"Morrissey risks a Cliff-hanger" by Barbara Ellen - The Observer

"Morrissey risks a Cliff-hanger" - Barbara Ellen, The Observer, UK, 16th February 2014

Scan from print edition:

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Of course he's afraid of panties. Which is why he's veering...Cliffwards. it's a Suicide Mission!
Tom Jones on the other hand...Doesn't need more ammunition. Or panties ;)
And neither do I...
* signature lip smacking*
 
My sense of humor may be off this week, but this seems to be a failed attempt at comedic writing. This 'journalist' obviously knows very little about Morrissey. Summarizing how 'most people' feel is not a very accurate or professional approach to reporting. Morrissey has a very specific, but extremely devout, fanbase who are quite familiar with his post-Smiths work; and while the most recent samples have been below his own extraordinarily high standards, his solo work helped to cement his place in pop music history. As for the idea that Morrissey purposely selected opening acts that he could easily upstage, this would have been much better accomplished by using unknowns or his current opening act. That statement could possibly be suggested as the reason he keeps a certain female performer on the ticket, but Tom Jones is kind of a big deal. Only Morrissey knows why he wanted to collaborate with Tom and Cliff, but it may just be a case of nostalgia. Finally, the writer's assumption that Morrissey would be overwhelmed by the fervor of female fans proves that she has never been to one of his concerts. Pardon my American colloquialism but Bitches love Morrissey!!! The man gets mobbed by females and males alike. I knew she was writing less than objectively when she included the "Steven Patrick" reference, a tactic used by parents to let their children know that their behavior is disappointing ( and a likely smacking is on the way). Personally, I could care less who opens for him; just roll the film and get to the good part.

lynnda
 
Anonymous said:
My sense of humor may be off this week, but this seems to be a failed attempt at comedic writing. This 'journalist' obviously knows very little about Morrissey. Summarizing how 'most people' feel is not a very accurate or professional approach to reporting. Morrissey has a very specific, but extremely devout, fanbase who are quite familiar with his post-Smiths work; and while the most recent samples have been below his own extraordinarily high standards, his solo work helped to cement his place in pop music history. As for the idea that Morrissey purposely selected opening acts that he could easily upstage, this would have been much better accomplished by using unknowns or his current opening act. That statement could possibly be suggested as the reason he keeps a certain female performer on the ticket, but Tom Jones is kind of a big deal. Only Morrissey knows why he wanted to collaborate with Tom and Cliff, but it may just be a case of nostalgia. Finally, the writer's assumption that Morrissey would be overwhelmed by the fervor of female fans proves that she has never been to one of his concerts. Pardon my American colloquialism but Bitches love Morrissey!!! The man gets mobbed by females and males alike. I knew she was writing less than objectively when she included the "Steven Patrick" reference, a tactic used by parents to let their children know that their behavior is disappointing (and a likely smacking is on the way). Personally, I could care less who opens for him; just roll the film and get to the good part.

lynnda
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Well, you're wrong there, Lynnda. Ellen wrote for the NME at the height of their Morrissey obsession in the late 80s/early 90s. It is a pretty rubbish non-piece though - neither funny nor interesting.
It's also a myth that Morrissey has a loyal devout fanbase. Half a million people bought YATQ in the UK. Fewer than a fifth of those bothered with Years of Refusal. That's not very devout, is it? Last time he played England - he did just one concert in the whole year. It didn't even sell out. People tire of him easily but that's not to say some brilliant new material won't bring some of the deserters back.
I agree with you about not really caring who's supporting. It makes no difference to me. Getting big name, 'heritage' supports just seems like an exercise in vanity.
Or maybe it's a kind of apology for writing Get Off The Stage?
 
Anonymous said:
My sense of humor may be off this week, but this seems to be a failed attempt at comedic writing. This 'journalist' obviously knows very little about Morrissey. Summarizing how 'most people' feel is not a very accurate or professional approach to reporting. Morrissey has a very specific, but extremely devout, fanbase who are quite familiar with his post-Smiths work; and while the most recent samples have been below his own extraordinarily high standards, his solo work helped to cement his place in pop music history. As for the idea that Morrissey purposely selected opening acts that he could easily upstage, this would have been much better accomplished by using unknowns or his current opening act. That statement could possibly be suggested as the reason he keeps a certain female performer on the ticket, but Tom Jones is kind of a big deal. Only Morrissey knows why he wanted to collaborate with Tom and Cliff, but it may just be a case of nostalgia. Finally, the writer's assumption that Morrissey would be overwhelmed by the fervor of female fans proves that she has never been to one of his concerts. Pardon my American colloquialism but Bitches love Morrissey!!! The man gets mobbed by females and males alike. I knew she was writing less than objectively when she included the "Steven Patrick" reference, a tactic used by parents to let their children know that their behavior is disappointing ( and a likely smacking is on the way). Personally, I could care less who opens for him; just roll the film and get to the good part.

lynnda
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Exactly!!
 
