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Issue #51, Part 1 - March 15, 2005

Morning all. Lovely day at Hunter Towers.. Post Box flattened by the town's snow plow. Here we go...

Paul Wilson: 'No Newcastle date.' Don't blame me. If they don't book me - I can't come. I don't get it either actually. 'How on earth do you sleep, travel, perform, rehearse etc. when you do England?' We have a great little crew (thanks, Mr. Tippins, Mr. Keating and Sue Mum) who make it relatively easy. Once it's going, it's a pretty good machine. The main problem is avoiding rush hours and selecting the proper lunch time pubs!

Frank Jewson bought K-Tel's best of MTH. All I can say is don't buy it. They were already fined £10,000 by Trading and Standards, but these cheap clowns keep doing it. Amazing the amount of scum in the so called 'industry'.

Mark + Zani Hughes: Hope you enjoyed LA.

The Outsider: Try inside - it's warmer.

Dave Griffiths: We've got Gloucester at May 13th.

PeeJay: 'What do you think your popularity's down to?' Me telling people your brill, RANT, cos you're getting old, live gigs, honesty and a love of it.' All of those, plus, I get better. The Astoria live DVD is out in April to tie in with the tour.

Larry Lee says 'Credibility of the Hall of Fame is in question. Being controlled by corporate entities that care/know little of artistes. It has been suggested by other fan lists that fans opinions mean little and they should not waste their time with HOF.' Well, I do know it's controlled by New York and not Cleveland. Further than that I don't give it much thought at all.

Chris Hignell made 50 people watch Jools Holland. Alright!

Tony DeStefano: Bit busy at the moment, Tony, but best of luck with it.

Brian Morrison: 'Chicago any time soon?' Maybe.

Chrissie coming to Glasgow and Leeds. Bringing her brother along, 'because his musical education is lacking in certain areas.' Nice one.

Xan: Nice one - thank you very much!

Steve O'Neill: Loved Jools. Tells me Dave Sandison just past. He was an extremely nice man and I didn't know. Sorry to hear this. My sympathy and respect.

Tom Semioli: How did I enlist Jaco for AAAB? He was staying at Bobby Columby's house and we got on so he moved in with me for a while and became involved with AAAB.

Fiona: If you're there - there's always a possibility.

Tod Denison: Re: Universal's lack of 'effort' with 'Strings Attached' (particularly the UK). Well, they sat me down for two hours and basically lied to me about what they were going to do. When we had them about it they said they'd just laid off 13,000 people, so they didn't have enough staff to handle it properly. Why take it in the first place? It's very hard to swallow when the music is good - that's the biz!

Hope Campbell: Do I remember Miss Hamzy - the world's oldest living groupie? Nope. Try decaf.

Brent Coursey: 'What's 'Alice' about?' Can't remember, but it must have been somebody.

Andriette Redmann: I know of the people you speak and they have great reputations within the biz, but I like what I'm doing at the moment. You can never say never. Give them my regards.

Bernie Blackburn: 'Where's Ray Major?' I don't know, but maybe someone can help. Bernie's at:

Hooray I'm going to Austin! I live in Connecticut. Some of the band live in Hoboken. Lovely area.

Paul Walker coming to Leeds. Can he play keys on one number? Errr, no.

Mike Costanza marvels at some of the HM subject matter. 'It's like talking Lionel trains with Neil Young.'

Mike Hayes: 'Hootenanny was grand.'

Renee (the lady that Hope says cries at the gigs). 'I don't know if I'm the Renee being referred to, however, when you return to the Astoria in May you may notice a large puddle in front of the sound board. Consider it a tribute to your ability to 'cleanse' '. (I'm touched!) 'See you in Santa Ana if I can find a job between now and then.'

Evan: 'What's wrong with South Wales?' Nothing I know of.

Hope Campbell: 'If God dwells inside us, as some people say, I sure hope he likes enchiladas because that's what he's getting!'

DBauer: Go to Philly. I'm in Europe and the UK in the spring.

Dave Tyndall: Sorry, we're not going to Dublin. Liverpool a consolation. 'Just a short swim.'

John McQueen: Boston's always on the cards, but not right now.

Jan Reeves: 1) 'Are you recording new stuff?' No, but I am writing. 2) 'How about 'Too Much' on this tour.' We'll see. 3) 'Are you coming to Germany this time?' I think I am. Just waiting for confirmation. They're trying to move bands around to get me in. 4) 'Have I met Walter Becker and Don Fagen? Nope. 5) Have you listened to Bowie's 'Reality'? What do you think? So-so. 6) I had no choice in the selection of songs for Jools - although I did suggest 'Nightingale'.

Keith Davies: 'Strings' absolutely brilliant.

Jason Rubin (re: Joe's Pub) 'Kudos for your choice of 'low end' players (on the sound spectrum, not quality). Graham Maby is such a powerful bassist and Jane Scarpantoni nearly stole the show from Lou Reed when I saw him last year. Her solo during Venus in Furs was something to behold. When you audition players - what do you look for? These players don't audition. My network of players (already top level) will recommend who to use. So far, so good.

Stano glad we're doing Liverpool. Everton for Europe!

Franjo: When I play 'Ripoff' in England - they all join in. I think most of them agree with me.

Kim: Lighten up! You're not the only one - there's millions of them out there. I'll fill you in when I see you. There's an old English expression, 'Get on with it.' Your Dad said it all the time - so that's what you have to do. Regards to your Mum.

Dave Hall: Any thoughts on Hunter S. Thompson? He knew how to write. My thoughts on suicide? Highly over rated and a tad ungrateful.

Howard Chapman: 'Ever thought of doing 'Junkman' Suzy (Tyrell) can do the Genya parts.' Never thought of that!

