The Very Best of Morrissey with Bonus DVD 25th April

[Emil]

From true-to-you:

The Very Best Of Morrissey with bonus DVD to be released 25th April; Glamorous Glue single with previously unreleased songs

22 February 2011

EMI presents:

The Very Best Of Morrissey

With Bonus DVD

Release date: 25th April

And

'Glamorous Glue' Single

- All Formats Featuring Previously Unreleased Songs -

Following the 20th anniversary release last year of Bona Drag, EMI are pleased to announce, with Morrissey's full co-operation, the release through the Major Minor label of The Very Best Of, and limited edition 'Glamorous Glue' seven inches and an ECD featuring two never-heard-before B-sides.

The Very Best Of Morrissey is an 18-song compilation, encompassing a diverse selection of material from Morrissey's HMV and Parlophone albums, ranging from his early run of successful singles, through selected album tracks – 'Glamorous Glue', 'Break Up The Family' – to B-sides, such as November Spawned A Monster's 'Girl Least Likely To'. Additionally, it also includes the US mix of 'Tomorrow' and US single version of 'My Love Life', his sublime, extended (9:39 minutes) interpretation of Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini's 'Moonriver', and a never-heard-before solo version of 'Interlude' (originally released as a duet with Siouxsie Sioux).

The bonus DVD will feature 11 promo videos, three of which – 'Boxers', 'The More You Ignore Me...', and 'Sunny' - are previously unavailable on DVD outside of the US, and the rarely seen, mesmerising live performance of 'I've Changed My Plea To Guilty' from the Jonathan Ross Show.

The week before the album's release, a limited edition 7" in a picture sleeve, a limited edition 7" picture disc, and an ECD single of 'Glamorous Glue' will be released, both b/w two never-heard-before Morrissey songs – 'Safe, Warm Lancashire Home' (7 inches) and 'Treat Me Like A Human Being' (ECD) – taken from the Viva Hate album sessions.

Directing the artwork for the album and single, Morrissey has chosen a selection of very rare – in some instances, previously unseen – stunning photos from Jake Walters, Kevin Cummins, Linder Sterling, Perou and Renaud Monfourny to adorn the sleeves, booklet and poster bag.

The album will be available on CD and vinyl. The LP version will be a double, heavyweight 180g vinyl, housed in a wide-spine sleeve with a pull-out poster. The CD will be housed in a gatefold, card sleeve.

The first seven inch single will come in a double-sided picture sleeve with the orange Major Minor labels on the disc. The picture disc will be clear plastic with a photo each side.

The Very Best Of Morrissey tracklisting:

1. The Last Of The Famous International Playboys
2. You're Gonna Need Someone On Your Side
3. The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get
4. Glamorous Glue
5. Girl Least Likely To
6. Suedehead
7. Tomorrow (US remix radio edit)
8. Boxers
9. My Love Life (US mix)
10. Break Up The Family
11. I've Changed My Plea To Guilty
12. Such A Little Thing Makes Such A Big Difference
13. Ouija Board, Ouija Board
14. Interesting Drug
15. November Spawned A Monster
16. Everyday Is Like Sunday
17. Interlude (Morrissey solo version)*
18. Moonriver (extended 9:39 version)

*Previously unreleased

Bonus DVD:
The Last Of The Famous International Playboys
The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get
Glamorous Glue
Suedehead
Tomorrow
Boxers
My Love Life
I've Changed My Plea To Guilty (live, Jonathan Ross Show)*
Interesting Drug
November Spawned A Monster
Everyday Is Like Sunday
Sunny

*Previously unavailable on DVD

[mozsupportsrovers]

Great news

[mexico]

not really sure with that track listing that this will sell well!

[Stoned]

Is this the price Moz has to pay in order to get a contract deal with EMI for his next studio album? If so, that's fine Moz but PLEASE next year give us a brand new studio album.
Cheers Moz

[lottie]

PAH,
they might aswell throw in a tacky easter egg.

I shaln't be buying this. :-(

[lottie]

Is this the price Moz has to pay in order to get a contract deal with EMI for his next studio album? If so, that's fine Moz but PLEASE next year give us a brand new studio album.
Cheers Moz

my thoughts exactly, but make it THIS year please.

