Does anyone else think that it all looks like Morrissey is using True-To-You as a stick to beat Morrissey-Solo and Sanctuary with? (Moz-solo for the whole 'cease and desist' letter business, and Sanctuary for - one presumes - some contractural wrangle that led him to disown them at one point, so now he's going to be an awkward bastard).

Not that Moz-Solo need worry, since all True To You's news will get reported here almost instantly anyway (if it's any good), plus the more 'controversial' stuff that T-T-Y wouldn't touch will also appear here, so fans will get both sides of the story. Finally of course there is the large regular fan audience who come to this site who add interesting comments etc. I don't think I'm imagining that Morrissey is having a little dig at Solo and Sanctuary - but in this case it's a little futile.

at last some news from the man himself, and beautifuly written as always; "I am yours forever, MORRISSEY." What a charmer!
Now I feel assured this album is not just a frigmant of our imagination. My Dad always says never wish your life away, but bring on the new year! :)

Dear Friends-

I believe this to be a personal "thank-you" to Julia.

I can't help but be honestly jealous. And I know many people are terribly jealous of Julia. I have met her, and I can tell you she is very, very nice!

However, many fans feel that there is somehow a double-message and double-standard ("In the days when you were hopelessly poor, I just liked you more").

It has been reported that Julia presented Morrissey with a very expensive birthday present: a rare and expensive Wilde (valued at $15,000 or $30,000???). It has also been reported that Julia is a wealthy heiress who is very capable of following every tour stop with prime seating and backstage event passes, etc. I think it is only natural and human to be a bit jealous. I know the frequent name-checks actually provoke a bit of anger and resentment among fans.

Perhaps this is because every fan secretly wishes to shake Morrissey's hand (maybe meeting for tea or a drink?) I guess money changes everything. My feelings are mixed to say the least, but I will always secretly love Morrissey for what his music has done for me.

Oh well, enough said.

With love always-
Too shy to sign

It's all magic apes & trick dust (meaning very positive news). However, is anyone else still struggling with the proposed title "Ringleader of The Tormentors" or has it grown on you such that you like it now?

The new photo on True To You should be used for the album sleeve! Niiiice!

Well, better than the 'Irish Blood' sleeve, eh?

Why does he only support Julia's site though, despite it being rubbish?

Oh hell, just realised, this story is going to lead to a whole new era of Julia-based bitching isn't it? Never mind, it passes the lonely hours.

Julia deserves the updates directly from the horses mouth. She has been doing supporting Morrissey through her fantastic True To You fanzine almost as long as I have been a Smiths/Moz fan. She never really asked for money, donations and such to keep her fanzine afloat. She did it with a bit of help from Moz fans such as some of the ones who write into Morrissey Solo and also Truetoyou.com. I know that I NEVER missed an issue when I could find them in the record stores in Massachusetts. I checked out the new website this morning and it looks pretty good so far. Its also nice to know that Julia Riley is a fellow Bostonian, as well as a fellow Mozstonian! THANKS JULIA!
           

Oh, most definitely a treat. Here is my State of the Album commentary:

"I would like to say congratulations to Julia on the new launch of True To You! I know it will be a big success."

I guess that True-to-You will be the source of official announcements like this. The exclaimation mark after True to You notes an enthusiastic Moz Seal of Approval.

"We are in the mid-stages of the mixing process...it has been a dazzling experience. Tony Visconti has been exceptional, and we are all very proud of the results."

You can hear him grinning on this statement. I'm glad this creative teaming of him and Visconti worked out. No dead bodies or wax burns mentioned. Jolly good.

"The first single will be released in the second week of February, and the album will follow around March 20th."

How romantic: Valentine's Day release(?) and a March release for the album? That is, if all goes well.

"Our plan to play Mexico City on New Year's Eve has not materialised - no decent financial offer to make the journey possible, which is sad. We have moved our Italian and Greek and Turkish dates to February which will be the tour to launch the album."

Well, that blows for the folks in Mexico City. And everyone was hoping for Nov/Dec dates to be announced. Well, maybe a tour in February makes more sense.

"Please watch this site for more news soon. I am yours forever, MORRISSEY."

Wow, what a charmer :) Yeah, I'll keep one eye on T2U for stuff, but for the hard-hitting news, articles, gossip, humor, reviews and sometimes an all-out-free-for-all bitchfest, there is nothing like Morrissey-Solo.

He could have just sent Julia an email but his response suggests he actually viewed the site. Perhaps he also checks out morrissey-solo.

puddle

Casual, yet intense.

The heart beats faster - thank goodness there will be Mozness in 2006.

Okay. This whole thing is kind of odd. "Ringleader of the Tormentors" seems strange. Morrissey speaking through Julia seems strange. (Although I did meet Julia at the Zephyr in S.L.C. 2002, I'm the one who yelled, "No One Can Hold A Candle To You!") Anyway, like it has been previously reported she's an exceptionally nice, shy lady. Quite cute too, even. As far as Morrissey goes, yes, I am too very jealous of Julia. But who cares, really, when I'm at a Morrissey concert, he's only singing to me anyway, so, I'll be fine. I'll be ready for the tour; I'll get my fix(ation). It's great to see that things aren't so predictable in the Morrissey World! It's exciting. I feel bad that this site is being over-looked. Perhaps, we're all to blame. Anyway....I just don't get it.

David Tseng: Don't feel bad, I love your site still and so do many others. Keep on keepin' on!

