For Loz - Morrissey gig last night in Birmingham

[bjd]

Saw Mozzer last night at The Symphony Hall in Brum. It was one of the rescheduled gigs from earlier in the year.

He wasnt 100% and he made a few references to being poorly again (a worry perhaps?!) , the set was apparantley cut short but it was still a good night.

Venue wasnt the best though. Its a great venue for classical music (which is what it was built for) or for an acoustic gig, but certainly not a pop/rock show. The security was ridiculous too. Anyway heres a few pics (taken with the sh*tty camera on the ihpone sadly) and the setlist i picked up from one of his crazy fan sites...

This Charming Man / Black Cloud / Ganglord / How Soon Is Now? / I'm OK By Myself / Because Of My Poor Education / Death At One's Elbow / Teenage Dad On The Estate / I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris / The Loop / Nowhere Fast / When Last I Spoke To Carol / Cemetry Gates / One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell / Why Don't You Find Out For Yourself? / Is It Really So Strange? / The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores / Life Is A Pigsty // First Of The Gang To Die

 

[Maksimov]

I've always wondered why Mozzer often says he's so against the notion of ever doing anything with the the Smiths again, but still insists on playing Smiths songs.

 

[loz]

I knew he was playing in Brum last night so had a suspicion you might be there Bjd.

Maksimov - I don't see why not wanting to reform the Smiths means he wouldn't want to sing the songs. Just because the relationship between the individuals has broken down and just because he, unlike many other bands, isn't prepared to cash in on what would be a massive fortune, doesn't mean he doesn't still know just how great the songs were.

 

[bjd]

I knew he was playing in Brum last night so had a suspicion you might be there Bjd.Maksimov - I don't see why not wanting to reform the Smiths means he wouldn't want to sing the songs. Just because the relationship between the individuals has broken down and just because he, unlike many other bands, isn't prepared to cash in on what would be a massive fortune, doesn't mean he doesn't still know just how great the songs were.

Spot on, they are his songs. He can play them when he wants where he wants and with who he wants.

Id just wish he'd play a few more rather than bsides from his solo career!

 

[Maksimov]

they are his songs.

His songs? I think Johnny Marr might have something to say about that.

BTW, I'm not talking about just his comments about re-forming, but his general negativity towards everything concerning his former band mates.

 

[bjd]

His songs? I think Johnny Marr might have something to say about that. BTW, I'm not talking about just his comments about re-forming, but his general negativity towards everything concerning his former band mates.

Its 50-50. Words by Morrissey, Music by Marr! I have a tshirt with that on somewhere! Moz wrote them so they are his songs in essence.

No way on earth he will ever work with Mike Joyce and Andy Rouke again. I actually think legally he still owes money to Joyce as it is.

I wouldnt ever bet against him working with Johnny though. They are still in touch and neither has ever completely dismissed the idea of working with the other again.

I also think it would be of benefit to their careers. Dispute never really really finding his niche Marr is such a talented guitar player and arranger its such a waste just seeing him play as extra band member in the Cribs and Modest Mouse as he has been doing.

Best forget that solo album though!

 

[Maksimov]

Its 50-50. Words by Morrissey, Music by Marr! I have a tshirt with that on somewhere! Moz wrote them so they are his songs in essence.

The lyrics are what make the song, but without the music they're nothing and I doubt Morrissey could have come up with such great music for his lyrics. On his solo albums he hasn't come up with anything even nearly as good as the material he did with Marr, so in a way it's not a big surprise that he keeps playing the old songs.

 

[bjd]

Well, id rank 'viva hate' and 'your arsenal' alongside the smiths debut - im not the biggest fan of the debut (im sure a

million other inc loz will abuse me for that!)

however the other 3 - no way!! nothing can touch them. still - its a slightly unfair comparison as no band i can name can lay claim to a body of work so good and so consistent as those last 3 records.

as for the live shows, its not as if moz fills his setlists with 10 smiths classics. there is normally 4 maybe 5 smiths songs, a couple of

classics and then some rarer, maybe more obscure smiths tunes.

he plays these songs because he is proud of the legacy he created and they always fit in well with his solo stuff. i should know - last night was my 16th moz solo gig!

 

[loz]

Bjd you shock me.

Personally I find it hard to choose between The Queen is Dead and the debut album when it comes to cvhoosing the best Smiths album.

Viva Hate is the nearest thing solo album that Morrissey has produced to The Smiths in terms of quality however with the exception of possibly Kill Uncle I would still say each of his solo albums has a couple of highlights which can easily hold their own against the Smiths back catalogue.

 

[bjd]

Bjd you shock me. Personally I find it hard to choose between The Queen is Dead and the debut album when it comes to cvhoosing the best Smiths album.