[joe frady]

Happy Days!
It's all madness of course, but I'm excited ~
'Safe, Warm Lancashire Home' finally revealed. 'Treat Me Like A Human Being' {where'dthatcomefrom?} unveiled. His Greatest Evah TV Performance finally available in prisine quality. Pics, pics, pics! Ltd. Ed. gatefolded double-sided picture discs with poster bag insanity? Yes. But I'm a sucker.
Sad about no 'Our Frank' on the DVD (perhaps an Easter Egg for Easter time?)
No mention of what is the 'enhanced' bit of the ECD? Video of 'Glamourous Glue'?

I also found the use of the word 'mesmerising' in this press release very interesting.

[Girl-with-the-Thorn]

I'm looking forward to hearing the two unreleased tracks, so I may get the 'Glamorous Glue' reissue, but I can't be bothered with the other one.


Is this the price Moz has to pay in order to get a contract deal with EMI for his next studio album? If so, that's fine Moz but PLEASE next year give us a brand new studio album.
Cheers Moz

This. I don't even mind if we don't get a studio album immediately after this, but it just seems a bit silly. It's only been 3 years since the last 'best of/greatest hits/blah' was released.

[Eraserhead]

I dunno. It would be nice to have a decent recording of that performance of 'I've Changed my plea to guilty', but I'm not sure about buying all those songs again.

[Kewpie]

I'm looking forward to hearing the two unreleased tracks, so I may get the 'Glamorous Glue' reissue, but I can't be bothered with the other one.
This. I don't even mind if we don't get a studio album immediately after this, but it just seems a bit silly. It's only been 3 years since the last 'best of/greatest hits/blah' was released.

You totally misunderstand the situations.

2008 Greatest Hits is a compilation of Sanctuary release 2004 - 2006, but this new 'The Very Best of' is compiled by EMI / HMV / Parlophone release.


In next 10 or 20 years time if a company buys the entire catalogue of Morrissey, we'll get 'Ultimate Collections'.

[mcrickson]

You totally misunderstand the situations.

2008 Greatest Hits is a compilation of Sanctuary release 2004 - 2006, but this new 'The Very Best of' is compiled by EMI / HMV / Parlophone release.


In next 10 or 20 years time if a company buys the entire catalogue of Morrissey, we'll get 'Ultimate Collections'.

I'm sure GWTT isn't blaming Morrissey for this turn of events; at this point, it seems as thought the main reason these compilation releases are happening are because of contractual obligations -- rarely are there other reasons at all (that is, for artists who don't wish to milk their fans with songs they already have). I'm not sure Morrissey himself cares TERRIBLY much about the compilations -- even for the reissue of 'Bona Drag' he did not proceed with the planned promotional spots on TV. To me it appears that he's doing this to proceed with what he wants to do, because as I said, there doesn't seem to be any other overall motive for these releases presenting itself. I feel like finding an adequate record label for him to stick with SHOULDN'T be as difficult as he claims, he's just particularly picky about it. I'm certain that there is an abundance of decent independent labels that would release new material by Morrissey without the hassle of meeting obligations like compilations to rake in extra profits every other year. But I suppose it's understandable for someone with a career as prolific as his to expect a certain degree of publicity that a smaller independent might not be able to finance. So this is the trade-off. We understand that 'Greatest Hits' and 'The Very Best of Morrissey' are compiled by two different labels. What is being called into question is the fact that this is what Morrissey feels he has to resort to to get a good deal on releasing new material (which is what we're hoping this is all about).

[2-J]

2008 Greatest Hits is a compilation of Sanctuary release 2004 - 2006

Not really. 'Greatest Hits', despite its contents, was promoted as encompassing his entire career. Also, it contained 4 songs from the pre-Sanctuary era (precisely to further this aim, however inadequate the resultant compilation was at representing Morrissey's career)

And this 'Very Best Of' is just as shameless in that respect. In fact, you could argue the Sanctuary one was better because of the token effort to license a few tracks from the EMI years, no such luck with this new compilation.

