CORRESPONDENCE

HERE IS A SELECTION OF THOSE WHO APPRECIATE ALAN'S WORK, THOSE WHO DON'T, LONG LOST ACQUAINTANCES WHO HAVE STUMBLED UPON THIS SITE, AND THOSE EVER PRESENT "HOW DARE YOU WRITE WOT YOU WROTE ABOUT MY FAVOURITE GROUP!!!" LUNATICS.  THE PICTURES ARE OF ALAN AND KEVIN, (KEVIN IS THE CONSTRUCTOR OF THE SITE), 
DISCUSSING ITS COMPOSITION

Dear Alan, I've just finished reading "Backbeat" and i'm truly moved. I took a long time because i didn't want to get to the end, Stuart's end, as if, just maybe, he would stay alive...But i got to a point, like a car without brakes, where i couldn't stop, reading it i mean. Couldn't put it down. Even took it out of the house, a thing i never do with my books, so's i could read it when i had a chance.  Alan, it was exquisite. Beautifully written and lovingly carried out.  Thanks once again for a beautiful experience, 
Love from S & m J***. 

Dear Alan Baby (if i may call you that)  I am your new biggest fan! I have all the  t-shirts and most of the Arganauts records. I came to you last concert at drill hall 2, with a few friends. We loved your show, especially Angelette ( a masterpiece ) and Back streets of old Rotterdam ( I now know all the words ). Could you please come to our school, we would love you to play a concert for us. We must tell you in advance that we wont be able to pay you anything but the introduction of so many Young Boys to your fan base is undoubtedly bring unlimited financial benefits (our headmaster especially wants to meet you) Failing that could you please tell us when your next London gig is, we would love to come and bring lots of friends to witness the Alan Clayson expieriance. Also, as your are a previously published author and obviously can write to a high standard, we think you should write an autobiography which should make a thrilling read judging from some of the stories you told at the concert (The vicars daughter! Really?) Please write back as soon as possible. Kindest regards D C****

Dear Alan Clayson, I am from Denmark and you could make me very glad if you would send me  your autograph. I am sure that you are getting many inquiries of this kind but I do hope that you will take your time and send a letter to Denmark. I wish you good luck for the future. Thanks and kind regards,

Dear I*****,  I'm sorry. I forgot. The letter will be on its way tomorrow. > Best wishes.  Alan.

Dear Alan, Thanks for your e-mail. No, I don't think there's a connection between  Clausen and Clayson. And perhaps there is ???.  Best wishes, I*****

Dear Alan, Thanks for your autograph. You've made me very glad. Best wishes from Denmark, I*****

Dear Kevin, In "Woodworking skills", please could you change "some bastard" to "a founder member of The Group That Dare Not Speak Its Name (see biography)". Thanks, Alan

Dear Mr.Clayson, I was surprised and disappointed at the appalling lack of real information regard Edgard Varese in your recent biography. While the insight into his personal life was mildly interesting, as a composer I had hoped to learn a lot more about his philosophy and perhaps some compositional strategies. Of particular annoyance was your periodic criticism of people who over intellectualize or orbit pretentiously, which I'm sorry to say I found you guilty. Perhaps you can recommend an available book which actually delves into his music. Respectfully,

Thank you for your most entertaining letter! Best wishes.

Is it true that you got so drunk on Lucozade that you fell off the stage and had to sober up with with raw eggs and Worcester sauce? The source of this story, an ex aide of yours, also told me that this quite the norm when you where on tour? Charlie.

Dear Charlie, Thank you for your most entertaining letter! Best wishes. 

Hi Alan. I saw you years ago at the Torrington in Finchley89 and again at the Roundhouse. I also have your "Decade" LP. I'm glad you're still going and I will try to get to your far- and-few-between gigs. Here's a question. What is your favourite piece of music? Something you could listen to over and over again. 
Love on ya. B. M*****.

Dear B, My recreational listening time is limited - so I have to really focus on a piece of music and be able to think, "Yes, that's interesting". Often, it's whatever I'm composing or recording at any given moment, but if there's one item I could bear hearing over and over again, it's John Cage's "Four Minutes And Thirty-Three Seconds". 

