Morrissey Central "The importance of an artist can be found in the efforts to silence him." (June 30, 2023)

"The importance of an artist can be found in the efforts to silence him." - MESSAGES FROM MORRISSEY - MORRISSEY CENTRAL - "The importance of an artist can be found in the efforts to silence him."

MESSAGES FROM MORRISSEY

www.morrisseycentral.com

 

[Barney Rubble]

I still think he could get a deal on a minor label... but he sees that as beneath him.

He could take all of that and self-release as a bold statement that he will not be "silenced" - but he doesn't want to do that either.

This is where it all gets frustrating. Morrissey could easily take the attitude that he's going to exercise his freedom of speech, say some things he know will be controversial, and refuse to play the popularity game - and yet be creatively happy and fulfilled putting out records that sell less than they used to, but are passionately received by those who still care.

Instead he seems to want to be lauded in the mainstream as he was in the 'Quarry' years, without putting in any promotional work or interviews with the press, and having alienated 50% of the record-buying public with some of his alt-right adjacent views.

Either sign with a major, go on a charm/publicity offensive, behave yourself and stop making inflammatory comments about immigration etc, or go full on 'freedom of speech' on a minor indie label to a smaller niche audience. Pick one and be happy. He can't have it both ways.

 

[Surface]

You can keep repeating that stuff ad infinitum, it doesn’t make it any more true. He released two more albums on a major label since then. And he got offered a new deal just last year.

So the reason behind the current deal situation is a very different one.

Mike has a valid point, in 2018 Morrissey was playing arenas in the UK, now he's playing a handful of gigs in venues that hold between 1000 and 2500 people, that's a big change.

 

[Thewlis]

Mike has a valid point, in 2018 Morrissey was playing arenas in the UK, now he's playing a handful of gigs in venues that hold between 1000 and 2500 people, that's a big change.

He had a record out then and doesn’t have one now. That’s a big difference. And he’s toured there in March and last November too.

 

[Surface]

He had a record out then and doesn’t have one now. That’s a big difference. And he’s toured there in March and last November too.

Utter bollocks as usual, New Order haven't released an album since 2015 and are playing arenas in September.

 

[Thewlis]

Your reference points remain very limited.

Morrissey is playing to tens of thousands of people in the next few months and also in the past 12 months, so he’s doing fine tourwise.

 

[Surface]

Your reference points remain very limited.

Morrissey is playing to tens of thousands of people in the next few months and also in the past 12 months, so he’s doing fine tourwise.

Outside of the UK they're ok but it's not hundreds of thousands of people , not sure what's going on in New York though.

 

[nicky wire's legs]

Good thing Morrissey isn’t taking tips from Nicky Wire, is all I can say about this

Moz wishes he could move around on a stage like nicky. That's why he whips his microphone chord around, to disguise and distract from the fact that he can't move around on a stage like nicky.

 

[Anonymous]

Why aren't more people here talking about the new, yet to be tested, new band line up? Could someone enlighten me as to when was the last time Moz played anywhere without either Boz or Alain? With all these upcoming gigs, how professional and tour-hardened are these new members?
And then there is the not-so-small matter of the sound. Will this band be different? Will the setlists be largely the same old stuff?

I would love to be surprised to find out that Jesse is a genius as music director, but I'm a pessimist.
All I know is that Jesse is in the hotseat now. I hope he surprises us.

 

[Vesper Nocturne]

Moz wishes he could move around on a stage like nicky. That's why he whips his microphone chord around, to disguise and distract from the fact that he can't move around on a stage like nicky.

As if

 

[Johnnie Ray]

Stephen, don't confuse your predicament, with washed up has beens (Robbie Williams springs to mind) YOU are a star!

Who is Stephen? Curry?

 

[Amy]

That's often not the case, Amy. Plenty of acts of Morrissey's vintage are still doing well e.g. Paul Weller and Paul Heaton, with albums usually reaching no.1, not that that's a big deal in itself anymore (can be done on fewer than 10,000 sales).
The problem for Morrissey is not that he's 40 years into the job - it's that he suffered a catastrophic loss of fans and radio support between 2018 and 2019, for reasons that have been gone into countless times. 2017's Spent the Day in Bed was one of his biggest ever radio hits, and the early 2018 UK arena date was his most popular ever (most tickets were sold in late 2017 before all the Der Spiegel/For Britain etc. nonsense had really kicked in). It's this fairly recent seismic change in his fortunes that's the reason behind the current record deal situation.

He has never adjusted his expectations despite the fact we're decades after his 'heyday', that's the issue. That, and the fact that he continues to fall out with record label execs / slag them off publicly, complain and do things that make him look childish and difficult. He's too much hard work for the level of sales that he gets and has completely unrealistic expectations.

 

[Jock]

I wish Morrissey had not gone down the woke lesbian band member route and played up the hot male band members card back when they all dressed in matching outfits or looked like mafia…

 

[Redacted]

Utter bollocks as usual, New Order haven't released an album since 2015 and are playing arenas in September.

 

[Thewlis]

 

[Thewlis]

Why aren't more people here talking about the new, yet to be tested, new band line up? Could someone enlighten me as to when was the last time Moz played anywhere without either Boz or Alain? With all these upcoming gigs, how professional and tour-hardened are these new members?

Camila just played Wembley with Adam Lambert, so she must be quite tour-hardened.

 

[Famous when dead]

Camila just played Wembley with Adam Lambert, so she must be quite tour-hardened.

Left for Israel about 9am today - must be immune to jetlag. This is probably one of the first gigs without all band members in situ and practicing together prior.
I'd guess she's one of those musicians that can memorise everything given her home practicing of the material a while back.
Regards,
FWD.

 

[Moz Fan]

I gues

Left for Israel about 9am today - must be immune to jetlag. This is probably one of the first gigs without all band members in situ and practicing together prior.
I'd guess she's one of those musicians that can memorise everything given her home practicing of the material a while back.
Regards,
FWD.

I guess Camila arriving in Israel just a few hours before the concert is going to be a bit of challenge timewise for the tour management. I hope Moz isn't too anxious. I am.

 

[Henricus]

No one is silencing anyone here. It's just time to retire.

 

[Ordinary Roy]

"The importance of an artist can be found in the efforts to silence him." Oh boy, this is wildly egotistical. Hey mister full-of-yourself: SHUT UP AND SING to your thousands-strong audiences and BE HAPPY with what you have. Nobody is stopping you. Do you even realize how unbelievably lucky you are? Why is it never enough?

Most of us know you way too well here. The truth is that you could win a thousand Grammys, sweep the Oscars, and get inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame twice a year for the rest of your life and you would still find something to whine about.

.... self release!

This.

 

[Henricus]

Orange Juice for one. Or, speaking as an Australian, the Go-Betweens. Listen to their 1983 album "Before Hollywood" - witty, wry, intelligent lyrics, jangly guitars, an obvious precursor to the Smiths (and Morrissey is/was an acknowledged fan).

The Monochrome Set!