Wonderous, I can't wait to read this "exclusive, breaking news" on Pitchfork in a week!

but (snuffle snuffle) does this mean that the tour won't include good old Blighty at all??
Suddenly sad...

Thank God for Julia. Morrissey-solo tends to be unreliable and nonsensical. I usually end up either swearing or with a splitting headache.

I'm just wondering what Julia has on him.

To get such cooperation from him, it has to be something big.

Moz, what did you do?

I have it from a reliable source that in April 2006 Moz will be playing in Moscow, Hamburg (renamed Saltzbury for the day), Belfast, NYC, and a small Irish Pub on the island of Fiji.

[Please note that all of these are contingent on receiving a "decent financial offer to make the journey possible".]

OK Which UK Venues Should Moz Play this time Round?

Is probably the sweetest and most cherishable thing to come out of this update.

Morrissey-Solo.com and True to You are both great websites worthy of equal applause and respect.

Envy and Jealousy are unbecoming and a waste of time.

Some shows will go and some will not. Just the luck of the draw. Deal.

I rather like ROTT as a title and have right from the start. 2006 will be exciting if for no other reason.

Ringleader of the Tormentors still sounds a bit clumsy to me, but its growing, it will probably sound better if for example it's a lyric from a song and it fits in the song well, if you see what I mean.

I desperately hope he will come to England again but who knows, the way he spoke on the last tour here it seemed as if it would be his last one there, 'Dont forget me', tears in the eyes at Earls Court etc. Hopefully not too much can be read into that.

more new moz pics and story just posted in the forum

mozilini lol!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.tonyvisconti.com/news/index.shtml

"it sounds like Morrissey has found a new muse. "

Register before someone steals your name!

Ok, now I'm really excited! I have to say that, up to now, I was thinking that I maight have to steel myself for another disappointment with ROTT, as I felt quite disappointed with YATQ. I sort of had come to the conclusion that probably it would be another Moz album with two great songs and eight fillers, which every album since the superlative Vauxhall has been IMO. But Arsenal and Vauxhall always remind me of how brilliant Moz at his best is, so of course I was immensely pleased to hear of ROTT, but at the same time slightly skeptical. Then I heard that Jesse was co-writing and thought, well, that's interesting. Then Moz said ROTT would be in the same vein as YATQ, so again I start thinking it might disappoint me. Because I got VERY excited about Quarry but was then underwhelmed. So, to wit, T.Visconti's comments are music to my ears. The "newly found muse", the strength of the songs, the number of quality songs, the fact that it's "one of the best albums Visconti's ever worked on" - and he's been involved with some great albums! Now, of course, J Finn made similar claims prior to Quarry, but, somehow, Visconti's word seems much more credible (no offence Jerry). Everything bodes incredibly well - can't wait! Maybe, just maybe, I'll have an album to treasure as much as I love Vauxhall. If so, ROTT, despite the clumsy title, will be the album of 2006 by a mile.

Roll on!

At least we have some real confirmation Alain's def back in the band, and working on the album now.

Am sensing a mass defection to True To You- it's so shiny...

Does anybody else thinks this line is funny, in a creepy kind of way?

It means nothing to me in my life.

The thing about Julia is that I'm jealous of her results.

I'm not jealous of what she had to go through to reach those results.

How many rejections did she endure from Morrissey before she became the chosen one?

How much dosh do you think she's spent on the man in the past 10 years? It costs roughly £6K to follow a tour. So if she's followed the past 5 tours that's £30K

I'm a big Moz fan but, there's no way I could devote my entire life to the man. What sort of person would I be if I did?

I often think about asking Morrissey, "Why Julia? Clearly she's nutters." Then again if ever I get the opportunity to meet the man again then Julia will be the furthest from my mind. Therefore the question will never be asked. I wish, however, a journo would pose the question.

I think what seems the most disconcerning about morrissey fandom is this: no matter how big of a morrissey fan we are we will never be able to out-do Julia.

She is the queen. She's been at it so long. Even if you could compete financially, you'll never get name-checked in concert.

There's something both sad and beautiful about her devotion.

Do you suppose she has any hobbies?

Do you think she in a fulfilling relationship?

Do you think that she is a well-adjusted, mentally stable person?

I don't -- and I feel a bit resentful that Moz would pick someone as obviously unbalanced as his chosen one. Yes, I'm well aware that this is my own jealousy rearing it's head -- but in my own illogical way i feel slighted! I WANT MY MOMENT IN THE SUN WITH MOZ WITHOUT BEING A JULIA-RILEY TYPE STALKER.

Sadly, it seems as if the only way to get close to Moz is to be a sychophant (sp). And in my book that just seems wrong. That is why I will always hold David Tseng in much higher regard than Julia.

Having met David a few times he seems like a normal type of guy who just happens to like Morrissey. Whereas Julia comes off as a slightly disturbed person guarding a closly held secret.

Ok, I'm just rambling now, but i just wanted to vent. i feel so much better;

VIVA MOZ

Why has this site gone up when it has nothing on it? (with the exception of this story).

I found it embarrassing - rather like a wannabe novelist who has written the chapter headings but doesn't know what to put in them ... and then publishes!

Awards? Morrissey has dozens stretching back over 2+ decades. Releases? Scores of singles and how many albums? And so on...

How long has this person been a fan? She doesn't seem to have a sense of Morrissey's incredible legacy or have a sense of what makes a good website.

I care not a jot that this woman knows Morrissey, her website is utterly ridiculous.

slitty eyed yellow cunt