Harvest ends contract with Morrissey - TTY

Re: Harvest Ends Contract with Morrissey - TTY

Moontastic with the name there, buddy. Seeya in 20 minutes.

 

[Anonymous]

If we are going to go off topic about The Cure (which we might as well at this point) can I just chime in that I think Pornography was there best work.

OK, maybe I like Boys Don't Cry the very best as it does not sound as dated as Pornography.

I always get frustrated that people don't acknowledge how amazing Wish is. It's an AMAZING album.

 

[Anonymous]

What would Morrissey's stage introduction for Joyce even be?

"And on drums, a man I once wished dead. And still do…"

Or "All the drum machines were out on hire so, reluctantly, on drums . . . "

 

[marred]

Your taste is in your a**

You definitely need taste in your arse to listen to that. I just can't take his helium voice seriously. We have led Zeppelin. Why on earth would you settle for thrush?

 

[Deleted member 1074]

Rush are hideous shit btw that absolutely no one of sound mind should be proud of appreciating.
I mean ffs!!!

You go to Hell...you go to Hell and you die!

 

[GlasgowChivas]

A reunion of 'The Smiths' is never going to happen; never, never, never, never, never. Nevermind that Morrissey has spoken at length of his hatred for Mike Joyce and has been less than kind to both Andy Rourke and Johnny (most recently, publicly, in 'Autobiography') but there's probably a plethora of legal loopholes that would need to be overcome, all stemming from the court case. Who knows what the legal status of 'The Smiths' is? Can they legally be reformed? I doubt it. The contract negotiations would takes so long that any reunion concert would be broadcast from a care home.

However, I do believe that a reunion between Morrissey and Marr is possible and would be just as much of a payday for both as a full-blown Smiths reunion would be. However, there's simply too many factors working against it to make it seem even remotely achievable at this point.

1) Johnny's 'stock' has never been higher than it is now. He's touring well and releasing his own albums to critical acclaim (both relative of course but still high points for him so far); there's simply no reason for him to get back with Morrissey now.

2) Johnny's been careful with his words about Morrissey in recent years after going on record with some cutting remarks but that fact does little to illuminate how he feels towards him. He may not have read 'Autobiography' (I don't believe this btw) but you can be damn sure that someone's been through it and brought the relevant passages to his attention. I doubt he's eager to work with someone who all but branded him a coward, in his life story.

3) Morrissey was difficult to work with in 1985 and has only got worse as the decades marched on; I can't see Johnny being eager to revisit that working relationship anytime soon, even if he would like to rekindle a personal relationship. Google news for both men, separately and what do you see? Alleged contracts on fans, another label dropping, missive's from Switzerland on one side and favourable reviews and positive social media interaction with fans on the other. I just don't see Johnny's current "cool beans and philosophy" mindset working with Morrissey's "I am beset on all sides by foes" mindset. They've never been so psychologically opposed.

4) Love him or hate him for it but Morrissey is intensely loyal to Boz and the (current) boys. For good or bad, they are "The Band" and there simply isn't room for Johnny there. If, again, we imagine for a moment that Morrissey and Marr agree to work together on a new song, just like the old days; Johnny delivers the track, Morrissey delivers the lyrics and vocal - what happens to Boz and Co? Does Morrissey thank Johnny for the track and turn around and give it to Jesse to play? Does Johnny demand he play lead and Jesse becomes the new 'lawnmowers parts'? It can't work.

5) Unless the The Band jump ship. As many have pointed out (speculatively, of course, as we really have no idea what the financial arrangements are, so I'll caveat this as being guesswork only) the constant tour cancellations, the on/off with the labels, the negative press; it must be hitting them all in the wallet. If I was signed up for a tour, with a promise of X dates at X rates I'd be pissed if suddenly they were cut short for - let's face it - questionable reasons; how can you plan your life around arrangements that can be undone at a moments notice? To date, I don't think we've had anyone quit Morrissey's band for financial reasons (Deano left for another gig, didn't he? Alain and Gary were both ousted. Matt left to spend time with his family but returned and Anthony B was essentially a temp) but it surely must be on the cards, if the payment structure is as we believe it to be. Only then, if Morrissey felt "betrayed" (as he would) would I see him consider working with Johnny again. Until then, he'll stay loyal to The Boys, record deal or no record deal.

