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Issue #37 - November 18, 2003

A tad queasy this morning chaps. Can't seem to get the hang of this drinking thing at all. I either don't do it at all, or imbibe to near oblivion. I shall endeavor to be as bright and cheerful as possible under the said circumstances.

Glen T. O. lives in Toronto - remembers the Ryerson concert Ronno and I did - particularly 'Standing in My Light'. Will we do Toronto? I certainly hope so.

Marty G. says he hears more and more vintage rock 'n' roll music being used in commercials. Hopes somebody will do a Mott song. Suggests 'Momma's Little Jewel' for contraceptive commercial.

Paul Kennett: 'What the hell's the hold up now? I know you're in the hands of Universal, but you would have been better off distributing it yourself!'

Tronde-Arne Stavelie: 'Where can I buy Ian Hunter's DVD 'Strings Attached'?'

Judy says I was in her crossword puzzle. Yup. I still do them everyday.

Tom McGarry says I've always tried not to play the politics of the record companies and the radio stations. How much has this cost me over the years? I don't know, and I don't really care. I'd rather sleep nights. Tom asks, 'One song you wish you had written?' Bob Dylan's 'Every Grain of Sand'. Will we be doing England? We'll be there in May if we are all spared. As for TV and radio, Universal said they were doing a TV special, but seemed to have forgotten what they said.

Jeffrey Stanke sends the Spanish version of 'The Outsider' (El Gringo). Very lash larue. thank you Jeff.

Ian (another one): Do I know Australia's a great place for a tour? Well, I'm sure it is, Ian, but the question is in the hands of promoters in Australia and I haven't heard from any of them so I'm assuming Australia's managing quite well without me.

Dan Baker says on Sunday (10/19/03) 107.5 in Canton, Ohio ran an Ian Hunter contest to win 'Strings Attached'. He said they played four songs (including England Rocks) and the lines went nuts with people trying to win. By the way, the DVD was put back in Canada, but I think it comes out this week.

Paul: When I wrote 'Soap 'n' Water', who was I thinking about? I forgot. When are we coming to Glasgow? May, I think. Sometime in late May. The Astoria in London will be the last English date and that is provisionally booked for May 28th 2004.

Bart says he and his brother saw me at the R'n'R Hall and loved it. Said I mentioned Sam Cooke as one of the greats. I saw Sam Cooke, I saw Buddy Holly, I saw Little Richard at his peak. Each one an amazing experience, and, of course, I was a kid at the birth of Rock and Roll. Unbelievable time. What made me want to pursue music as a career? Well, I was semi-skilled and skint and I was a lousy football player so music was the only option left.

Tom Lupo makes me an offer I have to refuse, but thank you for thinking of me. I appreciate it.

Merwyn Thompson writes: 'I'm sorry I brought up the 'cynical' topic two times ago. I guess a lot of folks picked up on it including the D.J. in question. I haven't got a request through since. Well - that's the way it works, Merwyn. They'll play your requests if they agree with your requests, but if they don't agree with you it doesn't get heard. Kinda takes the edge off the word request - doesn't? It's all very sad. Have I done covers on solo albums? Well, 'Nightingale' is on the 'Strings Attached' DVD and CD. And in my humble opinion it's the best song of the set. Bob Dylan says he never listens to his recordings after they're finished. Do you listen to your stuff, old or new?' Only when I have to (relearning lyrics for tours, etc.) By the time you've written them, recorded them and toured them you really don't want to hear them unless you have to. More concerned about the next one rather than the last one - it's done already.

Christer B. Jarlas saw the question about songs mentioning MTH and says the top selling album in Sweden in 1977 was by Magnus Uggla and it included a song in Swedish in translation 'Ballad of 70's greatest Rock Band!! (Balladen om 70-talets storsta rockband). They lyrics are of an early gig that Mott played in Stockholm in 1972. Magnus Uggla is still going strong with sold out tours and new albums and he has many times rated 'Irene Wilde' as the best ballad ever written! Give my regards to Magnus!

Oyvind Tenold got the CD in Norway today. Says it's fantastic but some of the Norwegian press - Music Police - disagree. Funny that, Petter (Head of Universal in Norway) told me the reviews were great. I guess some were and some weren't.

