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Review
Brown lifts the lid on one of the most individual performers we have today - from Morrissey's sexuality to what still drives him. Often biographies don't tell us anything new - this is an exception. Fans will love this insight into Morrissey. --The Sun newspaper September 2008
Now my head is full As a man whose meeting with Morrissey, both formal and informal, stretch back to being the first to interview the solo Moz in 1988, and on into 2003 and his pre-You Are The Quarry resurgence, Brown has more credentials than most to hurl a book about Steven Patrick out into the market. A self-confessed Smiths diehard, he also avoids turning this into some fawning Mozfather love-in.
Now my head is full As a man whose meeting with Morrissey, both formal and informal, stretch back to being the first to interview the solo Moz in 1988, and on into 2003 and his pre-You Are The Quarry resurgence, Brown has more credentials than most to hurl a book about Steven Patrick out into the market. A self-confessed Smiths diehard, he also avoids turning this into some fawning Mozfather love-in.
It's not quite bursting with unprinted interviews. Most of the text re-tells the story, with Brown's own personal experiences (of Morrissey and other events in his life) adding colour, turning these memoirs-cum- biography into a hugely enjoyable read. What we get is a portrait of a man who, to reference Oscar Wilde as Brown does, has turned his life into a work of art.
Brown takes Moz's declaration that "everything's linked, everybody takes from the artists they love" as a manifesto, tracing Morrissey's story through his literature, British film/TV and female pop influences. Ultimately (and sometimes wearily overbearingly so), it leads right back to Wilde, Morrissey's biggest love. The final chapter, tying up all the influences and parallels between the artists' lives, might get a bit much, mind. Without being brainsizzlingly new, Brown's turned out a very fair, even-handed account that happily gets you running back to those records to play detective yourself. --Unknown
There is much to enjoy here; the interview material is sparkling and Brown's extrapolations on the figures who populate Morrissey's imagination, from the obvious (Oscar Wilde, James Dean) to the more obscure (TV's pioneering camp hairdresser Raymond 'Teasy-Weasy' Bessone) show an impressive grasp of Mozza arcana...one of the better books on the man who has claimed onstage to be Stinky Turner, Stan Ogden and 'Bruce Springroll'. --Unknown
Review
Now my head is full As a man whose meeting with Morrissey, both formal and informal, stretch back to being the first to interview the solo Moz in 1988, and on into 2003 and his pre-You Are The Quarry resurgence, Brown has more credentials than most to hurl a book about Steven Patrick out into the market. A self-confessed Smiths diehard, he also avoids turning this into some fawning Mozfather love-in.
It's not quite bursting with unprinted interviews. Most of the text re-tells the story, with Brown's own personal experiences (of Morrissey and other events in his life) adding colour, turning these memoirs-cum- biography into a hugely enjoyable read. What we get is a portrait of a man who, to reference Oscar Wilde as Brown does, has turned his life into a work of art.
Brown takes Moz's declaration that "everything's linked, everybody takes from the artists they love" as a manifesto, tracing Morrissey's story through his literature, British film/TV and female pop influences. Ultimately (and sometimes wearily overbearingly so), it leads right back to Wilde, Morrissey's biggest love. The final chapter, tying up all the influences and parallels between the artists' lives, might get a bit much, mind. Without being brainsizzlingly new, Brown's turned out a very fair, even-handed account that happily gets you running back to those records to play detective yourself. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Len Brown's book, 'Meetings with Morrissey' is a fantastic read for those with litle knowledge of the artist who are seeking to gain an insight into the influences and history of Morrissey. Len Brown obviously has a great insight into how Morrissey works given his numerous meetings with the former Smith. In 'Meetings' Brown nails down, almost completely, almost everything one would desire to know about Morrissey's greatest influences; Oscar Wilde, sixties 'sirens', James Dean, glamorous punks and the rest. Brown leaves no stone unturned when recollecting how, when and why the artist became so enthralled in subjects that have provided him with inspiration for some of his most famous songs. The stars humble beginnings with The Smiths and their untimely downfall is also retold in gorey detail, only leaving some mystery into the deeper reasons behind the bands split. Brown also manages to cover, satisfyingly enough Morrissey's solo career from leaving the Smiths right up until 2006's 'Ringleader of the Tormentors'. There can be no complaints that the author has not done his homework, sadly, however, this is where the problems arise.
As a result of Brown's deep, deep knowledge of the star through his meetings he falls into two unfortunate pitfalls that demerit the book. Firstly, Brown devotes too much time to the study of Oscar Wilde's influence on Morrissey. Anyone who knows even a small bit of trivia about the singer will know how immensely influential the Irish literary figure has been on his song-writing and career. Brown begins to repeat specific facts about Wilde over and over, certain dates, places and even an entire chapter that concern Wilde make for frustrating reading as Brown veers too far away from the books main subject. Secondly, Brown places too much of his own life into the book, while some readers may find this helpful and endearing of the writer I personally felt that it became as though Brown was almost willing Morrissey's life and his own to be intertwined to a much greater degree than they really are. One can appreciate that since the book is based on Brown's meetings with Morrissey that the author understandably makes himself present within the pages of the book, however, facts about his life- such as his brothers death, his employment, etc- seem superfluous. As a slight aside, his undying support, approval and joy at almost everything the singer does can be nauseating at times.
