Welcome to... _________________________________________________ | \ | S T R A N G E W A Y S > |________________________________________________/ A forum for Morrissey and The Smiths. Summer Edition Volume 1, Issue #3 To post to Strangeways, please send mail to Kevin at kkawado@bonnie.ics.uci.edu. <-----> Date: Fri, 05 Jul 91 12:09:07 +0100 From: jml1@ukc.ac.uk Subject: Re: Strangeways Summer Discussion The latest on the UK release of 'Pregnant..' is that July 15th is now the confirmed release date. He will be playing an extra six dates in the UK in addition to Wembley (which sold out in about on the 21st. Still no confirmation as to the track listing, but 'Cosmic Dancer' (sans Bowie, mercifully). <-----> Date: 05 Jul 91 18:43:20 From: Nicole.E.Nelson@mac.dartmouth.edu Subject: Re: Strangeways Summer Discussion Does anyone have the bootleg with the different lyrics for wonderful woman? Are there any bootlegs of the smiths 1985 tour , besides Headmaster's nicolatta <-----> Date: Tue, 9 Jul 91 10:51:40 PDT From: 09-Jul-1991 1349 Subject: Morrissey show July 3 Great Woods Well, I saw the man himself on July 3 at Great Woods, MA. The show *was* held and it *was* full length (for him I guess) and it was absolutely wonderful/great/marvelous/stupendous/excellent/thebest!!! This was my first time ever seeing him - I was very very psyched up for it - and "to say the least, I *wasn't* disappointed"... General comments first then the set list follows... Phranc was supposed to back him up but she didn't show (rumor had it that her brother had just died) so somebody else played back up instead but I don't know who as I wasn't there for it. The crowd during the show was *the* most into it, excited, pumped up, wildly screaming crowd I have ever seen at a show - by *far* I would say. I saw the Cure two years ago (also at Great Woods) and the crowd was really into them - they screamed for what seemed like a solid 5 or more minutes when the lights were first lowered and before Robert Smith et al. took the stage - very high energy) - but Moz took the cake last week, as I said, in my opinion - by far. People were up (and a good part of the time screaming and whistling etc.) the whole show. The music itself was also more high/raw energyish than Morrissey's recordings - the band playing with him, and also the fact that it was a live performance, I'm sure contributed to this. Morrissey (remember I've never seen him - except on video - so for some of you this might be old hat) was wonderful with his body movements and poses and general self-aura. There were speakers (or lights) on the floor about 2 or 3 feet in height and Morrissey would lean backwards over them so that his head and legs were on the floor and his back was on top of the speaker and he'd lie like that for quite a while and sing. It was pretty funny. He seemed like he liked to shake hands a lot with the crowd - bending over to the people in the front -and he also liked to pose (Ha!) and swing the microphone cord around a lot in the most dramatic of ways - you can picture it. He was truly wonderfully (and somewhat hysterically) dramatic. And, with each one of his even very minor moves he wowed me. Really, I think the only low point for me in the show was during about his 5th or 6th song when he took the mike away from his mouth yet we could all still hear his voice - signalling that, at least the vocals during that part of the show were definitely prerecorded. I got pretty mad when I saw that - I didn't know what to think. But it did seem like he *was* singing through most of the show - and the band certainly was playing (I hate that lip syching sh*t). But then, somebody told me it's pretty commom for all bands these days to have at least parts of their show (or tracks of certain songs) prerecorded. This was most evident during King Lear. I still don't like the idea of any part of his vocals prerecorded - do any of you know how often he does this in his shows? (Yuc) Set list: (he played for almost 1 and 1/2 hours - but not quite - but it did seem like a good long great high-energy show)... Interesting drug The last of the famous international playboys Piccadily Polare (Unknown song*) Sing your life King Lear Asian Rut Mute Witness Everyday is like Sunday November spawned a monster Will never marry There's a place in hell for me and my friends That's entertainment Our Frank Suedehead Angel we go down together -------- encore break- during which there was *constant* screaming and foot banging on the chairs -------------- (Unknown song*) Disappointed During the last song, Disappointed, fans finally made