Morrissey has been actively involved in his catalogue of late. His penchant for resurrecting forgotten imprints (he clearly carries great weight at EMI today) continues, with Major Minor the next vehicle for releases.
Bona Drag was a self-imposed grab-bag of all the good stuff released between 1987-90 and, as such, is a strong set. Top 10 hits abound, but it’s less well-known tracks that, unsurprisingly, affect today. Will Never Marry and Yes, I Am Blind portray the singer as a boy, far from the burly West Ham supporter he became. Insecurities are explicit on Lifeguard On Duty, wherein the object of Moz’s attention – an actual lifeguard – is set up literally (but poetically) as a saving grace.
It’s the best of the six purchase incentives here, though all are noteworthy. There are Sandie Shaw “originals” (Please Help The Cause Against Loneliness), extended and embryonic versions of tracks, and a back room mentality that shows Morrissey (and his more than able band, including Vini Reilly, Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce) really was a creative powerhouse in the late 80s. Time has been kind.