6) The Legacy. Although both are quick to talk up they're current projects and solo careers - and rightly so - they both must feel the weight of The Smiths, it's impact, it's legacy. Any new work by them would be viewed entirely through the spectrum of 'The Smiths' - even if they went out they're way to make it clear that it was not 'The Smiths.' Dare they risk it? Could they create something worthy of standing alongside 'How Soon Is Now'? Do they have another 'Well I Wonder' in them? The answer is probably not but who knows what alchemy would be unleashed by the two rekindling a relationship. Johnny's embraced his 'Smiths' sound again - both 'European Me' and 'New Town Velocity' from 'The Messenger' attest to that. Morrissey can still deliver melody and vocals to rival his younger self. Lyrically, no-one will deny that he's not as sharp as he was but he can still deliver, 'Mountjoy', lyrically could be a 'Smiths' song. 'Oboe Concerto' could be a 'Smiths' song. He can still do it; he just needs to work harder at it than he did.

Anyways, I'd love it if Morrissey and Marr reunited and worked together but I don't see it happening and 'The Smiths' are dead, fact.

My guess is we'll see the 'novel' before another album and, assuming it does well, a new album off the back of the public interest in the book. It worked before, didn't it?

 

[Peterb]

A reunion of 'The Smiths' is never going to happen; never, never, never, never, never. Nevermind that Morrissey has spoken at length of his hatred for Mike Joyce and has been less than kind to both Andy Rourke and Johnny (most recently, publicly, in 'Autobiography') but there's probably a plethora of legal loopholes that would need to be overcome, all stemming from the court case. Who knows what the legal status of 'The Smiths' is? Can they legally be reformed? I doubt it. The contract negotiations would takes so long that any reunion concert would be broadcast from a care home.

However, I do believe that a reunion between Morrissey and Marr is possible and would be just as much of a payday for both as a full-blown Smiths reunion would be. However, there's simply too many factors working against it to make it seem even remotely achievable at this point.

1) Johnny's 'stock' has never been higher than it is now. He's touring well and releasing his own albums to critical acclaim (both relative of course but still high points for him so far); there's simply no reason for him to get back with Morrissey now.

2) Johnny's been careful with his words about Morrissey in recent years after going on record with some cutting remarks but that fact does little to illuminate how he feels towards him. He may not have read 'Autobiography' (I don't believe this btw) but you can be damn sure that someone's been through it and brought the relevant passages to his attention. I doubt he's eager to work with someone who all but branded him a coward, in his life story.

3) Morrissey was difficult to work with in 1985 and has only got worse as the decades marched on; I can't see Johnny being eager to revisit that working relationship anytime soon, even if he would like to rekindle a personal relationship. Google news for both men, separately and what do you see? Alleged contracts on fans, another label dropping, missive's from Switzerland on one side and favourable reviews and positive social media interaction with fans on the other. I just don't see Johnny's current "cool beans and philosophy" mindset working with Morrissey's "I am beset on all sides by foes" mindset. They've never been so psychologically opposed.

4) Love him or hate him for it but Morrissey is intensely loyal to Boz and the (current) boys. For good or bad, they are "The Band" and there simply isn't room for Johnny there. If, again, we imagine for a moment that Morrissey and Marr agree to work together on a new song, just like the old days; Johnny delivers the track, Morrissey delivers the lyrics and vocal - what happens to Boz and Co? Does Morrissey thank Johnny for the track and turn around and give it to Jesse to play? Does Johnny demand he play lead and Jesse becomes the new 'lawnmowers parts'? It can't work.