it up on the stage and hugged and touched him and he was herded off the stage toward the end of the song by security. Who knows if he might have played longer if not for that. (Before that, no fans really took the stage.) *Of the two unknown songs, I know (from a review in the Boston Globe) that one of them was the NY Dolls song Trash. Oh, and the reviewer in the Globe, Jim Sullivan, didn't much like the show. The headline for the review was "Morrissey's mystique overshadows his music" - and it went on to say such unenlightened things ;^) as... "Rarely, if ever, will you see an audience that makes as much fuss about its hero. It's not just the music -- in fact, Morrissey's post-Smiths solo/collaborative work is alarmingly slight. Morrissey missed former partner Johnny Marr much more than Marr, now in Electronic, misses Morrissey." <-- ugh - untruth or what?! "...for the faithful it was nothing less than a second coming - biblical allusion implied." "Morrissey's two basic song formats are pop ditties and pop dirges. Few songs reach discernible peaks.... nevertheless, a vague sense of angst hung in the air, as it did during the Smiths' days." "The enigmatic Morrissey serves up a slew of contradictory signals. He's celibate, but he's sexy; he's lonely, but he likes it that way; he's a tortured artist, but he's got a sense of humor about it. He's an introvert who also happens to be a full-of-himself showman. The problem is that...Morrissey's mystique is more interesting than his music." "How long can a pop culture hero run on mystique and faded glory? Judging from last night's reception, the answer is probably a while...but it sure is strange seeing a crowd get so whipped for music that is so often monotonous." what can you say about some of that review except - "They do not understand the urgency of life" ;^) But thinking it over more, I think if Jim Sullivan isn't really familiar enough with Morrissey's solo work, then perhaps he might have been wondering what all the screaming was for. Perhaps only one listen (or so) to the music as compared to the fans' reaction might have been overwhelming for him in a negative way. And I am sorry for those of you who didn't get to see him. I do feel for you and wish it could of been otherwise. Charlotte_who's_more_of_a_fan_now_than_ever... <-----> From: Simon Hughes Date: Tue, 9 Jul 91 14:34:17 BST Subject: Strangeways - Moz video In an earlier post I wrote >Tim Broad has filmed the west coast gigs, including Bowie's appearance, for >transmission by MTV this month. Now I thought that this film was then going >to get a commercial release but I've also read that "Morrissey's own `Truth or >Dare' film is due for imminent release by Palace" so I'm not sure what is or >isn't to be released. Can anyone clear this up? Hee hee hee. I think I can clear up my own confusion now. Nobody told me that `Truth or Dare' was Maddy's very own little home movie (after all it's called `In Bed with Madonna' in this country). So I think there is only one Moz video due for imminent release and the ToD reference was just someone's jokey little comparison. Sorry for any confusion I've caused. Simon ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Simon Hughes, Dept. of Computing, Imperial College. Email: sph@doc.ic.ac.uk <-----> From: Simon Hughes Date: Mon, 8 Jul 91 12:45:12 BST Subject: Re: Strangeways Summer Discussion nicolatta writes >Does anyone have the bootleg with the different lyrics for wonderful woman? Well I have a gig tape (from around July 83 as I remember - the earliest Smiths bootleg I've seen) that includes a song which appears to be called `What does she see in him' which is the Wonderful Woman tune with completely different lyrics. Simon ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Simon Hughes, Dept. of Computing, Imperial College. Email: sph@doc.ic.ac.uk <-----> Subject: Strangeways: Great Woods/ Jones Beach shows Date: Fri, 12 Jul 91 16:36:24 -0400 From: sdans@watson.ibm.com Hello all, I saw the man himself at Jones Beach on Wed. Charlotte's review was so good and so similar, I'm going to edit her's. With your permission, Charlotte: >Well, I saw the man himself on July 3 at Great Woods, MA. The show >*was* held and it *was* full length (for him I guess) and it was >absolutely wonderful/great/marvelous/stupendous/excellent/thebest!!! Ditto. >This was my first time ever seeing him - I was very very psyched up >for it - and "to say the least, I *wasn't* disappointed"... I have liked Moz/Smiths for years now, but this was also my first time. It was... incredible! >General comments first then the set