Kevin Cummins: "Morrissey: Alone and Palely Loitering" hardback due September 2018

As mentioned by 'anon' in the SER website thread - here are further details:
(book image is lousy on Amazon).

42184_cummins_2018.jpg


Initial Waterstones link from anon:
https://www.waterstones.com/book/morrissey/kevin-cummins/9781788400237
Blackwells:
https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Morrissey-by-Kevin-Cummins/9781788400237
More detailed Amazon links:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1788400232/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1788400232/
c36ebfd1929335e0f79cf411d1967cde--kevin-oleary-cummins.jpg

150+ photographs in a 'coffee table' book.
256 pages.
Regards,
FWD.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
'alone and palely loitering' is a quote from John Keats' 'La belle dame sans merci'. It's about a knight who is lonely on a cold hill side dreaming of his lover. Particularly fitting I think since Morrissey's whole back catalogue revolves around this idea. Intriguing title. I studied it last year for my English Lit. A-Level (amongst many other Keats' poems the lengths of plays)
 
Agreed. Although í am sure they will probably concoct some kind of Deluxe Clamshell Boxed version for some extra shillings.

Love the font too; brings this to mind ~

119209newnew.jpg


~ Monotype's Albertus font, designed by Berthold Wolpe, 1936.

Yummy.

.
It raises an interesting question: what % of our Moz money have we spent on non music items other than CDs or Moz concerts? e.g. on things like this book, or Moz mugs, t-shirts, posters, etc.
 
You are so right. I look in the mirror and I think who is this person in front of me. I don't recognize him, but I feel the same on the inside. What to do? Nothing really, but to accept our fate and to realize that in the words of one of my favorite bands Talk Talk, Life's What You Make It. And as Moz once wrote "My youth may be gone but I'm still a good man..."

Morrissey touched me in a way that no other songwriter has ever come close to. I miss those days. I may be in limited company, but his newer efforts leave me wanting more of the greatness of his introspective and insightful wisdom that he so remarkably displayed with an open heart:

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way
You're not old until nostalgia takes over and you change your name to 'eventhen'.
 
Agreed. Although í am sure they will probably concoct some kind of Deluxe Clamshell Boxed version for some extra shillings.

Love the font too; brings this to mind ~

119209newnew.jpg


~ Monotype's Albertus font, designed by Berthold Wolpe, 1936.

Yummy.

.


I received that Bowie book as a birthday present a couple of years ago. It is absolutely glorious.
 
Going to the Bowie exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum soon, and that book is included in the ticket. Looking forward to both. Especially the 150+ photos of Moz; hope that some are unseen.
 
'alone and palely loitering' is a quote from John Keats' 'La Belle Dame Sans Merci' ( 'The Woman Without Mercy') It's a poem about a lonely knight who sits on a cold hill side and dreams about his lover. I studied it last year doing my English Lit. A-Level.
 
'alone and palely loitering' is a quote from John Keats' 'La Belle Dame Sans Merci' ( 'The Woman Without Mercy') It's a poem about a lonely knight who sits on a cold hill side and dreams about his lover. I studied it last year doing my English Lit. A-Level.
Fek is he calling Moz a woman like someone (was it Peter Hook from New Order or Barney Sumner) used to call Moz 'Dorrissey'? Or is Moz the knight? Or did Kevin just like the line? Not sure I really care. Just asking.
 
Agreed. Although í am sure they will probably concoct some kind of Deluxe Clamshell Boxed version for some extra shillings.

Love the font too; brings this to mind ~

119209newnew.jpg


~ Monotype's Albertus font, designed by Berthold Wolpe, 1936.

Yummy.

.
That's a beautiful book, they do do some lovely Bowie books.
 
It would make sense that Morrissey is the knight being a lonely dreamer longing for a lover. The knight is alone and palely loitering. Read the poem.
 
Fek is he calling Moz a woman like someone (was it Peter Hook from New Order or Barney Sumner) used to call Moz 'Dorrissey'? Or is Moz the knight? Or did Kevin just like the line? Not sure I really care. Just asking.

