15 Minutes With You Review

It has to be said that I'm partial to a good book and the most recent addition to my collection, 15 Minutes With You by Julie Hamill doesn't disappoint.

The fact that Morrissey has managed to remain somewhat of an enigma, is just one of the reasons that my love for him has done nothing but grow over the last thirty years. 

I'm with the author in never wanting to intrude or wade through his rubbish. But like countless other fans, I want to know everything about him. I want to know who the real Morrissey is.

In 15 Minutes With You, Hamill pulls together twenty-four, easy to digest interviews about The Smiths and Morrissey, from a host of famous fans and music collaborators. 

I love this book. It mades me feel like I'm 15 again with a copy of Strangeways, Here We Come (vinyl) in my hands for the first time. 

Warm, witty and beautifully packaged in a touchy-feely soft jacket. It is worthy of a place on any Morrissey fan's coffee table. 

If you don't already have a copy, get it on your Christmas list.

Available from Amazon.

Camp Bestival 2014

I have to admit that I came pretty late to the family festival thing. I blame having three kids in three years and running on empty for more more years than I care to remember, but now that I'm in the midst of a teenage parenting haze I really look forward to the summer festival season. It's quickly become our summer focus and this year we are really excited to be heading to Camp Bestival as official bloggers.

Camp Bestival 2014

We LOVED Camp Bestival last year but this year is going to blow the house down. The line up is epic. Well it is for me, because Johnny Marr is playing and although I've seen Morrissey live loads of times, I've never seen Johnny. 

Although, he's all I need to make this weekend legendary, there's also Basement Jaxx, De La Soul and Sinead O'Connor to look forward to!

Over in the DJ area I'll be regressing back to my pre The Smiths love with Boy George rocking out a set. On top of that there's shed loads to keep kids of all ages entertained. From Mr Tumble to Horrible Histories and everything in between, including a new dedicated teen area (Biba will be reporting live from there).

A limited number of day tickets are available but for the true Camp Bestival experience you really need to rock up with your kids, your tent, your sleeping bags and your party hat firmly in place.

Camp Bestival, Thursday 31st July to Sunday 3rd August, Lulworth Castle Dorset.

Be there, or lose out....

The Queen Is Dead : 28 Today

Released 28 years ago today, simply one of the best albums of all times... The Queen Is Dead.

With two of my all time favourite Smiths tracks, 'I Know It's Over' and 'Never Had No One Ever' it's as relevant today as it was back in 1986 and it remains on regular iPod play for me.

I bought this original hand typed The Queen Is Dead press release about 15 years ago but it's the first time I've shared it online. It's pretty awesome, one of the prized pieces in my Smiths collection.

Don't have The Queen Is Dead? Get out from under that rock and listen to it on Spotify.

Don't trust anyone who doesn't like The Smiths

I've decided that this is the motto that I'm going to live and die by...

T shirt from : thesmiths.cat

Is Morrissey Retiring?

I logged on this morning to see a Tweet from an old friend, with a link to a newly uncovered early The Smiths rehearsal tape. 

I obviously dropped everything and went for a listen, only to be met with an accompanying news story that Morrissey was hanging up his touring boots.

In an official statement, Morrissey writes, 

"It takes a lifetime to find the right words, and at the moment, I haven't got them. I've been a colossal pain where this continuously unpredictable illness is concerned, and now the physical limits have been reached. The tour had, in fact, been fantastic for all of us - a new slice of life full of concentrated power. The audiences everywhere have given so much, although I know that neither of us will ever receive our due. I hope this isn't the end, and I hope there will be other chances, minus the heavy burden of illness. Knots of grief today, but full of resolve for tomorrow."

All Morrissey fans knew that the time would come, sooner, rather than laster, especially after his last few tours have been plagued with illness, postponed gigs and cancelled dates. 

The sadness that I feel at the thought of never seeing him live again, I know is shared with each and everyone who has been shaped by his music over the last 30 years.

Meat is Murder : Silent Sunday

A new generation of The Smiths fans...

For Silent Sunday.

Johnny Marr says The Smiths aren't reforming

You know that last post about The Smith reuniting? Well scrap it. I'm deflated. Johnny Marr has just posted on his Facebook wall the the rumours are untrue and that The Smiths will not be reforming.

Source: www.facebook.com/officialjohnnymarr

I'm gutted:(

The Smiths to reform....

Can it really be true?

I've been a fan of The Smiths since I was about 12 years old. A serious hardcore fan. Their music has stayed with me for the last 28 years and still a week doesn't pass without a serious session on my iPod. 

So you can imagine my excitement at reading the rumour that they are set to reform for a gig in the Autumn.

I may have squealed. 

Muso site music-news.com reports that Morrissey and Marr have finally put their differences aside. Let's hope.....

Yeah... I even have a dedicated Pinterest board...