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Issue #77, Part 2 - 1 Aug 2007

Irina found OBTS 2CD an excellent compilation. 'I'm the Teacher' marvelous track. How come 'Bluebirds' never made it onto an album? (Nobody liked it - I'm serious - I was the only one that liked that song, so it never made an album). Who played guitar on 'Bluebirds'? (Probably Robbie Alter- great soulful player.) 'Was 'Death 'n' Glory Boys' the only track Mick played on?' (Yes.) 'When a song is coauthored - i.e. Hunter/Ronson - does it man lyrics by one and music by the other?' No, it can mean any sort of split. I.e. Mick and I are co-credited for writing 'Just Another Night' which I had written in total. However, I'd written it when I was over the limit and forgotten it. It was Mick who remembered it - therefore, if it hadn't been for him, the song would have disappeared. Also, Mick discovered the name 'You're Never Alone With A Schizophrenic' on a toilet wall and I wanted to use that for the album title - so that's how you, sometimes, co-write! Normally, however, I'll write the lyrics and the other guy will write the music or some of the music. That means I get paid for the lyric and half the music and my partner gets the other half of the music - and we both get credited as the songwriters.

Bill Monahan: 'Come to PA!!' We just got back!

Steve Fardon: 'Saw 'Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square' in Leicester. Love that song and it works really well in your style. I'm in bands and have always fancied incorporating standards into my set. I think it adds great dynamics. Do you feel like this?' Well, when 'Strings' came up, the man (Petter Singsaas who is head of Universal Norway) said to try something different and all I could think of was 'Nightingale' as my Mother always played the radio and it was on regularly in the 40's and 50's. I love doing it. I've had a bit of stick now and again for doing it and I can't think why. I think I do it great in my own way. As far as doing other songs - a reason has never risen to the surface, but I love that era. If Elvis Costello can do it - why can't I!!

Mike Ellis: What do you think of someone (my wife) using 'Golden Age of rock 'n' Roll' for an Arthur Murray dance competition? She's off her head!

Charlie Lohr: Thank you, Charlie.

Ian Jones: 'Would you ever consider doing something with the Motts for a Live Aid/Live Earth type concert?' Hasn't come up, so I haven't considered it.

Wild Dave: 'Ever talk to Irene Wilde after the song came out?' No, but I herd she liked the song.

Stale: I, personally, wasn't my best in Trondheim; Oslo and Lillehammer were much better. Hey, you can't win 'em all! Say hi to the chaps.

Pat: Was coming up with album titles a group effort in Mott? Guy Stevens was responsible for the good ones. We were responsible for the others.

Shelly: No, Mark is a pilot now in North Carolina. We haven't done Phoenix forever. Doesn't seem much of a demand there. New band, new agents, new managers - all changed. Moved on. Say hi to your little sister.

Michael Wolf can't wait for Milwaukee! Was I familiar with Roger Hodgson before Ringo? No, I wasn't but he's written some tremendous stuff.

Chris Vargo (20): 'Keep giving us youngsters something to look up to!' Alright.

Kelly Wallace: 'Haven't seen the Rainsong out of its case lately; whys that?' I kept breaking strings on one of them and I had the Martin that Paul O'Neill gave me. I just picked up the Martin and it felt better, sounded better and I stopped breaking strings so I stayed with it.

Anne Dewsnip: There was a problem with Leeds which I believe has now been solved. I think I may play there acoustically next spring. Bring him to that.

John Dogherty: Now here's a guy who gets 'Mad Shadows'. I mean you're right all the way down the line. Guy would have loved you - but to normal human beings it was, as I've said previously, hard to handle. I'm with you when I read this - but the other half of me sees a guy walkin' down the street with nothing. I'm glad I did it - put it like that! Great email.

Francis : We play SH over and over again….. 1) 'Are Shrunken heads a metaphor for money?' No.
2) 'Did you see the New Yorker - rare praise.' Yes!
3) 'Is 'Fuss About Nothin'' a plea for proactive thinking in politics? Yes.
4) 'Who are the wild boys?' Well there are wild boys and there are good old boys.
5) 'Will 'Rant' ever be available on vinyl? Nobody's asked me yet.

Thomas Kavanagh enjoyed the Highline immensely - was the bass player smashed out of his mind? I really don't know what to tell you. Paul seldom drinks and never imbibes. As for the hat - you gotta watch your hair on a windy day.

