In relation to the record The Adventures Of Crazy Frank. Could you talk a bit about Frank Randall? The work he did as an entertainer.

Frank Randall was a drunk driven mad by drink, something I'm familiar with (although I haven't had a drink for seventeen years) but also a brilliantly funny knockabout comedian. I admire his tortured, mixed up style although I'm fully aware how close he was to the edge. I've been there. I understand.

Some of the songs on the Adventures of Crazy Frank talk about hearing voices seeing angels. Did Frank Randall ever spend time on a psychiatric ward?

Not to my knowledge although Geoff Nuthall's excellent book about Randall, called, I think "King Twist", is the best source for information.

Do you know if Frank Randall has any recordings available?

I have no idea. If there were I'd like to hear them.

Could you talk a bit about the Elvira Barney the inspiration behind the Elvira CD?

Elvira was a society hostess who killed her lover in the thirties and escaped relatively lightly (short prison sentence, I can't remember). The Barney case exposes England for all its class ridden hypocrisy. Elvira, however, captured my sympathy. She was a victim, rich but lost. It seems she spent her last days on the Riviera as a drunk

In relation to the blues influence in your music. What blues musicians inspire you?

My favourites are Robert Johnson, Leroy Carr, Peetie Wheatstraw and Tommy McClennan. The blues has many great performers and it's hard to pick the best