Many words have been written recently on blogs about Morrissey and his views in interviews and pronouncements. His statements on all sorts of political and social issues are starting to stand in the way of the music, becoming a barrier to being able to listen to the songs. Not his solo career, which is patchy anyway, but the songs made by The Smiths between 1983 and 1987, which are among the finest made by anyone at that time. So, to try to counter that here are a couple of songs from the early days of the group. If you try hard enough, switch off from now, and allow yourself to listen properly, be immersed in the music of Marr, Joyce and Rourke and words of Moz, you can block out the shite and be transported.
These two songs, both from their early days have a busy, clattery, garageband quality. Morrissey's lines in Jeane come straight from kitchen sink drama while Marr finds space to play rhythm and lead, the repeated circular riff sparkling. The Smiths recorded their debut album with Troy Tate but then dropped almost all the recordings, switching to John Porter. Only Jeane and the Tate mix of Pretty Girls Make Graves survived as official releases. Jeane was the B-side to second single This Charming Man.
Jeane (Troy Tate Mix)
Recorded for a Radio 1 David Jensen session in June 1983, These Things Take Time was one of Morrissey and Marr's earliest songs, with some ear-catching lyrical lines and ringing Rickenbacker guitar lines. I think the John Porter produced version is probably superior but there's nothing wrong with this.
These Things Take Time (David Jensen Session)
Regardless of his often ill advised public pronouncements, for me Mozza lost his lyrical lightness of touch somewhere back along the way, however there's usually still a song or two on each album that manages to grabs my attention. The Smiths catalogue is unimpeachable though.
ReplyDeleteThese Things Take Time, what a great song, great lyrics, great music, great band. Just all-round great. Candidate for song of the day. Great stuff.
ReplyDeleteVauxhall & I was the end of the genius for me but I plodded along for years buying and listening to his music. When he wrapped himself in the Israeli flag was the day I cottoned myself on. In The Smiths he talked the talk and walked the walk,all he does now is talk with nothing to show for it. He's very angry and bitter.
ReplyDeleteI stand alongside The Swede in his assessment of Morrissey's more recent releases. I don't have much trouble separating the Morrissey of today with the member of The Smiths from 30+ years ago. People evolve, even artists, but not always in a way that makes them relevant or relates to the people the were.
ReplyDeleteYeah, you're all right. But let's forget him and listen to the music of The Smiths.
ReplyDeleteMy place will be 'A Moz Free Zone' now on, but I can't bring myself to just switch off from The Smiths.
ReplyDeleteAlso have a lot of time for Billy Bragg's take on Jeane. If you don't mind me plugging an old post.....
https://thenewvinylvillain.com/2014/10/01/theres-ice-on-the-sink-where-we-bathe/
Plug away...
ReplyDelete