Snowing in Connecticut……

Mike Delfi: 'Inspiration for 'Alice' ?' Who knows - it's way back. 'Hope you come to America, soon.' Been here 35 years!

Doug Monka: Only one person can pick you up and you know who that is.

Cindy: Paul Page, MC Bosch, James Mastro Steve Holley and Andy Burton. Pleasure is all ours.

Jody: 'Loved the Iron House - any plans to return?' Not yet.

Speedmaster: 'New album anytime soon?' It's nearly done - then it will all be down to business - which can take forever. I for one hope it doesn't.

Paul Cavani: I don't really know Steve Harley, but on the odd occasion we've met we got along fine. When he rang me to co-write, I think he was under the impression I lived in the UK. So - geography got in the way.

Stano doesn't see Liverpool on the tour. Don't blame me!! It's the promoters.

Liz: I didn't know Nicol Williamson passed nor did I know he was from Hamilton. I'm with you on 'Madame George'. Brilliant.

Owen Kelly: Nothing planned in the Northwest.

Peter Jordan: The guy didn't deserve a poem. He was a mess.

Maggie: Hi Maggie - glad the SAHB thing went well.

Colin Powell: Glad to hear the Newcastle news. The record's fine.

John Ozed: 'Isn't James Mastro a great guy?' Great, plus.

Bob: 'We live in the same town - do you play locally at all?' Nah.

Ron Frankl: 'Anymore archival MTH stuff in the works?' Don't really know. I never concern myself with it.

Keith Nickless: 'Don't play the Roundhouse.'. We're not. The new album's already got a title.

Mark Dickson: 'Yorkshire?' We'll be there.

Alan: 'How did Ronson hook up with the Rolling Thunder?' Mick and Suzi use to hang out at a place Defries frequented - tranny bars - which is fine, but I fancied a change one night and took them to Paul Colby's place the Other End on Bleecker Street. When we got there the place was empty. About 20 minutes later Bob Dylan and Bobby Neuwirth walked in and Bob proceeded to play the 'Desire' album right then and there. The album seemed quite serious but Bob was having fun with it. Two hours later the word was out and the place was jammed. Susie talked to Neuwirth who I think she already knew. The Other End in those days was a cafe and a club. This all happened in the café. Over the next few days Bob and Co moved through into the club and artists started coming in from all over the U.S. Mick hung out with them because he was living on Hudson Street at the time. ( I went home that night as we lived about an hour and a half north of NY). Mick rang me three or four days later and said, 'Why don't you come down?' I just felt strange - people just wandered in and joined up without the usual managerial invitation. Great idea. Mick had a fabulous time. Still pissed I didn't go!!

Phil Fortin: Mick Ronson played on and produced 'Saturday Gigs'.

Paul: Well, hey - you're meeting me now! Thanks for coming all that way, Paul.

Mike Johnston: 'Tickets went on ale for London in October. Why no details on the site? Other UK sites mention a tour in support of a new album. Is there any point in a fan site if stuff like this breaks into the media first?' Other sites - venues - can put gigs up and take them down at will. Sometimes promoters jump the gun. This site represents me and, until we sign off on something - we don't feel comfortable broadcasting it. People travel and we don't want them inconvenienced. P.S. - we hear London is selling well!

Ted (Oregon): 'Come to the Holt Center in Eugene! Great venue - nice folks. What does, 'Easy fee degrees' mean in 'Pearl 'n' Roy?' Got me.

Alan Grier: 'Was there ever a better venue than the Apollo in Glasgow, or a better musician than Zappa?' I can't speak with any authority about Frank Zappa, although he was a lovely chap to talk to - I was never into that neck of the woods. The Apollo was great- although the stage was high. I think the people make the gig - and Glasgow has never had a problem in that respect.

Verne -Ohio: Good luck with it.

Tony Day: Too far back, Tony - sorry. Doing Harrogate - the place looks gorgeous. Have to have a go at that!

