Morrissey Central "SMITHS NOT OK" (September 11, 2024)

September 11, 2024

The proposed greatest hits album by The Smiths entitled Smiths Rule OK! has been blocked by J Marr. The album (above), and also the single Hand In Glove (below)

were planned for 2024 worldwide release by Warner Records along with a deluxe box release of The Smiths first album in order to commemorate its 40-year anniversary, and also a new 7-inch of This Charming Man. Warner approached Morrissey and Darren Evans to assemble artwork for all four releases, all of which were rejected and halted out of hand by J Marr.

SMITHS NOT OK - MESSAGES FROM MORRISSEY - MORRISSEY CENTRAL - SMITHS NOT OK

MESSAGES FROM MORRISSEY on MORRISSEY CENTRAL

www.morrisseycentral.com

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Media item:

• Stereogum: "Now Morrissey Says Johnny Marr Has Blocked A New Smiths Deluxe Reissue" - September 11, 2024

 

[Vesper Nocturne]

I also object to so much on this site. I must be a fan of futility.

 

[Mauricey]

Thank God Johnny still has taste.
Old age has clearly robbed Morrissey of his, which is a pity because he used to have some of the greatest covers. This hasn't been the case for the longest time and these are proof that he's totally lost it.

 

[Vesper Nocturne]

Thank God Johnny still has taste.
Old age has clearly robbed Morrissey of his, which is a pity because he used to have some of the greatest covers. This hasn't been the case for the longest time and these are proof that he's totally lost it.

I don’t think someone who chose “Mauricey” for their username can make any kind of pronouncements on the subject of anyone else’s taste

 

[Mauricey]

I don’t think someone who chose “Mauricey” for their username can make any kind of pronouncements on the subject of anyone else’s taste

Well Maurice is my name so Mauricey seemed a given.
But are you really going to try and make the case that Morrissey still has an artistic eye? You're doomed to fail, son

 

[Dorothy]

I'm still waiting for Morrissey to comment on the eaten pets of springfield.
Not this nonsense.

 

[Vesper Nocturne]

Well Maurice is my name so Mauricey seemed a given.
But are you really going to try and make the case that Morrissey still has an artistic eye? You're doomed to fail, son

I don’t need to make the case that Morrissey has an artistic eye, and I’m nobody’s son. I was making the case that “Mauricey” is dire like and that therefore you should spend less time concerning yourself about Morrissey’s artistic eye, and maybe more time concerning yourself about your own tastes. Son.

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

Well Maurice is my name so Mauricey seemed a given.
But are you really going to try and make the case that Morrissey still has an artistic eye? You're doomed to fail, son

actually, he has two.

 

[goinghome]

...For many fans, this will be seen as a very disappointing loss, especially considering how many of their classic songs would’ve had the chance to be remastered. Some other fans, however, might not see this as much of a loss, considering that the songs are all still available on streaming and previously-released albums. Either way, the divide between Marr and Morrissey must be distressing for any fan to witness.

Morrissey Allegedly Claims Johnny Marr Blocked The Smiths’ Greatest Hits Album -

The Smiths, as a band, have had a wildly enduring career since their disbanding in 1987. Day-one fans continue to love the band, and with their songs frequently being used as sounds on TikTok, new fans are discovering their discography and falling in love with them too. Morrissey, the band’s...

music.mxdwn.com

 

[goinghome]

OK I will address some of this. I do not pretend that Morrissey is perfect; he holds grudges and could have made more of an effort to build bridges with former Smiths members in the past. However to describe him as 'difficult to work with and unreliable' is very one-sided. Morrissey has worked well with musicians such as Jesse Tobias and Boz Boorer for extended periods. He occasionally has to cancel shows because of ill health which is perfectly understandable. The not turning up to gigs thing is exaggerated. He only does it in America ad usually its because he is unwell. Morrissey has 'grafted' far more than Johnny Marr has. He has released far more solo albums and played far more solo gigs.
The elephant in the room of course is that Morrissey is the most talented of the two and an icon of 80s music. He is the finest UK lyricist of modern times and wrote all of the Smiths lyrics. Marr is a talented and original guitarist but his lyrics are forgettable.
Morrissey has fallen foul of the press and a minority of Smiths fans for expressing certain opinions. However Eric Clapton and David Bowie both said controversial things in their time and didn't receive the same criticism. He can't get a record deal in the UK because record labels want him to remove 'Bonfire of Teenagers' from the album and rename it. This is because it expresses anger at the Manchester Arena bombing, which is considered 'un-woke'. They would presumably like Morrissey to rewite it something like this:

"Bonfire of teenagers,
Rising so high above north-west sky,
However we must not get mad,
Because that would be bad,
It was all the fault of the Daily Mail,
Whose attempts to divide us must fail,
Lets all hug each other,
Because kind people sing, 'Don't look back in anger',
And vegans in sandals sing 'Don't look back in anger'
I assure you I will take an equality and diversity course,
Until the day I die'

I suggest that this would not improve the song.