Morrissey definately called Bernard Sumner, Bernadette, at least one or twice or thrice...

This was before New Order split up and became New Order... (!)


Hazard
 
Other Cummins books are very well put together and produced. The Manchester and New Order ones specifically . I’m sure this will be the same. He did plenty of photo shoots with Moz in the 80s / 90s so should be plenty to go at.
 
This is Morrissey as you've never seen him before. Featuring many previously unpublished photographs, Morrissey: Alone and Palely Loitering is a portrait of Morrissey at his creative peak. Journey through hundreds of Kevin Cummins' renowned, era-defining images, taken over a ten-year period in locations all over the world, accompanied by recollections from the author on his time with Morrissey and the artistic process of collaborating with him. Intimate, creative and surprising, this is a document of an artist at the height of his powers.

Ranging from unseen intimate portraits and on-tour reportage to boisterous on-stage pictures taken during live performances around the world, the photographs in this book were taken between 1983 and 1994, when Morrissey was creating some of his best-loved work.
 
Five years back Kevin Cummins had an exhibition on down in Manchester, titled "Manchester, So Much to Answer For: Morrissey &The Smiths", promising unknown pleasures from the KC archive. There were maybe 70 prints on show, freshly pinned and mounted. Here is what í made of it then, a lifetime ago ~

"í arrived in Manchester Wednesday lunchtime and after making my way to my hotel, amidst a cutting Lancashire windchill that's akin to having someone strafe your face with bullets of ice, í unpack and, why wait?, head back out to hunt for Sevendale House, location of the KC exhibit. Doesn't take long to find it and as í approach, looking up at the fine old Victorian facade of the building (very SLC), í resist the temptation to pop into the basement bridal boutique beneath and instead enter the, er, 'gallery space'. 'David Bowie at the V&A' this is not! The bare concrete floor is broken up, stray pipes and wires hang from the ceiling, and the whole place has an aroma pitched somewhere between deisel fuel and turpentine. But, Oh!, the wonders on the walls....

With the iPod in one far corner filling the petroleum air with Smiths-related pop we begin with eight in a row from Kevin's first shoot with the band at Dunham Massey (Tatton Park) on the 7th September 1983: The pond shoot.

These are all black and white silver gelatin prints and, 'in the flesh', have a beautiful, soft, pastoral quality that must have marked them out in their day from the Industrial Urban FAC gloom of contemporary band imagery. Even now they have a transcendent and timeless quality to them, as well as a touching innocence, a four-lads-lounging-about-in-the-park type of quality. There is also a lovely reference to the cover sleeve of 'This Charming Man' with a couple of the shots featuring Morrissey-as-Marais, reflected in the water of the pond.

Next up are four from the 'Oxford Road Show' TV recording 22nd February 1985, all of them instantly recognisable and 'classic' - including my particular favourite from this session. Morrissey, back of hands drawn up to his cheeks forcing out a dramatic 'Oh!', looking heavenwards...

singer-morrissey-performing-with-english-pop-group-the-smiths-for-the-picture-id85823095


Oh the drama!

Again this one is printed in beautiful creamy black and white and uncropped, so you see every detail on that face.

Next up we have one classic live shot of Morrisey from Sheffield City Hall January 1984 and a shot of Andy Rourke in Blackpool ~

0b9a3a13f5386e09fa3e988c567a9406--poetry-art-the-smiths.jpg


Anyone who has ever been to Blackpool has felt like this, at one time or another...

Next up we have a cheeky juxtaposition ~ Johnny in August 1990 with his 'chicken' 'Ex-Smith' tattoo side by side with Morrissey's response 13 months later - the Smiths Is Dead shirt shot. Again the printing on these is fantastic - Johnny's is rendered in deep, saturated colour doing full justice to the Sunset Strip setting. The monochrome Morrissey pose, shot simply in a hotel room, still has a sadness to it, with the shadows falling downwards on the wall behind Moz, as the arms are half-raised in a classic 'Smiths pose' (or is it 'stay away, please'?)

