Sorry I'm a little late - been busy.

Andy: 'What's happening with 'Schizophrenic?' It's on course, as far as we know.

Billy Innes: 'Does smoking (or lack of) affect the voice?' Yup. It thickens it and lowers it. I'm a soprano with a butt.

Martin: Writing for MOTT usually develops during 'MOTT rehearsals. My own albums are probably more personal.

Mike Saunders: Thank you.

Kelly Wallace: Thank you.

Pertti: 'I have a dream that you will play Finland.' Michael Munroe rang the other day from Finland. Lovely lad.

Francis L: 'I'm first in line for 'Man Overboard' - will I need a life vest?'

Bob Barnes says I got a mention at the Friars Anniversary gig. Kris Needs, Dave Stopps, Pete Frame - all there. Great people. Thanks for the award chaps! Yes - I think that was the last time.

Alan Keinch: I'm just 2070.

Oystein - thank you.

In fact, thank you all for the birthday greetings. I'm not really big on birthdays, but I realize a lot of people are. Stan Tippins is always the first one to 'remind me'.

Bobby Balloch: 'Hope you and the band savor the first few minutes of the opening night. What will go through your heads as the curtains open?' What's the first chord?

Bob Jones: Hopefully.

Mark Russo: No problem.

Ken Grady: 'Just heard a bootleg of you and Ralpher doing 'Original Mixed Up Kid' - great arrangement.' Saw Mick at Jones Beach with Band Company last week - playing his ass off! 'Will there be any extra tracks released to coincide with the new album?' No extra songs were recorded for 'Man Overboard'. It comes as is.

Keith Isaacson: 'When did you start playing harmonica?' Before anything else, actually. 'Why?' Don't know. Just felt like it. Works nicely with certain songs.

Irina: 'From Russia with Love.' Thank you.

Richard Ruben: Fan from the Uris - way back. Appreciated.

Andy: Pete says I smashed the H and some chap in England has the Maltese Cross but the saga is not over.

All of you with your Happy Birthdays. Actually, I had two birthdays this year. One in London and one at Rick + Steff's round here. Cleaned up!

Phyl: Mind your business!

Fiona, Tony, Jay, Constance, Jane, Zazbar, Franjo, Brian, Roberta, Jeffrey (It's July 5th and gorgeous), Augusto, Dean, Fred and the Hat people, Buzz - thank you all.

Scott McCrumb asks if working with Ringo helped sway working with MTH? Nope.

Charlie Frey: Never knew I had that effect. Far out!

Peter Manzini: There's all manner of suggestions popping up which I studiously avoid. S'all down to management. I just like playing.

John McCaul: We'll try - we really will.

Peejay: 'MTH will there be any bitching, fighting - rowing?' Don't know yet!

Peter Mills: The merch deal hasn't been done yet.

Howard Chapman - Sorry.

Liz K: Can't do August - sorry.

John Leece was talking to Roger Ruskin Spear (he of the robots at the URIS) - which were actually converted vacuum cleaners. Roger told John we used feathers from hotel pillows! Don't remember that one.

John Pottage - He talks too much and doesn't say enough.

Neil Holmes: Not to my knowledge.

Tony: I cannot comment at this time.

Bucks: Cheers, Bucks. 'New Site layout Great'.

Stephen Grayce: It's a possibility.

Alan from Kent, WA: I don't think in your area.

Colin Powell: I do sympathize. It's a great city with great supporters. You deserve better. Be neat if you could get some real football people in.

Jessica Mcginney: 'How old's Tracie?' Are you kidding!

Bill P: A Pete Watts idea (Jupiter intro).

Pete Morris: It's all true. Me and Tony Marriott.

Lounge Lizard: Actually, we're waiting for the rest of the UK to defect.

Mark Wheeler: I remember having an arrangement for 'Drive In Saturday' but I've listened since and have forgotten it.

B. Barr: We're looking at November/December for 'Man Overboard'.

David Burke: Glad to be of service.

Christine: First things first, Christine!

Per Lindh: Don't know yet.

Rob Hodder: Sorry - but my memory fails me.

Greg Heyler: Too early to say.

Mark Russo: I thought Michael's cover was great. So was Brian May's version. Good luck with it.

Joe Basile: 'Former flame had three kittens. Mott, Hoople, and Ian.' Can't imagine calling a cat, Ian.

Tim Godek: It's possible. I don't remember exactly.

Phil Taylor: 'MTH in Mojo Hall of Fame - common sense at last.'

Patrick: Enjoy! Jay Tashjian: Nope

Wayne Hall: Being sorted as we speak.

Gaz Taylor: It's a short leather jacket with strange writing on it. Only wore it once, but I've still got it.

Steve: 'Will cameras be allowed at the venue? That I don't know at this time.

Michael Flowers: 'I've just downloaded 'Artful Dodger'. Can I send you the cheque.?' A semi honest!

Jim Stotts: Leave all that to Frank Riley.

Eric Law: Mick and I produced an album with Urgent. Three brothers. I knew Donny Kehr very well for a while. Donny become a successful actor (recently of Jersey Boys) and Michael, I hear, has a new band. Good singers.

Anthony Newton: Don't know about this.

Alan Shiell: Yes, go to bed. Do not go to a chiropractor. Go immediately to bed and stay there. It's slow, but it works 85% of the time.

Bobby Ballock: The intention is to be the original five.

Ramira Cota: C'mon.

