Unless something goes horribly amiss between now and then, looks like Morrissey is taking another stab with the Brooklyn Boy. From Wikipedia:

In a recent interview on BBC Radio 5 with Tony Visconti, the producer stated that his new project would be "the next Morrissey album", though that this would not be forthcoming for at least a year.

Thoughts? Feelings? Anxieties?

At the 'Steve Hoffman Music Forums' (a respected audiophile/music collector forum), producer Tony Visconti has been fielding questions regarding his terrific career. As a forum member there, I posed the following question:

"My question concerns working with Morrissey on 'Ringleader of the Tormentors'. What kind of mood (if any) was established when Morrissey was performing the vocals for such songs as 'Dear God, Please Help Me'? With such seemingly poignant and personal lyrics, do you actively attempt to construct a gently encouraging atmosphere, or allow someone like Morrissey to dictate what the mood of the studio is like when he records? Is any discussion entered into regarding the lyrics themselves (I assume not), or are comments restricted merely to the performance?

And, if you could spare the time, could you disclose the 'funniest' moment from those 'Ringleader' sessions? As you've noted in interviews, Morrissey has a real sense of humour. Any examples?"

Tony was very kind and responded with the following:

"Well, the mood of the studio in Rome where we recorded the album (Forum Sound Studios) was kind of Gothic. It is in the basement of a church, right next to crypts. The studio was never bright enough for my liking, there were areas that sucked in light and smelled bad. But this was a terrific place to make such an emotional album.

Morrissey was usually in a good mood being part of the band when the tracks were going down. It was nice to see him there. But when he put down vocals the band left and it was just him, myself and Marco on Pro Tools. Then the mood changed. I can never fully understand where a great artist finds the inspiration and the emotional connection that separates the men from the boys, but Morrissey would go into his private world when he was singing any song on the album. I don't want to make our private conversations before and after his vocals public, but he does ask for advice and he considers direction. It's an emotional experience for us in the control room too. Morrissey is definitely "on stage" in the studio, this is not a walk through exercise, this is the real thing when he does vocals.

I can't remember very specific funny moments, but Morrissey is very quick witted, a man of the moment. Just seeing him stand in the middle of the Italian childrens choir was a very funny sight with Morrissey looking extremely amused after the children just sang, "The father who must be killed."

The link to the respective thread.