Take 2: Highlights with Morrissey 2009

[goinghome]

I mistakenly posted this idea in the off-topics forum and thought I'd give it another chance here. Few of us can compete with exciting encounters in the Cat and Fiddle of recent days, but most people come away with their own personal highlights and impressions of shows they attended.

Some of mine were:
- when he held up my card to his ear, that was handed to him in the National Stadium, and he shook it suspiciously!
- when, at the barrier I laughed at something as he swung by in Omagh, he cocked his head curiously;
- hearing the thundering Death at One's Elbow and sublime Cemetry Gates, and appreciating the emotional intent of Black Cloud and I'm OK by Myself;
- given the ups and downs, others' reports also counted a lot.

Anyone else like to share your most special remembered moments at Morrissey's live appearances this year?

 

[dunya]

Thanks for the idea, Goinghome.

I saw Morrissey only once this year, so that in itself made it memorable. After the initial disappointment of cancellation, the rescheduled gig at Brixton...

I'd not been in the pit before, the heaving sweaty mass (no wonder incence is burned) of apprehension, expectation and desire that makes up the bravest and most dedicated of the audience, and some of the most brutal too.
I shared the pleasure of the music, the appreciation of the occassion, the relief that it was happening this time with other delighted fans.
I was buffeted, struck by a flying plastic beer pot, drenched by another and nearly trampled by an oaf whose need to display his dedication overcame all sense or respect for the comfort and safety of others.

And that was enough. I knew I didn't need to go to another concert, and I passed up the opportunity to do so. Partly because I was too weary after work, partly beacuse I wanted to remember the good times, not watch Morrissey bravely struggle on when he really should have been resting.

 

[goinghome]

Thanks for the idea, Goinghome.

I saw Morrissey only once this year, so that in itself made it memorable. After the initial disappointment of cancellation, the rescheduled gig at Brixton...

I'd not been in the pit before, the heaving sweaty mass (no wonder incence is burned) of apprehension, expectation and desire that makes up the bravest and most dedicated of the audience, and some of the most brutal too.
I shared the pleasure of the music, the appreciation of the occassion, the relief that it was happening this time with other delighted fans.
I was buffeted, struck by a flying plastic beer pot, drenched by another and nearly trampled by an oaf whose need to display his dedication overcame all sense or respect for the comfort and safety of others.

And that was enough. I knew I didn't need to go to another concert, and I passed up the opportunity to do so. Partly because I was too weary after work, partly beacuse I wanted to remember the good times, not watch Morrissey bravely struggle on when he really should have been resting.

I was at the first Brixton gig too and could see it was heaving up there. Towards the end my view was almost completely obscured.

The surge in the Troxy the night before found me floating back from the front until I found a nice space to bop around and enjoy myself.

We survived to tell the tale!

 

[lainey]

It's more to do with people on the forum as Morrissey is the highlight.

Liverpool Empire; before the gig, I missed Morrissey by seconds/minute also my mate was hours late but I chatted to Prisoner, Charlotte and No Place in the Head Of Steam.
(they were lucky enough to meet him, No Place escorted him off the bus for a chat)

Manchester 22nd; Orm got me a ticket for the gig. It was my birthday too. Pre drinks with Prisoner and No place.
Wonderful concert.
No Place caught Morrissey tie but some giant man grabbed it. After alot of flexing of muscles, No Place was about to be victorious when I was pulled backwards and he let go of the tie to help me.


Manchester 23rd; more drinks with Prisioner, No Place and someofusisturningnasty
At the front again but it was much rougher and I needed to be help over the barrier.
met esteban and sniffed some of Morrissey's shirt (I wasn't the only one) also met Ghost and troubleluvsme.

Brixton; queued for hours met sweet and tender. At the front, I watch as Morrissey dropped his shirt in to No Places hands. Had the pleasure of trying it on. I met a very tall Virgil Tracy

Sheffield; pre drinks, JJ, No Place, Gary, Moz of the Rovers.
wonderful view at the front.