[Oso Blanco]

'Safe, Warm Lancashire Home' (7 inches)

Does that mean vinyl only? Noooo! Why, oh why?

[Irregular Regular]

Does that mean vinyl only? Noooo! Why, oh why?

It may be available for digital download too if we are lucky...

[2-J]

Sadly, there is a recent precedent of a B-Side not being available digitally! The live version of Trash was 7"-only, for the Everyday Is Like Sunday re-release.

[Irregular Regular]

Sadly, there is a recent precedent of a B-Side not being available digitally! The live version of Trash was 7"-only, for the Everyday Is Like Sunday re-release.

I know, I know.
Only hoping really...

[Maurice E]

You totally misunderstand the situations.
2008 Greatest Hits is a compilation of Sanctuary release 2004 - 2006, but this new 'The Very Best of' is compiled by EMI / HMV / Parlophone release.
In next 10 or 20 years time if a company buys the entire catalogue of Morrissey, we'll get 'Ultimate Collections'.

If 2008's Greatest Hits is a Sanctuary compilation of 2004-2006 material, would you like to explain how it includes Suedehead, The More You Ignore Me, Everyday is like Sunday, Last of the Famous International Playboys, as well as two singles from 2008?
If you can't explain it, perhaps you will offer an apology for being completely ignorant and unbelievably rude?

[Kewpie]

If 2008's Greatest Hits is a Sanctuary compilation of 2004-2006 material, would you like to explain how it includes Suedehead, The More You Ignore Me, Everyday is like Sunday, Last of the Famous International Playboys, as well as two singles from 2008?
If you can't explain it, perhaps you will offer an apology for being completely ignorant and unbelievably rude?

Oh dear, I'm sorry for forgetting it had three tracks which are originally released from EMI.

However, apart from the three tracks, rest of the songs are originally released from Sanctuary.

[not_me_not_I]

I know, I know.
Only hoping really...

Not to worry, I'm sure some kind soul with a turntable will make the song available to hear (I mean, you'll have bought the 7", you'll just not be able to listen to it because you lack the turntable, right?)

[Irregular Regular]

(I mean, you'll have bought the 7", you'll just not be able to listen to it because you lack the turntable, right?)

I'll be buying both 7"s, the cd single and any promos they make available.
I have a turntable but I would prefer a digital release as opposed to a conversion from vinyl to mp3.

[Girl-with-the-Thorn]

I'm sure GWTT isn't blaming Morrissey for this turn of events; at this point, it seems as thought the main reason these compilation releases are happening are because of contractual obligations -- rarely are there other reasons at all (that is, for artists who don't wish to milk their fans with songs they already have). I'm not sure Morrissey himself cares TERRIBLY much about the compilations -- even for the reissue of 'Bona Drag' he did not proceed with the planned promotional spots on TV. To me it appears that he's doing this to proceed with what he wants to do, because as I said, there doesn't seem to be any other overall motive for these releases presenting itself. I feel like finding an adequate record label for him to stick with SHOULDN'T be as difficult as he claims, he's just particularly picky about it. I'm certain that there is an abundance of decent independent labels that would release new material by Morrissey without the hassle of meeting obligations like compilations to rake in extra profits every other year. But I suppose it's understandable for someone with a career as prolific as his to expect a certain degree of publicity that a smaller independent might not be able to finance. So this is the trade-off. We understand that 'Greatest Hits' and 'The Very Best of Morrissey' are compiled by two different labels. What is being called into question is the fact that this is what Morrissey feels he has to resort to to get a good deal on releasing new material (which is what we're hoping this is all about).

Exactly, thankyou. I also get the feeling that he's doing all these re-releases in order to please the record label so he can proceed with new stuff, and what you said here about his pickiness with record companies and how that might affect this situation seems quite probable. And in any case, is there any need to pick holes over what songs from what era/label are on the compilations? The point I was making was that it seemed strange so soon after Greatest Hits, which would support the idea that this is a means to an end.

[Raphael Lambach]

We have truly great news, today. Then we have the final set list of the single:
7''
Glamorous Glue
Safe, Warm Lancashire Home

(E)CD
Glamorous Glue
Treat Me Like A Human Being


It's really wonderful to get two unreleased tracks.
I was wondering if Stephane doesn't own the lyrics on his personal archive.
What will it be the cover?