Buckwheat Slim: Still being sorted out.

Jefferson Booth: No, I have not changed my mind, nor will I. History will prove the point.

Mike Pecucci: Not that familiar, but I hear good things.

Bruno Peres: Thanks, Bruno.

David: Do 'Crossroads'. That's a thought.

Seth Purrin: 'Have you ever thought of doing a duets album and if so who would you have on it?' Somebody else usually comes up with an idea like this. Somebody who's in a position to make it happen. I wouldn't think in that way unless somebody was around who could pull it togehter. Do I tweet? Nah.

Trey Patterson: It feels great. Ralpher's going to check it out. Beautiful job.

Kevin (Newcastle) says I look dapper on the New West website! That's one of our old carpets behind me. We fished it out of the garage.

Mike Costanza: 'Full Glam?' Are you kidding me?

Alan from Kent: Actually, we got that one sorted out now, but thanks for the info.

Dave Donner: Alright, so now we know where you are. Good move.

John: 'Strings Attached.'

Julian Richards: This is management - not this site.

Mike Riley: Thank you, Mike.

Diane West: Got this too late.

Nigel Edridge: This is being discussed. Everything's being discussed. Be nice to get something done.

Jason: Jason says he's set up a group on Facebook called 'the Ian Hunter Appreciation Society' - and he's got 560 members already. Anything I'd like to say to them all? Welcome aboard and thank you Jason for talking the time.

Ian Merryweather: I'm all for Jukeboxes.

Tom, Edinborough: That's a hell of a way to get there.

Pat: Yup. Although I think it was Ralpher who showed me.

Bill Kershaw: Nov/Dec this year, hopefully. 'Shrunken Heads' is on Yep Roc.

Dean Prescott: Ballard are easier than rockers for me, although songs aren't easy period.

Tony Crookston: Stick with it.

Lew: 'Standin' in My Light' was about a man who was getting in my way.

Andy Berube: 'What makes a good song?' Wish I knew. Everybody who writes songs think they're great at first. I guess it's down to quality control. Persistence plays a part. Keep the antenna up at all times.

Andy Healey: Not at all. They didn't get it.

James Knox: 'Anybody tell you that you and Don Imus could be twins.' Yes, I get this from time to time.

B.T. Girl: I'm sitting here on a beautiful afternoon with Suzi and Lisa Ronson and they say that Mick never went out with Sparks because the Dylan tour came up. So there you have it from the source.

Michael Flowers: 'Come to Baton Rouge.' If I get the chance we'll be there.

Nancy saw River to River. 'How do you rock like that?' We just do it. 'Is Joe jealous?' Joe's a huge fan and a great friend. 'Will you instore 'Man Overboard'?' Too early to say.

Glen Weisberg: That was Joe Elliott and Jesse (my youngest).

Thanks to all for the River to River comments. Glad you all had a good time. I frankly didn't think it was going to happen until 15 minutes before it did.

Steve Wilson: Glad to hear it.

Jeff: Wow - Jeff. You're a lucky man. We had a pool light blow that sounds similar. Glad all is well.

Sarah C.: 'Why aren't you in the Hall of Fame?' Sometimes stuff can be political - who knows. I don't loose sleep over it!

Jim McCabe: 'Dead Man Walkin'' off Rant.

T.S. If I see it I'll let you know.

Susan Preston - Nice one.

Verne: Aah - just get it.

Bobby Balloch - In my considered opinion it would indeed be naff.

Richard Marino - This would be New West territory.

Tripp Pair - Glad you enjoyed it. I'm snowed with pictures. Thanks.

Gary M - This is true.

Ken Oudinot: Coincidence it was. Sorry!

Brent Coursey: It's under discussion.

Dave Hancox: I don't know - I was this guy but for a few - slices of luck. I know people like this. Some of my older friends did extremely well - but some didn't.

Joel Taylor - Easier said than done. You never know.

Wayne - Oh, you flatterer.

Neil Salzman: 'Was the collaboration the same as the last couple of recordings?' More or less. 'Was it easier getting a release?' Three labels wanted it.

Philip Monaghan: 'Did you ever meet Michael Jackson?' No, I didn't.

John Huffman: That's the idea; Let's see what happens.

Bill C. - I'm not keen on all this leaking of stuff all over the place - but there's not a lot I can do. Mustn't grumble!

Paul Sale - 1) too early to say. 2) MTH were considered an Island failure. They only like to concentrate on their successes - and that's their prerogative. Wrong band; wrong label. They did stick with us for four albums. Stuff happens.

John Channing: I find this pretty sickening to be honest. Thanks for the info. Why make records to give away. There's so much leakage with this record it puts me off making another one.

Richard Kaderli: Not too keen on hard and heavy at the moment but having said that, I just saw Wilco's new DVD - Hot, heavy and inspirational!

Becky Collins: Andy's on tour with John Mellencamp at the moment.

Ken: Don't know at the moment.

Yucca Flats: 'Boston?' I'll be there.

Beth Khoury: 'Tell Lori Rubio the opening act may have been Aerosmith. My brother walks with Bill Bryson - do you think Pete would be interested?' He probably would, actually. Pete's just finished his book.

Willie - See you then.

Dan Mcallister: 'Rant band with you at City Winery?' Yup. Full band, but we'll probably play semi-acoustically.

So there we have it. Missed a lot, but thanks for all the best wishes (Father's day/birthdays etc.). We'll talk again soon!

IH
The Horse's Mouth