Bernie Hogya: 'Just saw your opening night at the Winery - my 8th time seeing you perform. First time was Broadway in '74. Anyway, thanks for the third encore. It was pure, unexpected, totally earnest show of respect for a terrific set - and the two encores you'd already given us. We wanted more - you delivered. Thanks.'

Lynette Lahann: 'Another great show a the Winery. Great to see Andy York; Thank you for the last encore.'

Roger Maltby: 'Too bad for me - all three shows were sold out. Yesterday morning on the subway I was listening to a live recording of MTH at the Fairfield Halls, Croyden. I was at that show. Around 5 PM I left my office and walked past the City Winery next door. I could hear faint sounds - they grew louder as I approached the open entrance door and the voice was immediately recognizable. The irony made me smile - 40 years from Croyden - I see him again - next door.'

Mike: James has to make changes - baritone guitar - mandolin etc. I usually start without him just to piss him off.

Pat: 'Is Ringo as funny and down to earth as he seems?' Yep. But part of being down to earth is getting fed up with being constantly hassled. It's still hard being a Beatle. Lovely chap.

Simon Hearn: Appreciated. Say hi to your Dad for me.

Joe S.: No, I wasn't.

Bill C: 'Saw you Wednesday, and it was OK; saw you Friday - HOLY CRAP!!'

Maggie: It's gone!

Larry Butti: They were not happy campers on the road, but we still liked them. I've always thought it's difficult to work when you're brothers. Look at Oasis and the Everly Brothers. Constantly at it! 'Have you thought of doing a low tech tour like Ray does (complete with song book - which he frequently references?' I don't know. We'll see. I kind of like the camaraderie on the road. I think Ray likes it more on his own.

Jeff Stache thought the energy could have easily supported a much younger audience a t a cheaper stand up venue. Well, it seems I can't please everybody - about half like to sit and the other half want to mosh out. I guess Edinburgh's the answer - you get both.

Randy McNeil: 'My first time at the City Winery. What a great play list - what a great venue. Marshall Crenshaw was there too.'

Pat: 'Great show last night - you looked really dapper!! Favourite moments- 'Man Overboard', 'Dead Man Walkin' and impromptu Jerry Lee interlude. I could listen to that stuff for ages. What was that cover you did? Beautiful song - great show.' That was 'Somewhere' from West Side Story - Leonard Bernstein.

Fred: '23rd awesome. Your voice never sounded better - band fantastic - venue great. Might be the best show since NAWAS tour.'

Mike Warholak: 'Michigan!'

Kerri Fraser: 'Winery - nothing short of spectacular!'

Sandro Paladini: I'm only reading this now. So sorry about your friend. We actually left immediately after as we had to play London the following night. Give him my best.

Billy Oblivion: I know it's a Little Richard song. Jerry Lee used to do it as well. Amazing chap, Little Richard - greatest natural rock and roll voice ever. Keep up the good work.

Lynne: 'Marvelous at the Winery - loved the West Side Story insert. 'Somewhere' is one of my favourites from that play. For the most part, I couldn't sit still, but there wasn't enough room to get up and dance.' Sorry about the other thing- hope you get it resolved.

Tom: 'Great gig at the Winery - come back soon.'

Bucks Burnett: Keep on pushin'.

Jim Andrews: A couple of years ago at the Garden.

Harrison Sill: Thank you for your interest. Watch this site for any gigs.

David Barraclough: Sorry about that.

Lasse Stenman: 'MO one of the best of your career.'

Scott Weatherup: 'Toronto!'

Colin Powell - not bad.

Rick Goodwin: Did I enjoy Sellersville? Yup; we all did.

Glen Yee: 'What was your inspiration for performing 'Somewhere' from West Side Story?' P.J. Proby.

Max Frauel: Don't know about this. He couldn't have spoken to my 'manager' as I don't have one - but I do have an agent - Frank Riley.

Gaz: Pot luck there, Gaz.

Ira F: ''Dead Man Walkin' converted the wife.' Good oh.

John S. P. Walker: 'To be honest - Ian Hunter - good bloke - never gives less than 75% - the two shows I caught at the City Winery this past weekend were the best I've seen by anyone since the turn of the century!'

I'm not making this stuff up!

Larss Johansson - I don't think we met up. Sorry about that. Hope you enjoyed Milan.

Kellianne Flynn - Thanks, Kellianne.

Les Vineyard Knoxville, Tennessee: 'Did MTH write any new songs during the reunion?' I had a couple of things but it's impossible.

Larry Decina: 'Great show in Sellersville - awesome 'Sweet Jane' Thanks for being so alive and animated.'

Shawn Jones: I was in Liverpool on a gig backing Freddie Fingers Lee and we went to the pictures - Dr. Zhivago. There was a half time interval when I realized I was watching something amazing and by the end of the movie I was a complete wreck. It was so fine and noble - everything that's lacking in cinema today. It may not run as well now as it did then, but that was the most moving experience I have ever had watching a movie.

Bob Barnes: I've never encountered such an idiotic company. Thanks for the info.

John Huffman: 'What the hell is wrong with your promoters You always play LA. You normally do San Juan Capistrano and you always sell out. Actually, you could sell out two shows. I can't afford to fly back East. I get it, but it sucks big time!'

Gerry fae Glesga: Aye weill.

