Morrissey
Album: Introducing Morrissey (DVD)
Label: Parlophone
Tracks: 15
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Morrissey

What is there left to say about Stephen Patrick Morrissey that hasn't been said already? Over 30 years and countless albums with The Smiths and his solo band he's managed to entertain as many people as he has irritated and rattled off some of the most controversial music interviews ever committed to paper. There's no denying though that the man has an incredible song writing pedigree and possesses a rare ability to romanticise the most mundane of situations with ease.

His latest release puts together a live show culled from consecutive gigs in Sheffield and Blackpool around the winter of 1995. Basing itself around 1994's seminal 'Vauxhall And I' album the set finds Morrissey at his brooding and spiteful best and is chock full of hit singles, b-sides and fan favourites that provide an excellent cross section of his work around the mid-90's era. The show itself is preceded by a nice little black and white prelude of a young punk traipsing round the Vauxhall area of London kicking his heels and generally looking a bit fed up (and suspiciously like a young Joe Strummer I might add). It's all very kitchen-sink-drama and very Morrissey.

The set itself opens with the bouncing 'Billy Budd' before a menacing run through 'Spring Heeled Jim' is followed up with 'You're The One For Me Fatty' and spat with a healthy dollop of venom. The chart bothering 'The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get' is delivered in a stabbing, staccato manner with just the right measure of restrained malice and a cover is Mercer & Mancini's 'Moon River' is gloriously realised with its haunting film excerpts interjecting the peaceful melody. The crows chant the singers name football terrace style throughout the style and finally get a few words of thanks which adds weight to 'Hold On To Your Friends'. The highlight comes late in the show though with a blissful rendition of 'Now My Heart Is Full' adding pure adulation to a hitherto spiky performance.

As introductions go it's probably not the best starting point for people new to Morrissey but for established fans it serves as a wonderful reminder of arguably the outstanding era of a stellar solo career.

Rob Fearnley