[mr.m]

I dunno. It would be nice to have a decent recording of that performance of 'I've Changed my plea to guilty', but I'm not sure about buying all those songs again.

My thoughts exactly.

[2-J]

Exactly, thankyou. I also get the feeling that he's doing all these re-releases in order to please the record label so he can proceed with new stuff, and what you said here about his pickiness with record companies and how that might affect this situation seems quite probable. And in any case, is there any need to pick holes over what songs from what era/label are on the compilations? The point I was making was that it seemed strange so soon after Greatest Hits, which would support the idea that this is a means to an end.

Well, both (this latest, and Greatest Hits) are as explicable as they are cynical... in both cases, a record label has tried to put together a 'Greatest Hits' or 'Best Of' product as cheaply as possible. With the Sanctuary compilation, it was cheaper to draw on the Sanctuary stuff, for EMI, they have avoided licensing stuff from after he left EMI.. the Sanctuary Best Of was a means to an end for a new album so let's hope this one is too, BUT I don't expect this to sell well... and the Bona Drag release did crap sales wise aswell... so let's hope, if a deal was made for a further original (new) Moz record, that that doesn't depend on sales of this back catalogue stuff...

[lastparty]

Stinks to high heaven all this.
I will stick to the singles and leave it at that. I sincerely hope that, when new material is released, that it is worth the recent investments many of us have made in 'old tat'

[mcrickson]

Well, both (this latest, and Greatest Hits) are as explicable as they are cynical... in both cases, a record label has tried to put together a 'Greatest Hits' or 'Best Of' product as cheaply as possible. With the Sanctuary compilation, it was cheaper to draw on the Sanctuary stuff, for EMI, they have avoided licensing stuff from after he left EMI.. the Sanctuary Best Of was a means to an end for a new album so let's hope this one is too, BUT I don't expect this to sell well... and the Bona Drag release did crap sales wise aswell... so let's hope, if a deal was made for a further original (new) Moz record, that that doesn't depend on sales of this back catalogue stuff...

Well, I would hope that EMI would realize what they're getting into by pushing this product; it really depends on how much Morrissey himself had to do with it. Does he just want to give EMI as little satisfaction as possible by giving them something that he KNOWS won't sell well in order to fulfill contractual obligation and look toward the future? Or did EMI put this together (after all, it just says 'with Morrissey's cooperation' and that he selected the pictures to be included -- this is the scenario I'm assuming)? EMI would have to be really off their match to assume this will bring a SUBSTANTIAL amount of sales; they would need only to take a look at how "Greatest Hits" by Decca was received in 2008. Granted, it's not the same product (this veritably has "Oye Esteban!" tacked on as a bonus), but being such, it would probably cost more.

[Bluebirds]

If I was relatively new to Morrissey and this had been released 15 to 20 years ago then the DVD alone would be worth purchasing. Sadly we live in a different world, with different rules and its inexplicable to me how EMI (or Morrissey for that matter) think they'll shift enough units to make this release worthwhile.

Still I think its probably the best career compilation that has been released yet. He's had enough practice at it though!

[Raphael Lambach]

Does somebody remember that Morrissey talked about his retirement years ago (I dunno the date...).. so I guess it happened....
The same is happening with Bowie.

[mcrickson]

If I was relatively new to Morrissey and this had been released 15 to 20 years ago then the DVD alone would be worth purchasing. Sadly we live in a different world, with different rules and its inexplicable to me how EMI (or Morrissey for that matter) think they'll shift enough units to make this release worthwhile.

Still I think its probably the best career compilation that has been released yet. He's had enough practice at it though!

If I were to stick to my assumption that this is indeed a contractual ploy to get Morrissey to release SOMETHING while he's waiting to work on/complete new material, the explanation would be that for EMI, any profit is better than no profit. A certain amount of people WILL buy this release, as well as the "Glamorous Glue" reissue. The whole point of making it a contractual obligation to release a compilation is that it will rake in revenue. Sure, it won't be anything compared to a studio album, but it's something -- more importantly, something Morrissey has to do to ensure that his next studio album can be released on EMI. They'll receive profits from putting out both releases, and Morrissey will be able to release a new studio album under a label that he is sure can promote it to his wishes. This is just how it looks to me.