Rupert: Leicester - 'the disappointment of the lack of 'Irene Wilde' was replace by a curve ball of 'Somewhere' by Bernstein. Napster this song! It's been done by everyone but nothing like Ian and his band id it last night. When the lead guitarist hit his moment, you knew Bernstein had written a rock and roll song - but he will never know. Tried to play it today - it really is one of the best songs ever written' (I agree - H.M)

Mark Trude: 'Thank you for the incredible Winery shows. I don't know if you heard, but Robert DeNiro was in the crowd on the Saturday night.' You singin' to me?

Vickie Geisel: 'Great two days at the City Winery. Counted 9 or 10 fans from Texas - most from around DFW area! Our 25 year old nephew - graduate student in classical bass at NYU was very impressed.'

Les: 1) Sid Vicious 2) True 3) I have, but I haven't 4) I live in the country and I use the facilities. 5) You're welcome!

Fiona: 'Wow - you were amazing - best show ever (Edinburgh). Can't wait to see Jools Holland show.'

The Jools Holland show was very last minute. We got the call on the Friday and we did the shows on the Monday and Tuesday. We couldn't do 'MO' because of the length. They wanted 'Flowers' and a MTH song. I said 'Flowers' and 'OBTS' and that was how it happened. You'll notice a shortened 'OBTS' - again - because of the timing structure of the show. Happened on Craig Ferguson too. We had to get up on the Wednesday morning at 5AM to catch the flight to Milan. I wasn't the happiest of campers, but we survived.

George T: 'Sellersville rocked - you have an open invitation anytime. Growing up I was a huge Dave Clarke Five fan - any thoughts?' It shouldn't have been called the Dave Clarke Five. It should have been called the Mike Smith Five. I thought Dave was an average drummer, but a very astute businessman.

Dan DeBoer: 'Ever consider performing one of your albums from beginning to end. i.e. Todd Rundgren?' Not really.

John Pottage is raving about M.C. Bosch - 'what was the intro and exit music?' Do you know, I don't know. Scoobie (our soundman) used it on an acoustic tour and kept using it on this one. Lovely. 'Highlight 'Up 'n' Running' and 'Great Escape'. Tom Waits song worked well live. Superb!!' 'Somewhere' - covered by Tom - written by Leonard Bernstein. Ta.

Kenny Mac: 'OK SO YOU GOT ME - I went to Edinburgh as you were not playing Glasgow and it was ab fab. You were on top form and that song - There's a Place for us (Somewhere) - made the hairs on my neck stand up. You hit every note. Took my older brother and his 26 year old son and he was blown away. The slide guitar in 'Rain' was out of this world. Well done everybody in the band - it was class!!'

Arfar: 'Just got home from the Barbican - fantastic - thanks.'

Chris Wood: 'Great gig at the Barbican last night, but when you sing 'Rip Off' and 'Death of a Nation' remember you're singing to a British audience who still live in the UK and who like it here. England isn't a rip off and the Nation isn't dying. If you can't find anything positive to say about the place just stick to telling us the stories you do so well. You are still the best songwriter this country has ever produced. Thank you for that - Chris.' Nice one Chris. My brother said the same thing. Hey, I know what I'm doing.

Richard Fraczek: 'Barbican - magical - we'll treasure the occasion. Brilliant performance.'

Shugster E/K: 'Recovering from Edinburgh Saturday night - whatta blast. As usual the I.H. Tartan Army had a ball all day - a truly great bunch of people who love you and your music! As for the gig - what can I say - better than ever - you were in great voice. Excellent choice of songs! Thought '23'/'Angeline' worked well, as did 'Up 'n' Running/'Dancin on the Moon'. The MO material comes over great live (have to say, 'Sweet Jane' stole the night for me). Rant Band - outstanding - every one. Jimmy a guitar genius and Boshy was on fire all night! I was going to say you're lucky to have them - but they're lucky to have you!' (Right on!). 1) 'What was the highlight of the tour?' We really enjoyed the entire thing. It was a bit hectic - one day we had breakfast in Milan - lunch in London and dinner in Stockholm. We get along well. 2) 'Is it true that you'll be back this fall?' It's not signed and sealed, but we're planning on October and Glasgow is on the list. We couldn't get a seat in Equees. Had to stand round the back with the best fish 'n' chips in Scotland. (Plus a pork pie I had in my pocket.)

Lee Ann: Equies is a place we always visit. It's in Hamilton (about 15 miles from Glasgow. Pork pies kill me and I love Lucosade. I ate 11 pork pies the first two days I was there. (Thanks, Martin) Pork pies and Cava - a recipe for disaster. If I lived in England I'd be huge.

Pat: Tiring - boring - and unnecessary!

Terry Moon: 'Great gig at the Barbican, but why a Leonard Bernstein song? Why not 'Girl from the Office'?' Because I'm in love with 'Somewhere' at the moment. Actually, I have been for 40 years. Amazing song. The structure is so simple and so beautiful. You're lucky I didn't do 'Somewhere' the whole bloody show! 'I was talking to a guy there who is doing Mastermind with MTH. Thanks for the Bonzos too.'

Bart: 'Have you ever met Tom Petty? What's your opinion of his music? You would have been best choice to replace Roy Orbison in the Wilbury's. What did you think of the Wilbury's music?' I think Tom Petty is great. We've never met, although I've met his guitarist and keyboardist. I thought the 'Wilbury' whole thing was great - still do.

IH
The Horse's Mouth