Alan Bristow: How are you doing? Got the poem. Rather good; hang in there.

Kelly was 16 last time we toured - now 18. Moved in with her chap who thinks 'Honaloochie Boogie' is 'I got an itchie boobie'. Wish I'd have thought of that at the time. See you in May.

Francis L. is getting his Ian Hunters mixed up. There's an IH who writes philosophy; there's an IH (now deceased) who was a very good English character actor, and there's moi. ''Rant' is the first great album of the century.' Awe shucks.

Andrew Field asks what happened to 'Your Way?' The song kind of worries me. It's one of those songs that record companies think is a hit, but it's damaging in a way. Melodically, I like the song, but I'm not happy with the words.

Bjorn asks if I do Norway, can I go to Tromso up North. Apparently Robert Plant pops up now and again in Tromso and has done a couple of gigs there. 'Beer drinking and head banging idiots are the same everywhere you go so please stop by.' I don't know if I go along with the last line Bjorn, but we'll see what happens.

Dave Ramshaw asks if there's any further news on the DVD. Asked in local shops (Tyneside) and they said the release was put back. It's out now, Dave. It's there somewhere.

Stale Tonning: Noted (sent to Universal Norway). How are you Stale?

Bill Mayo says he agrees with Michele from the last HM. Play the 'Turning Point' in Piermont, New York. He says Graham Parker does it twice a year. Go for it!! I still haven't made my mind up about acoustic.

Pete Stavrakoglou loved the Mercury Lounge, wants Ralpher on a U.S. tour, and would love to see Traci too. 'She's a talented lady'. Course she is!

Wes Thistle is trying to get the DVD, but his DVD player won't play the formats released (i.e. European). There's only three things you can do Wes: 1) keep on waiting 2) get a pal DVD player (which a lot of people can't afford) 3) I don't know for sure, but it is supposed to come out in Canada any day now. I believe there's a Canadian website called CDPlus which is taking orders.

Bobby McMillian says if I wanted to cover something why not Leon Russell's 'Roll Away the Stone'. Says I could do it well. I was a huge fan of Leon's - tried to get him to produce me once, but he was in litigation with Shelter records and wouldn't have been paid. Amazin' piano player. Check out 'In the Ghetto' on the Bonnie and Delaney first album. I tried to play that for ages. Brilliant. When Roll Away the Stone came out I nearly died when I heard he had a song with the same title. I didn't nick it - at least not consciously. Ringo asked me what my favourite albums were and I mentioned Leon's first. Oh, he said, I was on six or seven of those tracks. Great record.

Davey and the Vacations says he loves my stuff and tells me to get John Williams conducting the London Symphony - 'The 5 Sacred Trees'. The same Sony disc has a piece by Tobias Picker which he thinks I'll find interesting. Ah ah.

Shane Burton wants to know how Jaco Pastorious wound up on A.A.A.B. Bobby Columby (Blood, Sweat + Tears) and I both had the same manager. Bobby lived over the Tappan Zee Bridge at that time. He rang me up one day and said I had to see this bass player he'd found in Florida. I went over and met Jaco, who was 21 years old and the best bass player in the world. Bobby was calling a lot of people. I remember playing with Joe Zaranow. Lenny White came by. It was a fascinating experience for me. I have a Super 8 somewhere of Bobby, Ronno, Jaco and me playing a seedling version of AAAB. Finally, Jaco got fed up with all the brouhaha over at Bobby's and moved in with me. Jaco was a big rock fan - loved the Stones so it wasn't as odd as people thought. We had a great time doing that record. I'll never forget it - or him. We traveled from Chappaqua down to Electric Ladyland in Manhattan every day for two weeks. Jaco told dirty jokes all the way there and all the way back and didn't repeat himself once. Mind you - they got a bit ropey toward the end.

Ed is sort of coming round to Hope's way of thinking. See that's what women do for you! Hey Ed. all is forgiven - welcome aboard!

Andrew Field says going to Oslo cost £1000. Then there was £600 for a new TV and DVD player and then £15-99 for the disc. Says it was worth every single penny! (Thank Christ for that). Wants to know who the girls were the cameras kept panning. Nothing to do with me, mate.

