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"Still Doing It His Way", Leeds review by Dave Simpson - The Guardian (Nov. 11)
Posted on Fri, Nov 12 1999 at 9:41 a.m. PST
by David T. <[email protected]>
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Still doing it his way
Morrissey
Leeds Town & Country/touring
Rating: *****
Dave Simpson

Thursday November 11 1999
The Guardian

These are curious times for Morrissey. He has been sued for a million quid by his former drummer and labelled "devious, truculent and unreliable" by a high court judge. But also his career has never really recovered from the accusations of racism that accompanied some ambiguous lyrics and a brief flirtation with the union flag. Accusations that the Irish Mancunian (who has performed for Artists Against Apartheid) never sought to dignify with a response.

Now the label-less singer, who crafted a persecution complex into a glorious career with the Smiths, has attempted to bar his oppressors - the press - from his gigs. Revenge indeed - for this is the man's finest show in many a moon.

Last time I saw him on a British stage, Morrissey was grim-faced and hardly spoke. Now, there's no stopping him. Whatever brought about this sudden lift in spirits (his move to Los Angeles?) is unclear, but Morrissey has rekindled the rapid-fire wit that captivated a generation. A new song is even called Why Don't Women Like Me?

Morrissey was described in last week's Guardian as "the last pop star", and while Liam or Robbie might want a word about that, a particular kind of stardom was exiled when he fell from sight. From the feverish atmosphere to his stage moves to his supernatural manipulation of the audience, we are left in no doubt that we are in the presence of a true icon.

The music isn't as great as his definitive pop performance. It's a bit Brando-in-Superman and the rockabilly band make a hopeless fist of Is it Really So Strange? - one of three Smiths classics. But when you want things to soar they do. Meat Is Murder - played for the first time since 1985 - is prescient amid the kerfuffle over beef and sewage.

He arrived on stage to Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and leaves, impeccably, to My Way. Against all odds, his way suddenly sounds irresistible all over again.

• At the Forum, London from Sunday to Tuesday (box office: 0171-344 0044), then touring

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Comments / Notes


Has anyone else noticed how Morrissey, as well in American & English as in European press, seems to get recognition once again: the reporters and journalists seem to hard time admitting it, but the man they called names for 5 years now seems to be a rather welcome talent in comparison to @#!!!in' Robbie Williams and that lot... I've got a feeling Moz is here to stay (for a longer time than the Take That Twat anyway...)

sunny jim
- Fri, Nov 12, 1999 at 10:22:19 (PST) | #1


Why can't Journalists do their homework...
If I wasn't very much mistaken Morrissey didn't play any 'new' songs at the Leeds gig - he mearly refered to 'Lost' as "Why women don't like me" just as he called 'Now my Heart Is Full' - "growing up in public" at Nottingham. oh well. Good review 'mind.

Alma
- Fri, Nov 12, 1999 at 10:47:07 (PST) | #2


Might I note that our Mozzer received the highest of the ratings for this live review (see below). Now if only the rest of the world would notice talent this way, then maybe we could have some decent music on our radio stations!

***** Unmissable
**** Recommended
*** Enjoyable
** Mediocre
* Terrible

matt <[email protected]>
- Fri, Nov 12, 1999 at 14:36:50 (PST) | #3


What's up with these comments about Morrissey and the Mexican American community? It is simple: Like Morrissey, the Mexican has a great heart, deep soul, passion, style and a little mystery. That is how we relate and why we follow a man by way of the UK.

Viva Morrissey

Bibi
Los Angeles - Fri, Nov 12, 1999 at 14:37:12 (PST) | #4


Meat Is Murder was played on "The Queen Is Dead" tour (in '86)

Captain Of Games
- Fri, Nov 12, 1999 at 16:20:32 (PST) | #5


"Why Don't Women Like Me" was a song by the English singer/actor George Formby (like Morrissey, from Lancashire). A clip of Formby singing it was even included in the South Bank Show on the Smiths in 1997.

Elbowless <[email protected]>
- Sat, Nov 13, 1999 at 07:32:48 (PST) | #6


The 'Why Don't Women Like Me?' introduction makes me wonder if anyone has collected together Moz's stranger song introductions anywhere. My personal favourite was introducing Shakespeare's Sister with 'This is a song about the greatest snooker player who ever lived'.

The Green Baize Vampire
- Mon, Nov 15, 1999 at 02:15:24 (PST) | #7


As a long time time Morrissey fan (I saw the Smiths in 1984) I made the long journey from Southport to see the Leeds Gig with the same amount of excitement as I did the first time I saw him live, and as the last at Chester in 1997.
What amazed me about the gig, was the sheer number of people expecting to hear Smiths and Smiths song alone. It was if the majority of people had not heard his solo stuff. "November spawned a Monster" was met with muted applause, and "Tomorrow", well I give up at least I applauded. Perhaps people should forget the past, Morrissey has: "I will never sing This Charming Man AGAIN" he roared. And appreciate the finer songs written since 1987.
The man was so chilled out, what has LA done for him?
The Chester gig included about 2 words to the crowd, tonight we couldn't shut him up. How good it is to have him back!

Trouble Loves Me indeed.

Phil Gardin <[email protected]>
- Mon, Nov 15, 1999 at 09:08:14 (PST) | #8



* return to Morrissey-solo