aolstudios
Well-known member
Speaking as a good session musician, that's a hell of an oversimplification
[Music] Johnny Marr claims The Smiths trademark?!
- Thread starter Wozza
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Insel affe
HellBilly
Not really, very simple music really it is not that complicated or high brow is it in fairness.
I will add I love the Smiths and lucky enough to see them back in 85, seen Morrissey multiple times since, and when he plays a smiths song, it his voice that resonates, Boz or Alain Whyte are equal if not better rounded guitar players than Marr.
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KZNSeagull
Well-known member
I'm not sure Morrissey would want to tour as the Smiths anyway, he plays some Smiths songs at his gigs and always has done. If Marr did this in 2018, then surely the time to go on tour with another singer would have been then, especially as out of all of them I suspect that Andy Rourke needed the money most but of course he has now passed, sadly.
Kind of get where you’re coming from. Morrissey solo playing The Smiths, sounds like The Smiths. Johnny Marr playing The Smiths, doesn’t. And I say that as someone who does rate Johnny Marr.
aolstudios
Well-known member
As a professed psychobilly it's a bit weird you're obsessed with 'complicated & high brow'
Isn't this more about your dislike of him as a person?
JM's parts may sound simple but he invented a style (Swathes of kids coming out of Bimm can play Hendrix these days but he created it) that is deceptively hard to play well & was lovingly crafted & original (much like the Beatles as individual musicians, laymen underrate while pros applaud)
I went to many of them at the Top Rank and can only recall two which were "violent". The worst was Sham 69 who brought the east end nazi skinheads with them and the other was the Buzzcocks where the "violence" was exclusively directed at the band. So far as I can recall, all the others passed off peaceably enough.
Insel affe
HellBilly
Not at all, I am not advocating high brow music or that I like complicated bullshite in music, I like simple and why I love the Smiths and Marr.As a professed psychobilly it's a bit weird you're obsessed with 'complicated & high brow'
I am just aware Marr or Morrissey are not the be and end all of the Smiths and Marr is just as arrogant as Morrissey.
It has been cool to hate Morrissey for along time now. When he passes everyone will be going on about how great he was and they always loved him.
aolstudios
Well-known member
I love the Smiths, as the Smiths.
Don't think anything they've done since is close (although I bought a fair amount of it)
Was answering/correcting a musical point
Pinkie Brown
Wir Sind das Volk
Pretty much what I was going to say. I've seen him twice and both times he threw three or four Smiths songs into his set. Despite Morrissey being an insufferable C U Next Tuesday, touring as The Smiths without him wouldn't be credible.
pocketseagull
Well-known member
- Dec 29, 2014
- 1,360
Nah, he's completely ruined his legacy in this country at least, can't even play in Manchester without protests. Don't think death will change the prevailing opinion he's a vile racist/fascist. People will continue to say they love the music of The Smiths but any love for Morrissey himself? No.
Insel affe
HellBilly
Ok, no disrespect but i am not sure what you are saying to be honest.
You maybe alluding to be me not being specific but I take issue with this comment
"JM's parts may sound simple but he invented a style (Swathes of kids coming out of Bimm can play Hendrix these days but he created it) that is deceptively hard to play well & was lovingly crafted & original"
No he did not, the early smiths are straight out of the rockabilly handbook which Morrissey loved.
You can tell me the below is anything but a rockabilly riff. and you know it is not the only one.
You clearly rate Marr, that is fine, but he is not a great.
aolstudios
Well-known member
Wow. There's a (kind of) rockabilly feel.
&?..
That doesn't alter the fact that Marr is a very influential & highly regarded player by professionals.
Why is it so important to you that he isn't?
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Insel affe
HellBilly
It is not, I think we are at odds, I said he is not the greatest and he is not, he is influenced by many styles, but nearly everyone is influenced by someone. Very few are the first to do anything, he is not one of them. I feel you are defending him beyond all reproach, that is your opinion.
I am not arguing with you and respect your view, even if we don't agree, you can poo poo my points, don't worry I won't or you won't lose any sleep over it, lot's of people dismiss a rockabilly influence and it is clear as day, have a lovely afternoon.
smillie's garden
Am I evil?
- Aug 11, 2003
- 2,742
My tuppence in the who’s more important in The Smiths debate, is that Andy’s bass lines and bass tone are the secret sauce that make the songs irresistible 
Vini is alive but frail.
Bucks Fizz roulette when they were on Top of the Pops or Tiswas when your mum and dad were out was one of the many challenges of adolescence.
Same as the last 40 years then?
Si Gull
Way Down South
To be honest, I'm with JM on this. Recent gigs spoiled by noisy, neon-lit bars, with people continually pushing past to get served...in the middle of a set FFS. Oxford O2 is a prime example and a venue I won't go to again. If you just want to drink and chat, better to go to a pub.
Jackthelad
Well-known member
- Mar 31, 2010
- 1,075
Morrissey is The Smiths.