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Issue #65, Part 2 - June 18, 2006
Kelly: Thanks to all of you on this dubious occasion.
Alan Waugh: Noted, thank you.
Richard Staines: Many's the time I stood in the mud at the Tech End watching the nurses wheeling the patients out for a free view from the hospital's balcony. They weren't too good in those days. The only two players I remember - Deepier - a centre half who was totally hopeless and a guy called Fisher who was a speedy winger - and not above jumping the wall and bopping somebody in the crown if they insulted him. I knew Sammy Crooks and his son Stuart and use to visit them now and then. Oh, I just remembered a right back called Bannister who kindly allowed me to save a shot from him in Sammy Crooke's garden; it nearly cut me in two. Mel Charles - John Charles's brother was a giant.
Mark Hughes: Got the B'day card. Thanks to all! The going rate for in house is rather exorbitant, Mark (five figs). I wouldn't recommend it.
.Many more Happy B's - Thank you all.
Willie: Knee deep in emails praising his A.C. appearance. He's got a review from a Philadelphia paper which begins 'It isn't often you see a guy in a kilt and an I.H. T-shirt strolling down the Atlantic City Boardwalk.' Fun, Fun, Fun...
George (NY): 'Have you ever thought of getting old band mates together for a quasi-reunion gig - one and out?' I think we're all past that point now.
Ken: Likes 'Picasso'.
Jeffrey: Yes, it was very English for a while there.
Yugen: Hang onto your hat.
Mark Davis: Too much corporate interference.
Gregory Slugocki: What a lovely email! Would I do an acoustic CD? It just depends what happens when I sit down and write. If it ever comes acoustic that's what I'll do.
Johnny Jackson: Glad it went well. Regards to the band.
Kelly Wallace says it's frustrating waiting for 'Shrunken Heads'. You can say that again. Does 'Picasso' in his set.
Bob Kleb: I wrote 'Ships'. Not playing anywhere until the CD is sorted (apart from the Arthur Lee gig). 'Can you do 'Invisible Strings' or 'Red Letter Day' next time out? And if not, why not?' No reason - I like both songs. You only get to do so many songs - it's difficult to please everybody - in fact, it's impossible.
Stu McKenzie: Do I have any preferences as to where I play in Glasgow? No - as long as I play Glasgow! Thanks for plugging me in the shop.
Jerry Murphy and friends had a party - drank heartily and cranked IH and MTH to maximum level. Happy Birthday to me!
Dan Sebald ordered copies of re-mastered MTH/ATYD from an importer thinking he might get a copy sans FBI warning (the 30th Anniversary edition of Live is a German Print without FBI notice - already had UK 30th Anniversary of IH (sounds great, BTW). 'I don't pirate CD's and don't appreciate that ubiquitous label. The last think I want to be reminded of when listening to an artist is FBI. What are your thoughts on the FBI warning label? Do you know of any non US releases of MTH/ATYD re-master that don't have a warning?' You've got me here. Didn't pay attention. One thing comes to mind though - there would be no rules if some silly sods didn't create a need for them. It's dirty out there.
John Lane: 'What happened to Dale Griffin and Overend Watts?' Dale lives in Wales, I think and Overend does these marathon walks.
Ed O'Neill: 'Enjoyed AC, but no drums? No bass? Or keyboards? Mason comes out with lights, amps, even drums.' We were told it was an acoustic evening - Dave Mason and all. We went acoustically and Dave didn't. It did surprise us, but it was his gig, so that was that.
Pasquale (Italy) 'Will we have a chance to see you here?' I don't think there's much demand for a chap like me in Italy, Pasquale, but thanks for asking and regards to the 13 year olds. Thank you for spreading the word.
Andy: Do you have a favourite photographer? Mick Rock and Lynn Goldsmith spring to mind and the Guy who did the Rant album was great.
Ira Sherman: How goes it Ira! I remember it well. Ira was the Columbia records guy who accompanied Mott the Hoople in the summer of '73 (Memphis and Milwaukee) Nice one.
Mike Mashack: 'The first 'A' grade granted to me at University was for a psychoanalysis of 'Shades Off'. Was 'It Ain't Easy When You Fall' about a friend's suicide?' It was a friend, but not a suicide - just a little dazed and confused.
Mike Saunders: I'm trying.
Adrian: Well - I'm glad somebody gets off on it.
Steve McGivern: 'Still got two MTH tickets from a cancelled Free Trade Hall gig in Manchester 1974. Are you re-arranging or do I get my money back? Can't wait forever! Check with Mel Bush.
Mick Mitchell: I remember Carlisle '74 - the hotel was really bitchy (I think it was the Station Hotel?) They were nasty all day to us, but when we got back after the gig they'd laid on this huge spread. The manager explained he thought we were Black Sabbath and had just found out we weren't.
Curt Weiss: 'MTH played the Felt Forum in New York with the Dolls back in 1973. Any impressions of the gig?' I introduced Buff to Todd Rundgren - Buff was a big TR fan. Arthur Kane was a big Pete Watts fan. We went down a storm - The Dolls didn't get an encore, but the Village Voice did this huge review of the gig and we got three lines at the end. Talk about looking after your own.
Ray Waters: Worthen, this year? Not this year; sorry to your son!
Colin Powell and promised Luther review - 'He was in fine form at the gig sliding and running all over the stage. I can see how you and he got in each others way during the Mott days (we didn't - it was done on purpose). They did four MTH songs but it was mainly Spooky Tooth songs. Does him going out with the name concern you?' Perhaps Ariel Bender of Mott the Hoople would be better? Where does he get the energy from?
