they've all been pretty damn good (if you're 12). 'Historical Enactments - what would you rather be: a Redcoat officer, a Grenedier or a Continental Army Soldier: I'd rather be John Adams - minus the sad bits. I thought the last point you bring up - astute.

Martin Bradley: 'Great UK tour. Brilliant mix of old and new. 'When next?' Next year.

Derek Brown: Good luck with it, mate. It's so bloody commonplace. Being totally positive works wonders. I know this for a fact. They're working on it big time. Hang in.

Oystein: Which 'Rollerball' did you see? The song's about the original (James Caan) movie. Yes, the 70's. I heard the remake was pretty shabby.

Rose: Nah, the words are coming now - just had to get the muscle exercised. I always do my own. Now I'm not saying that's a good thing, but that's what I do. That's some impressive resume you've got there. I've always been a fan of Howard's; he's one of the few genuine chaps that loves music. I've seen his collection. All the best to you and yours and thank for the offer.

Mark R. White: I moved in '75 because I thought England was badly governed - lots of people who didn't come with me now wish they had. It's been downhill all the way. Government after government and I include Thatcher - your basic ripoff. Don't get me wrong - I love England and the UK but I can't live with some of these idiots.

Kevin Quinn: I forget what 'Traitor' was about. Actually, I think it was a purely manufactured lyric to go with the music. I wasn't writing that well at the time. It wasn't about Mick. Hey, everybody falls out - don't give it a thought. It's natural. Don't worry yourself. It's normal!

Phil Monaghan: 'Welcome from spring like Blackpool. Thanks for the recent tours (big band best) lyrics lead me to believe you've been back in Blackpool in the not to distant past?' Nope, not for years - but I do remember stuff! 'I can sort you a cheap hotel out on the prom - with plenty of Branston pickle and no ghosts!' I've never had Branston pickle in my life. Smell puts me off.

Bootman: Oh dear - sorry about Jeremy. That's so sad. Anyway, Jez - wherever you are - more power to you and you've got some great mates who still think of you. Where do I get the energy from? It's no secret. You have to keep in shape. I don't go mad; I walk a lot (good for lyrics) and swim. Obviously, something happens at some point, but so far so good. Fingers crossed!! So - you choose - children's charities would get my vote.

Kurtiss: 'Silver Needles' - third one today. Your question's been answered twice already!

Barry Robinson is doing the business for me down under. Got a DJ playing 'World Was Round' every morning. Thank you, Barry - much appreciated.

Allen Armstrong: 'When are you folks coming to the USA. This is it, isn't it?

Gaz Stoker: 'You produced Generation X; how did this come about?' I was licking my wounds over AAAB's commercial failure and they found me and flattered me up (Chrysalis). Tough gig.

Frank Meilinger: 'What was your inspiration for 'Resurrection Mary'?' A 60 Minutes segment based on a story about the ghost of Mary Bedrosian - who allegedly could be seen hitching a taxi outside Resurrection Cemetery once in a while. Fascinated me. I spent hours pouring over maps of Chicago and inserting mafia chaps and backdating to 1935. Good fun.

Mark Fairbanks: If it was anything it would be a different version of 'Laugh At Me'. I only covered one Sonny Bono song and that was it.

Paul: 'Cardiff City have adopted your song, 'Bluebirds'. Always like that tune.

Dennis Lee: 'Saw you in Annapolis last summer - and my wife and I attended your Leeds concert on our 25th Wedding Anniversary. Saw the Leeds and Manchester acoustic shows - great - nice change of pace. Made friends with a lot of IH fans in the UK - they're great. I don't know if you realize this, but a lot of friendships have been forged on your message board between people from different countries. You should be proud of how positive your effect on people is.' Well, to be honest, I just write the songs - it's you chaps who choose each other. I'm well aware of the quality of my fans, but like I say - it's the songs that I contribute. I'm just glad I fluked you lot!! 'On the downside, I keep requesting your songs on a local Washington DC radio station that claims to be 'World Class'. So far, they have only played, 'Cleveland Rocks'.' Hey, most stations won't even do that. Thanks for that.