Kevin says Paul Westerberg of 'Replacements' fame (another Andy favourite) has a new CD out 'Come Feel Me Tremble' There's a fun cover of 'One of the Boys' included.

Steve Wales asks whatever happened to Stan Tippens? Stan tour managed the Pretenders and Sade for years. He tour managed me and Ralpher and the Rant Band in Britain two years ago and I'm currently trying to get him to go the next one.

Tom's got the DVD. He ordered it from Coda in Edinburgh. It wasn't even on their supplier's list of releases. They had to be phoned to be informed it was in stock. Makes him wonder how many sales I'm missing out on. What they're doing or rather what they aren't doing in G.B. is unbelievable. The press office is doing nothing. Campbell Devine is nagging them, but they're either totally overloaded or totally useless. I did my job; I'm waiting for them to do theirs.

Evan Elward: Just saw 'Strings Attached' - fantastic. (Blush.)

Patty Woltz gave me the wrong web site for Pryde. It's www.pryde.com . OK?

Doug likes 'Wash Us Away'. I do too. Actually, it's a tad abstract. The 'Wash Us Away' line I was using as a vocal tool for melody over the chords. And slowly the song said it was called 'Wash Us Away' and it took me a while to catch up. It's nice when it comes looking for you rather than you having to go looking for it. Am I coming to Vegas? I don't know at this moment, but something may be in the works.

Geoff Bryant: Are there different tracks on the CD of the Oslo show? No, but there are more.

Hoppoh: We'll be out in May. And the live CD of Ralpher and me and the Rant Band will come out in 2004.

Ian Franklin: I basically figure it out with Helter Skelter in London. Emma Banks is my London agent at Helter Skelter.

Steve Baratta: Yes, I do know and people have been in touch with me.

Rick A: Do artists receive royalties on re-issues? Yes, but in a lot of cases adjusted to retail.

Dan Hartman was disappointed to learn Universal was not releasing 'Strings Attached' in the U.S. The good news is he's found (and pre-ordered) the Canadian release at CDplus.com. The cost is $25.49 including shipping.

Steve Alexander: do I have plans to release any unreleased CD's or DVD with Mick Ronson? Steve says there must be loads of stuff lying about. Not that I know of. I still see Suzi Ronson regularly and she's unaware of any unreleased stuff.

Trund Kvernmo: Got the double CD of Oslo. F......g brilliant he says. Says he heard on Norwegian radio Ronno auditioned for the Stones but they went with Ron Wood. I don't think this is true. I know the Stones discussed various replacements and at that time and Mick was one of the, but I don't think he auditioned.

Gert says Billy Cross is a big name in Denmark. Well, I knew Billy produced some big acts over there. I remember going round to his flat in Copenhagen with Ronno when we played there. He is married to a Danish girl and that's why he left NYC.

Carl Ewens on about 'Hunchback Fish' boy that's going back. Says don't distort the vocals on the next album (well, we only did it once or twice). I thought it rather punky actually! Have I ever thought of doing a song about UFO's? Well, 'Captain Void' was near enough.

Randall from the old trivia department! October 24th on CBS 'Joan of Arcadia'. Joan was having a yard sale selling her Dad's vinyl collection. Apparently her Dad says, 'No, Not my Mott the Hoople record.' We all feel a little better for that, Randall!

Willie fi Glasgi: Gone totally mad on 'Strings Attached'. Says it's the best ever. Even forgives me for innocently forgetting to include 'No Wheels to Ride.' No mean achievement. Here we go again. 'Some shops said it was a non-stock order only item.' Universal in England seem to be doing their damnedest to bury this DVD and I can't think for the life of me why. You do have to consider the shops as well. If they won't take it there's not a lot Universal can do. But there are ways you can get the shops to take DVDs. We suggested a sampler CD with the DVD. 5-6 tracks for the car as an added bonus to retail. Universal said it was a great idea - they'd do it. They didn't. Sorry about that Willie - ranting again.

Milo: I said I never played the Bottom Line. Milo says I sat in with John Miles in 1977. Sorry. I also said Cuddles invented the solo for Michael Picasso. I remembered afterward it wasn't Cud's (although his version is great) it was Ricky Byrd. Favourite TV concerts? 'Ready, Steady Go' by a mile. Granada show - Johnny Hamp. I met him once and I asked him why he stopped doing them. 'Got too big' he said. Well, it might have been too big for him, but it was perfect for me. I don't think the BBC were better than anybody else. About the same as Rock Palast really.