list follows... Sounds good :-) >Phranc was supposed to back him up but she didn't show (rumor had it >that her brother had just died) so somebody else played back up >instead but I don't know who as I wasn't there for it. It was Melissa something-or-other, who had an awesome voice. I initially thought it was Phranc, but knowing of her style/attitude/lyrics (you know what I mean), I quickly concluded that it wasn't. She was good, but of course nobody paid attention (of the 30% who were actually seated instead of lining up for Tshirts. >The crowd during the show was *the* most into it, excited, pumped up, >wildly screaming crowd I have ever seen at a show - by *far* I would >say. I saw the Cure two years ago (also at Great Woods) and the crowd >was really into them - they screamed for what seemed like a solid 5 or >more minutes when the lights were first lowered and before Robert >Smith et al. took the stage - very high energy) - but Moz took the >cake last week, as I said, in my opinion - by far. People were up (and >a good part of the time screaming and whistling etc.) the whole show. I can't get over how people go nuts over this man. Only at a Depeche concert have I seen this type of response. More on this later. >The music itself was also more high/raw energyish than Morrissey's >recordings - the band playing with him, and also the fact that it was >a live performance, I'm sure contributed to this. It was great for some songs, like That's Entertainment. But I prefer Suedehead 'au natural' so to speak. Def. a high energy show. >Morrissey (remember I've never seen him - except on video - so for >some of you this might be old hat) was wonderful with his body >movements and poses and general self-aura. There were speakers >(or lights) on the floor about 2 or 3 feet in height and Morrissey >would lean backwards over them so that his head and legs were on the >floor and his back was on top of the speaker and he'd lie like that >for quite a while and sing. He did this also. It's amazing how athletic he is. He was good at sports in school (learned that from the interview tape...) >It was pretty funny. He seemed like he >liked to shake hands a lot with the crowd - bending over to the people >i>n the front -and he also liked to pose (Ha!) and swing the microphone >cord around a lot in the most dramatic of ways - you can picture it. >He was truly wonderfully (and somewhat hysterically) dramatic. And, >with each one of his even very minor moves he wowed me. He was terrific! He also shook hands a lot, but it was more of a touch than a shake. >Really, I think the only low point for me in the show was during about his >5th or 6th song when he took the mike away from his mouth yet we could >all still hear his voice - signalling that, at least the vocals during >that part of the show were definitely prerecorded. I got pretty mad >when I saw that - I didn't know what to think. But it did seem like he >*was* singing through most of the show - and the band certainly was >playing (I hate that lip syching sh*t). But then, somebody told me >it's pretty commom for all bands these days to have at least parts of >their show (or tracks of certain songs) prerecorded. This was most >evident during King Lear. I still don't like the idea of any part of >his vocals prerecorded - do any of you know how often he does this in >his shows? (Yuc) OK, this happened at another part of the show - I think it was during Disappointed - about 20 fans rushed the stage and Moz was carried backstage by his guards (I think he now has his own). Weird thing was, he finished the song. 3 possible explanations: 1) he finished the song backstage 2) it was prerecorded 3) his backups finished the song Counterpoints: 1) possible, but I doubt it. 2) no, because I clearly heard his voice falter while he was being jumped by those fans. 3) the most logical explanation. before I saw 'Sing Your Life' on Carson, I didn't know that the guitarist sang the chorus. He sounds a lot like Moz, and I'm almost positive he finished the song. People had been jumping on stage from the first song, but it was well controlled. We were right by the water, and some idiot tried to swim around behind the stage. He was fished out by guards in boat... After that last rush, the show ended. Was it supposed to go on longer? Who knows... I have a confession to make. I taped the show. Unfortunately, I didn't know that my recorder doesn't tape the flip side even though it's autoreverse. I only got 45 min. I was in the bathroom getting things ready, and I heard the crowd roar. So I started the tape and quickly walked back toward