Morrissey on "The Frank Skinner Show", ITV1 (Dec. 9, 2004). Post your info and reviews in the comments section below.

Stan writes:

Morrissey features several times in this week's NME.

In a rundown of the best albums, singles, DVDs, books, etc, of the past year, Quarry is ranked the 12th best album (out of a top 50).

"Seven years since his last album and it seemed like Morrissey had never been away. Skewering "crashing bores" and carnivores, hymning "slate grey Victorian skies" and still finding himself unable to get a shag at the end of it all, the Mozfather's unique voice had never been more melliflous, sharp-tongued or relevant." BURN: Irish Blood, English Heart.

In a list of the 50 best tracks of the year, Moz features twice at;

No.42 - Irish Blood, English Heart. ".... and an American rock sensibility, which showed that all that time Moz has spent hanging out in the rock capital of the world has paid off. The quiet verse, loud chorus dynamic is almost - whisper it - grunge in it's simplicity.

No.16 - First Of The Gang To Die. "It takes a death to reunite us. Over the body of Hector, Morrissey reasserts his eye for detail (smashed bones and homes for the blind) and warm, spikey domestic rock. Dodgy Dagenham Dave was laid to rest at last, and Magnificent Morrissey was resurrected."

In the 'Live Moments Of The Year' catagory, Moz is at;

No.4 'Morrissey Opens With 'How Soon Is Now?'' "Reading 2004 became an erernal desolate indie disco when Morrissey played 'How Soon Is Now?' for the first time since The Smiths split."

There is also, however, a less positive review of I Have Forgiven Jesus;

"To which one can only really reply, "That's nice, dear," and then get on with whatever it was you were doing in the first place. Because while we wouldn't want to detract from Mozzer's remarkable 12 months, this certainly isn't the way to cap it off. It's not that 'I Have Forgiven Jesus' is particuarly terrible, it simply lacks the wit, charm and tune of previous singles from You Are The Quarry. Still, with 'I Have Forgiven Johnny Marr' an increasingly unlikely reality, one should simply be grateful for Mozzer's mere existance."

The release of IHFJ is also mentioned in the News section along with a fetching shot of Himself in the priest gear.

In case you're wondering or indeed care, the 5 best albums of the year are apparently;

5. The Futureheads 'The Futureheads'
4. Scissor Sisters 'Scissor Sisters'
3. The Streets 'A Grand Don't Come For Free'
2. The Libertines 'The Libertines'
1. Franz Ferdinand 'Franz Ferdinand'

Perhaps if Quarry had been named 'Morrissey' he could have sneaked into the Top 5?

Lou Smorrels writes:

A new Playlouder article suggests there was some kind of loose plan for Martin Rossiter and Morrissey to do a duet at the recent Meltdown.

Gene - Sleep Well Tonight, Playlouder

The relevant extract being:

People often talk about the Smiths, probably because of the way Martin sings. Were there other influences you wished people would take more notice of?

The most influential band on the music initially was the Faces. If you listen to Debris / For The Dead you'll understand. We all came from different musical backgrounds. Me: punk-indie, Steve: Stones and Hendrix, Kev: Northern Soul and the Faces, Martin: the Smiths and gay disco hymns.

Did Martin and Moz do that duet at the Royal Festival Hall Meltdown Festival that you told me about a while ago in the end?

No. Pity. Think they were gonna do 'Asleep' by the Smiths.

Linda Marric (L) writes:

Morrissey performed his new single (I Have Forgiven Jesus )on the Frank Skinner show (itv1)to be aired today the 9th of dec.

Sadly there was no interview but moz sounded great live, and looked like he was enjoying it.

suedestation writes:

Morrissey has been nominated for three Rockbjörnen awards (translates to Rockbear)

It's one of the most prestigious awards in Sweden. Voting is open to the public.

He is nominated for:
Foreign song of the year (First of the gang to die)
Foreign album of the year (You are the quarry)
Foreign artist of the year

Anyone can vote so just go to Aftonbladet and vote.

Anthony writes:

The band Love Songs have a cover of "Stop Me..." posted on their website.

http://www.thelovesongs.com/

"Yeah, if you thought I was a ninny for doing Cure covers what does that make me for doing a Smiths cover? But c’mon, these lyrics are far from ninny: “I crashed down on the crossbar/And the pain was enough to make a shy, bald Buddhist reflect/And plan a mass murder.” Brilliant!"

it's part of their "Song of the Month" section.

"The concept of this section is to have a place for me to purge all the leftover songs I’ve recorded on my 4-track. Since Love Songs is now, like, a fully-staffed rock ensemble these songs aren’t really official band songs – they are just scraps I did to keep busy while the others were busy plumbing for the elderly, pilfering their employers and/or growing their hair out. And honestly I don’t think Bradley would want anyone thinking he played the drums on any of these."
- Craigums

i love these guys...

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mute witness writes:

THE WORLD WILL LISTEN AGAIN
A Belgian Morrissey Tribute Night
Saturday, December 18th, 2004
Cocteau Ghent (B)
21.30 PM

The Lads and Lasses proudly present their second Morrissey Tribute Night.

In the stylish décor of the Cocteau, djs Alf and Hipster Hans will be spinning all your favourite Moz & Smiths & britpop tunes and loads of Moz/Smiths (live) footage will be projected.

FREE GLADIOLI!

More info (+ exclusive pics and scans) on www.theworldwilllisten.tk