Bryan says the music business has caused a lot of problems for a lot of people (me included) and mentions Badfinger. It's very difficult to be in this industry if you're not as tough as old boots, and of course, many of us aren't. Managers make a big difference. They can shield you from the idiocies of labels (who either kiss your bottom or treat you like an unlikeable leper), radio and tours. Good, honest managers don't grow on trees and are usually overloaded with people wanting them to manage. Bad managers (as in the case of Badfinger) can tip somebody over the edge. You have no protection. It happened to me so I know what it's like. I like the margin.

Tom Kaminski was a DJ at the college radio station at Montclair State U. in Jersey and when he did his last college radio show he finished it with 'Irene Wilde'. Now he's the helicopter traffic reporter for WCBS 880 in New York City. (Hey Tom, Ian and I listen to you all the time - especially when we are heading into the city - TP) Tom's offered me a free ride when next in the city. Well, that's extremely nice of you Tom, but I have a phobia with helicopters. I've never been in one in my entire life. My wife and kids have, but I won't. I can feel the backs of my knees going funny just thinking about it!

Andy Sibson says the DVD surpasses expectations.

Lucy Piller: Sorry Lucy - no Ralpher on the Oslo DVD. It's not out on Universal in the U.S. Uut it is in Canada.

Monique: sorry Monique - my memory fails me.

AB says thanks for a brill DVD. 'Now I know what to buy everyone for XMas' If you can find it!

Graham Buck: No, I haven't heard of 'Memphis' but give them my best.

Adam: Not me.

Hope Campbell: Aaah, this whole thing stinks. I don't even want to tell them what you're talking about because it would give them space. Calls himself a Reverend? Bet he listens to Rush Limbaugh all the time.

Rob Austin says the DVD is fantastic. Rob has just sent a message to Top of the Pops 2 asking them to show a clip from the DVD. Thanks Rob.

Al Trombetta: Noted. Thanks, Al.

Ant's just got the DVD. 'Fascinating arrangements'. Different isn't it?

Peter: Is there any city in the UK I enjoy playing most? You know they're all pretty good actually in their own ways. You're from Newcastle and that's a town that's great to play in - always was.

Mick Mitchell works for the Beeb and one of his jobs is writing a web guide featuring different subjects. He did one on me and put it on Ceefax (UK only). Says 5 million people look at it. Thanks a lot Mick. Appreciated.

Jay: Different format in Europe for the DVD. Canada should be the same as the U.S. You'd need a PAL DVD player over here. The live 2 CD set is out in Norway and I think it comes out in Canada too.

Paul Bitner: 'Marks + Sparks' is a department store in England (Marks + Spenser). In the good old days, chaps at CBS were scared of being sued (still are) so I had to replace the line for the record. It's slowly eased its way back in over the years.

Renee: We're working on it. She wants me to mention to her best friend in all the world ole Ren is OK. 'Just a flesh wound'.

Al Trombeta: Noted again.

Joe Ronge: Play Chicago or Milwaukee. We're on it.

Tony Notte: Any desire to get back with MTH? Naaaaaaah. Tony's pissed at Universal. Well, I thought - look at it before you reject it; they didn't even look at it. They aren't the only label. I don't know - write to Universal (or email them).

Judy - I'm bored with the Yankees. I wish it had been Bosox/Cubs. Somebody would have had to win.

Richard (Germany): I just sat and jammed 'Memphis' with Simon Phillips one day. That's all there was to it.

Paul Kennet says DVD is beautiful. How did we select the songs? Petter at Universal/Norway gave Bjorn and myself around 45 songs he liked. Bjorn and I whittled them down from there to around 21. It took a year. Kjetil (the pianist arranger) favoured certain songs because of the string arrangements. A lot of people are commenting favourably (to say the least) on the string arrangements and that was down to Kjetil. Kjetil came to Hunter Towers with Bjorn and he laid the songs down accapella with maybe just a guitar or piano which Kjetil removed once back in Oslo. He wanted a clean canvas - vocal only - so the grooves could be anything he wanted them to be. Bjorn was making changes and Andy and I were still changing stuff on the day of the first gig. Great fun. I don't think you'll see any UK reviews. Universal UK seem to think it unnecessary for some inane reason.

