Review: Morrissey DISSED on New York Press.com

Photo by Jonny-Leather

THE GONG SHOW
by Jerry Portwood, 23 October 2007 (22 Oct show reviewed)

Morrissey fans, stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but our beloved Moz is headed for Vegas. At least, that’s the idea I couldn’t shake as I watched him on stage last night at Hammerstein Ballroom. As he whipped his microphone cord, pulled his hands through his pompadour and sweat through his electric blue slacks and blue silk shirt (with just enough chest exposed), it was images of lounge-singer Elvis or Wayne Newton that continued to surface.

The band of boys in white shirts and bow ties added to the overall effect. And drummer Matt Walker's incredible percussion skills included repeated gong hits that made for some sort of fabulous, over-the-top demonstration of masculinity that seemed perfect for a big, glitz and glamour Las Vegas review.

But wait. Perhaps it’s not such a bad future but an answer to your dreams. Instead of waiting expectantly for another mega-tour so you can bring your gladiolas to throw on the stage when he finally sings a Smiths song (last night’s “How Soon is Now” still made me tingle), it’ll be five shows a week—and the possibility of white tigers and gold lamé.

It was when I saw the throng of young men fight over the black T-shirt that read “Je suis Morrissey”—the one he had first wiped over his body and brow for full sweat effect—that I knew it would happen. Why continue to tour the world when he can take up residence, like an aging James Dean, in the land of desert dreams?