Salisbury (UK), City Hall
This Charming ManThis was another excellent concert. One would never think that Morrissey was in a hospital the week before. He was in very good humour and playful, and sounded brilliant. He was slightly less communicative verbally than he was known to be, but he physically made contact with fans by reaching out to shake as many hands as possible. The crowd was in turn very receptive and sang along to their favourite songs.
Black Cloud
When Last I Spoke To Carol
How Soon Is Now?
Ganglord
Cemetry Gates
I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris
Teenage Dad On His Estate
Ask
Irish Blood, English Heart
Why Don't You Find Out For Yourself?
One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell
Death At One's Elbow
The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores
Is It Really So Strange?
The Loop
Because Of My Poor Education
I'm OK By Myself
/First Of The Gang To Die
This show saw the return of the Smiths' classic "Ask". The song had been a setlist regular earlier in the year on the Tour Of Refusal, and was being played here for the first time on the Swords Tour. It took the place of "Nowhere Fast" which would unfortunately not return.
As he took the stage Morrissey greeted the audience with a simple "Hello!" His next words to the audience came after "Ganglord" when he said "Thank you Salisbury... it's a great joy to be here. If you live here, you know, it's a wonderful place... (for the sake of those who thought he was being sarcastic, he adds) it really is..." After "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris" he proceeded with the introduction of the band: "The cheerleaders behind me comprise Boz Boorer... and thoroughly debased is Solomon Walker, there... this person is Matt Walker... doing quite well on the guitar is Jesse Tobias... doing very well on the keyboard is Gustavo Manzur... and I'm about to turn professional (comments on someone's sign) yes, I know, it's a burden, I'm very frinky..."
Morrissey followed the b-side "Teenage Dad On His Estate" with the line "It's very nice of you to applaud a song that you don't know..." He was handed a record during "Ask" so after the song he told the giver "Sadly, I bought it when it first came out... that was my life... It still is! It still is..." He ended "Why Don't You Find Out For Yourself" by stating "The end." The crowd then broke into a chant of his name while they were waiting for the band to launch into the next planned song. "Death At One's Elbow" was introduced with the line "I was born and braised in a very posh city called Manch-fester - Manchester! And this is a song of the great city..." After the song he added "Well perhaps I was wrong... Did you enjoy Doll & The Kicks? (crowd cheers) So did I..."
Following "The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores" Morrissey replied to a shout of "Are you feeling better?" with "No. Should I? (crowd: yes!) What for?" He followed "Is It Really So Strange?" and its final line "I could never go home again" with the teasingly witty "Home, of course, being Bournemouth..." Before going into "The Loop" he asked someone "What was that my friend?" That song was followed by yet another chant of Morrissey's name. His parting words before going into encore "First Of The Gang To Die" were "Thanks for your patience.... and, when you kneel down tonight, and you pray, don't forget me..."
A good audience recording of the complete set is circulated in audio digital format on the internet (recorder: mimiko). The existence of a second audience recording is suspected.
Do you have information about this concert? Or do you own an uncirculated recording of it? If yes please contribute and get credited.