OzneB47: David Werner just happened to be in the Power Station at the same time as I was. He asked me and I said yes. Richard Hunter is not a relative and David's 'Whizkid' title was a coincidence. David I remember as a nice guy. Kind of serious, but when you're doing your album you are a little pressured sometimes.

Irene Wilde wants to know the secrets of the muse. If I knew that, everybody would be at it.

Rick Goward: Time for his monthly begging for the West Coast. Says he knows tons of venues that would love to have us. Tell them to talk to A.T.I.

Loydster: Come to L.A. Why not? The short answer - money. It's not like I want to make a fortune off you guys. We're working on it.

Ole/Norway: 'DVD takes my breath away.' Get it back - and quickly! Ole recommends you buy this XMas etc.

Brent: Just as long as I get one too.

Pat: 'We Play better than they do.' That wasn't anybody in particular. You just watched 'Top of the Pops' and slagged off all the other bands. I remember thinking when we were on - now they're all out there slagging us off. Good fun.

John Paul: DVD Brilliant. Driving his family mad. The Rant Band tour the UK next May.

Raymond: You were led to believe wrongly. See you in Glasgow.

Jeffrey Stanke: Same as usual (5 so far!)

Simon Clark: I am a smoker, but if I had to pick sides on this issue I could not encourage people to smoke. I don't think it's a clever thing to do and I feel somewhat stuck with it. I like Joe Jackson a lot, but I don't go with either him or you on this one. If I want a fag I'll always find a way to smoke one. I don't like it anymore than you do. Bars/restaurants in New York City y are not the same and some of them are hurting. People going to Jersey to eat. However, if somebody sat next to me in a cafe and puffed away and I didn't smoke it would piss me off far more. Sorry.

Jon Burton: Finds DVD excellent. Would have liked a bigger booklet.

I've just discovered I'm doing November back to front so I've turned them the right way round now.

Alison is researching 'Cleveland Rocks' for a student film. Why did I write it? Because when Mott the Hoople first came to the U.S. back in the early 70's not many people knew us; the clubs we played on the coasts would be half empty. Then we got to Cleveland and the club would be jammed and we needed that. Always Cleveland and Memphis - before NYC or LA. 'Living in sin with a safety pin' 'safety pin' my termination for a 'punk goddess'.

Todd Denison: I've never been a fan of Steinbrenners. He reminds me of Donald Trump. He now buys titles (now and again). There's virtually no youth policy. It's boring. Money and winning is everything. If they only knew how funny they are.

Kat: Trying to come up with something original says, 'I was so skeptical about this thing (DVD). Wrong again! OK, I give in - you're just too classy and too tasteful.' Now I'm trying to come up with something original to say.

Peter Lewis is playing the DVD on his son's Play Station! It's 5.1 Peter! I know it costs a few bob, but it's mixed for surround - not -stereo. Get Julie to buy you 5.1 for Xmas.

Julie Lewis says it's really brill. Are you watching it on his Play Station too? Time for an upgrade chaps!

Pete again: It's all happening in the valleys, but he's not fessing up. C'Mon Pete. Own up.

Bill McCue says I should have got together with Lisa Marie Presley on 'Lights Out' from the 'To Whom It May Concern' CD. Now you tell me!

Mike Cqalandrino: 'Would you be interested in collaborating on a tune?' Nope.

Richard: Integrity. Says it's an absolute crime U.S. Universal passed. He says, 'Stand up - be proud!'

Wayne Deacon: I'm getting moaned at for wanting Boston over the yankees. (i) Hey - I was a fan through the 80's when nobody else was. I'm just bored with $200 million teams playing $30 million teams. (ii) People often say, 'You toured with the Dolls' or 'You toured with Iggy' or 'You tour with Queen' or 'You toured with Aerosmith' or 'You toured with 'Kiss' - We didn't tour with these people; they toured with us....... I liked David Johanson a lot - still do. I never really talked at length with any of them that I can remember, but then again, it was a long time ago. They were all nice guys.