johnny-marr-of-the-band-electronic-poses-for-a-portrait-outside-a-picture-id135813544


english-singer-and-lyricist-morrissey-cologne-germany-may-1991-picture-id515195045


Next up there's the classic shot of Morrissey at his debut solo Wolverhampton concert ~

fan-rushes-to-embrace-english-singer-and-lyricist-morrissey-at-his-picture-id85373636


Seeing it uncropped and up close you can almost smell the blood, sweat and tears (and whatever else is smeared on that stage...crushed pollen?!) What astonishes anew is that amidst this masculine melee of clenched fists, stretched fabric and grasping hands is the sad, becalmed downcast eyes at the centre of it - and the traces of the sweetest smile. And one recalls the 'NME' interview a month later where he stated that prior to this encounter he'd sat in his flat in Manchester for "months...seeing practically nobody". Sweet memories...

Morrissey's back, Back, BACK is next ~

e9daf06327097b8048a3bc1ecba9b8a6--t-shirt-famous-people.jpg


The excellent print of this really brings out the juxtaposition of the pebbledash of the wall with the texture of the pomade in Morrissey's hair. As well as the glory of that nape. And is he pounding that pebbledash? Or weeping? Or smirking at the Bowie reference?

Next up is the first virgin treasure, at least to these veteran peepers. And it's one of my favourites of all 70 or so on show. It's from Nagoya, September 1991, and is a thing of chiaroscuro majesty, like a monochrome Caravaggio. It's a simple enough set-up ~ just Morrissey sat atop a flight case on stage, straining slightly to listen to, presumably, the band soundchecking. Moz is in black T-shirt, black 501s (with turn-ups), black DMs. His skin is rendered like milk poured on porcelain. His right arm is V-d across his t-shirt, with his hand held behind his left ear (listening?), left arm braced straight onto his left knee. Lit from above, his face is darkly defined by ink-black brow, softly shaded eyes and perfect cupid's bow lips. It's barely framed by a lightly defined relaxed quiff. The whole mise en scène is one of ivory limbs and face blooming forth from pervasive blackness. This...I would think about paying a grand for? Do they take kidneys?
This is a crappy alternate, but you get the general idea ~

40182854082_3c3498ec8f_o.jpg


Next up is that nape again, this time from Dublin April 27th 1991, and another soundcheck ~

26342843578_40bf5f108e_o.jpg


The visual textures on this print are simply delightful ~ the distant twinkling of the stage lights, the foregrounded, stretched-and-draped glitter of Morrissey's daywear, the neat precision and then chaos of the barnet ~ all are rendered in glorious grain and grit.

...
 
On to the second wall, and we have seven in a row from the shoot on the 5th of September 1989 (Rochdale Canal & Bowdon).
To see these shots produced as original prints is just such a joy. The canal shots in particular feature such a sublime autumnal dusk patina that one can almost feel the slight chill in the air (or perhaps that was the leaky radiator?) There are 2 black and white and 2 colour canal shots ~

english-singer-and-lyricist-morrissey-circa-1990-picture-id599527791

english-singer-and-lyricist-morrissey-circa-1990-picture-id580486631

english-singer-and-lyricist-morrissey-circa-1990-picture-id716735165


english-singer-and-lyricist-morrissey-circa-1990-picture-id85873611


None of these do true justice to the silver gelatin prints. You can see every stitch on his black ribbed blazer, and the colour is rendered with such a pallid delicacy ( with Granada TV winking behind) that it transports you canal-side (the diesel stench helps with this..) The monochrome 'under the bridge' shot is full size and uncropped and features the bridge framing the lone figure beneath. It's such an excellent composition and the fresh print emphasises the dramatic starkness of that iconic silhouette. The colour alternate is closer, framed only by the light grey sky, and is marked out by the triumphant weakness of the colour and the fact that Moz is looking up, toward the softening light. In the monochrome one his view is cast downwards out of frame, into the murky waters.

