myboyracer
Speedway, here we come!
Its not available in Singapore yet. According to amazon.co.uk, its available from 23 July 09 onwards.
It's an A to Z of all things Morrissey related. Under 'F' there's 'Family - Morrissey' and 'Food' as well as all the other 'F's you could possibly think of. It's cross-referenced too so if the entry for an album mentions a producer who also has an entry it's in CAPITALS so you know you can loook up the producer.
There are entries for each and every song, there are entries for pretty much everyone he's worked with Jonny Bridgwood, Spencer Cobrin, Alain Whyte etc etc.
There are entries for peopkle e.g. Pete Burns, Peter Hogg, Jake Walters and stuff about influences, that is to say songs that he has said time and again that he likes. Think of something and it's probably in the book. I tested it by trying to find an entry relating to Imperfect List which was used in the interval tapes before shows in 2004. It wasn't under 'I' for Imperfect List but it was (I think- haven't got it with me) under the entry for Jake Walters which is pretty insulting since Jake Walters had next to nothing to do with it, but to be fair Goddard makes the point that it is probably through Walters that Morrissey knows about it. Pete Wylie does get credit at least.
One of the things that I think is missing is an entry for the Smoking Popes. OK, they may be contemporaries but I think their sound has had a massive influence on how his music sounds now. For years and years Morrissey has said 'Born to Quit' was terrific. He wasn't wrong and I think it's been a big influence and therefore deserves an entry every bit as much as the Cookies and Herman's Hermits.
I was most interested to see what he wrote about Alain Whyte. Goddard sticks to the facts which wins my admiration.
It doesn't go in much for tourdates and set lists. That's been done to death elsewhere and wouldn't make an interesting book to read.
A very enjoyable and comprehensive book, will push your knowledge of all things Morrissey to new heights...if you're not there already.
What's in the book more precisely? Details, anyone? PLEASE. Can you find tourdates also? Setlists? Information about his shirts? Bitte!
Good, acurate review
Jukebox Jury
Mine was due to arrive today, it hasn't.
Amazon giving me the run-a-round again. Swine.
i have had mine on order for ages but havent got it yet .....
HOW could I have loved The Smiths since 1984 and not had an inkling that the name may have come from references to David Smith and Maureen Smith? David Smith being the person who witnessed the murder of Edward Evans and who alerted the police to Brady & Hindley.