Spell-binding show.
Started with How Soon Is Now, played just as recorded, after which Morrissey, commented, 'The Liberties (area where Vicar St. venue is located) doesn't like taking liberties', implying version of HSIN done previous nights was meant to be a different creative version but criticised in error. Perhaps audiences lag in adjusting to new band line-up.
The band sound is often celestially sweet, out of this world, while being muscular, rhythmic and emphatic as suits. Camila performed a shimmering keyboard solo. Morrissey confided he was very happy. Why wouldn't he be? This group has magic that brings out the best in the music.
During Bonfire of Teenagers a woman next to me who came from Manchester was crying, saying this song was very special, fair and expressive of how many feel. This gave me a lot of insight.
Morrissey half offered the mic to the front row to say something, and finally after walking the length of it, mumbling as if disheartened, someone rose to the challenge and said: 'we are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at Morrissey!' Very good!
After a couple of songs, Morrissey mocked the political leaders of both UK and Ireland, and warned to expect nothing from voting. You can't live with people, and you can't live with them, he said! But obviously he must discuss issues with musicians and organisers of various kinds to come to decisions, which is a form of informal voting, as necessary to get things done.
And later again, he said,'we have our unity, we have our history, we have each other, which is everything. Some such bon mots, one of the several bene-dictions of the evening, confirming why most of those who strayed are returning, It also reminded me of Wild Turkey's advice not to bother too much with ever-changing political questions but keep doing what he does so well, like standing up for animals. And reminded me of Malarkey's recognition of his primary strengths as a peerless poet of emotions and relationships, and social drama and landscapes. Kudos, Malarkey! Come back soon!
After the encore IBEH, when the stage had emptied, no one moved for about 5 minutes! It was like everyone in the full house had been hypnotised in place!
Some pre-show memories:
Before these started, there was classical music, which I enjoyed a lot.
Besides a good few already mentioned -
Female cover, audio only, of David Bowie's Andy Warhol, maybe this -
Plus early David Bowie himself on video singing half a song
A Ludus track
Sign of the Times by Prince
Playground Twist from Siouxsie and the Banshees-
Most of To Sir with Love by Lulu -
A song with a woman of wide kohl-lined eyes, short hair, in designer clothes, slinking around a posh hotel-type joint singing a slow song with the line 'I love the ground you walk on' and ending with 'black is the colour of my true love's hair' (Esther Ofarim).
A run of cognitively rousing clips including David Hoyle in drag slurring about the importance of nationality and identity, a man from 60s or so dressed in a tweedy suit singing a verse of a song apparently about the challenge of being gay which fades out as he removes his jacket.
If I think of more tomorrow, I'll add them on.
SPEEDWAY
