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Editors Note: Starting with issue #43, the Horse's Mouth column is now posted two parts, about two weeks apart.

Issue #47, Part 1 - October 17, 2004

A sunny day at Hunter Towers; peacocks strutting - falcons flying - Arabians snorting etc.

Geoff Bryant: No, Maxwells wasn't filmed. I am now governed by re-recording restrictions having done previous DVD's. The Angel Air CD was cancelled because of technical problems. Mick Ralphs is on the Astoria DVD.

Stu got a ticket for Maxwells but couldn't get one for his son. Sorry about that. (Stu came from Saudi Arabia.)

Rege Kraus: Look forward to the Cellar (which I've already done).

Pete: What's the difference between writing poetry and writing songs? I don't know. I guess poets are considered superior wordsmiths. I would say Dylan would easily be classed as a poet plus. He has the ear for a good tune as well.

Glenn (the Rock)- explaining to me how to juggle. It's all very involved, Glenn.

Alan (Santa Fe) says Mike Davis (MC5) told him I kicked a piano into the audience at Cobo Hall. He was there. Can't remember. Someone else said Mott reunited in 1998. Not true.

Judy: How about them Yankees!!

Bill C. says the only purpose of Pennsylvania is to keep Ohio away from New Jersey. Now that's not nice, is it?

Dan Baker - What do I think of the U.S. economy? I've always thought Alan Greenspan an excellent chap - Keynesian economics (and he was an Englishman). However, Mr. Bush seems to be unraveling everything with the aid of his corporate friends. Corporations hold too much sway in this country. There oughta be a law.

Eric Hemphill: Classic that Eric. Hope you finally make it.

Dan Hartman saw Todd Rundgren in Cerritos, California. 'Tour with Todd again - The Rant and Runt Tour!'

Paul Walker (24) came to the Leed Irish Center. Read that Aeorsmith opened for MTH - and they did - quite a few times. Says in the Aerosmith biog I complained Steve Tyler's trousers were cooler than mine! Well, I don't remember, but they probably were. Steve's always been a sharp dresser. Great front man. 'What were they like?' You couldn't wish for a bunch of nicer guys. They weren't quite sure exactly what they wanted to be as of yet and sounded like a lot of bands. They just wanted to be bad!!! One time Mott blotted our copy book in a rather unfortunate episode. It later appeared in an Aeorsmith interview in Cream Magazine. Only they said they were the perpetrators - not us. Well, it was nothing to be proud of, but they seemed to be. Silly, isn't it?

Willi fi Glasgi says if a kazoo replaces the organ on NWTO (ii). We have another hit. He says 'Trust me.' Yea, yea.

Dale Holland: Market Drayton, Ellesmere, Whitchurch (Claypit Street + Grammar), Wellington, Shrewsbury Priory.

Rich Webster has just been listening to 'Rant' for the 600th time (good oh!!) Does it frustrate me that I don't get enough credit? Well, I can get out of bed on the wrong side upon occasion and stamp my tiny foot - but overall I'm cool with it. The point is to have done the work - that's where the satisfaction comes from.

Willie ('Am I a genius'): The latest idea to invade us from North of the Border: a tribute CD on the 35th Anniversary of Mad Shadows would have Jimmy Cliff doing a reggae NWTR; Jerry Lee Lewis a R+R version of NWTR; Def Leppard - a heavy metal version of NWTR; The Clash doing a punk version of NWTR; REM doing a shiny pop version of NWTR; me and the two remaining Bee Gees doing a disco version of NWTR (the mind boggles!); The Tronheim soloists - instrumental version of NWTR; Anastasia - a trance version; reformed MTH - original version and Willie doing Kazoo version. God, you must be something to live with Willie. Get out more.

Chief Brody: 'If total sales of 'Rant' were put together over one week, would it make the charts?' Yes. 'What does it take to mane the U.K. Top 40 these days?' The top five will sell a lot, but when you get down around the 20's and 30's - not many at all. 'Which album was the biggest seller?' As a member of MTH, the Mott' album. As a solo artist, 'Schizophrenic'. My sales slumped in the 80's (as did my ability). They have, however, come back in recent years. The Mott re-releases and I.H. reissues are vastly more popular now than they were for a long time. All in all - very encouraging since no management or master plan is involved. 'Strings Attached' continues to sell strongly. 'Do publishing companies say you must hit certain sales targets?' No.