The following three are from his Bowdon Beech Mount shoot, including an alternate version of this shot ~

40221943621_5833c05c39_o.jpg


The gallery print is shot more straight on, at right angles to the window and features a more rigorous composition with Moz in the center of the shot. Again the rendering of Morrissey's face is sublime, a ghostly cream vision emerging from the blackness within, with the strangest look in his eyes ~ narrowed, nervous and querying - 'shall I emerge?...I'm not too sure'! The figure is framed by peeling sills, creeping foliage and Victorian brickwork.

Having emerged outside into the Bowdon back garden we have this ~

94db4a431210b8314d83484a8550544c--steven-patrick-morrissey-johnny-marr.jpg


~ which is printed with such creamy delicacy it takes your breath away. One can see every stitch on his ladies blouse, and the smoke (?) plays teasingly with his tired eyes which produces a touch of mystery in the gaze and intent. And again the contast and tonal range is a joy to behold.

The other Bowdon one has Terence lurking in the shrubbery behind, as Moz motions to raise himself from the lawn ~

40189310952_8c91251fea_o.jpg


Morrissey's stoney face is the focus of this one, and it does appear as if a statue. The grayscale of this print is so beautiful it is as if he is rendered in pure ghostly ivory.

Next up we have a few tattooed fans and Johnny watching an old man struggle along a Salford street.

The next of interest is Moz & Boz on the bullet train in September 1991; Boz reading a tour programme and Moz, window seat, signing some promo gear ~

with-him-is-guitarist-boz-boorer-morrissey-is-wearing-a-tshirt-a-of-picture-id84921894


Next stunner is this shot, from Dublin, 27th of April 1991 ~

english-singer-and-lyricist-morrissey-circa-1991-picture-id580480819


~ (í remember the 'NME' giving this away as a fold-out 30" square poster back in the day.) That quiff at its most impossibly imperial, that profile at its most handsome, appear to be being squeezed forth from silvered shoulders. The sidelight source adds to the drama while the turquoise eyes grip you like a vice. The printing on this is slightly soft, not quite pin sharp, but the colours are like a warm bath.

Next we have a shot taken in Bath in April 1992 ~

british-singer-morrissey-holds-a-1952-copy-of-the-new-musical-express-picture-id85592301


~ the only thing I noticed about this was ~ great skin, bad nails (his cuticles were shocking).

...
 
Last edited:
Back to Dublin and a smiling, reclining denim delinquent, in an alternate, happy version of this shot ~

english-singer-morrissey-in-dublin-during-his-kill-uncle-tour-april-picture-id93328991


~ in the gallery print even his eyes appear denim!

Next up is Moz pondering the puzzle of...Moz ~

english-singer-and-lyricist-morrissey-pauses-for-thought-while-a-picture-id85373598


Followed by Morrissey gazing upon the Dublin soundcheck for his debut (proper) solo show ~

tumblr_lp43zvThO31qhjnqdo1_500.jpg


Beautiful grain structure on this one, although in print it always looks as though his head is too big for his body.

And then another one that is worth the price of this sojourn alone. It's the one that KC tweeted a few weeks back, having recently unearthed it from his archive ~

english-singer-morrissey-in-dublin-during-his-kill-uncle-tour-april-picture-id580481705


He said in his tweet that the actual print is even better, and it really is unspeakably gorgeous. It's wrongly tagged as Nagoya 1991 but it's clearly in the alley behind Dublin's National Stadium, April 1991. The composition and framing is simple, classic and bold with Moz's torso filling the frame. The colours are just sumptuous ~ like a 1940s British Technicolour film still. The indigo of his denim jacket is so pure you feel that if you touched the print it would come off on your fingers. The skin appears almost a very pale peach. And the silver glitter of his T-shirt makes it seem as if there is diamond dust amidst the silver gelatin. The weather beaten greys of the Dublin concrete and muted blood red window sills of the National Stadium merely highlight the glamour in the foreground. í'd give my other kidney for this one; how many does one need again?