Michele Falbow says I've got to do 'Read it 'n' Weeep' Yes, Mrs. Lubner. I don't hear much on stage as I use plugs (for tuning purposes). Hey, I'm deaf anyway.

Dave Evans: There's talk, but nothing set as of yet.

Curtis: Thanks.

Martin Curry: Any chance of TV in UK?' I don't think they know who I m and that's perfectly OK by me.

I noticed a lot of you didn't like 'SH' as much as 'Rant' initially, but now you're changing your minds. This happens a lot with music in general - so it's not good to judge too quickly. 'SH' has depth. Remember, you've had lots of years with 'Rant' and only a couple of months with 'Shrunken Heads'. And you've had a life time with some of the earlier stuff. Often you like or dislike something because you were a certain age - or you fell in love - or you got sacked or you got dumped. To me every record's different. I wouldn't put 'Rant' up against 'SH'. They're two different animals from different times and they're all my babies.

Dan Sebald: Dan says 'SH' is good stuff - still has an affection for 'Rant'. Yep Roc tour? I think Peter Buck has been on at them about that. In regard to the CD, I decided to keep 'Wasted' off the original because to leave it on slowed the CD on balance. I'm actually quite keen on 'Real or Imaginary' too, but it stayed off for the same reason. Yeah, Andy asked what a few lines meant but he pretty much got most of it straight away. We think along the same lines.

Dean Roecker: Taking a well earned rest.

Mike Mitchell: Aaah - you make it easy, Mike - and thanks for holding the fort.

Ian Hollinghurst: 'Why is Andy York with you on the UK tour? Maybe this is mis-typed. Andy's job is with John Mellencamp. M.C. Bosch plays with me. Sometimes it changes according to who's available and who isn't.

Jeffrey: I was wondering where you'd got to. Nice neather if they could turn it down a bit. Stockholm was great 70's. Actually, this summer and last have been pretty civilized around here. I guess we're lucky.

Jim M: 'Play the Ridgefield Playhouse.' Actually, I keep seeing it in our local paper. They have some good stuff there. Maybe now I've changed agencies.

Dave Amara: Yep Roc supposed to be doing the merchandise. Try there.

Dave Simmonds: Not at the moment, but you never know.

John Caswell: 'Any chance of video of 'Big Mouth' or 'Shrunken Heads'?' There is a promo video being worked on at the moment by Jerkin' Crocus - watch for it in the autumn.

Hot Tub Mike: UK haven't seen the big band yet this year.

Bill Innes: Never heard of it. Nothing to do with me, mate!

Tose Darn Beavers: Thanks for the invite, but I'm up to my neck in surgery and gigs. You guys sound like fun, too.

Edward: 'Do you prefer Mick Taylor or Ron Wood in the Stones?' They are both great, but I'd take Ronnie. A better fit personality wise - and that's important when you are virtually living together.

Colum Thornton: 'Play 'Shrunken Heads' in Liverpool - please!' OK.

Stano: Glad you like it.

Anders: I believe it is now sorted (let me know if it's not). Glad you enjoyed Vastervik.

Joey Porter: James Mastro knew Jeff. He got up and played with us a while back in Chicago. We just rang him and he was up for it, but busy - so we popped down to Wilcoworld for a day and had a lot of fun with him. 'Do you hang out with MTH?' Well, geographically we're not in the same area. But Ralpher and I have toured quite a lot together. I have lengthy talks with Pete on the phone now and again. Still chat to Stan - and he's tour managed for me a couple of times. Still see Ritchie Anderson our original guitar tech. Glad your career's happening. Good luck with it.

Bill Curtis: Bring the band to Boston!!! We're trying!

David Cooper: 'Cleveland Rocks' was not a rewrite of 'England Rocks'. 'England Rocks' WAS a rewrite of 'Cleveland Rocks'. That's the Gods honest truth.

Heather loves 'Shrunken Heads'. Runs My Space for me - says we're getting great comments (same here). 'I work at Barnes and Noble and we put 'Shrunken Heads' up as Staff recommended at the register.' Nice one, Heather.

Karen: If you're in front of me - I'll sign it. You can never plan anything. Last time Karen came to a concert was the Stadium with Mott. Loves, 'Shrunken Heads'.

Andy Smith: Soon be back in business!

That's it girls and boys. I think we're back on schedule now, so expect one about the same time next month. Stuff is happening, but I can't tell you yet - Murphy's Law and all that.

Be well,

IH
The Horse's Mouth