An enlightening epistle


You will like what the Washington Examiner has to say on the matter. so - https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/magazine-columnists/3151981/sing-out-in-anger/

 

[goinghome]

Maybe you should stop letting Morrissey manipulate your emotions to feed his OWN ego in this sad, miserable public pissing contest.

Is that really coming across as intended?

 

[Mauricey]

actually, he has two.

Cataracts in both I'd say

 

[Catholic]

Whatever is happening between these two now is nothing new and don't be surprised if the shameless cash grab, whoops sorry, I meant 'reunion' actually does happen in some form or other. One thing you can be absolutely sure of is that both Morrissey AND Marr are money mad.

Interesting, as is you saying you know those very close to both of them.

I keep silent here most of the time, not knowing how to judge whether claims like yours are likely to be real, nor indeed knowing much else Morrissey-wise.

But what do others think of this?

I find myself noting two things in terms of what you Leroy have said:

1) Marr has said nothing. Only a photo of Farage. This perhaps deliberately non-verbal communique is far from a categorical refusal.

2) Even Morrissey didn't say Marr refused. He said 'ignored'. Which is slightly different.

Is it possible Marr has not yet said the final word for a reason? Could it be things are still in flux as Leroy suggests?

Would be grateful to hear what others think of this?

 

[Amy]

Is that really coming across as intended?

I guess it's an idiom but I meant 'p-ing contest' in the sense of "pointless competition / attempt to outdo each other" which is being played out in public. Not, you know... actual public urination, I don't think we've sunk that far yet .

 

[Amy]

Objection. That's conjecture.

Sustained.... in relation to the second paragraph. But I think the first was a fair assessment of what we know , and a response to your own conjecture, if you will.

 

[JerryCan]

oh, sorry. I thought JerryCan was being sincere when he wrote…

But, but... I was. I just always wondered what it'd be like if he did a version of a JM track sometime. Not actually now as nothing on God's earth could salve this debacle.

But of course not, just imagine Jesse's face as M said he had a something new for him to play. It'd be the Cilla song all over again.

 

[Amy]

But, but... I was. I just always wondered what it'd be like if he did a version of a JM track sometime. Not actually now as nothing on God's earth could salve this debacle.

But of course not, just imagine Jesse's face as M said he had a something new for him to play. It'd be the Cilla song all over again.

It will never happen, but I'd love New Town Velocity with some new lyrics.
Jesse plays murders Johnny's songs (Smiths songs) all the time anyway.

 

[SteveWS]

I didn't care for the James song the Smiths covered - I always skipped it, on The Sound of the Smiths - but it nevertheless showed that M and/or JM would cover songs by people they thought well of...something that, admittedly, seems a tricky dilemma when it comes to Moz covering Johnny's songs.

 

[Catholic]

It will never happen, but I'd love New Town Velocity with some new lyrics.
Jesse plays murders Johnny's songs (Smiths songs) all the time anyway.

Yes!

In my fantasies, I think of an entire album of Marr's songs.

Morrissey could even get signed with that! Who knows? It would be the closest thing we'll ever likely get to the Smiths again.

Unless, of course, Leroy is right in what I quoted above . . .

 

[SteveWS]

Yes!

In my fantasies, I think of an entire album of Marr's songs.

Morrissey could even get signed with that!

Moz will be absolutely ecstatic about this idea, I'm completely certain.

 

[Skylarker]

Sustained.... in relation to the second paragraph. But I think the first was a fair assessment of what we know , and a response to your own conjecture, if you will.

What is non-conjectural about these lines: (italics and emboldenments added by me for emphasis with regard to relevance)

"Maybe it is an act of aggression, maybe it's just because the artwork is dire, maybe it's both or something completely different. Maybe you should stop letting Morrissey manipulate your emotions to feed his OWN ego in this sad, miserable public pissing contest."

...Also, what "emotions'' are you inferring from me? I'm saying it would be cool to have a box set of the first Smiths album sessions. And Johnny blocked it. Which annoys me.