As I stated initally, this book is recommended reading to any fledgling fans of Morrissey who wish to learn more about the star, also, hardcore fans may find something new about their hero that they didn't already know. My advice would be to purchase this book if you are a Morrissey fan at any level, because if you aren't completely satisfied with Brown's interviews with Morrissey you can always stand to learn more about Oscar Wilde or Len Brown himself.
As a result of Brown's deep, deep knowledge of the star through his meetings he falls into two unfortunate pitfalls that demerit the book. Firstly, Brown devotes too much time to the study of Oscar Wilde's influence on Morrissey. Anyone who knows even a small bit of trivia about the singer will know how immensely influential the Irish literary figure has been on his song-writing and career. Brown begins to repeat specific facts about Wilde over and over, certain dates, places and even an entire chapter that concern Wilde make for frustrating reading as Brown veers too far away from the books main subject. Secondly, Brown places too much of his own life into the book, while some readers may find this helpful and endearing of the writer I personally felt that it became as though Brown was almost willing Morrissey's life and his own to be intertwined to a much greater degree than they really are. One can appreciate that since the book is based on Brown's meetings with Morrissey that the author understandably makes himself present within the pages of the book, however, facts about his life- such as his brothers death, his employment, etc- seem superfluous. As a slight aside, his undying support, approval and joy at almost everything the singer does can be nauseating at times.
As I stated initally, this book is recommended reading to any fledgling fans of Morrissey who wish to learn more about the star, also, hardcore fans may find something new about their hero that they didn't already know. My advice would be to purchase this book if you are a Morrissey fan at any level, because if you aren't completely satisfied with Brown's interviews with Morrissey you can always stand to learn more about Oscar Wilde or Len Brown himself.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Meetings with Morrissey is an account of a series of interviews with Morrissey over a 25 year period conducted by former NME man Len Brown. Not alone, Brown spent the early eighties frustrated and depressed by the state of the country and the music it was producing. That was until September 1983 when he first saw The Smiths and his despair at the re-election of Mrs Thatcher and the accompanying celebration of all things crass had a soundtrack, and a voice. Consequently, this book is more social history than biography. There are other books which focus in on the split between Morrissey and Marr and the endless (and pointless) speculation on Morrisey's sexuality and it is to this books credit that it does neither. Instead, it offers an analysis of not just why The Smiths were a great band but from whence came that searing critique which lifts The Smiths work out of the annals of pop music and places it alongside other great works of art. That critique was Morrissey's. While everybody else seemed to be saying `this is brilliant', Morrissey expressed an emotional language that I didn't have to say what I really thought and felt, `this is awful'. By revisiting the interviews he conducted with Morrissey, Brown is able to shed light on the key influences upon Morrissey. The chapter on Oscar Wilde is brilliant and gets closer than anything else to explaining the sense of sexual alienation and tragedy which underpin Morrissey's best work. However, this is just one aspect of the many and interconnected cultural stimulus that is explored to great effect. From soap opera characters to French cinema Brown creates a work that is insightful on a much deeper level than simply 'what happened where'.
Whilst an illuminating insight of itself, it is the personal and socio-political context of the period through which Brown weaves his insights into Morrissey's life and art which make this book such a tender and worthwhile exposition. Brown gives as much of himself as he does of Morrissey and in doing so brings the reader into intimate contact with something of themselves. Beautifully written and thoroughly researched, somehow, it really did say something about my life.
Whilst an illuminating insight of itself, it is the personal and socio-political context of the period through which Brown weaves his insights into Morrissey's life and art which make this book such a tender and worthwhile exposition. Brown gives as much of himself as he does of Morrissey and in doing so brings the reader into intimate contact with something of themselves. Beautifully written and thoroughly researched, somehow, it really did say something about my life.
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
REally enjoyed this though it's a bit personal in parts. Well researched, doesn't get hung up on Morrissey's sexuality, some funny new encounters, insights into the '80s NMe hostility to The Smiths, great chapter on Oscar Wilde's influence on Mozzer, and some good photos too. Criticises some of Morrissey's politics - particularly those views on immigration - so no doubt it'll annoy his most devoted, deluded fans, but overall it's quite a fair, affectionate and uplifting account of meetings with an extraordinary artist. Pretty good all round.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Best Friend on the payroll (Len me your ears!)
I found this book just a little too focussed on Len Brown and not enough on Morrissey.
Although some of the passages are illuminating and show Morrissey tantalisingly... Read more
Although some of the passages are illuminating and show Morrissey tantalisingly... Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2009 by Mr. R. J. Watson
Very interesting but slightly dull
Len Brown, the man who "has interviewed Morrissey more times than any other journalist", has intricately pieced together quotes and facts from all over in create this biography of... Read more
Published on 26 Nov 2008 by Alan the Kaz
Too narrow and too fawning
I was really looking forward to this book. Brown has undertaken countless interviews with Morrissey over the years and I expected great things from him. Read more
Published on 16 Aug 2008 by Stephen Lloyd
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