A few more things about Southpaw, before I dodge the slung excrement...

J

Jamie

Guest
The main reason I always found it to be so beautiful is that it's the polar opposite of Vauxhall, his most gentle, serene (for Morrissey!), least embattled album. And only a year and a half later, he returns with a pure primal scream piece, getting rid of the painful memory of Jake, and returning to his glam roots. He's been fond of saying the past few years that he doesn't want to make technically perfect, emotionally-hollow music. The backing that Alain, Boz and Co. provide is heartfelt and imperfect--just like the gist of humanity. Morrissey knows what the hell he's talking about. You could probably talk for only minutes about the technique of Southpaw, yet spend hours on the FEEL of it. And there is no way that the album would be half as forceful if the drummer had been Woodie Taylor and not Spencer James. Still a shame that You Must Please Remember doesn't get it's due.....

Bigmouth,

Jamie
 
The song "southpaw" has always moved me...

It was always my favorite on that album. I really like the simple guitar solo in the middle as well.¿ The main reason I always found it to be so beautiful is that¿ it's the polar opposite of Vauxhall, his most gentle, serene¿ (for Morrissey!), least embattled album. And only a year and a¿ half later, he returns with a pure primal scream piece, getting¿ rid of the painful memory of Jake, and returning to his glam¿ roots. He's been fond of saying the past few years that he¿ doesn't want to make technically perfect, emotionally-hollow¿ music. The backing that Alain, Boz and Co. provide is heartfelt¿ and imperfect--just like the gist of humanity. Morrissey knows¿ what the hell he's talking about. You could probably talk for¿ only minutes about the technique of Southpaw, yet spend hours on¿ the FEEL of it. And there is no way that the album would be half¿ as forceful if the drummer had been Woodie Taylor and not¿ Spencer James. Still a shame that You Must Please Remember¿ doesn't get it's due.....¿ Bigmouth,¿ Jamie
 
I've rediscovered this album and think it holds its own against all of his work. My favourite is THE OPERATION...the transition from Spencer's magnificent drum solo to the guitars and Moz' love-induced criticism of a friend (Jake?) is definitely a highpoint in the Moz-solo legacy!

And your right about the band...they are not virtuosos or musos but I'd take their energy and colloborative talents over Marr anyday (I've been ripped on for saying that many times).

jason

P.S. Putting "NOBODY LOVES US" on the album would've made it even stronger than it is. If there was ever a hidden gem of a B-side...
 
Its not all that

the Teacherss are afraid of the pupils is a way superior track. South Paw is too self piting. I prefer the tracks 1-5 all of them excluding reader meet author, althought when moz says "any excuse to more lies then the song hits something unexplaineable towards the end. But the first part sucks anyday
 
To be finished would be a relief

"Teachers are afraid of the pupils" holds that special place in my heart. For a solid year after Southpaw came out, I listened to that song every day. It got me through a very rough time, not with the pupils(they were great!), with my fellow teachers. It was such a relief to know I could get out of that ugly situation any time things got too rough to handle. At times Morrissey's words comforted me so that I could face the day with the spirit of a winner, not a whiner. After that horrible year things improved because I was able to get away from the people who made my life a living hell and move on to a position where I could laugh with co-workers and relax in the knowledge that things didn't have to remain so awful.

Thank you, Morrissey, for once again providing the words that literally saved my sanity and my life.
 
Back
Top Bottom