In respect of lyrics, specifically being able to write about almost anything, Mark said that Dylan was his inspiration. In the course of this, he added that he had attended a Dylan concert at Newcastle Odeon when the first half was solo acoustic and the second half was with the band (who later became The Band). That was 21 May 1966, for those of you who like to keep a note of such things. He said the sound in the second half was loud, that some people booed but he thought it was great.
He also made passing references to the two recent tours with Bob Dylan. He said that Bob had asked him if he was going to play a particular song and, when he answered that he would, Dylan was pleased as it was song he played when painting (that's canvases, not walls - though, knowing "Mr Bob", it could be walls, too). Mark didn't specifically identify the song, said he would do so later but didn't. I guess it was one of the songs he excerpted in the course of the event.