Ian Mcdermott: 'Went to Cardiff - seen you many times, but this was the best. Not bad for somebody who's supposed to be 150 years old. (Joke)' That makes you 120.

Bart: 'I respect you for putting this up, but this guy is a f------ right wing lunatic that has no taste in music and no brains or foresight for the future of this country.' Musta been Sean Hannity…….

Kerri: Where can I find tabs for 'Read 'em 'n' Weep' and 'When the World Was Round'? Are there any'

Dennis: Not too practical and I don't agree. See what happens.

Gene Bernard: 'Purchased the 45 of 'When the World Was Round'. Have a friend in a print shop that can put it on top of a magnet to decorate my car. Any objections?' Not from me.

Larry Woodside: Trudi will drop you the information. Congrats on the listener base upsurge.

Stano: 'Did Ronno ever appear with T.Rex?' Dunno, he might have. I know Mick knew Marc.

Mike Riley: Re: J.T.L.I. 'I was shocked to see this (that's why he probably did it!). The shows are great - and not in the 'he's OK for an old guy' way (gee thanks!). I'd put your live show up against anybody. From my seat in the audience (Milwaukee, last October) you showed no signs of slowing down. You should take pride in playing such a great show.' Ah well, the lads help me on and I do my little bit - then the lads help me off. Look, when a guy doesn't leave an email address - you know - but you guys always tell me how lovely I am so I feel obliged to shove a stinker in now and again just to keep the party going!

Matt Nojonen: Matt goes into raptures about John McCain (NOT!). As intelligent as ever, but that doesn't count for much these days, does it Matt? Part II: It's a repackage of the Astoria.

Liz Krinsky: Welcome back!

Pete Jordan: 'Foxy Foxy' was homage to that sound and that group. It's just something I wanted to do and the band let me. Maybe it was wrong in hindsight, but it was great making that noise! If anything spelled the end of MTH it was 'Saturday Gigs'. Seems strange now, but that was it. I didn't listen to post MTH Mott. I was onto something else.

Daniel: I just think people should respect each other. Guess I'm logical.

John (Model Citizen): 'How does it feel to be included in the latest Guitar Hero Video Game?' Hope they sent you a load of cash.' Are you sure?

Phil Monaghan: 'Full band is best - acoustic superbly different - OK!! Did Lorne Green inspire 'The Outsider'?' I don't know what inspired 'The Outsider'. It was like it missed somebody else and landed on me. You won't believe this, but my wife dance with a lion in Stanley Park Zoo. All the other lions thought she was nuts.

Pat: 'The guy who was so angry about your politics last HM. Where has this guy been your whole career? You've always made yourself abundantly clear. 'Pearl 'n' Roy'; 'Gun Control'; 'Crash Street Kids'……just off the top of my head. Maybe he thought 'The Crash Street Kids' were like the Little Rascals with guns!' Pat said that.

Shawn Jones: 'Don't let the anti -Ian tirade bother you. Tolerance is not the long suit of fascists!' I just thought he was good for a laugh.

Andy Sheehan: 'JTLI's comments are pure crap. I believe the stuff you do now is the best ever and I date to Broadway!!' Let's forgive and forget!

Mike Costanzo: How did we end up doing Ellen Foley's album? Steve Popovich and Sam Lederman managed me and Mick and Ellen at the time so it just happened. Ellen had a big crush on Ronno - this was before Mick Jones - who did her second album. She sold a lot of records. I remember in Holland she had a number one and another one went top 5. Mick Jones and I don't really keep in constant touch but we're mates for life.

And the last one!

Paperback Flowers (Sweden): 'How do you do it?' 'Read 'em 'n' Weep' is better than Irene Wilde. Just bought the CD. The song stands out like a beacon. I'm from Sweden - this is a hell of an album.'

A nice one to finish on! Quite enjoyed this HM. Some interesting stuff. Some sad; some joyous. Till next time.

IH
The Horse's Mouth