Viva Hate is the nearest thing solo album that Morrissey has produced to The Smiths in terms of quality however with the exception of possibly Kill Uncle I would still say each of his solo albums has a couple of highlights which can easily hold their own against the Smiths back catalogue.

I know, i know. I knew you'd say that and youre not the first, dont worry.

it just doesn't do it for me. im so sorry!!!

say if i was to do a moz top 10 it would have to be

1- queen

2-strangeways

3-meat

4-arsenal

5-viva

6-smiths

7-vauxhall

8-quarry

9-rank

10-refusal

agree about uncle. its shocking. alongside maladjusted.

 

[loz]

yep Maladjusted I will give you - I actually forgot that album even existed until about three weeks ago when I dug it out to see if it had improved with age - it hadn't!

 

[loz]

Not counting compilation and live albums – although I have included Bona Drag as I only see that a a semi compilation - this is how I order the albums.

1. The Queen is Dead

2. The Smiths

3. Meat is Murder

4. Viva Hate

5. Strangeways Here We Come

6. Bona Drag

7. Your Arsenal

8. Ringleader of the Tormentors

9. Vauxhall & I

10. You are the Quarry

11. Years of Refusal

12. Southpaw Grammar

13. Kill Uncle

14. Maladjusted

 

[bjd]

Viva Hate is good but above Strangeways ???!??! Stunned you have Ringleader above Vaxhall!

I guess i copped out by sticking Rank in there, but i really do love it.

Each to their own of course!

Once ive had dinner and totalled the bottle of Faustino we have just opened i will do a top two tracks on each record.

Yes i know im sad , but the missus is watching x-factor and i really have nothing better to do other than play with the cat.

 

[loz]

I can't really split Viva Hate and Strangeways but I didn't want to get really sad and have joint positions!!

I am also sad enough to do a top two from every album so we can compare later!!

 

[mad_mac]

Managed to see Modest Mouse with Johnny Marr. Decent show. Not trying to hi-jack the thread, but it was strange just seeing him up there.

 

[loz]

OK BJD here are mine - at least mine as of now, probably all change later

1. The Queen is Dead

a. There is a Light That Never Goes Out

b. Cemetery Gates

2. The Smiths

a. Still Ill

b. Reel Around the Fountain

3. Meat is Murder

a. What She Said

b. How Soon is Now

4. Viva Hate

a. Alsatian Cousin

b. Late Night Maudlin Street

5. Strangeways Here We Come

a. Girlfriend in a Coma

b. Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved me

6. Bona Drag

a. November Spawned a Monster

b. Hairdresser on Fire

7. Your Arsenal

a. You're Gonna Need Someone on Your Side

b. The National Front Disco

8. Ringleader of the Tormentors

a. I Just Want to See the Boy Happy

b. I Will See You in Far-Off Places

9. Vauxhall & I

a. Spring-heeled Jim

b. Hold onto Your Friends (I think I love this because it is like a farewell to Mick Ronson)

10. You are the Quarry

a. I Have Forgiven Jesus

b. America is Not the World

11. Years of Refusal

a. When Last I Spoke to Carol

b. Something Is Squeezing My Skull

12. Southpaw Grammar

a. Southpaw

b. The Boy Racer

13. Kill Uncle

a. Sing Your Life

b. Mute Witness

14. Maladjusted – I can’t – there is not two good tracks on it. I would be picking them just for the sake of it.

I don’t blame you for squeezing in ‘Rank’ earlier – one of the finest live albums ever released by any band.

Also worth pointing out that not including live albums means ‘Beethoven was Deaf’ is not on there which means I can’t mention ‘Sister I’m a Poet’ and ‘Jack the Ripper’ (although I obviously just did)

 

[loz]

You weren't wrong to be worried for Mozzer's health BJD.

He collapsed during his Swindon gig and was rushed to hospital with breathing difficulties. It has been reported that he was unconscious but that it is not life threatening.

My very best wishes to the man that wrote the songs that made me cry and the songs that saved my life.

 

[coco]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8324492.stm

 

[bjd]

You weren't wrong to be worried for Mozzer's health BJD.He collapsed during his Swindon gig and was rushed to hospital with breathing difficulties. It has been reported that he was unconscious but that it is not life threatening.

My very best wishes to the man that wrote the songs that made me cry and the songs that saved my life.

Good lord. Best of wishes to him. It was clear he wasnt well. Seems he is going to be ok thank the lord.

It's becoming obvious that he cannot maintain his health sufficiently to endure a long rigorous tour anymore ! he has toured almost constantly since 2006 and i think it has really f**ked him ! he needs to go and rest for a long long time and not do so many gigs.

I did my list last night but forgot to post them! I'll put it up in a bit.