I quite like Alison Moyet but for a number of reasons, this is sheer turpitude.
I'm sure most people around here would agree, but covers of Morrissey or Smiths songs just don't ever work and shouldn't be attempted...it's impossible to believe the lyrics coming from anyone other than Morrissey and you just can't improve the vocals or even come close to matching them.
You're definitely right about his vocal improvement since 'Boomslang'...that album could almost be considered spoken-word, really, as he puts little effort into the vocals out of necessity. He fares much better with his own material these days and I wish he would just stick to that...and IF he does play Smiths songs, then just make them instrumental. Also, I admire what he's trying to do with his career, but I feel pieces of music like 'European Me' are completely wasted on his solo career. If that had been sent to Morrissey and he put good lyrics and vocals to it, he would probably have finally had his coveted #1 single and it would be the shot in his arm he so desperately needs for his career.
I'm sure most people around here would agree, but covers of Morrissey or Smiths songs just don't ever work and shouldn't be attempted...it's impossible to believe the lyrics coming from anyone other than Morrissey and you just can't improve the vocals or even come close to matching them.
When you say they don't ever work, do you just mean that you don't like them?
The Mark Ronson cover of Stop Me is arguably the greatest success a Morrissey/Marr song's had to date. It sold in vast quantities and attained blanked airplay so everyone knows it - taxi drivers, school kids, mums, shop workers, i.e. the millions of people who couldn't care less about the Smiths or Morrissey.
Similarly, the cover of 'Please...' for the John Lewis Christmas ad was the key element in one of the most successful advertising campaigns ever.
I don't like either of these covers and you clearly don't either, but to say the covers never work is nonsense.
I'm sure most people around here would agree, but covers of Morrissey or Smiths songs just don't ever work and shouldn't be attempted...it's impossible to believe the lyrics coming from anyone other than Morrissey and you just can't improve the vocals or even come close to matching them.
Truth.
At least those aren't as bad of a vocal performance as these...
I really hate it. Listen to my opinions. I matter.