the stage. Because of this, it starts with a kind of fade-in... It felt great, I felt like I was in a video or something! Anyway, quality is excellent, except for a bit of crowd noise and chanting (mostly me :-)). I have no plans to distribute this tape now, because the other is giving me a lot of work, but I'll consider it later. I also didn't want to do it because it's illegal, but as I mentioned, on the interview tape he considers bootlegs to be flattering, and doesn't mind it (so he spoke). So I'll think about it. >Set list: (he played for almost 1 and 1/2 hours - but not quite - but >it did seem like a good long great high-energy show)... Total time for us was about 65 minutes. >Interesting drug >The last of the famous international playboys >Piccadily Polare >(Unknown song*) >Sing your life >King Lear >Asian Rut >Mute Witness >Everyday is like Sunday >November spawned a monster >Will never marry >There's a place in hell for me and my friends >That's entertainment >Our Frank I taped up to here. Bummer. I really wanted Suedehead :-(. >Suedehead >Angel we go down together >-------- encore break- during which there was *constant* screaming and foot > banging on the chairs -------------- >(Unknown song*) >Disappointed >*Of the two unknown songs, I know (from a review in the Boston Globe) >that one of them was the NY Dolls song Trash. Yes, he played that too. >Charlotte_who's_more_of_a_fan_now_than_ever... I know exactly how you feel. Great review! | Dan | P.S. Tapes are in progress. I will contact each of you early next week. So far, 12 requests. I will also post a summary of title suggestions. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dan Simoes sdans@watson.ibm.com "But is it really so strange?" IBM TJW Research Manhattanville '92 The Smiths Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 914.945.2456 <-----> From: Mark Dawson Date: Mon, 22 Jul 91 15:34:53 BST Subject: Re: Strangeways Summer Discussion Kevin writes >the new Morrissey single "Pregnant for the Last Time" was released >and finally arrived in our (United States) record stores today. Here's the >track listing > >Pregnant for the Last Time >Skin Storm >Cosmic Dancer >Disappointed This was released in the UK on 15 July. Same track listing. >The last two songs are live from the latest tour (the two song encore). On the British issue the last two are from the Utrecht (Holland) gig. >I don't know why, but I like Skin Storm and Cosmic Dancer better than Pregnant >for the Last Time. Yeah, I'm not at all keen on Pregnant notwithstanding Moz's usual blab about how it's the best thing he's ever done. I think it's the most overtly rockabilly-tinged thing I've heard him do (hardly surprising) and I'm not too keen on rockabilly rhythms. I've only heard Cosmic Dancer once but I have to say it sounds like a load of wank to me. "I will dance myself into the tomb" indeed - I think Marc must have taken some adulterated chemicals when he wrote that one. I quite like the version of Bradford's Skin Storm though. Much better than the original imho. Most of the groups that Moz champions (eg. James, Lloyd Cole, Primitives etc.) I quite like but Bradford seem terribly mediocre to me. I've always suspected (with ~zero evidence) that his liking for Bradford was rather patronising. Simon ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Simon Hughes, Dept. of Computing, Imperial College. Email: sph@doc.ic.ac.uk <-----> Subject: Strangeways: Moz tape Date: Tue, 23 Jul 91 12:11:47 -0400 From: sdans@watson.ibm.com The following is a note I sent to all who requested the tape. In cased I missed you, I am sending it to Strangeways: Hello all, The tapes are ready. Sorry it took so long, but I've been busy. If you still want the tape, send a check for $6.00 to my home address: Dan Simoes 2187 White Birch Drive Yorktown Heights, NY 10598-4034 Thanks, | Dan | ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dan Simoes sdans@watson.ibm.com "But is it really so strange?" IBM TJW Research Manhattanville '92 The Smiths Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 914.945.2456 *** There are 2 of you who will not receive it - Simon, and Mark. both in GB. --- As for titles: from Mark: As for a title, how about 'Education In Reverse', which was the origional title for 'Viva Hate', or 'Talent Borrows, Genius Steals', which was etched on the run-off track on the 12" of 'Bigmouth...' from nicolatta: Morrissey- so much to answer for from Kevin: There is another world/There is a better world my own: Is it really so strange? (not terribly original, but it links the tape to our little group :-)) Sorry