Liverpool; queued for hours as did No Place, someofusisturningnasty & ghost. I was front & centre with so many good people on the front row.
He looked beautiful and he was right...... It would have been perfect.
(bittersweet)

 

[Spyderfyngers]

Seeing him for the first time in Cambridge after years of admiring him.

I queued for eight hours like a great big saddo, and met some lovely people. I got a place right up at the barrier. During Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others (I'm six foot, and he had this warm, teasing look on his face, the little so-and-so) he came over to me, crouched down and offered me his hand. I took it, gawped at him (he gawped back, like this - ), and he tickled my palm. I tickled him back, and he smiled at me. He gently released my hand and went straight into The Loop.

After all those years of loving his lyrics, seeing him in the flesh was so strange and wonderful.

It was nothing compared to everyone else's encounters, but it meant a lot to me.

 

[Je Suis Julie]

It was a VERY good year, in my eyes.

My many highlights:

Getting Years of Refusal in my grubby little hands and listening to it repeatedly all year long and never once tiring of it. I still feel it's his best album yet. I'll never forget hearing the complete album for the first time and hearing that undeniably strong voice and the intensity of the whole thing. It bowled me over.

Also getting the re-issues of SouthPaw and Maladjusted, with their beautiful photos and wonderful liner notes. Also hearing Honey, You Know Where to Find Me for the very first time (I know, where had I been?) and falling completely in love with it.

And of course, Swords, which has turned out to be a beautiful album unto itself, not just a collection of B-Sides.

ALSO, the publication of The Bleak Moor Lies which is incredibly exciting because it exceeds all my (already high) expectations. And Morrissey + writing = bliss.

ALSO, receiving a package from a dear friend with a very unexpected surprise - a piece of a Morrissey concert shirt! My gasp of surprise terrified my son and spooked the cats. This in addition to many other letters and gifts exchanged with new pen pals..... Amazing stuff, amazing people!

Oh, and Jose's radio show - which has brightened every Sunday except for the few I had to miss. The show with Mike Farrell was fantastic, especially when he answered my question about his favorite moment onstage with Morrissey and he said it was the moment they first played How Soon is Now? and the audience was stunned (in a good way).

From a Frink perspective we had so many beautiful photos, so many wonderful heartfelt fan stories and the 7" photo shoot can't be topped. Or can it? *waits*

AND...saving the BEST for last......

3 concerts - Ann Arbor, Milwaukee and Chicago. My God, was that this year? It doesn't seem possible this all happened this year! I've gone into great detail elsewhere, but what a pleasure it was to meet so many of you in person. I've developed lifelong friendships with people I wouldn't have met otherwise.

I have nothing but gratitude, respect and increased admiration for the man who brought all this happiness to so many of us this year. And I feel the same for his band, who don't get enough attention and respect, especially in the press.

I hope 2010 brings greater press recognition, more projects.... And greater HEALTH and relaxation for everyone after what has really been an incredible, dramatic, never dull year.

 

[I am a Ghost]

It was a VERY good year, in my eyes.

My many highlights:

Getting Years of Refusal in my grubby little hands and listening to it repeatedly all year long and never once tiring of it. I still feel it's his best album yet. I'll never forget hearing the complete album for the first time and hearing that undeniably strong voice and the intensity of the whole thing. It bowled me over.

Also getting the re-issues of SouthPaw and Maladjusted, with their beautiful photos and wonderful liner notes. Also hearing Honey, You Know Where to Find Me for the very first time (I know, where had I been?) and falling completely in love with it.

And of course, Swords, which has turned out to be a beautiful album unto itself, not just a collection of B-Sides.

ALSO, the publication of The Bleak Moor Lies which is incredibly exciting because it exceeds all my (already high) expectations. And Morrissey + writing = bliss.

ALSO, receiving a package from a dear friend with a very unexpected surprise - a piece of a Morrissey concert shirt! My gasp of surprise terrified my son and spooked the cats. This in addition to many other letters and gifts exchanged with new pen pals..... Amazing stuff, amazing people!

