@neilbagley1577 Thank you, Neil.

Hi Gary. Good to hear from you. I started this channel to replace my performances at the Poet when we were stuck at home during COVID-19. It was only intended to fill the void for my global fanbase and me until we could all go to the pub again. Unfortunately the pub closed, so we never did. It also seemed to be an effective way of maintaining engagement with my music. Clearly, my stories about "almost" making a hit record, and my singing, paper-tearing grandfather from Plymouth have limited appeal to all except folks who know me, so it was always a little tongue in cheek, but the stories are true, and yes - it was The Optics who played in Islington! (Thanks for paying attention. There will be a quiz at the end of the semester.) The irony is that my music documentaries are way more popular than my songs! 🤣 Take care, Gary. Thanks for watching, and thanks for the comment.

Thanks, George. By all accounts, they were a really good live band, but needed a great song (All The Young Dudes) to break through. I listened to all four of their pre-Dudes albums a couple of times when I was making this video. Not my cup of tea at all. The recordings are sloppy and loose. (Probably due to Guy Stevens' production.) Quite a contrast to their Bowie and self-produced singles and albums, which I love. Ian Hunter is the quintessential rock n roll star.

​@timsincere Agreed, Tim. The ATYD album is great, as is its follow-up "Mott". It was disappointing to check out the back catalog. Like all things, they had their moment, and yes, Ian in sunglasses is such a rocker!

Thank you, George. Elton was busy, so I had to play it meself! 😂🎹

Apparently, the meaning of The Fool Tarot card (like many of them) is not just what it seems. It signifies: Innocence, freedom, originality, adventure, travel, foolishness, carelessness, idealism, youth, spontaneity, lack of commitment, new beginnings. But it was either that or another photo of me, so the fool won. (He usually does 😉) Happy New Year!

​@timsincere thanks for the education - Happy New Year, Tim!

@chiangmaicharlies Thank you so much. I appreciate it! 🙏

Thanks, mate!

Damn! I always assumed they were channeling ME! 🤣

We've talked about Chinnichap before, George, so I thought you might like this episode 😎

@@timsincere Thanks, same to you and yours! 😀

@@timsincere Thank you. I only sing for the love of singing...and I am fearless. I can sing many genres, even some light opera. I just love singing as a hobby. 🙂

I like it a lot more now that it's shorter! 🤣

Hi George. Glad you like this one. I'm still re-posting my songs in a better format for KZbin, and so all of the recent posts are back-catalog. However, I have a couple of new songs in the works - one just needs a vocal track. If only I could remember which box that special microphone is in... 😂

@@timsincereYes, many moons ago, I didn't realize where that was, good video. Couldn't help but see the oscilloscopes, various test equipment in the background. Great time. Hope your doing well, heard about your move. Looks like your doing fine.

Thanks, Bob 🙏

Thank you, Major 🙏

John is probably turning in his grave! A very merry Christmas to you too, George! And a happy New Year. Let's hope it's a good one. Without any fear.

Yes, Hackensack is a great song. Have you ever heard the cover by Glen Tillbrook (Squeeze)? FOW owe a lot to Squeeze, and this cover highlights the similarities between Adam Schlesinger's and Glen Tillbrook's songwriting. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqjZd2yQj6aBZ8Usi=MC7IdMaUJi-F4eX_&t=7184

Here's Squeeze performing their song "Cold Shoulder", recorded 10 years before "Hackensack". I think it's easy to see where FOW took some inspiration! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJmnkKFplLNoesU

​@timsincere Wow, you weren't kidding "took some inspiration"! I had no idea, but I do enjoy both bands. I hope they were friends.

lol - They are friends. FOW have opened for Squeeze on at least one tour, and Chris Collingwood mentioned in his blog that he and Glenn Tillbrook have an unfinished song they were writing together. Both Adam Schlesinger and Chris Collingwood cite Squeeze as a major influence, right behind The Beatles. I would bet money that they intentionally copied the production style of "Cold Shoulder" just for fun, or as an exercise, in the same way they mimicked "Just What I Needed' on "Stacy's Mom". Their production skills are often overshadowed by their wonderful songwriting. I love their treatment of "Halley's Waitress". It sounds like incidental music from a US 1970's TV show like "Hill Street Blues". The sort of thing Mike Post did for all those shows.

@timsincere Thanks, Tim. I was hoping for a happy ending to their relationship story. There's so much under-reported (?) good music out there. Schlesinger's life was so filled with accomplishment, and yet even his obituary was focused on the "one hit wonder" angle so beloved by music reporters. Years ago, I was regularly confusing these guys with a third old favorite, Neil Finn's Crowded House. It was difficult, pre-internet, for fan boys like me. I didn't think these singer- songwriters sounded alike, per se, I just kept struggling with who was who. This is why I appreciate your mini-docs - I hope you'll expand that collection whenever your life permits.

Thank you!