Kevin (Belfast): The DVD blows him away. See now, Kevin's got 5-1. Says it's a must for all fans (and their relatives, friends, neighbours, work mates...) Andy awesome. Did I enjoy it as a musician or was I wary of my actors role. I assume what you mean by this is my wandering round the stage with no instrument for some of the songs? I just wanted to get the vocals the best I could get them. When you see me doing all that leaning way down what I''m doing is getting nearer to the monitors. I'd actually never done a gig where I didn't play something. I enjoyed it tremendously. Instead of thinking about two things you only had to think about one.

Willie fi Glasgi: I can't come to the MTV Awards this week. Tell Kylie to hold the fort. I don't ever have a look at the message board. It's not that I've got anything against looking at it, but I don't know how to get to it. Trudi may look now and again, but I don't. It's a drag I won't be there for the encore (N.W.T.R.) with Dylan, the Proclaimers, Sydney Devine and Johnny Beatie and you on the kazoo, but you know how it is when you get soooooo big and precious. I can't help it, I'm just not as humble as Sting. Kiss my bagpipes!

Joe Zang says he doesn't want to bore me with praise of the DVD. Bore away Joe - I'm loving it! Currently his favourite - his original favourite 'The Last Waltz' is my favourite.

Geoff Bryant: DVD great. Could have had a couple more fast numbers on it. True, but difficult at the time. We did do 'Wash Us Away' but totally acoustically. It just sounded too light. 'Alien Boy' would need brass - not strings. CD of 'Strings' already out in Norway. UK says in the new year. There are extra tracks on the CD set.

Steve Wood lives in San Diego - wants DVD and CD.

Brian Calingaert: 'Wildlife' is his favourite album. We'd just done 'Mad Shadows' and we didn't like it so Ralpher decided to get a little more cohesive with the band. Less brute force more finesse. It worked in the studio quite well, but we were not a 'Wildlife' band live. We were at odds with ourselves. I like the 'Mott' album the best of the MTH albums. I think Ralpher likes 'Brain Capers'. I didn't produce the Payolas - that was Ronno. I went up to help out. I liked Paul a lot.

Gino: The Pearl and Roy intro - who came up with it. I don't know. I really don't remember.

Pat: Do I still love to perform? Yup - but as a lot of us chaps say - it's the other 22 hours that are the drag. The Rant Band are great to tour with, but the traveling and the hanging around can be tedious. I'm not a road hog. I don't tour that much, so I usually enjoy it when I do. I would hate to do it all the time.

Bill Steffen asks if I've read '12 Days on the Road - The Sex Pistols in America'? Nope. Documents a tour gone wrong. I think everybody's been involved in a couple of disasters here and there - big and small...and I'm no exception.

Vosmo says the Horse's Mouth is the best interaction of an artist and a fan base out there. AHEM.

Del: 'DVD wonderful' 'Strings add so much - particularly on 'Memphis'' Says her 10 year old keeps nicking her CD's. Excellent.

Prof. Clemens says he's in touch with Roy Young. You say he has a new CD out on his web site? What is his web site? [Justin interjects: ]

Andrew Field: Miss Pamela from the GTO's.

Mike Saunders: I don't know, Mike. I don't know about this. Let me think about it. It's very personal, perhaps too personal.

Dave Bolton just bought a secondhand 'Shouting and Pointing' and is none too thrilled. What do I think? I can't remember. I'm sure I heard it at the time, but I hadn't heard it since. Says I sound like the singer from Blur (I like them). So don't let your daughter fall for it! Is the little riff at the end of 'Morons' a pastiche of Bohemian Rhapsody piano riff? No, but that would have been nice.

Andrew Field: 'What does Trudi think about the songs you've written about her?' I don't know. Let's ask Trudi.........Trudi..........what do you think about the songs I've written about you? Trudi! Trudi!!!!

Greg: Trying to get the DVD in shops in Glasgow. None of them have it. Order it from Amazon. Can you believe these people?

Glenn: Did I see 'Teachers' the movie? Yes, and Sam and I got invited to the premier in Hollywood too! If I'd have gone to college what would I have pursued? Girls more than likely. I liked history - English Lit and language. Must be something to go to Oxford or Cambridge. Just for the people that went before you. If I were to teach a beginner one of my songs - what would it be? Probably 'Rain' off 'Short Back 'n' Sides'. Two chords. Does Trudi play? No. Have I tried to teach her? No. When inducted into H. O. F. what will I say? 'Where's the bar.' Glenn says many more people clicking in. Does that mean I'll have to do longer H.M.? This one is certainly longer.