Susan Shahkarami-Martin: Thank you, Susan.

Oyvind Tenold: Looking forward to Bergen (Norway).

Paul Walker: Glad you got it!

Willie: With another load of songs. You know what Willie, I'm gonna do what I'm gonna go - and that's the truth of it, wee pal. They're good though.

Owen Kelley: This, I don't know. I'll have to ask Maggie Ronson next time I see her.

Bob Democh: I was rather busy, but thanks anyway.

Jeffrey: Actually LA was about 72 and Vegas a little hotter. Clear sailing.

Dave Simpson: 'A few miles outside of York there's a big branch of Curry's electrical store where after hours (assuming the boss has gone home) one of the workers takes great pleasure in blasting out, 'Once Bitten Twice Shy' repeatedly at earsplitting volume to unsuspecting customers. What do you think this will do for sales and do you think the shop assistant is an anarchist?' Totally.

Alan Turner-Bone: 'Whatever happened to Mick's Les Paul? Come to think of it, what happened to Mick's gear?' Susie's got some of it; some of it is stored. I think Susie wants to hang onto it for the time being.

Brian Calingaert: 'Congrats. I opened the New Yorker and who did I see. Great! Glad to see you're getting respect.' Yeah - that was a buzz.

Hope Campbell: You'd win.

Joe Waldron: Sorry, not into U.S. football - too slow.

Eric Stafford: 'Silver Needles' was about Sid Vicious.' What does a slag mean? A lady who acts somewhat inappropriately in the downstairs arena.

Dean Kurtz: Hope you got your shots.

Adam Ball: Not too happy with Buff's assessment of Ronno's guitar technique (to say the least!).

Hinrich Schroder: Jesus! You're really going back! The song was called, 'I Can't Drive' and was written by Freddy (Fingers) Lee.

Roger: First part of your question regarding 'Strings' would be difficult. As for the next, HI TOM! HI LUCY!

Jack Galaydick: Is a studio album in the works? Still writing (when I get the chance).

Benson wanted, 'I Wish I Was Your Mother' in Santa Ana. He got it.

Martin: Why does it take so long to get the Astoria DVD out? They told me they wanted it released nearer the UK tour.

Ian Hollinghurst: 'Is Andy touring the UK with you?' Nope. M.C. Bosch and James Mastro will be on guitars, etc. The whole American line up. Stan will be with us.

Nancy Fisher: Haven't heard from Charlie in years.

Eric Allen: Did Andy York play on 'Dirty Laundry'? No, that was Darrell Bath and Honest John Plain. Why don't I play any of those songs live? When they come around, they'll be there.

Matt Nojonen: You're getting better! Good stuff!

Johnny Arwidzon: 'Come to Sweden' Actually, I think we are, but it's not quite confirmed as I write. Watch this site.

David Fowler: Thanks, David.

Mitchell J. Martin: I would have let you but unfortunately, I only got your email today (March 15th) and I've already done the show. Sorry about that. You have to email well in advance.

Gary Sawruk suggests doing Carnegie Hall. Lovely thought, but who's paying?

Bryan: Pissed we didn't do San Fran. Blame your promoters - not me.

Walter Kolosky says HM a great service (and free too!). My comments on the Maravishnu Orchestra with whom we gigged once? Well, it was a long time ago and I was relatively illiterate musically, but I thought they were boring at the time. Sorry.

Neil Salzman: Loved the curve balls at Joe's Pub. 'It's a shame you have to share Andy.' 'What's Trudi's favourite song you've written for her?' I just asked her, and she laughed and said, 'Bastard'. Now she's saying, 'I Wish I Was Your Mother'. 'No, now it's 'Knees of My Heart'. Can't make up her mind. No, I didn't have 'Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands' in mind. Didn't have a record player at the time. We got on fine with The Faces.

Gary Sawruk: Joe's Pub excellent (as usual). Loved the venue. 'Do it at Carnegie Hall with a full orchestra.'

Edward Shirley: 'When was the last time you were asked a question you hadn't been asked before?' Now.

Howard Chapman: 'Looks like you can write a 12 bar (Pencil in My Pocket). Joe's Pub - great. Hearing God amazing (Blush). Any Westchester or Connecticut dates ever?' When they come up with the money - sure.

Tim: Joe's Pub - real tight, tight show. 'Boy' highlight. Perfect and passionate. Voice wonderful. 'Will Jack the Mechanic work with you again? Jack's in the pool. He's great. Says Jack was great at BB Kings.

Kellianne Connell: Joe's Pub - EXCELLENT. Thrilled with 'The Outsider'. Elated with 'All of the Good Ones'. Never heard, 'God Take 1' but 'awesome'. 'Could go on.' Nice one.

Brian Leonard: 'Was it Motts Prune Juice?' You know, I think it was.

Bob Kleb: 'Just Another Night' is on Secret Records and comes out in April in the UK. I don't know what's happening with it in the U.S. They'll probably mess it up as usual. Bob says WXPN (88.5) out of Philly had 88.5 top Valentines love songs and 'Knees of My Heart' came in at 67!

Dave Johns: 'Overnight Angels' was a mediocre attempt at re-rocking after 'All American Alien Boy'. I got it together on 'Schizo'. It was just where I as at the time - in betweenish.

Glenn the Rock: Where can you buy 'Strings' in the States? Well, it was just released on Sanctuary and it's probably available on Amazon.com. I prefer DVD.

Steve wants a Washington DC show, but we haven't heard from promoters thereabouts.

Marty G: 'Joe's Pub - amazing!'

Stay Tuned! The Horse's Mouth #51 Part 2 will follow shortly ...