Sal near Glasgow: Forgot how much he missed me! Do a gig in Glasgow. We have, Sal, and will probably do another one in May.

Tony P: 'Have you ever been asked especially recently to come up with a song for a film or a chart entry for somebody famous?' Sure, nothing lately, but over the years and sometimes I've done it.

Bill Harvey says I have tons of fans in Texas. That's nice to know - didn't know I had any. My feelings on MTH Live double CD: Well, it makes sense. The book's great. You get a load of music previously unreleased. I can't for the life of me figure out why Sony Legends in the U.S. hasn't put it out. I know it's been discussed and it's selling well in Europe.

Jim Mcconnell: Really lies Por Vida CD. Actually, Jim, the writer's block thing is lifting a tad. Stuff is flying about again. Hopefully, it will continue.

Glenn: YUI ORTA 'outstanding'. I wouldn't say that, but it's a good CD.

David S. found the 'Artful Dodger'. 'This is a great album - stands the test of time - criminal that it's unavailable. You told us not to buy this as it was unauthorized and a rip off'. Not so, David. I told you not to buy 'Standing in the Light.' Dodgers' a fine album and we'll get it out in the U.S. one day.

Kevin Baggott asks, 'What role did Leon Russell play in 'Roll Away the Stone'. He didn't play any role. 'What the heck is NWTR - which is No. 1 in Scotland? This is just a bit of fun Willie and I have in the Horse's Mouth. Willie's rather taken with 'No Wheels To Ride' from the Mad Shadows album. 'Come back to Victoria.'

SB: 'Going to B.B.King's'. What was it like working with Bernard Edwards. Not too good, actually.

Jack Ripple: Going to the Fort Wayne show (which I've already done).

Ed: Same as above.

Daryl (Canada) asks my views on the Kinks. Have I met Ray? They were a troubled band to work with, but off the road I met Ray a couple of times and he was extremely nice. Great songwriter. Daryl loves 'Rant'. Hopes to convert the masses.

Jeff Stanke: 'Best of luck on the cornfield tour.' You got that right. That's all we saw everyday. Hey - we've got to eat. Liked those Cracker Barrel restaurants.

Michail Wilkins: Who's going to be in the band? Well, you know now, don't you.

Bart: 'All is Forgiven' is not on an album. It was a demo I made at home and we put it onto the 'Once Bitten' compilation.

Graham Spink: 'Coming to Canada?' Who knows?

Andy and wife have seen us all over the globe. Do Trudi and I offer frequent flyer miles? Nope, we collect them.

J.T.L.I. 'What's Walkin' With A Mountain' about? Guilt. Raves about a band called 'The Screamin' Cheatah Wheelies' I believe we are in New York in December. Says I'm less mysterious now due to the internet. 'It has filled a lot of holes - not sure which way I like more.' Wouldn't worry too much. You still don't know the half of it. Somebody's nicked his 'Dirty Laundry' - he hopes they are converts.

Kevin Lami: Maxwells sold in three hours. Try BB Kings (December 12th).

Ray Waters disagrees on my assessment of 'Overnight Angels' (and he is not alone). Says it's not my best, but it's still a good album.

Eddie Shanahan: 'Do Irene Wilde' errr, no.

Andy Sibson: I have a publisher I must consider.

Tony Battle: 'Have you ever written or plan to write with Joe Elliott? Never discussed it, actually, but it's a valid question. Joe very much writes for the Leps and I very much write for me. He's a great pal to have.

Justin Nowell: I think we spoke, right? Did you contact Josh? Let me know what happens. Good luck.

Laurette: Oh yeah. Thanks for the invite, but things are hectic on gig days.

Kevin Carlini: It's funny, I was just thinking about 'Rose'. Might give it another look at some time in the future. Pretty song.

Paul Abbot: 'Does Trudi play any instrument? Yes - me.

Rob Mend (Bluesdoggie): Did Mott ever tour with the Allman Brothers? No. Did we like them? So-so. Do I like P.R.S. guitars. They're good on the right song. Prefer Les Pauls. P.R.S. is thinner sounding. Do I keep in touch with Steve Liguori? Yup, saw him recently at Alice's.

Frank: You are correct, but it wasn't meant racially, it was just fun.

Scooter: Going (been to) Detroit. I enjoyed it.