Anonymous said:
My sense of humor may be off this week, but this seems to be a failed attempt at comedic writing. This 'journalist' obviously knows very little about Morrissey. Summarizing how 'most people' feel is not a very accurate or professional approach to reporting. Morrissey has a very specific, but extremely devout, fanbase who are quite familiar with his post-Smiths work; and while the most recent samples have been below his own extraordinarily high standards, his solo work helped to cement his place in pop music history. As for the idea that Morrissey purposely selected opening acts that he could easily upstage, this would have been much better accomplished by using unknowns or his current opening act. That statement could possibly be suggested as the reason he keeps a certain female performer on the ticket, but Tom Jones is kind of a big deal. Only Morrissey knows why he wanted to collaborate with Tom and Cliff, but it may just be a case of nostalgia. Finally, the writer's assumption that Morrissey would be overwhelmed by the fervor of female fans proves that she has never been to one of his concerts. Pardon my American colloquialism but Bitches love Morrissey!!! The man gets mobbed by females and males alike. I knew she was writing less than objectively when she included the "Steven Patrick" reference, a tactic used by parents to let their children know that their behavior is disappointing ( and a likely smacking is on the way). Personally, I could care less who opens for him; just roll the film and get to the good part.

lynnda
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I think Barbara Ellen is the NME journalist Morrissey is quite scathing about at Madstock (one writer with a baby?)

I remember her vitriolic review of one of the Smiths Best 1 compilation albums which she gave 1 out of 10 too.

She wanted to be Julie Burchill, even to the extent of looking like her (a bit)
 
Cliff Richard wasn't enough to clue me in, but when I see Tom Jones on the bill as well, it's plain that Morrissey is having a laugh creating this bill of UK crooners. It's really very funny.
 
Anonymous said:
Well, you're wrong there, Lynnda. Ellen wrote for the NME at the height of their Morrissey obsession in the late 80s/early 90s. It is a pretty rubbish non-piece though - neither funny nor interesting.
It's also a myth that Morrissey has a loyal devout fanbase. Half a million people bought YATQ in the UK. Fewer than a fifth of those bothered with Years of Refusal. That's not very devout, is it? Last time he played England - he did just one concert in the whole year. It didn't even sell out. People tire of him easily but that's not to say some brilliant new material won't bring some of the deserters back.
I agree with you about not really caring who's supporting. It makes no difference to me. Getting big name, 'heritage' supports just seems like an exercise in vanity.
Or maybe it's a kind of apology for writing Get Off The Stage?
Click to expand...

I have to admit I know nothing about her, so I based my opinion on this particular article. I understand your comment about his decreasing fan base, but in fairness, the music industry has taken a nose dive and very few artists are selling records the way that they previously did. If you attend any of the concerts, or try to get tickets for them in the US, it is clear to see that he still has a strong following, even if it isn't what it once was. I think of it in this context: there are so many new groups that show promise, and they ultimately give you two or three good albums, then it's over. Morrissey has been producing quality songs far longer than most; He has created music that people play repeatedly throughout their lives; and not many artists can make that claim. Even the few that remain hugely popular (Stones and Springsteen come to mind) have produced nothing of great value in the past two decades but are fortunate to ride a wave of continued success based on their original popularity. I appreciate your opinions, and I have my fingers crossed that he realizes how important it is to include only strong songs on this next record. It's crucial, as is his committment to completing the tour without any cancelations. I keep hoping, I keep hoping...

lynnda
 
Anonymous said:
I have to admit I know nothing about her, so I based my opinion on this particular article. I understand your comment about his decreasing fan base, but in fairness, the music industry has taken a nose dive and very few artists are selling records the way that they previously did. If you attend any of the concerts, or try to get tickets for them in the US, it is clear to see that he still has a strong following, even if it isn't what it once was. I think of it in this context: there are so many new groups that show promise, and they ultimately give you two or three good albums, then it's over. Morrissey has been producing quality songs far longer than most; He has created music that people play repeatedly throughout their lives; and not many artists can make that claim. Even the few that remain hugely popular (Stones and Springsteen come to mind) have produced nothing of great value in the past two decades but are fortunate to ride a wave of continued success based on their original popularity. I appreciate your opinions, and I have my fingers crossed that he realizes how important it is to include only strong songs on this next record. It's crucial, as is his committment to completing the tour without any cancelations. I keep hoping, I keep hoping...

lynnda
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Err Lynnda, you're right about the Stones but I wouldn't draw comparisons with The Bruce. His work rate and integrity puts Moz to shame.
 