I haven't been contributing much lately, but as I said, it's been busy. Anybody else see a concert lately, or was I "the last of the famous?" A NY reporter wrote something like "only Morrissey could get ???thousand people to chant 'come nuclear bomb, come armaggedon come' with smiles on their faces" (I heard that on the radio, but I'll try to find the reviews). That's all folks, | Dan | <-----> From: kkawado@bonnie.ics.uci.edu Subject: Morrissey on MTV Has anyone heard anything about Morrissey being on an MTV rocumentary? I have originally heard that MTV was planning a special one-hour rocumentary which would feature footage from the LA and Orange County shows. I think KROQ was saying it would be on in July, but July is rapidly coming to an end :-). =K= <----> Tape News Reminder: If you want a copy of the Morrissey/Smiths tape Dan is compiling, send email to sdans@watson.ibm.com. The cost of the tape will be $5.00, not $6.00 as previously posted. =K= <-----> From: James Preen Date: Fri, 26 Jul 91 18:10:15 BST Subject: morrissey in doncaster i haven't seen any other reviews from britain yet so here goes: i had been away for a week or two during which the dates were announced so i thought i'd missed my chance, but on ringing the box office they said there were a few left so i got hold of a credit card and there were still some left. we got there with an hour and a half to spare and there were hundreds of people there already. ok, some were swimming and/or ice skating (this was at The Dome in doncaster which is a leisure centre! the gig was actually in a basketball hall (where it looked like nigeria had been playing finland in the world student games ?!) but it worked fine for me). that it was a leisure centre also meant that there were a lot more youngsters than usual but mostly there were 18-23 year olds i suppose. and i suppose nearly half had morrissey/smiths t-shirts on. there was a really good atmosphere in the crowd - lots of excited people (me included) and not too much unnecessary violence either. there were the regulation flowers in abundance and loads of good haircuts (but i didnt see any hearing aids). i saw a couple of people with frisbees but they didnt make it to the stage when thrown during mute witness, although one got there later. he must have got lots of practise dodging all the objects as i reckon no-one hit him (and he nearly caught the first cigarette thrown during our frank!) support was from melissa ferrick (?) who was ok but i was especially looking forward to seeing phranc (any news of a collaboration?). it sounds like he played the standard records and much the same set too. the only disappointment was his quietness between songs - no witty remarks or funny anecdotes or any words at all even (just a few noises). i guess he's fed up with all that after being on tour for a while. his antics on stage were some of the best i've seen - i particularly liked him lying on his back with his legs in the air during mute witness - but all the microphone juggling and crowd interaction was fun too. oh, the songs, i nearly forgot about them ! i liked the sound they made, nice and lively and good for dancing, but i hope he's not going to stick to that style now - any guesses for his next ? reggae ? no-one got onto the stage to dance with him (apart from two women from backstage i didnt recognise who were allowed on for _disappointed_ at the end). thats about it i reckon bye for now james p.s. about the capital letters and apostrophes - its not easy trying to change grammar single-handed but im sure you managed ok <-----> From: Simon Hughes Date: Mon, 29 Jul 91 17:26:32 BST Subject: Moz goes reggae! james writes >i liked the sound they made, >nice and lively and good for dancing, but i hope he's not going to stick to >that style now - any guesses for his next ? reggae ? Hardly! Moz is supposed to have said "All reggae is vile"! This was used as evidence for his alledged racism around the time that some idiots claimed that Panic was a racist song because it went on about hanging djs. As though all djs were (and all disco music was made by) non-whites! Simon ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Simon Hughes, Dept. of Computing, Imperial College. Email: sph@doc.ic.ac.uk <-----> Subject: For submission to Strangeways... Date: Sun, 4 Aug 91 15:55:47 CDT From: rosenbla@ux.acs.umn.edu I have been reading STRANGEWAYS for a while now, but this is my first posting. I wanted to know if anyone has any idea as to how I could get my hands on a Morrissey tour t-shirt. I remember reading that someone tried to purchase a shirt