Strange and uncanny noises were emerging from behind a closed door. In there, with the noises, was Alan Hull, but surely this couldn't be the new Lindisfarne sound everyone was talking about? No, it wasn't. It was a riotous Hull trying his wind on a saxophone; and not too well either. He was much better at blowing wind about the review of his solo album Pipedream, reviewed by the venerable A. Tyler. He didn't like the review, he was quite angry. In fact, he'd maybe even like to cut off Tyler's fingers. Not very nice, but I'm sure he didn't mean it. 

Hull looked to be in a fairly good mood, even though he'd just heard that Jacka's car had broken down just outside Newcastle and evening's radio programme by himself. But he was still ready with some tart remarks about reviewers. "You have to really get into an album when you listen to it; any album, a Sweet album. But then the whole state of modern rock music needs to be looked at. It needs to grow up. The people who write about it, the people who are concerned in it, the periphery of people around the groups should pull their socks up and make as much effort as the groups do. They don't, you know. At worst, they are parasites, and at best sycophants." There you have it - a blast of Hull annoyance. His solo album features Lindisfarne members past and present and is selling enough to be lmost in the chart by the time you read this.

Songs from the new album will be making up one third of the new Lindisfarne stage act. "About a third of the stuff we're doing onstage is unrecorded, a third from Pipedream and a third is old Lindisfarne songs. At this stage in the game, the kids want to hear the old songs. They pay good money for it, so we're doing a three in one - square deal Lindisfarne." The change in line up takes some of the weight off Alan Hull as lead writer. Kenny Craddock and Tommy Duffy are busy writing too. So, when they've been together a bit longer, a new writing style should develop out of Lindisfarne's present situation. 

"It'll be a relief to me. There was only me and Jacka writing before, and onstage Jacka was carrying the group. There was a time when the old group just came out on stage and went through the motions. Now we've got it all back, it's like being re-born. Although I don't suppose you understand that."

He stops, just to see what kind of reaction he's going to get, just to needle a bit maybe. No luck. "On record it was 90% my songs, and the group stood or fell by these songs. That's not to decry the old group, because it was good and it reached some fine creative peaks, but we just couldn't go any further musically. We couldn't satisfy ourselves. You'll like the new band. It has better musicianship, new songs, and a slightly more professional approach." I think he's being a bit harsh on the old Lindisfarne; hard on the musicians that were in it and hard on the people that enjoyed their music. But then, I'm not in the band so maybe he's right. They've produced an album which has just been released titled Lindisfarne Live, and which was recorded at their Christmas appearance at Newcastle City Hall.

"No, you don't want to review that. Do Pipedream again instead. That live album is forgettable. It's nostalgia. Lindisfarne and Jack The Lad are looking for a future. The bands are completely different." The new Lindisfarne have started work on a new album which should be ready by October. Apart from that, Alan also has his first book of poems published this week, titled Mocking Horse.

It's a collection of writings he's made over the past 10 years and he recommends that you get paralytic before you read it. He hasn't a lot of confidence in his ability as a poet."It was Strat who thought I should publish them. I said, "You're welcome, but you're daft," and they've printed 5,000 copies and sold them. I consider myself to be a songwriter, I'm not the best in the world, but I know I can do it. However, there are people who spend their lives writing poetry and songwriting is the difference between fine art and graphic art. I don't know why I write them. I think I'm crackers," he remarked candidly but untruthfully. He is a shrewd and canny lad. "It's the ravings of a drunken, deranged mind. I wanted to call the book 'Read This When You're Drunk!'"

Any idea what radio programme they are talking about? As far as I can remember Lindisfarne MkII never played any Pipedream or Squire songs.I'm sure everyone will be surprise by the revelation that AH & Jacka wrote all the early material! They AH & Jacka must have been so disappointed with MkII. They certainly had high expectations. Is it apparent that they are more musical? It's not to me!