5) Unless the The Band jump ship. As many have pointed out (speculatively, of course, as we really have no idea what the financial arrangements are, so I'll caveat this as being guesswork only) the constant tour cancellations, the on/off with the labels, the negative press; it must be hitting them all in the wallet. If I was signed up for a tour, with a promise of X dates at X rates I'd be pissed if suddenly they were cut short for - let's face it - questionable reasons; how can you plan your life around arrangements that can be undone at a moments notice? To date, I don't think we've had anyone quit Morrissey's band for financial reasons (Deano left for another gig, didn't he? Alain and Gary were both ousted. Matt left to spend time with his family but returned and Anthony B was essentially a temp) but it surely must be on the cards, if the payment structure is as we believe it to be. Only then, if Morrissey felt "betrayed" (as he would) would I see him consider working with Johnny again. Until then, he'll stay loyal to The Boys, record deal or no record deal.

6) The Legacy. Although both are quick to talk up they're current projects and solo careers - and rightly so - they both must feel the weight of The Smiths, it's impact, it's legacy. Any new work by them would be viewed entirely through the spectrum of 'The Smiths' - even if they went out they're way to make it clear that it was not 'The Smiths.' Dare they risk it? Could they create something worthy of standing alongside 'How Soon Is Now'? Do they have another 'Well I Wonder' in them? The answer is probably not but who knows what alchemy would be unleashed by the two rekindling a relationship. Johnny's embraced his 'Smiths' sound again - both 'European Me' and 'New Town Velocity' from 'The Messenger' attest to that. Morrissey can still deliver melody and vocals to rival his younger self. Lyrically, no-one will deny that he's not as sharp as he was but he can still deliver, 'Mountjoy', lyrically could be a 'Smiths' song. 'Oboe Concerto' could be a 'Smiths' song. He can still do it; he just needs to work harder at it than he did.

Anyways, I'd love it if Morrissey and Marr reunited and worked together but I don't see it happening and 'The Smiths' are dead, fact.

My guess is we'll see the 'novel' before another album and, assuming it does well, a new album of the back of the public interest in the book. It worked before, didn't it?

Very detailed breakdown of why it would never happen, and you could add another essay why it should never happen.
However, as my favourite uncle (Skinny) is holding out for it, so will I.

 

[Anonymous]

This is a shame

But really what has being with a major label done for this release:

their promotion amounted to
Some posters (apparently Banksy designed these did he?)
Some spoken word videos (which weren't promoted) - I did enjoy these
Digital only singles - not promoted - basically pointless

What was missing
Physical release of singles
Proper video3s
TV adverts
A joined up advertising campaign - was the budget really that small?

What went wrong
The twitter account
The album cover

Morrissey's input
No Interviews
No TV appearances
Cancelled tour

The real shame is that its a really great album and a lost opportunity. I'm not sure their are any majors left. At least he can now show prospective labels a fantastic last album as proof.

I think he could have had better success with a smaller label. I wonder when/where all the problems started....I can't imagine the plan was always for digital only singles with no videos. I was always a bit puzzled by the deluxe and the standard album being released on the same day. It would appear the extra tracks were intended as b-sides.

Commercially A Smith reunion gets him a major deal but creatively it isn't a good move. His current band are producing better music than anything Marr could do.

True.
The last sentence especially so.
I also cannot believe how useless Harvest actually were/are. I mean, some basic mistakes, a top class album to promote, a twitter
- titter not - that clearly was not approved. Releases with no promotion. The odd poster - and park bench - here and there.
Morrissey has been let down by another label. Internet only downloads - which does not help if you want to buy
the records but your internet access is down. Visiting HMV and seeing 2 albums
1 thick, 1 thin. Same covers. Same colours. Same art.

But, there is some hope for the future... when all's well, but it will not involve Marr (ever.)

And dont forget that WPINOYB has just blown you away with its musical direction, style
and great production. So much to look forward too,

 

[Anonymous]

Hopefully Moz takes a nice long break now and silence follows. This site and others like it will have nothing to discuss and we can all go back to enjoying a vast catalogue of some great music (smiths and solo) and just be thankful for what it is. very nice, very nice, very nice but maybe in the next world.

