Rick Graves: 'Hey Ian - caught the Highline and the Tabernacle shows and greatly enjoyed both - but thought the Tabernacle brilliant. It as awesome to get such a diverse set from one night to the next. Really think you should release one of these acoustic shows as a live set.'

Chip 'n' Patty: 'Thoroughly enjoyed the show but disappointed not to hear 'Dudes'. We did enjoy the set list and the great musicians who played with you. Wish we could have said hello…..' Trudi was around - if she'd have seen you we'd have got you back. We were in a different house right up until stage time so it was awkward to meet people. Sorry about that - next time! P.S. As for 'Dudes' we had just done it the two previous nights so I thought I'd give it a rest.

Paul Terry: 'No question - just wanted to say it was a marvelous night at the Highline. Wife and I danced, sang and wept (quite a night!). Thanks for last two albums. Even my 20 something kids love the albums - can't thank you enough!'

Beth Khoury: 'So pleased you're finally coming back to San Francisco - you've been a stranger for too long and I need a shot of Huntah.' I'm being offered a drink here!!

Scott Tilton: 'Amazing show at the New Hope. Couldn't sleep that night - any plans for any more East Coast shows in the New Year?' We're looking at it.

Overnight Angel: 'Really enjoyed the Stables at Wavendon. - 'Somewhere', 'Little Star' - you're special. I love you.'

Seth Purvin: 'Ian - 'Girl From the Office' was a great choice for an encore a the Highline.' Steve Holley said it was a great choice after the gig - but honestly - it was an on the spot decision. It just came into my head and said, 'do me'. So we did.

Michael Hickey: 'Any chance of you and the boys in the Palm Springs area?' Love to, but I don't think there's much call for our sort of thing down there.

Hot Tub Mike: Sure, I remember My Father's Place and Eppy. Actually, recorded some stuff for a live album there once.

Joan: Thanks in advance for coming to LA. Being skint didn't allow travel to NY. Already planning the tour in CA. Already have Galaxy ticket as do a lot of us messageboarders. See you in January!' We'll be there.

Paul Sale: 'Great gig in Birmingham last month - I shook your hand - hope I didn't come across as a gibbering buffoon.' Same here! Re: Mott Mastermind (as mentioned elsewhere in Paul's email) Somebody told me the guy got hold of Campbell Devine before the show. Good move!

Margaret: 'Just want to thank you for playing 'Boy' at Havana. My son (Ian) was there and that's his favourite song.'

Jalopy: I asked for 'Still Love Rock 'n' Roll' and 'Purgatory' and you aid nah - then I asked for 'Just Another Night' and 'Lounge Lizard' and you said nah - how about 'Golden Age' and 'American Spy'? Nah…..

Joe Joe: Initially, my Mum worried and my Dad was glad to see the back of me. My Mum became an avid fan - collecting everything - and my Dad (who quoted Burns on a regular basis) didn't quite understand what was going on and why. He did like the book, however. He knew how hard it was to get published. I think they'd have preferred me in a 'decent' job as all parents do, but I was meant for something else. See, it's not a career at first. You're just banging your head up against a brick wall until something crumbles - and it may not crumble - ever. Meanwhile, everybody thinks you're an idiot for trying. Not easy.

Irina: 'Your thought on YUI Orta album?' Ronno didin't want Bernard Edwards - I did. He was right. The record sounds great, but personality is lacking. Bernard was OK, but he really didn't understand what we were doing. I wanted him, because of the Power Station album. However, the studio had been altered, so Bernard couldn't do what I wanted him for. Namely, the Tony Thompson drum sound (which involved ambience no longer available). 'None of those great songs are in your set lists these days - why?' Because there's a little voice in my head telling me to do other stuff. You can only play so many songs in a two hour set. Love to Russia!

Joe Payne: Nothing planned at the moment, but that can easily change.

Jane: 'Where can I get a copy of 'Rant' on CD in England? Try Amazon.

Tamara Guo: 'Just wanted to say heartfelt thank you for the brilliant show at he Tabernacle. It took me 30 years to finally see you live. I drove 7 hours to get there. It won't take me as long to see you again - trust me.' Nice one.

Pichie Cornacchio: '40 years ago I stood in awe at the Fillmore East as you totally changed my world. Lost Saturday at Mr. Tabor I felt the same feeling all over again. The show was the best I have seen you in years. Perfect venue. The sound was stellar and you and the boys rose to the occasion and then some. You have gone from an angry, restless youth to a wise and observant elder and your songwriting reflects that perfectly.' Jeez.

Rob Z: 'I appreciate people who are good at what they do - thanks.' Thank you.

Kandis Giordano: We don't do meet 'n' greet packages. Sometimes I bump into people - sometimes I don't. I hope your husband gets to meet us; we are approachable, but nothing is ever planned.

Jeffrey: Weather stinks today, Jeff.

Danny Parkinson: No, but as I said before - I think he rang Campbell Devine who's a walking encyclopedia.

Dave Donner: No, Andy won't be on that tour, although we are doing a bit together at the moment. He's just back from the JM tour. We had dinner last night. Hope to see you at the Galaxy. James will be there as will Steve.

Rick Goward: Thanks for the invite, but I have a touring regime!!

Dan Baker: 'The Father/daughter dance song played for my daughter's wedding was 'Sunshine Eyes' - we both love that song.' Wrote that for my youngest son, Jesse when we lived in New York on the East River.

Oor Willie wants Mad Shadows revisited. We'll get there eventually.

Pat: I just think it's horses for courses. James is well into that as is Ralpher so I let them do it - one less thing to worry about.

Yucca Flats: 'Great to see you playing the Narrows Center. Long time since you visited the Boston area.' Looking forward to it.

Matt Parish: Thank you for that, Matt.

Joe S.' You're gonna get what you're gonna get! Enjoy!

Craig A: 'Please tour soon - I'm not getting any younger!' Well I do get out and about a bit.

Laurent: Yeah - take the thickest one off - I didn't bother until James suggested it recently - it rolls better.

Bill Henderson - can't wait!

Steve Jeal: Not my department; up to the promoter. I know Alejandro was going to do it at one point, but it couldn't be worked out financially. I think they were talking to James Hunter too, but then he decided to record an album instead. That's all I know.

Richie Cornacchio: 'Ever look back on life and wish there was one moment - big or small - you could do over or are you a no regrets type?' Sure there's thing you regret and you try to make up for them - that's all you can do.

Tom Boone: 'Secret Sessions' was a work shop stream of consciousness type of thing. John Cale had studio time with Bobby Neuwirth but Bobby was stuck in LA so John asked Mick and me and Corky to come down for a mess about. No money was involved - we just jammed until something did or didn't develop. No lyrics - blind as bats. I remember Queen Elizabeth - you're just a luxury liner. Liked that title. When I talked to Jeff Tweedy he said Wilco do it similarly (although with a tad more success!!)

Alastair Ramage: 'Any chance of a live CD release of a recent tour?' Union Chapel (with the String Quartet) was filmed and recorded. Haven't heard it yet. Good luck with 'Flowers'.

Steven: Sack him - he's an idiot!!

Noisy Guys in NY: Thanks for the impromptu help chaps!

Peter Jordan: I'm gonna do what I'm gonna do, Pete. That's just the way it is. If I listened to everyone, I'd be on stage for seven hours a night, and we all know that's not going to happen. It's flattering that I get all these requests, but you can only do so much.

Francis L: Glad the wife's converted - they all seem to like 'Girl From the Office' - which - by the way - is a true story. Francis says M.C. is from his home town and talks of a venue we might be interested in play. That, however, is Frank Riley's department, not mine. 'What's your favourite dish?' Actually, anything that's amazing.

Judi: We had an offer in from San Diego but we couldn't make it work. See you at the Galaxy or the El Rey - or Fillmore.

Tripp: I think it's extremely difficult for an actor to portray a rocker and the same the other way around. Hollywood's got this really simplistic way of trying to do Rock 'n' Roll. Bill Nighy is the only convincing actor I've seen do a Rocker.

Ricky: Come to New Orleans!

Seth Pruvin: I was a semi -professional ted.

William Houghtaling: Wow - that's some handshakin'

Lars: I'm with you - just keep going' until I stop.

George T. Ross: It's been a while since I did Ireland. I remember doing Cork and they talked all the way through the set. Then, they got pissed because I wouldn't do an encore. Honestly, nobody took a blind bit of notice of me - until I wasn't on!!

Dean Morier: We'll be there.

Matt G: Happy about the Fillmore. 'I hope San Francisco equals Cleveland.' Same here.

And so we reach the end of another Horse's Mouth. Be Well.

IH
The Horse's Mouth