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Who Put The M In Manchester? Morrissey DVD Review

© Marianne Moro

After returning to the spotlight with the successful "You Are The Quarry" last year, things are getting iffy for the former Smiths frontman again. A cancellation at the Isle of Wight, a rumored break with his record company ,and a band member's deflection to tour with (ouch!)Good Charlotte. Will Moz may fade into oblivion again as quickly as he rose from it with YATQ? Let's hope not, because on the Who Put The M in Manchester the DVD of Morrissey's performance in his hometown on his 45th birthday last year, the man is riveting and back on form.

Flanked by his band and his name spelled in lights ala Elvis' Comeback Special. Morrissey begins with an modified line from "My Way" (Regrets I've had a few/But then again too many to mention.) Now, more than ever, the effortless melding of rock star and crooner is now more evident, perhaps because he's older and dressed in a suit instead of hot pink silk shirt. However, I did notice a flower placed in a conspicuous lower frontal position during the first few songs. The hometown audience is totally enthralled from start to finish, with lots of hooligan types up front throwing practically throwing themselves at their idol. Morrissey is to Manchester what the Beatles were to Liverpool, a fan explains, and that statement is corroborated by the crowd reactions here.

Morrissey is a consummate performer in the sense that his voice and body are all he uses to command attention,with no props or flashy bandmates needed. Indeed every facial expression and grimace adds to the power of each song. Every Day Is Like Sunday, preceded by a verse of the New York Dolls'Subway Train (Morrissey was president of the Dolls UK fan club as a teen)is the centerpiece of the concert. Songs from 2004's You Are The Quarry,, Irish Blood, English Heart and the exquisitely beautiful I Have Forgiven Jesus are featured at the beginning of the set while older songs follow. Morrissey's solo material is sprinkled with a few Smiths songs including Shoplifters Of The World Unite , and Headmaster Ritual. "Who Put The M.." finds Morrissey in fine voice hitting high notes smoothly. On the I'm Not Sorry, you can almost hear the ice tinkling in the cocktail glasses.

DVD extras included 5 songs from the Move festival ,where the Manchester crowd sings along to every word of every song with deafening enthusiasm. Also included are promo videos of I Have Forgiven Jesus, Irish Blood, English Heart, and First of The Gang To Die. There's also a PETA documentary narrated by Alec Baldwin. Got to give Moz points for consistency on the vegetarian awareness front. After years of wrangling and arguments, this DVD proves that he's matured just enough but not so much he's lost his edge.or his cutting wit. A companion CD Live At Earl's Court is also available from Sanctuary.