Kirk: 'How did you achieve the vocal sound on 'Purgatory'?' Dunno - you'd have to ask Andy York or Rich Pagano. Do I get emotionally involved when I'm signing?' I try not to. 'Picasso' and 'Waterlow' can be a problem at times. You have to shut it off. Regards to your Dad!

Richie Cornacchio: 'You seem to be interested in American Indian culture. Do you have the same interest in the indigenous people of the UK?' Not really. The period I love in history at the moment is the early 1800's on up to the '20s. It's nearer! The new album is indeed 'rocking along'.

John H: Too early to say. My agent says it's tough out there at the moment.

John Dalton: 'Ever meet Roger Waters?' No. 'What do you think of his writing?' Intelligent. 'Did you ever consider an opera?' My concentration doesn't last that long! 'Marionette' and 'Morons' were minis.

SB: 'How do you select the running order?' With some difficulty this time!

Nathan PG equating Ray Davis' 'Is there Life After Breakfast' (I love the title) with the 'Man Overboard' album.

Jeffrey: Happy Birthday, Abe.

Mike Rees sits in his office in Perth (Australia) listening to 'Man Overboard' late at night. Mmmmmmm. 'Come to Australia.'

Paul D: 'Phally's great. He gets 'that' sound; Phally can make that organ roar.' Whooosh - he calls it.

Jeffrey Williams: 'You sir, are wonderful.' Blush cubed.

Mike Din MacLennon: 'Play Northern Ireland?' Actually, I thought I was, but then it disappeared whilst things were being put together.

Ralph Bouch: No problem.

Peter Jordan on Harrogate. I took one look at it and thought I've got to play there. Hope to see some Leeds people there.

Lee Ann: 'Do you watch BBC America? What's your favourite show?' Thought 'The Hour' was great. In general though - too much food and car reality. They have so much in the can they could do a lot better at programming. I'm not a fan of BBC America's management.

John Dalton: Some people are either too big or too far gone to hear advice from 'minions'. If you're famous in America you can get anything you want - if not from this guy - from that guy. That's how America is and always has been.

Brian Batchelor: I'm busy at the moment. I'll try and get to it. How nice of you to write about going to see MTH. Thank you.

Steve Parsons: Opening slot's already gone - sorry (say hi to the bugger).

Verne: Morgan Fisher was the pianist on 'Alice' (damn fine one too!!).

Pat: Fame is an empty station at the end of the line. Fame is pressure - but you do make a few bob. Fame is overrated by underrated people.

Ed O'Neill: Re: MTH: 'Who's idea was it to include sound effects on some of the songs?' I think Pete would accept the lions share of the blame. Pete always had ideas going on.

Martin Pickles: 'Once Bitten' was in the set for yonks - we just gave it a rest. It'll be back. When? When it's fun to play again.

Mickey Boyle: We get on great, but it's not possible at this time.

Gaz T: I'm all for a freebie!

Andrew Whalley: 'Tell Oor Wullie he cannot buy all the drinks in October.' Whatever happened to the Great Scottish Tradition of not paying for anything?

Alan Keinch wants the Limelight in Aylesbury for a 'warm up'. I was thinking more North as the first gig is in Newcastle.

Tom : Noted and passed on.

Jay Tashjian: Just done.

Rob Swift: Same band, quests vary night to night (if any). New album.

Shane Barry: 'Do 'Good Man in a Bad time'.'

Whalespoon: 'Incredible how so many people didn't know who Paul McCartney was when he did the Grammys!' Kids have to do their own thing (No matter how stupid!!). I'm sure Paul's not hard up for love nor money. As for the quality of music - kids gravitate. Give them their time - like we had ours.

Tamara: I kind of liked Puttsburgh. Preaching to the unconverted.

Barry: 'Any plans for the U.S. this year?' I've said from mid-November through December. We'll see what Frank comes up with. It would be with the band. The album is very much a band album.

Rico wants a Buffalo date. We'll see what comes in.

Rob Grafton went first and last nights to the MTH gigs. What did I think of the performances. The first night we had monitor problems which we solved by night two. My favourite nights would be the Friday and Saturday. Mind you, I'm not the best judge - I was in the middle of it - it sort of zipped by. Wish you could slow time down.

