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Issue #85, Part 2 - April 2008

Rod Edisen saw Mambo Sons (with Hilton Valentine) doing 'Rock 'n' Roll Queen' and 'Walkin' With A Mountain'. Not a lot of people know this, but I played with Hilton Valentine before he joined the Animals. He may not even know it either - it was a long time ago.

Joe S.' He's a melodic, quality, intelligent player so yes, we suit. I know Eric and Joe - that's about it.

Wheeler: 'Just want you to know I've really enjoyed the last two records (RANT + SH). So happy you're working on the next.' I'm enjoying it; good stuff.

Paul Bitner: 'BARACK OBAMA? Dude! I guess we don't have enough socialism here.' No, we don't. And wouldn't it be nice to have a leader and not a corporate stooge in the White House?

Bucks Burnett: 'For 32 years I've worked in record stores. For 3 years I've worked at one owned by an evil tyrant. No other stores to work at any more, really, for us veteran store dudes. Anyway, tonight I finally told my boss to go F himself and of course he fired me. Now I gotta plot a new future. My point? Too many people in all fields work under pressure of corrupt angry bosses who verbally abuse and get away with it - a slow, psychic murder of the soul. Most of us never speak up to them for fear of losing their jobs. Well, I lost mine and it was worth it. Sometimes you have to risk uncertainty for the sake of dignity. Message - stand up for yourselves and your self-respect. They've got to be told. Beam me up, Ian.' Like me, young Buck - you're unemployable.

JTLI: 'Horse's Mouth no longer interests me. You no longer interest me. The political B.S. ruined it for me. Not only that - saw you at the Highline Ballroom - it pretty much sucked. You're washed up, Dude - no wonder they don't have you in bigger venues. You used to be special, but used to be's don't count anymore. They just lay on the floor until we sweep them away. Obama should be arrested, not elected. Pfft! (What's pfft?) Go fly a kite and take your anti-American sentiment with you, NEXT.' Which planet are you on?

Stale: Hello mate - glad all is well. Love to Bjorn.

Matt Nojonen: Yes, I was around. I remember Cheetah hitting on Tracie. I thought Punk was Gene Vincent. Tyson is Michael's son.

Donna: 'Will you come back to NYC?' Yeah, tomorrow, actually.

Edward Shirley: I was on a train from Mick Ralph's place to London a couple of years ago. It was fine. Sorry I never made the cafe.

Charles Johnson: 'Listened to 'Strings Attached' and found it quite well done. Went to the old web site to see what you were up to. Saw concert dates with Todd R. in 1980 and noticed some mistakes. The Club Agora was only in Cleveland (actually, there were a few Agoras - I remember a good one in Atlanta and another in Florida.) Filty McNastie was in Kent - I know as I was a bouncer. My mate had to go to another pub to get you a certain brandy (precious!) while you played pool after the gig. Now in Denver - play Red Rocks!'

Bluesdoggie: 'Site still great - album great -glad you still kicking and creating. Madonna in the R + R Hall of Fame - no IH or MTH - UN (F' ing) THINKABLE! Drag Ralpher around the States!!'

Mike Pecucci: 'I go to Memphis every year to unwind and always think of the folks that have rushed the gates of Graceland and I wonder what's your take on visiting shrines? Do you feel the need?' The only 'shrines' I've been to were Cleveland and Graceland - and I was gigging in both towns so it seemed a shame not to. I think at one time I'd have loved it all - but not any more.

Alan Noble: Try M+S.

Ed: 'Can you do 'Boy' next time out?' I don't know. It's a bit long.

Dave Drew: Best of luck with the project, David.

Barry Cobb: 'The other week in Tamworth I was following a Range Rover with Reg. M.I. Dudes - great private reg. I thought! Could that have been you poodling along at 35 mph?' 35? Certainly not.

Rick Graves: 'Any chance of acoustic shows in the U.S. (Yes) Does it bother you that you make great records and don't get the recognition you deserve? I think it would be hard comparing the tripe out there with what you've done over your career. That being said, it must also be great knowing you have such dedicated fans who continually collect and come to see you play.' Well - this is it really. I've a great bunch of fans. I think I probably blew it in the 80's and it's hard to come back - especially when you're older. I'm not really bothered about it. I just want to write good music and I'll not worry about something I have no control over.

Tor Amundsen: You have my permission. Good luck with it.

Steve Parsons says he traveled to Market Harborough from Brighton and that it was worth every minute. His opinion of James has changed from not thinking him too good to thinking he was blinding. He saw Miller Anderson the other week and said he was good as ever.

Ellie:No - hard forever.

Pingman: Something else has to be done; we are so off track already. Look, we've got two wars going (should be 1); a record deficit; a recession; the dollar at a record low; inflation rising (food is up 20-50%; you know where the price of gas is and it's only going higher); and an infrastructure that's falling to pieces. Bush's policies have damaged this country more than anyone can tally. Have you tried to sell your house? It's been a free reign for the money geniuses and look where it's landed us. Somebody has to pay for this gigantic mess and it's going to be you and me - not the people responsible. I, for one, will not be buying his memoirs. Global corporations would like to keep the world exactly as it is. Obama would attempt to change it. He may not pull it off, but my hat's off to him for trying. It's really not to do with political affiliation - it's more to do with leadership - intelligence and yes, a bit of charisma - and, something we've been sadly lacking - vision. Anyway, what's the alternative? John McCain and more of the same? Life is a question of alternatives. I could be wrong, but it's a free country and that's my opinion. P.S. Both Hillary and Barack pledged not to raise taxes on those earning under $200,000 a year.

Chuck Nolan: I have to look at it from my perspective. It's going back over old ground. I'm not sure I can do that.

Ah well, back to the basement!

IH
The Horse's Mouth