Does somebody remember that Morrissey talked about his retirement years ago (I dunno the date...).. so I guess it happened....
The same is happening with Bowie.

Yes, a little bit ago he said he couldn't see the point of continuing his career past 55. It was an XFM interview, if I recall correctly. However, I would not count him out totally just yet. There's a possible motive behind all this that DOES make sense, at least to me.

[Bluebirds]

All well and good ref: contractual obligations but this is 2011. Certain established artists can release new albums with a mere 5 days notice...

The music industry has changed so much in the last decade that the record companies are merely treading water. Particulalrly EMI.
I think Morrissey has made a mistake in signing to EMI. They're in the doldrums, he's in the doldrums, we're all in the doldrums.

I realise he feels the need to be coveted and wanted but for someone who protests about how much he detests the record industry and its machinations... anyway what do I know?

[mcrickson]

All well and good ref: contractual obligations but this is 2011. Certain established artists can release new albums with a mere 5 days notice...

The music industry has changed so much in the last decade that the record companies are merely treading water. Particulalrly EMI.
I think Morrissey has made a mistake in signing to EMI. They're in the doldrums, he's in the doldrums, we're all in the doldrums.

I realise he feels the need to be coveted and wanted but for someone who protests about how much he detests the record industry and its machinations... anyway what do I know?

I agree with you 100% on this. I mentioned before that Morrissey could very easily get out of EMI taking advantage of his material like this by finding a suitable independent. He'd have no trouble at all getting a good deal were he to remove EMI from its almighty pedestal. And relegating certain tracks to vinyl only does speak a lot about how it's really his own final say. I wouldn't be surprised if EMI had recommended against it, but then again, I guess that will help to assure that people will buy both formats.

But yes, I agree with you. It doesn't seem likely that he's going to change anytime soon before he officially retires, though. Who knows, though. He could prove us all wrong and pull a Radiohead :D

[Raphael Lambach]

If I was relatively new to Morrissey and this had been released 15 to 20 years ago then the DVD alone would be worth purchasing. Sadly we live in a different world, with different rules and its inexplicable to me how EMI (or Morrissey for that matter) think they'll shift enough units to make this release worthwhile.

Still I think its probably the best career compilation that has been released yet. He's had enough practice at it though!
You should realise that Bona Drag re-issue or even The Very Best of are released only for truly fans. They will never be reach top positions on charts.

[the_kaz]

Really? This is what passes for "the very best" of Morrissey? And I was actually looking forward to the chance of finally getting a compilation without a botched track-list (I think "Best of" came close, but it was US-only). Should have known that'd never happen. Morrissey seems to have a knack of compiling the strangest, most pointless compilations... :confused:

[Stoned]

I'll be buying both 7"s, the cd single and any promos they make available.
I have a turntable but I would prefer a digital release as opposed to a conversion from vinyl to mp3.

It may well sound funny but I am much more looking forward to the Promos than the actual releases.....apart from the 7" vinyl which I love more and more these days...
Cheers Moz

[2-J]

Another weird thing about this release is that the 'best' stuff associated with it (the single B-sides, surely) aren't even on the album?? :crazy: Morrissey's own decision, presumably.. but if they want to sell the actual album, surely the best stuff should have actually been on the album rather than to create a (very) little promo buzz with the single.

[Soil Falling Over]

Wonder if this is the newly-butchered version of Ouija Board....

[Orson Swells]

The track-listing is so far from a Very Best Of... that it's faintly embarrassing to think someone might buy a copy believing it to be so. It reminds me of a World of Morrissey II.

Still, for me Morrissey can release what he likes; we don't have to buy it if we don't want to.

And the thought of having the two new Viva Hate tracks plus the solo Interlude and a quality version of the J Ross "I've Changed My Plea..." makes me rather happy.

Also, this may all be part of some deal for a new LP. Which would be very nice indeed.