Gary says 'Howie Rose mentioned both you and MTH during the Mets /Diamond Backs game on Friday, June 10th. It's not the first time he's done this. He's a big fan.' How did he manage to segue us into a Met's game? Anyway, thanks, Howie.
Ron Beat: 'What do you do with your spare time?' Same as you, probably.
Jeff: With a rather tempestuous poem!
Chris: 'Issue 64 part 1 is missing - the link goes to part 2. It matters to me, anyway.' I'll have Trudi check it out. She says it would help if we had a date because issue 64 doesn't help this end.
Dean Smith - Already talked about this. Saw that Johnny Cash movie last night. Isn't Reese Witherspoon absolutely amazing?
Rob Windsor: Come to Australia! Bit of a schlep Rob, but who knows what may turn up.
Zach Kleinheksal: 'You and Mick Ralphs getting together anytime soon?' Well, Mick's got his way of doing things and I've got mine. Having said that, I think we're closer now than we ever were before.
Mick McKenzie: 'Last time Keikka wrote that it pissed him off to buy the same albums - again. I know what he means, but it's worth it to hear ATYD sound like it should have done. Of all the re-mastered stuff I've heard that's the biggest improvement ever. Bruce Dickenson did a great job. Good to hear the extras on AAAB as well. Kudos to Campbell Devine as well. Actually, the shades fall off now and again. The worst one is when one of the lenses fell out and I've got my eyes closed and don't even know it's missing! The last time - Andy alerted me - I opened my eyes and was half blinded by the lights. Plus - it looks daft.
Hope Campbell: 'You got bitten by a dog - what the hell happened?' I was on my walk and this Husky came running up and playfully stuck its teeth in my leg. Hospital - tetanus - pain in the ass. Now I'm scared of dogs and I've been a dog man all my life. I hope it wears off.
Ken: 'Favourite character on 'The Munsters'? Never was much into them. Didn't see them in England.
Steve Jeal: A lot of people ask for sheet music, but it seems to be a thing of the past. People usually just play the stuff on CD or I-pod over and over until they get it. Best of luck with the band.
Mark Silverstone: The riot at the Albert Hall was more of an architectural disaster. Thirty- two boxes had to be repaired and we were never paid for the gig. Whispers had it at the time that the Albert was about due for an overhaul, anyway, so I'm not sure how much of it was true.
Rich W: Keep singin'em.
Martha Binek: It was just a poem I wrote at the time we were breaking through and I was breaking up.
Pete Lewis: Everly Brothers and Elvis at the moment. Have to learn a couple of songs. Steve's been extra busy but things are easing up for him a bit now.
Rick Graves: Written as 'Cleveland Rocks' recorded first as 'England Rocks' then recorded as 'Cleveland Rocks'. It as just a fluke of timing recording wise that 'England Rocks' came first. And that's the truth.
Gary Gick: Sounds good.
Keith I/San Diego: 'Was at Mammoth Ski resort not far from Tahoe and Mott the Hoople and Ian Hunter was blasting out of a chalet!'
Bill: 'Did I ever play in Sutch's Savages?' No, I never did. I think people think I did but it was Freddie Fingers Lee who played piano for Sutch. I was in Fred's band for a while as a bass player (Miller Anderson was the guitarist). Loved Sutch; his timing was immaculate. Great showman.
Matt in Chi Town says he's just picked up a DVD of MTH 70/71/73/74. Says the stuff is amazing. A great deal of it in color. Bootleg. I'd like to see this boot.
Mike Riley: To buy the same albums again and again. 'Really - I don't mind. My old albums are fun to have, but glad for the smaller CD's too. Music is still a pretty good bargain.'
Joe S.: Is it more nerve racking opening as opposed to headlining? Is it more of a thrill to receive positive audience reaction when you're not the headliner? Honestly - it doesn't make any difference to me. If anything, it's less nerve racking when you open, plus you get to the bar a good deal earlier!
Anthony Caminiti: 'The new album has to be amazing if it's to compare with 'Rant'.' If you're gonna think like that what chance have I got! Remember, you've lived with 'Rant' for years. This one will be new to you. Let it sink in. I don't think 'Shrunken Heads' is better or worse than 'Rant' - it's just different because it comes at a different time.
Heather's named her brand new computer after me - used to be kids - now its computers!
Carl Hursh found and purchased 'AOFTGOAT' on line via http://gemm.com/. Thanks, Carl.
Rob Rawlinson: Not till next year - let you know if I do.
Charlie Hardcastle: How lovely. I'll see if Trudi can find a suitable destination. Thank you!
Susan: Do I ever read the message board? Very, very, very rarely if Trudi wants me to see something. Maybe twice so far.
SB: Did Fred ever talk to me about Bohemian Rhapsody being inspired by Marionette? No, he didn't.
Jeremy Lawrence: Write another book!
Tommy Mandel: What a drag - I was looking forward to that. I don't know - call me - we'll figure something out.
Kevin Brooks: I'd love to - especially with the esteemed Mill - but I'm in a different neck of the woods so I don't think it would work out. I did a blues gig once and half the audience walked out!
Tom McGarry says Ronno's playing on 'Welcome to the Club' is fantastic. 'Would you ever consider dusting down 'Laugh At Me'? Always liked that song. You never know.
John Von Reine on the Hunter/Ronson gig at MSG Felt Forum. I remember fleeting seconds of it. Loved that band - it was a great shame it got its feet taken from under it.
Bob Stredney: Poor Cindy - never mind!
Karen recently turned into an IH fan. Bought 'Once Bitten Twice Shy'. Likes shades off.
OK that's it. Back to the basement! Thanks for all the birthday greetings and I'm sorry - I missed a few this time around. Keep trying. Until next time.
Yours truly,
IH
The Horse's Mouth
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