Oh, and Jose's radio show - which has brightened every Sunday except for the few I had to miss. The show with Mike Farrell was fantastic, especially when he answered my question about his favorite moment onstage with Morrissey and he said it was the moment they first played How Soon is Now? and the audience was stunned (in a good way).

From a Frink perspective we had so many beautiful photos, so many wonderful heartfelt fan stories and the 7" photo shoot can't be topped. Or can it? *waits*

AND...saving the BEST for last......

3 concerts - Ann Arbor, Milwaukee and Chicago. My God, was that this year? It doesn't seem possible this all happened this year! I've gone into great detail elsewhere, but what a pleasure it was to meet so many of you in person. I've developed lifelong friendships with people I wouldn't have met otherwise.

I have nothing but gratitude, respect and admiration for the man who brought all this happiness to so many of us this year. And I feel the same for his band, who don't get enough attention and respect, especially in the press.

I hope 2010 brings greater press recognition, more projects.... And greater HEALTH and relaxation for everyone after what has really been an incredible, dramatic, never dull year.

There is only one Je Suis Julie. What a woman.

 

[SoVeryEntertainig]

Seeing him for the first time in Cambridge after years of admiring him.

I queued for eight hours like a great big saddo, and met some lovely people. I got a place right up at the barrier. During Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others (I'm six foot, and he had this warm, teasing look on his face, the little so-and-so) he came over to me, crouched down and offered me his hand. I took it, gawped at him (he gawped back, like this - ), and he tickled my palm. I tickled him back, and he smiled at me. He gently released my hand and went straight into The Loop.

After all those years of loving his lyrics, seeing him in the flesh was so strange and wonderful.

It was nothing compared to everyone else's encounters, but it meant a lot to me.

Well Spyderfyngers, you have just made me cry... The most touching description of Moz encounter I've ever seen or heard.

My highlight of the year was seeing him in Warsaw, after 20 years of longing

 

[Anaesthesine]

I mistakenly posted this idea in the off-topics forum and thought I'd give it another chance here. Few of us can compete with exciting encounters in the Cat and Fiddle of recent days, but most people come away with their own personal highlights and impressions of shows they attended.

Great idea for a thread!

It was a wonderful Morrissey year for me, despite all the obvious difficulties that The Man Himself has had on this tour.

First of all, the people: good friends from this forum whose virtual and physical company I have enjoyed over the years, and strangers that quickly became fond memories; who knows, we may yet meet again...

I have to say that the Bowery Ballroom show is still my favorite Moz moment ever: Morrissey was radiant, with tears in his eyes; the crowd was hysterical, joyous and loving, and the venue was so intimate that it felt like the energy would blow the roof off.

Plus, I finally got to hold his hand.

I know that it's pretty late in the game for all of us, but there's a glorious lion in winterness to Morrissey now: his continued "Morrisseyness" is such an improbability, and every great moment increasingly seems like an act of defiance, and an affirmation of the power of love, beauty, great art, and a healthy sense of the absurd.

Mr. Anaesthesine would like me to mention that a lovely friend of ours from this site designed a huge banner that read "Welcome Morrissey" in Gaelic. The mister lettered and painted it, and they worked on it for hours before the Montclair, NJ show. It was hung from the balcony, and Morrissey looked up at one point, beamed, and said "thank you" in Gaelic. It was a proud moment for all concerned.

 

[Worm]

My highlight, as always, was buying a new Morrissey record and eagerly swallowing it whole. This year's edition provided me with the special thrill of discovering that the album was better than I thought at first...and then better than that...then better and better still...

And even after I'd gone through the wine bottles, it still sounded pretty good.

Other than that, I don't have any big highlights to share. The only "interaction" I want with Morrissey is the kind I get from my stereo speakers. Well, okay: his live rendition of "I Keep Mine Hidden" sent chills down my spine in a way few songs I've heard this year have done.

Besides, what I could I add to this?

