Lasty night Morrissey returned to the stage having cancelled 2 gigs due to illness (He collapsed on stage during the opening song in Swindon).
And boy did he return in style. The sound system at the RAH is excellent and Moz himself was in great form. I've been to about 7 Morrissey gigs and this was definately one of the very best. whats more he really seemed to be enjoying himself. This tour is to promote his new 'B sides' album called Swords which is really worth the inventment (especially as it includes a live version of Drive In Saturday). A few words are changed though. 'stared in David Johanson's eyes' and 'Chris the Wonderkid' being among them.
Consiquentially the setlist was scattered with Swords songs but with a good mix to Smiths and Morrissey classics to keep everyone happy. Surprisingly the Swords songs which may have been less familier with most of the audience really went down well and sounded great.
Moz cam on stage at about 8pm and imediately joked 'Hold on tight, its going to be a bumpy ride' before launching into 'This Charming Man', a Smiths classic and the crowd were really up for it. Next came 'Black Cloud' and 'When Last I Spoke to Carol' from 'Years of Refusal'. Both great tracks which he and the performed to perfection. The audeince went mad as the opening chords of 'How Soon is Now' started after which he said 'Thank you Swindon'. Next came the first Swords song 'Ganglord' which again works so well live and in my opinion should have been an album track or single in its own right. Ok...Now I am in heaven as the classic Smiths song 'Cemetry Gates' which he dedicated to close friend Linder Sterling, whom he used to walk with through Manchester's Southern Cemetery in his teenage years. A rumoured inspiration for the song. Next was another the Years of Refusal single 'I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris'. A real crowd pleaser. After that, another Swords song 'Teenage Dad on His Estate' which worked to well live and the crowd loved. Next up was the rarely played Smiths song 'Nowhere Fast'. Another treat from the past which the crowd really got into. 'Irish Blood, English Heart' was up next. A really powerful song and a standard at Moz concerts now. However before launching into it, he joked ' The Doctor told me I mustn't smile... I told him 'I don't'. Slowing things down a little we get 'Why Don't You Find Out For Yourself' next from Vauxhall and I. This has also become a standard at recent shows and is a really nice accoustic led song. Next up is 'One day Goodbye Will Be Farewell' from 'Years of refusal before another Smiths rarity 'Death at Ones Elbow'. I'm definately on my way to heaven by this stage. After this Morrissey starts to talk about the TV Show masterchef and notes that not one of them are vegetarian (Fortunately I am veggy so I can afford to feel a bit smug). he says that this goes to prove that the 'World is Full Of Crashing Bores' before launching into one of my fave all time Morrissey songs and another standard. This sonf of course is from 'You Are The Quarry'. Ok is Heaven time again as the opening chords of the very rarely played Smiths song 'Is It Really So Strange?' are played out. Incidentially I was right up there at the front. Next up is 'The Loop'. Great song. Again played alot recently. This is followed by a slower bout beutifully sweeping 'Swords' song 'Because Of My poor Education'. By this stage Mos has also encouraged us to go to Ally Pally next week (I have my tickets). Wha else have we got to do? Stay at home?. Next is the classic 'Years Of Refusal Closer 'I'm Ok By Myself'. Whilst I loved it, it did feel the crowd were a little still byu this point. I also felt that many didn't realise that this was the last song before the encore. Anyway off Moz goes and comes back for the stadard closer 'First Of The Gang To Die'. Off comes the shirt at the start. I managed to get one of his buttons at the Roundhouse gig last year. This time I came away with a good 6th of his shirt. I would point out that if you want a good quality shirt find out where Moz buys his cause it was a bastard to rip up even with about 15 of us having a go. I will post a pic of it later.
Anyway, If you dont have a ticket I would seriosly consider buying one for Alexandra Palace next week. Morrissey is on good form and at his best.
'This Charming Man'
'Black Cloud'
'When I Last Spoke To Carol'
'How Soon Is Now'
'Ganglord'
'Cemetery gates'
'I'm Throwing My Hands Around Paris'
'Teenage Dad On His Estate'
'Nowhere Fast'
'Irish Blood, English Heart'
'Why Don't You Find Out For Yourself'
'One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell'
'Death At One's Elbow'
'The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores'
'Is It Really So Strange?'
'The Loop'
'Because Of My Poor Education'
'I'm OK By Myself'
'First Of The Gang To Die'
Ganglord is a sure fave... and the sound was amazing, indeedy! I missed Pigsty , as I've been spoilt with it at the last few gigs, but it was just so good to see him well and, as you say, having a great time.
I think he wears Prada (well, he did at the Palladium)?
It was during Pigsty in Birmingham on Friday that his 'difficulties' seemed to start, so not surprised to see it dropped - but you got Irish Blood instead.
Great to hear that he's better again. I know I go on about our turbulent relationship but I obviously still really love him behind it. I was all concerned for him the other day and ready to put on my nurses uniform an' all
Thanks for the review, Brett. Pretty good setlist. This was a rescheduled gig from May this year so I'm wondering will the next lot of actual Swords gigs include this kind of setlist or will it be comprised of more b-sides. I know it's a cover but he should've included 'Song from under the floorboards' on the compilation.
Although Morrissey made a few sly references to Swindon, the place of his collapse, his only direct reference to the incident was when he told the crowd:
'The doctor said I shouldn't smile. I told him I don't.'
At the end of fourth track 'How Soon Is Now? the singer also mock-collapsed on the floor, but picked himself up after the song had ended, announcing: 'Thank you Swindon'.
Yes Adam I think I included those points in my review. I personally love the band. They do have a new guy on keyboards though who Moz welcomed to the band. Not sure who he is. As this is The Swords tour he is going to inclde some Swords tracks in every gig. Having seen Moz twice last year at The Roundhouse (Tuesday night which was apparently alot better than Monday and before he played half of Thursday and canx the rest) and also at the O2 Festival and also at Brixton in June, It was nice to see a refreshed setlist. The only song I realy missed was Pigsty. However 'Cemetery Gates' and 'Is It Really So Strange' more than made up for that.
Anyone here going to Ally Pally? If not, I have a spare ticket as my mate has blown me out.
See pic of Moz and my riped off portion of his shirt on another post.
Anyone thinking of buying Swords should note that an 8 track '|Live in Warsaw' CD is available with it while stocks last. It will also feature on ITunes for 1 month only. Finally, the ITunes version features 20 songs, not 18. The extra 2 being 'The Slum Mims' and 'Human Being'.
I was looking at my watch last night and wishing I was there with you.
