Review: 23 Sept 2007, Fillmore Auditorium SF

LastNight: Morrissey at the Fillmore

Better than: your VHS copy of Oye Esteban!

There’s something about a great voice that just won’t quit. Some of
our best crooners have crooned way into their late lives. Before he was
about to die, Frank Sinatra could still command a crowd as good as he
did in his heyday. Tony Bennett’s face looks like it’s about to fall
off his skull, but he can still sing “Fly Me to the Moon” like a saint.
And in that grand tradition-- although not that old (or dead), but
perhaps just as iconic-- Morrissey came to the Fillmore last night to
steal our hearts away.

Morrissey began the first evening of four shows in SF with
an old favorite from The Smiths, “Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard
This One Before.” The crowd indeed heard that one before, as
Morrissey’s voice was drowned out by the massive sing-along. This was
hardly a good chance to gauge whether or not the Moz still had it in
him, but that question was answered when playing songs from his latest
release, as the sing-along dropped to near zero. While these songs may
not be as classic and memorable as his favorites, it offered a chance
to actually hear Morrissey, who sure can sing. Still.

Sporting a half-unbuttoned and sweaty-as-fuck dress shirt, Moz still
hit all the beautiful high notes in his cautionary “Why Don’t You Find
Out for Yourself” and the Smiths classic, teeming with sexual innuendo,
“Stretch Out and Wait.” And even though Morrissey’s perceived to be
celibate, he’s still capable of getting a little cheeky. He then spoke
of a new science breakthrough of constructing fake wombs in women who
can’t have kids, stating he wanted the procedure so as to avoid droves
women claiming to be the baby mama. Good way to avoid the chickenheads.
The pervasive sexuality doesn’t end there.

Newer songs like “You Have Killed Me” and “I Just Want to See the
Boy Happy” gave time to adore the man’s performance before gearing up
for the next big tune. It even gave time for some dudes to reverently
throw roses at the stage. And I mean dudes. With goatees and ballcaps
and whatnot. Morrissey seems to bring out some sort of innate
homosexuality in his male fans. We don’t know what is it about the guy,
but many have had to explain their love for the Moz by starting with
the disclaimer, “You know, I’m not gay or nothing, but…” That usually
ends with something they’d never say about another dude, like “I’d sure
like to give him roses,” or “I’d sure like to give him a hug without
his shirt on.” And I admit, I thought it to be quite sassy when
Morrissey removed his soaked shirt after wonderfully performing “The
Boy With The Thorn In His Side,” as the Mozzer made a quick sign of the
cross to offer penance for his mischievous bare chest.

Morrissey commanded the audience effortlessly last night and knew
just how to work the crowd up. He would bring us to high points of
excitement with recognizable favorites, only to tease and calm us down
with new songs. Moz even left on the most perfect note, performing
“Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” for the final encore. I
got what I wanted-- a great Moz performance, a chance to vent a little
sexual confusion, and even thoughts of Ferris Bueller to cap it all
off. You know I’m not gay or nothing, but Morrissey is a beautiful man.


Critic's Notebook:
Personal Bias-- moving here from Southern California, where I enjoyed many a Smiths/Moz tune with a greaser or chicano of some sort.

Random Detail-- The delicious smell of BBQ wafted into
the air during his performance, which concerned me as I thought he
would stop the set in protest with his meat-hating ass.

By The Way-- I've never seen so many ridiculous pompadours in my life. Moz excluded.

By Oscar Pascual, Mon Sep 24, 2007 at 08:38:22 AM