Alongside is a monochrome shot of Morrrisey holding himself together in Tokyo, aided only by one of those damned elastoplasts. His bare arms are wrapped around his torso and he is slightly stooped in front of the dressing room wall. There is a peculiar dark blankess to the eyes in this one that í found quite haunting, possibly aided by the somewhat soft-ish printing, which made meaning more slippery and elusive.

english-singer-and-lyricist-morrissey-wearing-a-plaster-on-his-5th-picture-id85373607


Another powerful monochrome shot next; the black&white alternative to the previous glorious Technicolour Dublin alley shot. Moving to face Moz head on Cummins has shot this with maximum grain and grit, with Moz throwing his head back and closing his eyes. You can almost see the grain structure swirling in front of you and í just wanted to reach out and scoop up the silver bromide, it looked so delicious! Bold staging again, with Moz filling the frame.
Standing a little back from the wall í felt that these last three made a wonderful triptych ~ in the first colour Dublin shot Morrissey's eyes narrow and focus frame left to the next Japanese portait where Moz has his back stooped and half-turned away to left of frame toward a grainy Dublin Moz head tilted top of frame but eyes firmly closed; Queerly beguiling.

english-singer-and-lyricist-morrissey-in-dublin-during-his-kill-uncle-picture-id85373543


Next up is another cheeky juxtaposition ~ Moz stood outside the entrance to a Tokyo porn parlour with a quizzical nervousness playing around his eyes. Did he descend?
And then (another unseen one) Moz in Koln in front of that glass wall, body stretched the full length of the frame, arms breaking the top of the image, legs apart, and a smouldering look directly piercing the gaze of the lens. Thundering eroticism indeed.
Two sides of the same coin?

english-singer-and-lyricist-morrissey-in-japan-during-his-kill-uncle-picture-id85617773

48aaa6bef9b120456b9b2d57acc2f096.jpg


There are a couple more fan shots then another wonderful juxtaposition. Firstly, the classic Bowdon shot of Morrissey & his Stamp collection, which I can still recall seeing in the NME less than a fortnight after it was shot ~

english-singer-and-lyricist-morrissey-holds-a-framed-photograph-of-picture-id85873614


The clarity of the this print is just exquisite. I'd now swear that Morrissey is wearing white powder make-up on his face, with just a smear of lippy. He looks like Lillian Gish! You can see every diaphanous thread on his blouse, and the sublime sadness amidst the softly shadowed eyes, with Terry smiling menacingly amidst the Bowdon bushes behind.

Fast forward almost 2 years later and Cummins has shot him from behind onstage in New Jersey. His arm is plunged into a sea of hands, he is topless and his muscled torso is glistening in gritty golden grain.

Metamorphozis ~

english-singer-morrissey-performing-on-stage-during-his-kill-uncle-picture-id85873564


...
 
Another Sheffield City Hall shot (where he looks more like Joyce!) is followed, on the final wall, by Morrissey waiting for a bullet train, Morrissey whistling at a Japanese soundcheck and then in concert at Long Island July 1991.

The next corker is this one ~

english-singer-and-lyricist-morrissey-performing-at-the-garden-state-picture-id720901785


~ it's another monochrome live shot from the New Jersey 1991 show where Moz is balanced with one DM atop his vocal monitor, open mouthed, arms outstretched, glittering shirt ripped into strips, like a ravaged angel falling to earth or an erotic (scarred!) Icarus attempting to loose the bonds of same. I loved the triple reflection of the 2 Harvey's gaping gobs (backdrop & drum riser) with Moz's open mouth.

Another classic live shot follows, of Moz at Long Island 10th of July 1991 ~

english-singer-and-lyricist-morrissey-performing-at-jones-beach-long-picture-id85373591


~ what I love about this shot is what appeals about the best shots of Moz in concert, especially Linder's, which is the innate surreality of certain shots. If you came to this cold you could think what is going on here? What can this possibly mean? Is this man ill? Why is there a wrapped gift next to him? The strange and beguiling power of a Morrssey concert just exudes from these prints.

Another old classic which brings back memories is next; Moz in his Dublin debut, crouching at stage front ~

199104-dublin_2500823k.jpg


~ this just takes me back to reading that first 'NME' rave review, and the start of a wonderful year. But in terms of the image ~ who is reaching out to whom? And what are they all seeking? And that single, small, intact flower kills me every time I see it....

