Hairdresser on Fire writes:

Teletext in the UK today carries a story regarding the long rumoured Sanctuary deal. It is reportedly taken form Morrissey's new interview with Word magazine (which I haven't seen a copy of - might be out today) and quotes Morrissey himself as saying he is "three dotted i's" away from signing to Sanctuary.

It mentions that as part of the deal the label will revive their reggae imprint and allow Morrissey some control over that imprint's back catalogue. I guess this is in there as a clincher if they cannot perhaps offer him the cash he wanted.

I'll believe it when I see the LP in the shops, but that's what's being reported!

Anonymous writes:

Interview with Nancy Sinatra by Karen Lenar. Hoboken.com News, May 12, 2003.

Info is trickling about on the Morrissey/Nancy Sinatra Collaboration. It's an album of young performers influnced by Nancy. Here's what she says:

"The first song we cut last week in Hoboken was a song by Morrissey. A very difficult song for me. Morrissey, first of all, he's a great poet. Secondly, his interpretation of the lyrics in music is difficult for someone like me who is pretty much straight-ahead rock. And it was a real challenge..."
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In the Word interview out now, Morrissey mentions the song is called "Let Me Kiss You".

Alteration writes:

Just a quick thing, which may distract you, for five minutes, from all from that legal babble ...

The BBC have posted some new cover versions of some Smith classics on their website.

I think the highlight so far is Moses' version of Shakespears Sister. What d'y'all reckon?
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In Real format (look in the "Access The Archives" box):

• The Thrills - "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me"
• Alpinestars - "Panic"
• Moses - "Shakespeare's Sister"
• Nada Surf - "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out"

Also included are "The Smiths @ The Beeb" parts 1 and 2.

Alex writes:

I just heard Pearl Jam on the radio singing "Panic". it was for a "Sonic Session" (acoustic and intimate) at a Philadelphia radio station Y-100. It will probably be released on a compilation cd the station puts out.
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Update: 05/16 06:32 GMT: MorrisseyVedder writes:

Hi,

i would b delighted if you let the people on your site know that Pearl Jam did not cover panic. It was Pete Yorn who does a terrible impersonation of one Mr. Ed Vedder,lead singer of Pearl Jam. there are many wannabe Ed Vedder's out there and Pete Yorn is one of *The Worst*, vile really. So please let the public know. Also how dare anyone talk bad about Pearl Jam , a band that fights for gay rghts (vedder's dad was gay), animal rights ( all band members are vegetarian) and womens rights etc, all the while making great music and saying" fuck you " to the media by rarely doing interviews and not making videos for mtv. Pearl Jam are very important, the only band out that realy gives a shit.

peace , love , pearl jam and morrissey to ya
Jen

"I'm happy trying to communicate as a small human with a fragile heart, and a questionable brain."-EdVed

"Pearl Jam is vilified by the mainstream media like no other band,precisely because they offend the more powerful members of the music industry the way punk should have all along -- by threatening and/or ignoring the very machinery of record sales.Pearl Jam is one of the best examples of a band with "truly punk ethics" in music today. " from the book KISS THIS : Punk In The Present Tense by Gina Arnold

Jose sends:

Come celebrate Morrissey's 44th birthday with Sweet and Tender Hooligans and string quartet The Section.

Thursday, May 22nd
The Knitting Factory
7021 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood (near Chinese Theatre)
323-463-0204
doors open at 8:00PM
show time 9:00PM sharp
Tickets available at the door, or by visiting The Knitting Factory's website.
this venue is all ages

flyer

Sweet and Tender Hooligans have been billed as "the ultimate tribute to Morrissey and The Smiths". For over 10 years they have performed their tribute set to enthusiastic audiences in California, Arizona, Texas, Tijuana Mexico, and the United Kingdom. In honor of Morrissey's birthday, the band will donate all profits of this show, in Morrissey's name, to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The Section is a string quartet fronted by Eric Gorfain. They are releasing a CD tribute to The Smiths. The string quartet will perform their own set and join the Hooligans live onstage.

You can also catch Sweet and Tender Hooligans Tues. May 20th 8:00PM on local television's LATV Live. Check local listings or DirectTV channel 57.

I´d Love To writes:

Traditionally, we´ll be celebrating Morrissey´s birthday at Babs Bar (Birger Jarlsgatan 37) in Stockholm on Wednesday the 22th. Free entrance (of course) and we will be there from 9 pm to 1 am.