 

[Johnny Barleycorn]

Anyone old enough to have held down a job for a few years a quarter of a century ago will know it seems like another lifetime. Although the Smiths have the maybe dubious advantage of seeing and hearing in book, on record, and on video who they were in the band with, they will still feel like strangers to each other, and that is without the subsequent animosities.

I don't know if they will or will not reform. I do know it doesn't interest me, and as someone lucky enough to have seen them all those years ago I want to keep those memories pristine.

 

[Irish blood Irish heart]

Agree with a lot of what glasgowchivas, said but have to point out that johnny still hasn't sold out the glasgow academy months after the tickets went on sale and its not a massive venue, and this is johnny,s stock at its highest? Morrissey can sell out much larger venues in seconds so that says it all for me, got my tickets for johnny,s glasgow gig but I know when I'm standing waiting for johnny to come on stage I won't have the butterflies in my stomach that I have before a morrissey gig

 

[Agharta]

Money changes everything

 

[Anonymous]

4) Love him or hate him for it but Morrissey is intensely loyal to Boz and the (current) boys. For good or bad, they are "The Band" and there simply isn't room for Johnny there.

Again, I don't think any reunion is likely, but *IF* it did happen, I don't see why it has to be a choice between Moz and Marr working together, and Boz and the gang. Johnny has always been keen not to tie himself down with any one project for years at a time, and the longer they stay in 24 hour contact the more likely Morrissey is to drive him insane.

Why could they not get together for six months to a year, make an album as The Smiths or Morrissey & Marr, do a few tour dates together - then amicably go their own ways again with their solo careers before getting back together again?

Plenty of artists manage to run multiple bands/solo projects concurrently without picking and choosing one to stay with for the rest of their lives.

 

[Anonymous]

Jay Joannides, a crew member from the last tour posted the doctored photo of the modern day Smiths on Instagram with the caption: " How many people would like to see this album cover next year?"

Does he know something we don't?

 

[Johnny Barleycorn]

Blaming Harvest would carry more weight if the same charges had not been laid at the feet of every label he has been on for years.

Sooner or later we have to entertain the obvious: that Morrissey himself is the only constant.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't see why everyone is so keen to see the Smiths reform anyway. Morrissey's solo cancellations are more than enough for me.

 

[Anonymous]

Jay Joannides, a crew member from the last tour posted the doctored photo of the modern day Smiths on Instagram with the caption: " How many people would like to see this album cover next year?"

Does he know something we don't?

He's also Morrissey's cousin, isn't he? Or related some way.

 

[Detritus]

Jay Joannides, a crew member from the last tour posted the doctored photo of the modern day Smiths on Instagram with the caption: " How many people would like to see this album cover next year?"

Does he know something we don't?

He's also Morrissey's cousin. I wouldn't read too much into his post, though.

 

[Anonymous]

Let's face it - it's nice to dream, but a reunion between Morrissey & Marr wouldn't last anyway. If they did get back together, it would end the moment Johnny got into his dressing room before the first comeback gig, and found that Morrissey wanted him to go on stage wearing a pair of speedos, with 'THUG' written on his chest in marker pen.

 

[Anonymous]

Why does anyone think a Smiths tour won't turn into the mess that Morrissey tours over the past years have become? He just can't put together a tour without cancelling half of the dates. A Smiths tour would be the same big mess as a Morrissey solo tour.

 

[Stoned]

I, for one, refuse to embrace "downloads" as a format because if I am going to spend the money on music, I want a real, tangible, physical format with artwork and liner notes that I can proudly display on my shelf with the rest of my CD and DVD collection.

I am totally with you on this one : I do miss CD Singles...in those slim jewel cases and on the actual disc written Made in Great Britain or UK and not bloody EU...(I know I am going back many years now but....). Now we can only rely on 7" Vinyls or picture Discs....well Thank God for that !!!

Cheers Moz