Anyone who has ever seen Morrissey live knows that a night of song with him is an event, a spectacle unto itself. He will make you laugh. He might make you weep happily (particularly if you’re like me and have a personal attachment to songs like “I Know It’s Gonna Happen Someday†and “Jack the Ripperâ€). But for sure, he will entertain you like you’ve never been entertained before. Forget Morrissey’s reputation as “The Pope of Mope,†a reclusive, cantankerous elder statesman of rock from Northern England. Since the Eighties, he’s penned some of the most revered songs of recent music history – songs of unrequited or lost love, sarcastic disdain for the powers that be, cynicism over what love is or what it means, battles against oppression, or just astute social commentary designed to give us a swift kick in the rear. Just don’t call him a pop star. He might get upset enough to write a song about you. He may be almost 50, but that doesn’t mean he’s a pushover.
The opening act for the evening was Red Cortez (formerly known as the Weather Underground), an unsigned rock quartet based in Los Angeles. Compared to other acts I’ve seen open for Morrissey, they played straightforward, enjoyable rock that the audience could really get into. (Other bands in the same position have not been so lucky; despite best efforts, I’ve seen bands heckled by drunks or completely drowned out by Morrissey football chants.) Lead singer Harley Prechtel-Cortez started the set with a guitar but exchanged it for keyboards before inserting “Washington D.C.†into one of their songs; as you can imagine, the change went down really well with the crowd. Note to all you budding rock stars out there: always a good idea to praise the town you’re playing; the locals will adore you for it. After their last song, he thanked us “for being pleasant†– not very rock ‘n’ roll, but sincere.
The backdrop of a sailor – chomping a cigar while curling his biceps, “REFUSAL†imprinted across his chest – seems appropriate for a Morrissey stage show, considering Moz himself is famous for his unapologetic opinions. Looking chic casual in a black Dolce & Gabbana shirt and jeans, pumping his biceps just like the sailor’s image behind him, Morrissey arrived on stage to thundering applause, the crowd already on its feet at the first moment. His first words to us? “Hello Squashington! Welcome to the Warner Theatre. You have been WARNED!†He then launched into a punchy, head-bopping version of the Smiths’s classic, “This Charming Manâ€, which the fans greeted with cheers. This “Tour of Refusal†is in support of Morrissey’s ninth solo album, Years of Refusal, released in February and produced by the late, great Jerry Finn. The set list was peppered liberally not just with songs from the current album, but also 2004’s well-received You Are the Quarry (also produced by Finn).
The new song “Black Cloud†was followed by the devastatingly heartbreaking “Let Me Kiss Youâ€, described by Morrissey as “an explanation of the previous song†– fans chuckled knowingly. Only someone with such an extensive back catalog would even dare to make such a connection. Highlights from the show included the coy Smiths tune, “Askâ€, and the first two singles off the new album, “Something is Squeezing My Skull†and “I’m Throwing My Arms Around Parisâ€.
The encore of “First of the Gang to Dieâ€, a paean to Morrissey’s passionate Latino fan base, capped off an extraordinary evening. Morrissey hinted to the press last month that he is considering retiring at age 55. If the fans’ reception of YOR and the related tour are any indication, he has plenty of songs left to write – and certainly the voice, energy, and charisma to continue thrilling audiences for years to come.
Set List:
This Charming Man (The Smiths)
Billy Budd
Black Cloud
Let Me Kiss You
How Soon Is Now? (The Smiths)
I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris
How Can Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel?
Ask (The Smiths)
Seasick, Yet Still Docked
Something Is Squeezing My Skull
Death Of A Disco Dancer (The Smiths)
You Say You Don’t Love Me (Buzzcocks)
It’s Not Your Birthday Anymore
The Loop
Why Don’t You Find Out For Yourself?
Best Friend on The Payroll
I Keep Mine Hidden)
Sorry Doesn’t Help
The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores
I’m OK By Myself
//
First Of The Gang To Die
Morrissey: website | myspace | Years of Refusal review
Red Cortez: website | myspace
Written by: Mary Chang
