Eric Longley?

[Uncleskinny]

Reading through the MOJO article about The Smiths last night, and a name cropped up that I had not heard of before, quote...

"A different appreciation of the effect, and probably intent, of Morrissey's approach comes from Eric Longley, former Factory managing director who later briefly worked with Morrissey and eneded up writing a Birkbeck College MA thesis about him last year. He argues that Morrissey is one of pop's truly subversive artists: 'The musical accompaniment to his lyrics is firmly within the standard pop/rock canon. Eschewing an avant-garde form, Morrissey opts for the broadest possible audience for his lyrics. The form of the song presents no threat to social stability. The content is the dangerous element.'"

Can anyone tell more about Eric Longley, or find a copy of his thesis, which looks to be interesting reading? It's referenced at the end of the article - "Morrissey - A Lyric Poet In The Era Of Late Capitalism by Eric Longley"

Peter

[Jukebox Jury]

Reading through the MOJO article about The Smiths last night, and a name cropped up that I had not heard of before, quote...

"A different appreciation of the effect, and probably intent, of Morrissey's approach comes from Eric Longley, former Factory managing director who later briefly worked with Morrissey and eneded up writing a Birkbeck College MA thesis about him last year. He argues that Morrissey is one of pop's truly subversive artists: 'The musical accompaniment to his lyrics is firmly within the standard pop/rock canon. Eschewing an avant-garde form, Morrissey opts for the broadest possible audience for his lyrics. The form of the song presents no threat to social stability. The content is the dangerous element.'"

Can anyone tell more about Eric Longley, or find a copy of his thesis, which looks to be interesting reading? It's referenced at the end of the article - "Morrissey - A Lyric Poet In The Era Of Late Capitalism by Eric Longley"

Peter

Peter
I have just checked the index of the following books and found no mention of him in any of them

Mick Middles - Joy Division, New Order & Factory Records
Dave Haslam - Manchester England
CP Lee - Shake Rattle & Rain

I'll drop Dave Haslam an email (sorry, was that name dropping?) and ask the question.

Jukebox Jury

[Uncleskinny]

Peter
I have just checked the index of the following books and found no mention of him in any of them

Mick Middles - Joy Division, New Order & Factory Records
Dave Haslam - Manchester England
CP Lee - Shake Rattle & Rain

I'll drop Dave Haslam an email (sorry, was that name dropping?) and ask the question.

Jukebox Jury

Do you remember the conference when Dave Haslam was one of the best speakers - he showed us that postcard from Morrissey - "I am critically maimed", which I found hilarious. Also the chapter in his book about Djs, the bit on The Star & Garter is fantastic. Anyway - back to Eric Longley - any help appreciated.

Peter

[Currer Bell]

I don't know the guy, but if their college is like a lot of universities, they probably have a copy of that thesis in their library.

[Uncleskinny]

BUMP!!!

Nothing? I can't believe there's nothing out there about this chap, his collaboration with Morrissey or his thesis - or indeed his time with Factory.

Hey ho,

Peter

[Brel]

He is an Entertainment Industry Accountant, who specialises in intellectual property issues. He also manages Goldblade (on the side). He worked with the Happy Mondays.

For royalties he's your man!

He is (or at least was) a friend of Morrissey.

[Morrissey the 23rd]

How does Eric Longley cross the road? By New York cab, of course. But only if it's raining. An Absolute Pants Management joke.

Try researching NY poet Frank O'Hara and French poet Charles Pierre Baudelaire.

It may be of no help but education is always good.

[M-in-Oz]

Sorry...afraid I couldn't find much out about Eric Longley either...the University doesn't seem to have any mention of him/or his research.

You could check www.theses.com or the British Library Theses Service...you have to register for both to search (and I didn't have time at the present). Over here all theses are kept by the University library (so you could phone the Birbeck and ask if they could mail you a copy?) and on an online register.

[Rimbaudsdog]

Whoa didnt mean to be so elusive but I am Eric Longley - lovely to be amongst so many friends of Morrissey.

Just to clear up some misunderstandings - my dissertation was 'A Poetic Lyricist in the era of Late Capitalism' and will, after being editied and having some more bits added, be published next year.

The book is not about Morrissey - that is it is not biographical as I have long held the view that like everyone else Morrissey is entitled to his privacy. Instead the book is about why Morrisseys work is so important and what makes it important. The book will be a critical appreciation not biography nor haigography. I am hoping that the book will make a modest contribution to setting the record straight by recognising Morrisseys work for what it is - probably the most important pop lyricist in the second half of the 20th Century, more so than Dylan.

Of course even though its going to be my critical appreciation I would welcome any points you or anyone else thinks should feature in the book.

Hope that satisfies your curiosity until next year.

Best wishes

Eric

[Brel]

Whoa didnt mean to be so elusive but I am Eric Longley - lovely to be amongst so many friends of Morrissey.

Just to clear up some misunderstandings - my dissertation was 'A Poetic Lyricist in the era of Late Capitalism' and will, after being editied and having some more bits added, be published next year.