I know that it's pretty late in the game for all of us, but there's a glorious lion in winterness to Morrissey now: his continued "Morrisseyness" is such an improbability, and every great moment increasingly seems like an act of defiance, and an affirmation of the power of love, beauty, great art, and a healthy sense of the absurd.

Nobody's going to improve on that!

 

[Voodoo Doll]

For me 2009 has contained both the best and the worst Moz moments in my 21 years of being besotted with him. I won't dwell on the worst bits (Swindon & Liverpool ) but by far the best for me was meeting him outside the radio 2 gig and having my arm signed and then tattooed. He was so sweet and gentle and cheeky and funny and handsome....
Also the Glasgow gig - such an amazing atmosphere it was like Kill Uncle days all over again but with much better songs
And hearing the opening of Cemetry Gates at Birmingham when it was unexpected.
Thank you Morrissey

 

[Anaesthesine]

The only "interaction" I want with Morrissey is the kind I get from my stereo speakers.

You know, I used to believe that until I found myself reaching for his hand. You do get a nice warm tingly sensation all over, when he gives you that little tickle...

Nobody's going to improve on that!

Why, thank you Worm.

 

[PregnantForTheLastTime]

You know, I used to believe that until I found myself reaching for his hand. You do get a nice warm tingly sensation all over, when he gives you that little tickle...

I concur. You must touch him sometime, Worm. It's wonderful. It doesn't diminish anything, I promise you. It's more like you're closing the loop, completing the connection. You realize you mean as much to him (in the abstract, anyway) as he does to you.

Mine was in Chicago, in April. He was on a stage the Smiths played, and when he walked out he bowed to the audience and then waved to us in the balcony--coincidentally, right at where I was standing. I like knowing he loves having us there. The recent upgrade in interactions (Joey's record, for instance) show that many of the things we believe about him are true. He is exactly who he says he is.

 

[Worm]

I concur. You must touch him sometime, Worm. It's wonderful. It doesn't diminish anything, I promise you. It's more like you're closing the loop, completing the connection. You realize you mean as much to him (in the abstract, anyway) as he does to you.

Aheh-heh-heh. Sure. That may be true for women, Pregs, but let me drop some science on you. I mean something to Morrissey the way plankton means something to whales.

Nice try, though. Hey, you oughtta consider writing some fan fiction! "It all began with a handshake from the front row..."

 

[PregnantForTheLastTime]

Aheh-heh-heh. Sure. That may be true for women, Pregs, but let me drop some science on you. I mean something to Morrissey the way plankton means something to whales.

Nice try, though. Hey, you oughtta consider writing some fan fiction! "It all began with a handshake from the front row..."

I do not write fanfic. I'm way too sophisticated for that.

Morrissey loves us all. And not everything is about sex. If he thought like that, he wouldn't be Morrissey.

 

[Worm]

Morrissey loves us all.

Lay off the eggnog, sister. In Morrissey's eyes we're all...worms.

And not everything is about sex. If he thought like that, he wouldn't be Morrissey.

Of course not. If it was all about sex, there wouldn't be room for evil judges, lying journalists, and greedy record executives.

 

[Anaesthesine]

You must touch him sometime, Worm. It's wonderful.

You really should get a whiff of him too, Worm. It's simply intoxicating...

 

[Worm]

You really should get a whiff of him too, Worm. It's simply intoxicating...

Thanks, but I'd rather go cottaging in Kandahar. You ladies can have him all to yourself, drenched Gucci shirt and all.

 

[PregnantForTheLastTime]

Thanks, but I'd rather go cottaging in Kandahar. You ladies can have him all to yourself, drenched Gucci shirt and all.

Oh, I've never gone after the shirt. I step away when that starts up.

 

[dailyalice]

Thanks, but I'd rather go cottaging in Kandahar. You ladies can have him all to yourself, drenched Gucci shirt and all.

I'm going to have to go with anaesthetine - Morrissey smells heavenly. After shaking his hand, his scent lingered on my fingers and it was...*swooning in pleasure.* If you haven't experienced it, it's hard to describe.