Peterb said:
Err Lynnda, you're right about the Stones but I wouldn't draw comparisons with The Bruce. His work rate and integrity puts Moz to shame.
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I'm from New Jersey, and Springsteen is considered by many to be our Patron Saint. I loved his first three records; after that, he became too commercial, and his writing suffered greatly. Yes, he still puts on amazing performances, but at least Morrissey didn't succumb to the pressure of producing cheesy videos and dancing with Courtney Cox. I followed Springsteen religiously when I was a kid, but I haven't heard anything worthwhile in decades; the same cannot be said of Morrissey, who has produced consistently strong music until very recently (hopefully, that will be soon rectified). The bright side of my Springsteen disillusionment: I knew how to walk away and not trash him to his current followers on a website named in his honor.

lynnda
 
Anonymous said:
I'm from New Jersey, and Springsteen is considered by many to be our Patron Saint. I loved his first three records; after that, he became too commercial, and his writing suffered greatly. Yes, he still puts on amazing performances, but at least Morrissey didn't succumb to the pressure of producing cheesy videos and dancing with Courtney Cox. I followed Springsteen religiously when I was a kid, but I haven't heard anything worthwhile in decades; the same cannot be said of Morrissey, who has produced consistently strong music until very recently (hopefully, that will be soon rectified). The bright side of my Springsteen disillusionment: I knew how to walk away and not trash him to his current followers on a website named in his honor.

lynnda
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Moz has not produced anything recently. YOR was OK but hardly high quality and definitely not recent.
But, high hopes for later this year!
 
For f***s sake I'd thought I'd never say this but Morrissey RETIRE It's no longer f*** Morrissey solo just f*** Morrissey. Its not the rat pack but a gay f***in mouse pack Tom Cliff and you is a joke r you their superannuation fund or what oh I just, oh f*** it just sing me to sleep. But before u do just lose some weight and cliff and tom.
 
Peterb said:
He's done better.
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There aren't many people who are 50+ that haven't made better records earlier in their career. Morrissey isn't doing too bad considering that pop music is generally a young man's game.

I was never in to Springsteen at all, I just don't get it, but he does what he does and does it well and lots of people adore him. His new records don't sound a lot different to his old ones to me, the same could probably said of Morrissey's. I think Something Is Squeezing My Skull stands up with anything he's done and the rest of that album is good too - if you like it - if you don't it's crap. It's all subjective but at least he's still making music rather than just living on his past like loads of others from back in the day.
 
Charlie Cheswick said:
There aren't many people who are 50+ that haven't made better records earlier in their career. Morrissey isn't doing too bad considering that pop music is generally a young man's game.

I was never in to Springsteen at all, I just don't get it, but he does what he does and does it well and lots of people adore him. His new records don't sound a lot different to his old ones to me, the same could probably said of Morrissey's. I think Something Is Squeezing My Skull stands up with anything he's done and the rest of that album is good too - if you like it - if you don't it's crap. It's all subjective but at least he's still making music rather than just living on his past like loads of others from back in the day.
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Hi Charlie,
I have to agree and disagree with you.
Skull is as great as anything he's done, I agree.
Pop music is hardly a young persons game anymore. Just take a look around you.
When Pop was young you may have been right but now it's like Jazz or Folk. You wouldn't bat
an eye at a 60 year old folkie.

There is no reason why someone in his 50's or 60's cannot produce their best work.
I'm not happy with an artist as great as Moz producing middling work just because he's in his 50's.
You wouldn't have said that about Sinatra, Miles Davies and many others.
 
Peterb said:
Hi Charlie,
I have to agree and disagree with you.
Skull is as great as anything he's done, I agree.
Pop music is hardly a young persons game anymore. Just take a look around you.
When Pop was young you may have been right but now it's like Jazz or Folk. You wouldn't bat
an eye at a 60 year old folkie.

There is no reason why someone in his 50's or 60's cannot produce their best work.
I'm not happy with an artist as great as Moz producing middling work just because he's in his 50's.
You wouldn't have said that about Sinatra, Miles Davies and many others.
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In theory, you should be right: if you have that much talent, it should be a lifelong ability. I don't think that it's a case of diminished talent when artists get past a certain age, I think it's more likely a lack of inspiration. When they first start out, they have to prove their worth in the industry; once they've attained success, the motivation isn't as great. Add to that fatigue, a lack of privacy, harsh treatment in the press, cynicism gained through life experience, and the complacency that comes with wealth; it's understandable how these things could interfere with the creative process. I still think that Morrissey has produced outstanding material for most of his very long career, which puts him ahead of most; and as you said, we just have to hope that this next production is at least on par with some of his strongest records. I do have to disagree with you about agism in pop music. It seems like the only pop 'super stars' are in their late teens (Bieber, Miley). It's a shame because even if they do possess some talent (most don't), they're just too young to handle the success, so they crash and burn.

lynnda
 
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