The book is not about Morrissey - that is it is not biographical as I have long held the view that like everyone else Morrissey is entitled to his privacy. Instead the book is about why Morrisseys work is so important and what makes it important. The book will be a critical appreciation not biography nor haigography. I am hoping that the book will make a modest contribution to setting the record straight by recognising Morrisseys work for what it is - probably the most important pop lyricist in the second half of the 20th Century, more so than Dylan.

Of course even though its going to be my critical appreciation I would welcome any points you or anyone else thinks should feature in the book.

Hope that satisfies your curiosity until next year.

Best wishes

Eric

Eric

Have you told CP Lee yet, about Dylan? Can I watch the fight?

Stephen

[Wild Oscar]

This book sounds well worth waiting for.

Nice one skinny, for spotting this reference.

I'd be interested to know, though, how Eric was 'found' - i.e. who got him to come on the site and post his message?

[vivabob]

This book sounds well worth waiting for.

Nice one skinny, for spotting this reference.

I'd be interested to know, though, how Eric was 'found' - i.e. who got him to come on the site and post his message?

maybe he googled his name ... or maybe his is a visitor , if your witing about morrissey lets face it here has some good subject matter

[Rimbaudsdog]

Brel

There is no contest and no fight. I think Dylan is a brilliant poet, a very important poet, a very inflluential poet. It is perhaps unfair to compare the two but hey lifes unfair and in that unfairness Dylaln has the popular vote amongst the academics and intellectuals but history is on Morrisseys side. It is invidious to compare one against the other, each does different things but Morrisseys things are in the long run far more important. Gosh I am starting to write the book again on a web site.

Look, thanks for your kind words, wish me well in completing the book and making it readable as well as persuasive.

A friend told me she saw my name on this site and curiosity got the better of me I confess.

Your all lovely (but so am I).

ERic

[Uncleskinny]

Brel

There is no contest and no fight. I think Dylan is a brilliant poet, a very important poet, a very inflluential poet. It is perhaps unfair to compare the two but hey lifes unfair and in that unfairness Dylaln has the popular vote amongst the academics and intellectuals but history is on Morrisseys side. It is invidious to compare one against the other, each does different things but Morrisseys things are in the long run far more important. Gosh I am starting to write the book again on a web site.

Look, thanks for your kind words, wish me well in completing the book and making it readable as well as persuasive.

A friend told me she saw my name on this site and curiosity got the better of me I confess.

Your all lovely (but so am I).

ERic

Eric - do you think there's anyone else out there today whose writing comes close to Morrissey, or indeed Dylan? I think Neil Hannon in his prime comes close - songs like Charge are genius in their multitudinous meanings and references.

Peter

[Jukebox Jury]

Eric - do you think there's anyone else out there today whose writing comes close to Morrissey,
Peter

Peter
What about Dermo from Northside?

Jukebox Jury

[Uncleskinny]

Peter
What about Dermo from Northside?

Jukebox Jury

"Gonna blow your mind
Do it all the time
Gonna make you fail
Gonna make you sail"

(as is my recollection)

Hmmm...............


Peter

[modrevolve]

yes..but Moz never did write lyrics quite like these

Good good good good
Good good good good
Good good good good
Double double good
Double double good

[girlunafraid]

probably the most important pop lyricist in the second half of the 20th Century, more so than Dylan.

So why only the 2nd 1/2 of the 20th century, was there a more important pop lyricist before or since, please?

love

Grim

[Jukebox Jury]

"Gonna blow your mind
Do it all the time
Gonna make you fail
Gonna make you sail"

(as is my recollection)

Hmmm...............


Peter

You gonna guess what time it is
You gonna guess what time it is
TAKE FIVE

Jukebox Jury

[Morrissey the 23rd]

Whoa didnt mean to be so elusive but I am Eric Longley - lovely to be amongst so many friends of Morrissey.

Just to clear up some misunderstandings - my dissertation was 'A Poetic Lyricist in the era of Late Capitalism' and will, after being editied and having some more bits added, be published next year.

The book is not about Morrissey - that is it is not biographical as I have long held the view that like everyone else Morrissey is entitled to his privacy. Instead the book is about why Morrisseys work is so important and what makes it important. The book will be a critical appreciation not biography nor haigography. I am hoping that the book will make a modest contribution to setting the record straight by recognising Morrisseys work for what it is - probably the most important pop lyricist in the second half of the 20th Century, more so than Dylan.

Of course even though its going to be my critical appreciation I would welcome any points you or anyone else thinks should feature in the book.

Hope that satisfies your curiosity until next year.

Best wishes

Eric

I'm willing to proof-read it for you before it goes to the publisher, then I could give you points that I think you could feature but omitted?

My previous post was to give Uncleskinny clues to who you are. It's more fun than just pointing a finger. As you said, everyone is entitled to their privacy but when you've been the MD of Factory, people know of you. Also as you probably know, the NY cab joke wasn't mine! It was just a clue for my friend Uncleskinny.

Remaining curious.