I’d be amazed if this, the fourth Morrissey solo single, from back in November 1989 was ever put at the top of any fan’s list as being the best song he’s ever released. In fact, I wouldn’t be slow in calling anyone who said such a thing a big fibber.
It was not at all well received on release….in fact I didn’t buy it right away so confident I was that it wouldn’t be too long before I’d pick it up for pennies in a bargain bin. And that’s exactly what happened. I think I paid 50p for it in the Cockburn Street branch of Fopp in Edinburgh…if indeed it was as much as that. There were loads of them in the bargain bin. Now, I see it’s going for £12.99 at an internet site and is labelled as ‘a collectors item’.
mp3 : Morrissey – Ouija Board, Ouija Board
mp3 : Morrissey – Yes, I Am Blind
mp3 : Morrissey – East West
It’s a single rescued by the b-sides, and while Yes, I Am Blind is very much Morrissey-by- numbers, it’s the sort of slow-tempo song he’s done very well throughout his career.
The other track is a cover of a song written by Graham Gouldman (ex 10cc) and was originally the closing track on There’s A Kind Of Hush All Over The World, the 1967 LP by Herman’s Hermits. I remember playing the Morrissey version for the first time, and not realising it was a cover, and thinking that it wasn’t that far removed from some of the later-day songs by The Smiths. A rare example of a half-decent cover by the great man. Although I’ve since found the original and there’s no argument that it’s a tremendous pop song which can’t really be ruined if you stick to a faithful interpretation.
mp3 : Herman’s Hermits – East West
Enjoy
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 