Morrissey at the Pageant

Together in Misery - This was written on a sign held up in front of the stage Tuesday night. I found it kind of funny since the person holding it up was probably experiencing a state of euphoria reserved for very special occasions. During work on Tuesday K, RB, and I were discussing Morrissey concerts. RB described the shows of her past which included lots of boys crying. On we chuckled over that. It was a bright spot in a dull day. When Morrissey came out on stage in a pristine black suit singing an unhappy birthday to himself after we had just listened to a recording of a woman reading depressing words like cancer, apartheid, etc., the crowd erupted. As K would say, he cuts quite a figure on stage, a distinguished gentleman. My favorite moments were Panic, Irish Blood, English Heart, How Soon is Now, and Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want. There were two songs I was hoping he would perform that he didn't, Shoplifters of the World Unite and The More You Ignore Me The Closer I Get. The show made me really wish back in the day I could have seen a Smiths show. This is the origin of emo, yes? Hearing How Soon is Now gave me chills. Here is this wall of sound with a beautiful voice lofting on top of it, singing the most raw lyrics. It was a moment my God and to see it live was moving.

After all my laughing at the emotions of others earlier in the day, it was me who had tears streaming down my cheeks to the sounds of Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want. Why? I don't quite know, but it was a beautiful moment. --J