David Spencer: Any hope MTH Live release in 2004 will feature UK and USA concerts in full ala Elton John. Don't know, but I doubt it. 'Roll Away the Stone' was omitted from the DVD because I wanted the best of what we did and I didn't think the ending made it. It's fine up to the ending, but it kind of peters out. The time we had - something had to give.

Dave Griffiths: 'Strings Attached' a triumph! How come 'Dead Man Walkin' is not there?' We did do it and it was OK, but not as good as the original. Bjorn didn't want it on. 'Irene Wilde' favourite IH song of all time. DVD Superb. Lovely chaps in the orchestra. Wish we could do it more often.

Tyler Jackson: 'Dead Man Walkin' amazing. Was it me on piano? Yes! Second take!! (There's a fractional cock up in the intro). Nobody seemed to notice so I said nothing. The song's just a mood I was in. I've had no CD from Maggi. Tyler also awaits 'YUI Orta'. Ronno extra tracks. Mick is Great!!!!

Rich Harrison: 'Strings Attached' - bloody fantastic. Loves 'Wish I was Your Mother' Andy York Rocks! Rich is off to Sydney from Hull to run a large pub. Like you say - you never know. Good luck with it.

Lars Neilson got DVD and it's fabulous. What is the secret to success in the music business? Don't ask me, mate. I just do my ' thing' to the best of my ability and if it's not good enough I throw away and start again till I'm happy with it. Quality control. Everybody's different.

Mike Channon: 'Strings' brill.

Mike Kuchar gave his brother 'Rant' for his birthday. Apparently that's all he plays. Get him something else now. It's not healthy.

David Fowler: Thank you, David.

David Marchese is a 21 year old Toronto University student. he says MTH mans a hell of a lot to him. Do I think that people who weren't even alive when we were together are missing something? Yes, you're missing their liveness. Their power was on stage and we never caught it on tape. It's great that you picked up on the band without having seen them. It was more the rule that people became Mott fans after seeing them live.

Paul + Jake Almond: No. Don't think so.

Dave Lilley: 'Strings Attached' brilliant work of art! Trying to get hold of the video of the Dominion. I didn't know there was one. I'll have one of those please!

Krister: Ever thought of doing a covers album. No. I'm not against it, I just never thought of doing it.

Peter Jordan says he remembers me saying it was good to play the songs on the road first before recording them. Well, it was, but you can't do that anymore because there's always some bugger there ready to record it and sell it before you even get to the studio. Progress!

Oeyvind Kristoffersen: 'Fantastic show in Oslo. DVD superb and rushed in at No. 8 in its first week on the main music DVD list in Norway. Will there be TV commercials? Don't know. But hey chaps, - we've charted!!!

Ferd Kibler - son named after moi is now 13. Watch him - it's a funny age. Who do I listen to these days? I don't.

Melvyn Mounsey: Just got his copy sent from England to New Zealand. His wife finally likes me!!!

Thomas: We did five New York area gigs over the 'Rant' period. And we'll be back!!

Phillip Wheelan: 'Worth the wait. Good song selection, great sound - I will now stop nagging you to tour Australia.'

Steve/Tulsa: 'Just watched DVD - nothing short of brilliant.' One thing, why not 'Through the Looking Glass'? I forgot how it went.

Matt Najonen: Definitely up to par. In fact an improvement I'd say.

Jeffrey Stanke says the hammer of winter is going to fall!! Who cares? I'm a songwriter. I'll just stay home in bed!

Drew Eckmann: I'll keep your email. Yes, I do know about Jackie.

Nick loves the DVD. Yes, I knew about the picture being used. Always loved that picture.

OK. That's it for now. My pen's running out. Sorry about missing some, but I did most of them. I'm chuffed about the DVD reaction. I hope you aren't lying to me. We've got to get the unbelievers interested too. Alright - I'm off - see you next month.

IH
The Horse's Mouth
P.S. Buy 'em one for Christmas.