at a concert a while back but they had sold out quite quickly. Unfortunately, he didn't play anywhere near here (Minneapolis). So, unlike the rest of you, my summer went by without seeing him (sigh...). What's the word on Morrissey's new single? I haven't bought it yet because I've seen it only on vinyl so far (I'm waiting for the domestic cd single to come out). Christine Sullivan (rosenbla@ux.acs.umn.edu) <-----> Date: Mon Aug 5 13:57:54 1991 From: "Luis Chavez C." Subject: Smiths. Hi, I have a question to the list, but as is semi-dead, here goes for you: -I've seen an Smiths CD in a bootlegs store (don't remember the title) that said "1000 copies limited edition" on the cover (maybe 10000...), but when I went back with the money.....there wasn't. :-) when I asked the guy of the store he told me that he will get another copy (copies) this week. here goes the question: If is a limited edition, how can get too many copies? is this a bootleg from the original limited edition? (it's ADD and has live stuff from two different dates.) If you don't know: sorry, I'll try the list instead. Luis Chavez C. <-----> From: Edward Baichtal Subject: New Morrissey Single/etc. Date: Sun, 11 Aug 91 10:05:36 PDT "Pregnant for the Last Time" is indeed the best single he has done since "Suedehead" as it is said in NME :) I completely agree. I don't know who originally did one of the B-sides (Skin Storm), as I noticed it was not one of his songs. I bought the Import CD single, and I don't know if "Pregnant for the Last Time" will ever be domestic. I was surprised that "Sing Your Life" became domestic, so he could surprise me again. Supposedely the name of Morrissey's even newer single (which has yet to come out), is "My Love Life." It's song recorded for a radio station in Los Angeles. And while Morrissey was there he also recorded a few more songs like "Sing Your Life" which is being played continuously on Live 105 in SF now. It's a great version of the song with the line-up he is touring with. "My Love Life" is also the first new song he has recorded with his new line-up as well. Hopefully, all those tracks he recorded will be eventually released. Morrissey is also releasing a live video on Palace which will come out shortly after the film as appeared on MTV during this month. I'd personally like to see alive album from him since his live B-sides on "Pregnant for the Last Time" were excellent, and I enjoyed the different ways songs would be played on stage when he came to Berekely. About tour shirts: Well, I don't know of a specific place that carries them but I have the address to a new magazine that bases it's articles on Morrissey and the Smiths. Yet from what I have read in it, it seems just to be Morrissey fans professing their love for Morrissey as well as how "miserable" they are. One says that the Morrissey show saved him from suicide. Well, it doesn't seem worth my time to read because I'd rather read stuff about Morrissey and the Smiths because I already know too much about his "miserable" fans. :) But here's the address you can write to because they may know about where to find t-shirts. (It's worth a try): Nicole Garrison 4911 Tunis Road Sacramento, CA 95835 Ask for more info about Morzine and they will send you a free copy and then you can subscribe if you wish. It contains articles on other bands as well, so it's not solely based and Smiths/Morrissey as I was hoping *SIGH* Morrissey is set to do a benefit show in October for some Vegetarian society in the UK. -Ed <-----> Date: Mon, 12 Aug 1991 12:54 EST From: Lost in Hoboken! Subject: summer smiths mailing list... kevin - can you add me to it? also, do you know if there's anyone ou;there who has the morrissey shows for trade for other concerts (non morrissey, that is). i saw an ad in goldmine for a video of the nyc show, but i don't feel like paying 27$ for it.. thanks -best, bob gaj <-----> This will be the last entry for the Summer Mailing List, which is officially closed. I will start up the regularly formatted Strangeways mailing list at the end of the month. Posts will still be accepted, but will be compiled into a journal from now on. If you were on the old mailing list, you will receive a letter telling you to respond to if if you want to be kept on the list. DO NOT REPLY TO IT! Since you are on this list already, replying will duplicate your address and send you two copies of the journal. If you want to be taken off the list, you can send mail to me, too. Well, it's been a pretty cool summer. All the transcripts of the summer sessions are available at the archive at quartz.rutgers.edu. =K=