Goldmine: Posthumous Melanie (Safka) album includes "Ouija Board, Ouija Board" cover; Upcoming Morrissey Tribute Album also mentioned (July 16, 2024)

Goldmine, the Music Collector's Magazine, brings joyous news of Melanie and Morrissey:

Los Angeles, CA - In late 2023, just months before her death in January of this year, folk and counterculture icon Melanie and her son Beau Jarred Schekeryk began work on what she intended to be her next album, the Second Hand Smoke collection of covers. Several songs had already been completed when she died: the Trent Reznor composed, Johnny Cash immortalized “Hurt”; the Moody Blues’ “Nights in White Satin,” recorded with daughter Leilah; and Morrissey’s “Ouija Board,” for an upcoming Morrissey tribute album. Others, including numbers by Radiohead and Depeche Mode were in varying states of completeness; others, including Britpoppers Ash’s “Uncle Pat” (already a staple of her live show), were still underway...

https://www.goldminemag.com/artist-news/hear-melanie-cover-of-song-by-classic-punk-rock-band-the-adverts

 

[j*e*t]

There's a nice discussion of Ouija Board Ouija Board on the latest Morrissey and Wine podcast from about 17 minutes in - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/morrissey-and-wine/id1731874317

It's an unusual song to cover. Has anyone else done it?

I like the muzziness of the vocals and the heavy breathing on this version.

 

[gordyboy9]

There's a nice discussion of Ouija Board Ouija Board on the latest Morrissey and Wine podcast from about 17 minutes in - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/morrissey-and-wine/id1731874317

It's an unusual song to cover. Has anyone else done it?

a good listen from the boys,nanny val reviewing ouija board was a highlight.

 

[gashonthenail]

I can almost imagine the Guardian review already:

"For years now, many former fans have struggled to listen to their beloved Smiths tracks because of the singer's toxic opinions - the saving grace, of course, being their co-creator Johnny Marr's continued godlike status. For Morrissey's solo output, however, no such options exist and his songs - despite peaks of fame never reached by his former band - have been easy to ignore. This new tribute album gives curious listeners and ex-fans a chance to revisit the singer's solo oeuvre, freed from the immediate association with the man and his problematic worldview..."

Or,
'A few washed-up and third rate artists who should know better do their best to rehabilitate the old curmudgeon from the pariah status that he currently possesses. But for many former fans of The Smiths their once-loved frontman is beyond redemption.'

 

[Johnny]

I know people like it but for me Ouija Board Ouija Board was the worst ever single by Morrissey.
Time hasn't changed my mind.

 

[gashonthenail]

I know people like it but for me Ouija Board Ouija Board was the worst ever single by Morrissey.
Time hasn't changed my mind.

I've never been a big fan of it. It's a quirky little pop single from that time in his career when his main output was quirky little pop singles. And then Kill Uncle. It wasn't until Your Arsenal that his career really recovered.

 

[Gregor Samsa]

It took me many years before I realized the greatness of Ouija Board. Now it’s completely indispensable. A staple on my Moz top 20. The live version from 25Live is the ultimate version. That yell he lets out.

 

[gashonthenail]

It took me many years before I realized the greatness of Ouija Board. Now it’s completely indispensable. A staple on my Moz top 20. The live version from 25Live is the ultimate version. That yell he lets out.

I have always liked the way Moz would seem to be atheist / agnostic, but there is also a yearning for something more, something better. Ouija Board does capture that quite well. I think Saint in a Stained Glass Window does it better though.

 

[Gregor Samsa]

I have always liked the way Moz would seem to be atheist / agnostic, but there is also a yearning for something more, something better. Ouija Board does capture that quite well. I think Saint in a Stained Glass Window does it better though.

Not to mention Asleep!

 

[gashonthenail]

Not to mention Asleep!

Yes, had forgotten about that. What a song. It's completely dark and apocalyptic - and then comes 'there is a better world...well, there must be' right at the very end to give a chink of light.

 

[Gregor Samsa]

Yes, had forgotten about that. What a song. It's completely dark and apocalyptic - and then comes 'there is a better world...well, there must be' right at the very end to give a chink of light.

Fabulous. And so sparse.

 

[MandaBee]

What is the story with the upcoming Morrissey tribute album? Who is involved in that?

There’s a tribute album? He’s not dead!

 

[Girlmostlikely]

Morrissey tribute album!! Wow! That's big news!

 

[Seymour Glass]

It took me many years before I realized the greatness of Ouija Board. Now it’s completely indispensable. A staple on my Moz top 20. The live version from 25Live is the ultimate version. That yell he lets out.

I've always had a soft spot for Ouji Board, not his greatest song ever but easily top 20. Not to mention how cool he looks in that bizarre little video!

 

[Gregor Samsa]

I've always had a soft spot for Ouji Board, not his greatest song ever but easily top 20. Not to mention how cool he looks in that bizarre little video!

That hair should be the gold standard for all men. Either that or Elvis in 1960, coming home from the army.

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

Morrissey tribute album!! Wow! That's big news!

I’ll believe it when I hear it.

 

[Stephen Hofmann]

 

[Daddys Voice]

That's cool.
So... are those new albums coming out someday?

 

[Crisstti]

There’s a tribute album? He’s not dead!

Lol you don't need to be dead to have a cover album done in your honour.