[roky]

Does that mean vinyl only? Noooo! Why, oh why?

Vinyl is the best

[The Seeker of Good Songs]

I've Changed My Plea To Guilty on The Jonathan Ross Show December 1990

ylwJJfCUFJk

[DAVIE]

Very happy with the greatest hits set list...."Girl Least Likely To" is one of my favourite songs and deserves its rightful place in the greatest hits! It kicks "First Of The Gang's" ass anyday and I'm really happy that the awful song and any of his post 2003 stuff hasn't seen any light on this greatest hits!

[The Seeker of Good Songs]

Moonriver (extended 9:39 version) is in the approximately top 20 of his solo releases? I like it and all but is it really one of the best of the best? Time wise they could have added two or three other songs in it's place.

[Vauxhall95]

Does that mean vinyl only? Noooo! Why, oh why?

Yes, I'm equally confused. Am I to understand the CD single will not have both unreleased songs?! I'm not buying the new "Very Wonderful Hits" because I could burn a copy of it tonight if I so desired. I would buy the CD single, but not if it only has one bonus track. My days of spending $12 for an import CD single are over.

Any mention of remastering any of the material? I was burning a compilation for a friend the other day (proselytizing for Moz), and I noticed songs from his older albums the sound volume dips quite dramatically compared to the newer albums. If the songs were remastered, eh, I might buy it.

The whole thing is just bizarre. I like "Break Up the Family" as much as the next person, but to include it on "The Very Best of Morrissey" seems to be a real stretch. The 9 minute version of "Moonriver?" Really?

Also, I get it: vinyl is cool and trendy, but please meet the consumer half way: most of us don't have USB turntables, and I'm not buying one for a 7" single with a single unreleased track.

[the_kaz]

Oh, Morrissey, Morrissey, Morrissey... I'm not digging out my old turntable for one extra B-side! Like most people, I play all my music digitally now. I'd buy the vinyl if there was a download code for the track (as lots of other artists do), but as there's no mention of that, and it didn't happen with the 'Refusal' B-sides, I have no reason to believe this will occur now. Very disappointing... :(

[2-J]

Morrissey has always made some bizarre compilation tracklisting choices, even back to the days of The Smiths... I guess it's the price EMI paid for getting his 'approval' on this...

[Oso Blanco]

I'm sure that some people here have that vinyl only b-side on cd already. Maybe one of them could be persuaded to leak a wav rip of this track once the vinyl is out and the song no longer falls under the "strictly confidential" category.

[Raphael Lambach]

I only didn't like that it has loads of songs which are on all Morrisssey's compilations - and even on Bona Drag.
Are there many other unreleased tracks?

[JoanOfArc]

Great news!:)

[CrystalGeezer]

The whole thing is just bizarre. I like "Break Up the Family" as much as the next person, but to include it on "The Very Best of Morrissey" seems to be a real stretch.

"I'm in love for the first time, and I don't feel bad." :blushing:

[Mozza220559]

I predicted this months ago, but my idea was better. It feels like they've taken my idea as a fawning Moz fan and just taken a steamy EMI shaped shit on it.

Are these his VERY best songs?

I'm sure Kewpie will unearth that thread where I envisioned a nice plush legacy boxset with his very best songs.

[goinghome]

The news is being picked up 'all over the place' -

http://www.misformusic.com/2011/02/morrissey-to-release-new-best-of-compilation/

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/News/morrissey-0222-2011/

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a305265/morrissey-presents-new-best-of-album.html

http://www.clashmusic.com/news/morrissey-prepares-unreleased-material

http://www.live4ever.uk.com/2011/02/soundbites-acdc-tom-williams-the-boat-lady-gaga-more/

[Ryan.]

Honestly, it's 2011. Why still release rare tracks only on vinyl? It's totally silly.

[not_me_not_I]

Because he's emotionally smitten with vinyl and can't understand why other people might not be.

[Raphael Lambach]

I want to see the sleeve soon.
It could leak soon.

[joe frady]

Because he's emotionally smitten with vinyl and can't understand why other people might not be.
I'm emotionally smitten with Morrissey and can't understand why other people might not be ;)