Tom McGarry ants 'Speechless' and 'Women's Intuition' back in the set. Maybe later at some point.

Willie's on top form: 'Live Aid 2; No Wheels to Iraq'!!! Sod off!!

Mat Nojonen: Do 'Ressurrection Mary' Actually, we nearly did. Rehearsals were in short supply, but we sound checked it a couple of times. It was coming along nicely….maybe December. How do I decide what's in and what's out of the set? It can be difficult because you may want to put a song in but you can't find a place where it suits. Also, there is a surfeit of slower songs that people want to hear, but then other people just want to stomp and get off. Hey - we try!

Peter Jordan had the words wrong in Wild East. Te funniest version of a song was my eldest son, Steve, who sang, 'To be a penguin' at school for years before I accidently found out and told him it was 'pilgrim'. He still didn't believe me!

Jessica Drew: 'Is Andy York playing in New York City anytime soon - my girlfriend and I love him!!' Actually, Andy's doing promo for John Mellencamp in NYC all this week. Maybe you'll bump into him but you'll have to deal with Liz first!

M. Hunt hates 'Captain Void' on 'All of the Good Ones are Taken'. That's the way it came and that's the way it went. 'Was there a push on that album?' When it came out, Dick Asher, got fired (for being too good!) so the whole label was in flux. Not my fault, but there you go.

Susan K: 'Please play 'Women's Intuition' in Hoboken.' As you now know, I didn't, but I'm thinking about it. Sorry.

Steve Horne: Bowie supplied the chord sequence at the beginning of 'Dudes' and Mick Ralphs supplied the legendary guitar line. Had Mick supplied the chords to the intro as well, he would then have been owed a piece of the song but he only played on it and that's purely musicianship, not writing. There is a fine line. I've always thought if someone comes in and alters the complete complexion of a song then they are entitled to a piece of said song. It's down to the individuals concerned, but it should be worked out at the time, not later. Memories are funny things.

Rob: Do 'Midnight Lady'. No!

Peter Sjostedt: 'I want to say thanks - I just turned 38 and feel like an old f___ and then I put on AAAB and I feel a bit younger. From time to time I rediscover what good things are.' Oh cheer up! 38! You're a baby!

Charlie Wayne: Do I have motorcycles? No. Did I ride bikes as a child? You had to. I was very proud of my Hercules Safety Model!!!!

Larry Hymer: 'Any chance of the West Coast?' Still working on it.

Andy Caren just got 'Ballad of Mott retrospective. Fan - effin - tastic!

David Ridge just bought 'Strings Attached'. You know, if those idiots at Universal in London had put it out themselves instead of having fans import it - it would have charted. Imports are not included in chart compilations. 'What's with the 'Singing in the Rain' on 'Rape'?' It was actually on the original, but Gene Kelly wouldn't allow it (although he understood the sentiment of 'Rape' he didn't want it next door). Now Gene's gone and I believe they think it's OK. 'Bring Your Strings to the Royal Concert Hall.' Actually, promoters in England don't see it that way. I.H. is a rocker and that's all there is to it. Pathetic and wrong, but there it is.

Richard Usher (who used to be my p.a.) says Chuck Berry didn't actually play in Edmonton. He just sat in a caravan sulking (something about billing, wasn't it?) He says Warren Zevon did play that day (Foreigner were headlining) and he was also on the same plane as we were. Thanks, Ritchie, I don't remember much of this. Your political views are welcome unless you've gone completely wacko - which I don't think you have, so give it a whirl. I said a whirl - not a sermon!

Howard: 'Junkman one of the greatest duets ever.' Ronno put me onto Genya. Originally, it was to have been Van Morrison.

Bill Cannon: Wanted something signed - hope you got it.

Jim Hostetler: Play 'Rest In Peace' in Hoboken. We did.

Judy: Hi Judy. Nice to get out and about. All the best to poor Rick and Linda. xx for the kids.

Hope Campbell: Ahhh, a Scorpio - same as Trudi. Nice to have met you. Hope you enjoyed the gig.

Nick Fathers was at the Astoria and noticed the cameras. Next year in the UK, I think.

Phil Shrago: Phil was assistant to Harvey Goldberg on the Ellen Foley album. Says he'll never forget the 'work ethic, energy and emotion' that went into that project. Thanks Phil - and Hi.

Horse's Mouth #47, Part 2 will follow shortly ...