Alan. Hello you seem to be well (at least so far as can be divined from your web site). While I have not spoken to you since some time in the early 1970s as we were both departing Fleet you have continued to make symbolic and spasmodic appearances in my life. I opened what I think was the Melody Maker in the mid 1970s
to find an article about you. Not long after I saw you performing with the Argonauts at the Red Cow in Hammersmith. I was impressed (particularly by the opening number). I have a subsequent recollection of holding a biography of Steve Winwood that identified you as author (although I could find no mention of it on your web site). After George Harrison's death you materialised on a television news channel. Then today on returning home to Ludlow from Liverpool I came across a copy of your book on 'John Lennon' book in a record shop in Chester. I noted you not only had a US fan club but a web page too. I have just read the latter and decided to email you.  I just regret that I only have a mental recollection of a song you wrote titled 'War Department'. Up to about 10 years ago during spasmodic exploration of old documents I would come across a piece of paper to which you had consigned the lyrics of what at the time I considered a masterpiece. Unfortunately this, as a recording of you performing this song has long passed into the archives of my mind. I should also have said that I also enjoyed watching the Backbeat film, but at the time I did not associate it with you. It was good to be able to look on your face again (curtesy of your web site), and to find evidence of your successful pursuit of musical and literary endeavours. They have eluded me although my son Jake plays an extremely good self taught electric guitar and has performed locally with a group. I will, however, not bore you with a brief/extensive post Fleet biography. I have book marked your web site and will look out for any appearances you may be making in the vicinity of Ludlow. This time I will let you know I am in the audience. Best wishes B (M*******)

Hello Alan I thought long and hard before replying to your message. Would you want  to hear from me after all this time? I am afraid at times I was probably = a bit cruel to you at school, and maybe even after. I hope you bear no  lasting resentment! Still, here we are, all grown up and probably your life is the only one that seems to have turned out as expected, or has it been as much of a  surprise to you as mine has to me? I enjoyed reading your musings on you  web site, especially that you had done a show at Eel Pie Island. Some  very good friends of mine live on a boat not far from there. I woke up  there one very drunken night to find the boat full of young women in  varying states of (un)dress. At first I thought my prayers had finally  been answered but then found that the Island had caught light and we  were putting up refugees. I saw C and L V****** a little while back (they just dropped  into the garage) and I heard about K. I know it was some time  ago but please give my sympathy. Hmmm, this is all a bit more serious than I intended. I know, what about memories? No, don't protest, we have to! Running from the Thompson  family round Fleet Pond? Seeing how many people we could fit into your  room in the garden (while you made eyes at Maria P********, I know I  have spelt that wrong!)? Listening to Mothers of Invention records (your  taste) and Cream (mine).  So there we have it, a short rambling from P M***, if you want to  reply please do and I will try and make more sense next time. If not, go  well Alan. 

P. Dear P, This is a generalization, but, essentially, our paths diverged when you cast aside youthful follies and I didn't. Before that, we had lots of fun in and out of school, whether tormenting some beleagued master or being an outrageously successful shoplifting team. Furthermore, I learnt more about certain scientific and associated matters from you than ever I did from "Hank" North, "Boris", "Eli', "Bruiser" Wilson et al. At any rate, you were far more entertaining than any of them. Yet, overall, my memories of F********** Grammar, F**** and, it has to be said, living beneath my parents' roof, are not fond ones - which is why I'm wary of formal reunions. However, next time I'm in Devon, I may throw caution to the wind and turn up at your garage (though I'll be sure to warn you in advance). Conversely, you might be tempted to visit one of my places of work. Please don't take any of this amiss. It's only a combination of paranoia and a vague feeling of vulnerability, but it's feasible that this will pass sooner rather than later. Very best wishes. Alan.

Hello! I Saw you play at Club 85, Hitchin Last night and really enjoyed your set *clap clap*! i was wondering when you were next playing, aroung bedfordshie/ hertfordshire? could you please let me know cos i'd love to come see you again, it was a really enjoyable night, well done!  Hope to see you play again soon Mark K***** Ps. I'm in a band, i'm the brother of the guitarest from insomnia, who were playing with you. Please check out are website Many Thanks M K*****

Dear Alan, Before you consider writing any more books I suggest you let the proposing publishers know more about your previous works.  A good start is to let them read these enclosed reviews. There are more.  As the Beatles go - best you never consider completing a set by "writing" about John and Paul.  Book buying public want books about the subject on the cover, not some ramblings of some nerd who gets the chapters in his books really inaccurate.  Using "a name" of a well known artist to publish a book filled with the authors ego filled fantasy world rips everybody off. ESPECIALLY YOU because underneath all your own starred filled world you really know you are writing a fiction filled tome with as many far fetching and useless words as errors.

Dear anonymous, Thank you for your most entertaining letter! Best wishes.

AS THIS SECTION OF THE SITE IS MOSTLY OLD HAT, WE HAVE STARTED A NEW PAGE OF THE SYCOPHANTIC, THE PSYCHOTIC, AND THE UNCOVERING OF GUILTY SECRETS.
  CLICK HERE