#smiths

Merry ChristMoz xxx

And everything depends upon how near you stand to me.

metaltapes:

Johnny Marr is a massive name in the music world so naturally a huge draw for a small venue like The Limelight. The former Smiths guitarist looked as energised as ever stepping out on his first full solo tour if you discount his collaborations with the Healers a decade ago.

His album The Messenger is a strong effort and the majority of the songs come off very well alive. The First Thing Right, the title track, European Me and New Town Velocity sound as vibrant as anything he has done in the years since the dissolution of the Smiths. Songs like I Want The Heartbeat and Upstarts are lightweight numbers but are drowned out by keeping company with earlier adored cult classics.

The loudest roars of the evening are reserved for tracks from his peerless years with the so-called Manchester miserablists. His guitar parts on Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before, London and Bigmouth Strikes Again launched the crowd into collective looks of wonder and exhilaration. In fact, his musical proficiency is so composed that one does not even miss Morrissey on the vocals

Marr fails to disappoint in any way, filling the stage whilst dressed immaculately and as ever sporting a superb haircut. Tracks written with New Order’s Barney Sumner from the Electronic side-project sound just as good as anything he has ever recorded. Forbidden City and Getting Away With It sound excellent although their reception is slightly muted.

The encore is magical featuring a rousing rendition of I Fought The Law, popularised by The Clash and the Smiths duo of How Soon Is Now and There Is A Light That Never Goes Out. Despite this blast from the past, Marr appears a fresh figure and the night does not draw too heavily on sentimentality and nostalgia. The opportunity to see one of the world’s best guitarists in such a small venue is one savoured by all in attendance.

“This charming maaaaa-a-aaaannnn….”