Richard Cornacchio: You're not alone. That's what the song is about. Glad it helped.

Ron Taylor on Queen opening of MTH at Liverpool Stadium. 'What did you think of them before superstardom?' Same as after- great bunch of chaps.

Ernie Dewing: 'Was Boston fun?' Yep!

Tracy: Glad to see all is well!

Vince Tarantino wants the West Coast. We'll be trying.

Stephen Grayce: 'Best cover version of one of your songs?' Dunno, there's a lot. Most of them are ok. Japanese covers are kind of funny. Alejandro's are heartfelt.

Paul B: 'When's the new one out?' When business is transacted!!

Steve Barratta says there's a picture of my bathroom on the internet. Oh no there isn't!

John Mikota: 'How's the new album coming?' Fully loaded.

Matt Parrish: Cheers, Matt

JoeJo : 'Are you going to play some of the up and coming album at the Brooklyn show?' Nah - you know I can't do that. I'll try and remember to do 'Just Another Night'.

Ooer Wullie: If I can get the business end sorted it could come out early summer. That's what we want, but business is always so slow. See you there.

Antony Cortses: It all depends on the promoters.

Roxette: 'Come back to California.' We want to.

Nathan Moore: I love Pete and Pete loves me - we're just independently minded.

Kevin (Newcastle). Happy about Newcastle.

Edward Shirley: No idea - too far back. What did he ask? Did MTH play Friars on 10th February 1973? I can't remember what I was doing last week. Jeez!

Nathan Moore: Al's a pal. If I'm in the neighborhood, I'll pop in.

Mike Constanzo: Someone in France tabulated IH covers. About four years ago there were 150 recorded covers and a further 150 live show covers. 'I Wish I was Your Mother' has been covered.

Dana Basich and her friends still think I'm a 'bad ass'. Thank you for that.

Chris Hanson wants 'Mother' at the Bell House.

Bil C: The Maltese Cross - (not the original) Joe had made for me and is a great sounding guitar. Kind of like a heavy junior - I really like it.

Dave Bremner: 'You played Aberdeen and the crowd was poor. Does this get you downhearted?' Well - it usually means you're not going back - we had some great Turkish food at the gig I remember. Can't win 'em all.

John Macko: 'Were you friends with Noddy Holder/Slade?' Noddy told me his band came to Wolverhampton Civic and our inspirational performance spurred them to greater heights. Or as he put it, 'We thought if you could do it - anybody could.' Poignant.

Wolfgang Strzyz: Very fond of 'Too Much'. 'Why don't you play it more.' The problem with a song like 'Too Much' is that it's a slow one and you can only put so many slow ones into a set. The song is great- it just gets beaten out by others. Sorry.

Andy: Nothing on U.S. yet.

Kenny Mac: Noted.

Glenn Forsyth: 'Are you surprised by the Mott legacy after all these years?' Your average punter never quite understood MTH. You had to dig a little and 'Y.A.P.' would rather have it on a plate. i.e. hit after hit after hit. There's more to life than hits. It just took a while. Kudos to the faithful who refused to let the band 'disappear'. I don't know what I thought back then. We seemed to be up against it all the time. I guess I am surprised. Yes!!

Dough Moss: Get the whites on!!

Brit Fan: Salad time for you my lad.

Jalopy: 'Will you do the Stones song in Brooklyn?' Dunno - maybe.

Michael Donnelly: It's purely a question of finance. If a Dundee promoter makes a sensible offer then it can happen. Nobody's falling out with Dundee.

John Wilson: Actually it was Nettie Ferguson (husband was Willie). How's Jim doing? I'd love to see him after all these years.

Megan Tenza is coming to the Brighton show. Flying from Vancouver with a stopover in Iceland. We shall endeavor to be worth it!

Robert Clayton wants 'Seein' Double' in Brooklyn.

Fiona: Happy about Glasgow.

Nigel: I have my limits.

Chris Semal: Ask for Chris Fenn and tell him I said it was OK.

There you go kids.

Be well.

IH
The Horse's Mouth xxx