Starring Morrissey, lots of British people
Written By:
Directed By: Matthew Amos
Studio: Sanctuary Records
Buy on Amazon.com link

Morrissey is back in full force this year. A new full length CD and now two live performances recorded on CD and DVD. The DVD performance is from his homecoming/birthday concert in Manchester, England.

Morrissey is the former singer of the moppy British rock band The Smiths. His solo career has been just as successful. The Smiths are one of my favorite bands by the way. Even though I only got into the band/Morrissey 2 years ago, I consider them one of my favorites. This concert was shot last May and around the time his newest album “You Are the Quarry” was released. He performed songs “Irish Blood, English Heart,” “First of the Gang To Die” and “I Have Forgiven Jesus” and they are on the new album. Actually, a lot of the songs he did at this concert were on the new album. I guess that’s to be expected since he just had a new album come out. He does a few Smiths songs as well like “Headmaster Ritual” “A Rush and a Push and the Land is Ours,” “Shoplifters of the World Unite” and “There is a Light that Never Goes Out.” I would have liked to see some more popular Smiths songs played like “This Charming Man” “What Difference Does it Make,” “Panic” or “Ask.” Those 4 are my favorite Smiths songs. He did however, play “Everyday is Like Sunday” and that’s my favorite Morrissey song. I also like “Suedehead” a lot but that wasn’t played. He focused on a lot of the slower songs which I don’t care for as much. But they are still good, especially when you are in a depressing mood. I think the concert itself seemed a little bit tamed, and not as energetic as it could have been. There were a few crazy fans crying in the audience, throwing underwear/clothing at him and trying to get on stage and touch him.

The DVD extras contain a few music videos of “The First of the Gang To Die” and “Irish Blood, English Heart.” There’s also some concert footage of some of the same songs performed at the birthday show, but this time they are at the Movie Festival in Manchester. I think it would have been better if there were some different songs in the Extras. Don’t want to overplay the best tracks on the new album you know. Some behind the scenes footage, or something like that also should have been included. But what’s the main seller here is the concert itself.

The concert footage looks absolutely excellent & professional. The sound, camera angles and just the overall look makes this concert DVD a must have for any Smiths/Morrissey fans. I was certainly happy to get this DVD to review.

Features:
Five Live Performances from Move Festival, Manchester, 2004:
First Of The Gang To Die
I Have Forgiven Jesus
Every Day Is Like Sunday
There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
Irish Blood, English Heart

Music Videos:
Irish Blood, English Heart
First Of The Gang To Die (UK version)
First Of The Gang To Die (US version)
I Have Forgiven Jesus

Dvd Tracklisting:
– First Of The Gang To Die
– Hairdresser On Fire
– Irish Blood, English Heart
– The Headmaster Ritual
– Everyday Is Like Sunday
– I Have Forgiven Jesus
– I Know It’s Gonna Happen Someday
– How Can Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel?
– Rubber Ring
– Such A Little Thing Makes Such A Big Difference
– Don’t Make Fun Of Daddy’s Voice
– The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores
– Let Me Kiss You
– No One Can Hold A Candle To You
– Jack The Ripper
– A Rush And A Push And The Land Is Ours
– I’m Not Sorry
– Shoplifters Of The World Unite
– There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

Audio:

Video:

Subtitles:

Favorite Scenes: First of the Gang to Die, Headmaster Ritual, Everyday is like Sunday, There is a light that never goes Out
Rating: NR
Running Time: 0 minutes
Extras Rating:
Overall Rating: