Morrissey came to LA this past week, playing a last minute show at the small Music Box, plus a sold-out Shrine, and Fox Theatre in Pomona. Luckily I got to see two shows - nine years after seeing him play my hometown in Australia. I know in the meantime things have been a bit "off" with Morrissey's performances - cancellations, collapses and the like. But 2011 sees a fit, rejuvenated 50-something-year-old idol, hitting the stage with the aplomb and swagger we love him for. Morrissey's voice is in fine form today, and treats the fans on this tour to a few Smiths' songs - "I Want The One I Can't Have", "Meat Is Murder", "Still Ill", and sometimes "I Know It's Over". He played the latter at The Shrine on Saturday night, and with the crowd singing along to one of the most beautifully sad songs ever written, it was one of those gig moments you cherish forever.
The encore of "Still Ill" brought a mini-flood of devotees scrambling up on stage to hug Morrissey - just like nearly 30 years ago. Aaaaah, pretty hard to wipe the smile of the face after that.
His visit also sadly coincided with last week's passing of Shelagh Delaney, writer and major inspiration on Morrissey's work and on others who came from difficult lives in Manchester, England. An image of Shelagh acted as a backdrop for these shows, and the pre-show clips of footage included a brief snippet of an interview with the playwright (filmed by the great Ken Russell, also now recently departed). In it she talks of her reluctance to leave her home, Salford, despite it's problems and constant shroud of industrial gloom. She died of cancer at the age of 71, and was best known for her 1958 play "A Taste of Honey" which she penned as a teenager.
It's so easy to laugh
It's so easy to hate
It takes strength to be gentle and kind
Over, over, over, over
It's so easy to laugh
It's so easy to hate
It takes guts to be gentle and kind
Over, over
Love is Natural and Real
But not for you, my love
Not tonight, my love
Love is Natural and Real
But not for such as you and I, my love
It's so easy to hate
It takes strength to be gentle and kind
Over, over, over, over
It's so easy to laugh
It's so easy to hate
It takes guts to be gentle and kind
Over, over
Love is Natural and Real
But not for you, my love
Not tonight, my love
Love is Natural and Real
But not for such as you and I, my love