Next along are 6 tattoed fans , which are very nice, but....
Back to On The (Dublin) Buses fun with Moz coming on all Clippie; 'Full Up'? ~

english-singer-and-lyricist-morrissey-boarding-a-bus-in-dublin-at-the-picture-id720901797


~ the gallery print reveals a mystery face peeking out of one of the windows.

Next is Johnny in his Bowdon home in February 1989 looking like the saddest boy in Bowdon that winter...or second saddest maybes ~

former-smiths-guitarist-johnny-marr-5th-february-1989-picture-id114519027


~ Joyce & Lil backstage at Woverhampton get a spot for some reason, and then we have Moz on the steps in Koln with the quizzical German child, which is just sweetness incarnate. But also winningly surreal.

A tried and true classic is up next with the 'Penis is mightier than the sword' shot backstage at the Budokan. Every nuance of that defiant and deadpan gaze is revealed in this print. Words and image combining exquisitely ~

english-singer-morrissey-standing-in-front-of-a-sign-reading-penis-picture-id93348376


A final unseen gem is up next, another from the Dublin April 1991 soundcheck, the front view of the shot of Morrissey's glittery back featured on the first wall. This is another that I would kill to have. Moz has his right arm firmly braced on the rail of a barrier, his left hand rammed in his denim pocket and he's leaning slightly toward the camera. His face is simply beaming and glowing, partly from the stage lights he's gazing toward, partly from pride and giddy excitement. He looks like a Hollywood star of the golden age, more than a hint of Monty Clift I thought, in a candid moment. The juxtaposition of the braced muscles of his right arm with the draped and graceful golden glitter of the fabric of his t-shirt was...thrilling :)

0601c2a708a60fab005cd9aafa0ef871.jpg


The last shot of the exhibit is of Morrissey backstage in Koln, head resting on fist ~

english-singer-and-lyricist-morrissey-cologne-germany-may-1991-picture-id84921909


~ the definition on this print is the best in the whole show. It literally looks like Morrissey is there in front of you. The detail is truly spooky. Every pore, every hair is there. The texture of the denim threads is vivid, as is the shine of the leather chair. As a consequence of this fidelity the gaze is utterly beguiling. Moz looks like the cat that's got the cream. As well as the power of the resolution and greyscale, there is also the power of the composition, with Morrissey angled and slashed across the full diagonal of the frame, with those piercing eyes right at the centre of the image. Stunning.

Oh Manchester; So much to answer for indeed... "


.
 
Another Sheffield City Hall shot (where he looks more like Joyce!) is followed, on the final wall, by Morrissey waiting for a bullet train, Morrissey whistling at a Japanese soundcheck and then in concert at Long Island July 1991.

The next corker is this one ~

english-singer-and-lyricist-morrissey-performing-at-the-garden-state-picture-id720901785


~ it's another monochrome live shot from the New Jersey 1991 show where Moz is balanced with one DM atop his vocal monitor, open mouthed, arms outstretched, glittering shirt ripped into strips, like a ravaged angel falling to earth or an erotic (scarred!) Icarus attempting to loose the bonds of same. I loved the triple reflection of the 2 Harvey's gaping gobs (backdrop & drum riser) with Moz's open mouth.

Another classic live shot follows, of Moz at Long Island 10th of July 1991 ~

english-singer-and-lyricist-morrissey-performing-at-jones-beach-long-picture-id85373591


~ what I love about this shot is what appeals about the best shots of Moz in concert, especially Linder's, which is the innate surreality of certain shots. If you came to this cold you could think what is going on here? What can this possibly mean? Is this man ill? Why is there a wrapped gift next to him? The strange and beguiling power of a Morrssey concert just exudes from these prints.

Another old classic which brings back memories is next; Moz in his Dublin debut, crouching at stage front ~

199104-dublin_2500823k.jpg


~ this just takes me back to reading that first 'NME' rave review, and the start of a wonderful year. But in terms of the image ~ who is reaching out to whom? And what are they all seeking? And that single, small, intact flower kills me every time I see it....

