Wizard of Moz: Morrissey hypnotizes Hill with eerie, evocative set

Why do people go to concerts?

Do they go solely because of the music? Do they go only to see the performer up close and in the flesh? Or do they simply go just for the 'joi de vive' concert experience?

In the case of Morrissey, fans flock to the concerts because they have no choice. They travel from great distances because they know that Morrissey has touched them. They wait around his hotel because they admire his ability to champion the small shy body inside us all. They swarm around his tour bus before sound check because they understand that Morrissey is one of the most important rock icons of this generation. They go to see Stephen Patrick Morrissey simply because it is something they have to do.

BOHDAN DAMIAN CAP/Daily Can you say he went about things the wrong way? Morrissey performed to a sold-out Hill Auditorium Wednesday night.

This unique relationship between artist and fan was displayed brilliantly at Wednesday night's performance at Hill Auditorium. Clad in all black as he sauntered onstage, Morrissey's captivating stage presence was instantly evident and undeniable. With his trademark widow's peak and sunken brow enhanced all the more by the dramatic stage lighting, Moz greeted the screaming audience with handshakes and smiles, and then launched into a roaring rendition of "Maladjusted" - the first song off his newest album of the same name. Morrissey's voice soared as he whipped around the microphone wire like a poised and practiced lion tamer.

Drawing mostly from the material of his last three solo efforts, the set flowed very smoothly from song to song. A rocky "Billy Budd" from 1994's "Vauxhall And I" followed next, and then came the single "The Boy Racer" from 1995's "Southpaw Grammar," which showcased a stellar three-part vocal harmony courtesy of guitarists Alain Whyte and Boz Boorer.

REVIEW
	Morrissey Sept. 24, 1997 Hill Auditorium

Perhaps Morrissey's most popular and widely known single, "The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get," was worked into the set next, set afire with a jazzy introduction by the sharply dressed Boz. Current single "Alma Matters" then followed, as Morrissey's gyrating hips and uninhibited baritone had the crowd hanging onto every word.

Morrissey flailed his arms in sharp right angle thrusts as the thick and driving guitars on future single "Roy's Keen" made audience members feel a sonic boom in the heart of their sternum. After a mediocre performance of Southpaw's "Reader Meet Author" came the eerie "Ambitious Outsiders," during which the swaying silhouette of Morrissey's looming figure was projected onto the entire Hill Auditorium ceiling.

"And now for the serious stuff," uttered The Mozzer as the spirited "Satan Rejected My Soul" set the crowd up perfectly for the tender ballad "Now My Heart Is Full," where Morrissey sang to the crowd in front of the stage on one knee against a warm glow of soft blue lights.

Then came a rare and precious treat in the form of "Paint A Vulgar Picture", a song taken from The Smiths' final album "Strangeways Here We Come." Admittedly still a fan of the material from his earlier days as a member of The Smiths, Morrissey has nevertheless usually refrained from including any Smiths songs from his solo concerts. However, perhaps due to the timely application of the song's lyrics ("At the record company meeting ... ooh the plans they weave and ooh the sickening greed/ re-issue!, re-package!, re-package!, re-evaluate the songs ... but you could have said no if you wanted to") with the recent unsanctioned re-release of Morrissey's debut solo album "Viva Hate" by EMI Records, "Paint A Vulgar Picture" was included in the set and took the audience to a whole new plateau of intensity.

The set closed with the sinister epic "The Teachers Are Afraid Of The Pupils", which was as intriguing as it was anti-climactic following the previous Smiths' gem.

Following a short recess, Morrissey returned to the crowd's deafening roar wearing a University of Michigan swimming t-shirt, which, needless to say, increased the audience cheers 12-fold. Easily the highlight of the show, Moz and company kicked into a majestic rendition of "Shoplifters Of The World Unite" - another blast from the Smiths' catalog. The audience yelled every word and provided a cushion of sound for Morrissey to croon sweetly overtop, making the song sound far better than it ever possibly could have on album alone.

Morrissey gets reactions out of his fans that most artists will never come close to experiencing in their entire careers. His concerts have become virtually ritualistic, with the customary throwing of gladiolas, the habitual practice of fans leaping onstage, the throwing of letters, cards, and even wrapped presents onstage, and even the presence of token Morrissey lookalikes. No other performer can boast such a grateful and appreciative base of fans who treat every live performance as if it were the single most important thing in their entire life. Always ready with wit, on Wednesday Morrissey's mind, body, soul and voice were nothing short of top drawer. Morrissey again proved his ability to produce a unique fusion of energy and drama while maintaining an intense personal connection with his audience that will love him "now, today, tomorrow and always."

09-26-97