Morrissey - "Southpaw Grammar" CD, Album, 1995 (Reprise Records)

The opening 10-minute track "The Teachers Are Afraid of the Pupils" is Morrissey's (at least music-wise) a tribute to Roxy Music's great "In Every Dream Home a Heartache."  It builds similarly, and even the orchestration of all the instruments sound familiar.  This also clearly states that "Southpaw Grammar" is a much different album by Morrissey than his other solo works at the time. I like it because it's a big introduction and very much of a different type of work from Morrissey.  On the other hand, I think the song could have been edited down by a minute or so less.   But things are back to Morrissey-land by the next track "Reader Meet Author," about the delicate relationship between one who confronts a work of art, and how it can or can't add something to one's life. "Boy Racer" is the classic Morrissey portrait but done through the singer's eyes, as an object of desire and wonder.

"The Operation" starts off with a very long drum solo, which seems to be the most un-Morrissey like presence ever on an album.   The solo is cool; it reminds me of Gene Krupa.  It's a song of sadness, which is a put-down, but on the other hand, it may be a person who has naturally changed and causing stress on the community around the subject matter.   Morrissey is a very tricky writer to me, because one, you can never be sure if he is the narrator, or he's going through another character.  The intimate manner of his singing expresses a feeling that you're getting the singer's character, and there's truth in that, but at the same time it may be a technique of his as a writer to get into someone else's head.

"Dagenham Dave" is a song that I like very much, and I can see it as a weakness.  Compared to "Reader Meet Author" it sounds like a wonderful b-side of a single. It's a song about a figure who has a swagger, a ladies man, which is interesting coming from Morrissey's perspective.  It's Morrissey's appreciation for a ruffian that again, he puts up on a statue stand, to admire greatly.

"Do Your Best and Don't Worry" is regarding a fellow who looks high to the skies, but tends to fail. Morrissey's way of tribute to those who fall greatly due to their high inspirations.  "Best Friend on the Payroll" is his version of Joseph Losey/Harold Pinter's "The Servant."   Not a very good song.  The idea is there, but it's not fully realized.  "Southpaw" is another 10-minute song, and again, it's the narrator that is fascinating due to his commentary on someone else's life.   Morrissey to me is not about truth or reporting, but always a reflection of his personality or character.  Never a good journalist, but an artist whose thoughts are still in his head and his ability to express doubts about the person he's singing about, but alas, it may be more of his concerns for his ability to connect with this person.

The unusual "Southpaw Grammar" is the textures put into the songs.  As mentioned, there are references to Roxy Music's "For Your Pleasure" album.  There are Phil Manzanera moments and in parts, sounds very Roxy like especially when the song is stretched out.  Steve Lillywhite, the producer, is very much part of the package.  I think he was encouraged to add textures here and there, and it works well.  It's interesting that years later Morrissey releases another version of "Southpaw Grammar."   Perhaps taking advantage of the CD technology of adding songs, but he didn't only do that, but he also re-arrange the song order as well.   I heard both, and I prefer the original edition of "Southpaw Grammar."  By no means is it one of Morrissey better releases, but an interesting route to a side-street musically speaking.