Next along are 6 tattoed fans , which are very nice, but....
Back to On The (Dublin) Buses fun with Moz coming on all Clippie; 'Full Up'? ~

english-singer-and-lyricist-morrissey-boarding-a-bus-in-dublin-at-the-picture-id720901797


~ the gallery print reveals a mystery face peeking out of one of the windows.

Next is Johnny in his Bowdon home in February 1989 looking like the saddest boy in Bowdon that winter...or second saddest maybes ~

former-smiths-guitarist-johnny-marr-5th-february-1989-picture-id114519027


~ Joyce & Lil backstage at Woverhampton get a spot for some reason, and then we have Moz on the steps in Koln with the quizzical German child, which is just sweetness incarnate. But also winningly surreal.

A tried and true classic is up next with the 'Penis is mightier than the sword' shot backstage at the Budokan. Every nuance of that defiant and deadpan gaze is revealed in this print. Words and image combining exquisitely ~

english-singer-morrissey-standing-in-front-of-a-sign-reading-penis-picture-id93348376


A final unseen gem is up next, another from the Dublin April 1991 soundcheck, the front view of the shot of Morrissey's glittery back featured on the first wall. This is another that I would kill to have. Moz has his right arm firmly braced on the rail of a barrier, his left hand rammed in his denim pocket and he's leaning slightly toward the camera. His face is simply beaming and glowing, partly from the stage lights he's gazing toward, partly from pride and giddy excitement. He looks like a Hollywood star of the golden age, more than a hint of Monty Clift I thought, in a candid moment. The juxtaposition of the braced muscles of his right arm with the draped and graceful golden glitter of the fabric of his t-shirt was...thrilling :)

0601c2a708a60fab005cd9aafa0ef871.jpg


The last shot of the exhibit is of Morrissey backstage in Koln, head resting on fist ~

english-singer-and-lyricist-morrissey-cologne-germany-may-1991-picture-id84921909


~ the definition on this print is the best in the whole show. It literally looks like Morrissey is there in front of you. The detail is truly spooky. Every pore, every hair is there. The texture of the denim threads is vivid, as is the shine of the leather chair. As a consequence of this fidelity the gaze is utterly beguiling. Moz looks like the cat that's got the cream. As well as the power of the resolution and greyscale, there is also the power of the composition, with Morrissey angled and slashed across the full diagonal of the frame, with those piercing eyes right at the centre of the image. Stunning.

Oh Manchester; So much to answer for indeed... "


.

Thank you so much for all those pictures. He is extremely photogenic, and intriguing. So much to explore that one can get lost staring. Who is this handsome man? His features so striking and yet there is a distance in his eyes that speaks to me. He is off...somewhere else doing something more interesting than I could ever imagine. And yet I did for years.

Like a Cheshire cat who completely mesmerized me. Who is this person? I knew nothing of the man before I heard the music and was completely driven to dive deep into the cult like nature of true Smith's fandom. Pretty much alone here in the US as they never truly broke out into the mainstream, and now I am so happy they didn't.

We here know what his contribution to music and our youth meant to us. I am glad that I am not hearing his music over orange juice commercials. The music of The Smiths and the boys that brought us the music are to be treasured as are the memories we share with each other and those saved just for ourselves.
 
Thank you so much for all those pictures. He is extremely photogenic, and intriguing. So much to explore that one can get lost staring. Who is this handsome man? His features so striking and yet there is a distance in his eyes that speaks to me. He is off...somewhere else doing something more interesting than I could ever imagine. And yet I did for years.

Like a Cheshire cat who completely mesmerized me. Who is this person? I knew nothing of the man before I heard the music and was completely driven to dive deep into the cult like nature of true Smith's fandom. Pretty much alone here in the US as they never truly broke out into the mainstream, and now I am so happy they didn't.

We here know what his contribution to music and our youth meant to us. I am glad that I am not hearing his music over orange juice commercials. The music of The Smiths and the boys that brought us the music are to be treasured as are the memories we share with each other and those saved just for ourselves.

Just in Nissan commercials. How soon is now? was used in an ad campaign in the early 2000's. Minus the vocals.
 

Trending Threads

Back
Top Bottom