The Charming Man (Godfather Records G.R. 368)
Tracks 1-15 BBC Radio Theatre, London, U.K. February 11, 2009
Tracks 16-24 Arena Treptow, Berlin, Germany December 17, 2006
01. Intro, 02. Something Is Squeezing My Skull, 03. Mama Lay Softly On The Riverbed, 04. Black Cloud, 05. This Charming Man, 06. I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris, 07. Best Friend On The Payroll, 08. That’s How People Grow Up, 09. Why Don’t You Find Out Yourself?, 10. The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores, 11. One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell, 12. Reader meet Author, 13. Seasick, Yet Still Docked, 14. I Keep Mine Hidden, 15. I’m OK By Myself, 16. Intro (Natrional Anthem Of Germany), 17. Panic, 18. First Of The Gang To Die, 19. William, It Was Really Nothing, 20. Irish Blood, English Heart, 21. Girlfriend In A Coma, 22. Everyday Is Like Sunday, 23. Please Please Please Let Me get What I Want, 24. Don’t Make Fun of Daddy’s Voice.
I’ve always been a Smiths fan and never really dived into Morrissey’s solo material but I bought his latest record and it rocks… It feels strange to say “Morrissey Rocks” but it’s absolutely true. This release by Godfather establishes that fact. This release features two different radio shows. The first 15 tracks are taken from the BBC Radio Theatre broadcast and sound really really good. This mix is great and crystal clear.
Morrissey is in a talkative mood and addresses the audience numerous times throughout the show. At one point he jokes about hiring your friends and it never working out. Overall this is a great performance and the setlist represents a career retrospective of Morrissey’s work. The last 9 songs are from Morrissey’s performance in Berlin, Germany. The quality is great and the sound is superb. Morrissey and his band are on top of their game. This performance is captured well and is pleasant to listen to.
This released is packaged in typical Godfather style with many high quality photos of Morrissey and his band throughout the gatefold sleeves. The mastering done to the audio brings it to life without overdoing it. If you’re a fan of Godfather Records and their releases then by all means pick this one up. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.Great Job Godfather Records!!!
1 Comment
This is indeed a superb release. The band is really tight and there is an urgency to the performances that gives the songs an edge, particularly the rocked-up version of “This Charming Man”. As the BBC set was performed live, Morrissey jokes at one point that they are in danger of running directly “…into the Archers”. The BBC version of “Seasick, Yet Still Docked” is incredibly beautiful, and there is a characteristically pithy sadness to the sets which seamless blend old and new material. The intro is by BBC DJ Mark Radcliffe.