Morrissey has helped me discover a number of great artists, and it was 2004’s ‘Songs to Save Your Life’ that introduced me to the be bittersweet world of Jobriath. In his short life and shorter career Jobriath wrote a handful of wonderful songs – Inside is, in my mind, one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Moring Starship, I’m A Man, Take Me I’m Yours, Wildfire In Memphis… simply exquisite.
Covering Jobriath must me a daunting prospect, his voice is, after all, so defining, so unusual, that it is brave even to attempt such a feat. (I can only assume that Morrissey, rightly so, dare not even for a moment consider covering a Klaus Nomi number for California Son). While Morrissey’s interpretation of Morning Starship sounds, to me, fine, it lacks the peculiarity and vibrancy of the original – I like it, but just don’t love it. Something, I can’t put my finger on what, just seems to be missing. Perhaps I just love the original too much? Or perhaps Jobriath’s work (like Morrissey’s), shouldn’t be touched by others?