Morrissey has already put out one of the best records of 2009, and the opportunity to see him at one of the most prestigious halls in the world was overwhelming. He took the stage in his tux Thursday night at Carnegie Hall, backed by his band who were dressed in matching black button-down shirts with white ties decorated with a James Dean decal at the bottom. Moz bowed to a standing ovation and confided, “To think I sat down by Grand Central Station and wept” before going into the opener “This Charming Man” from The Smiths self-titled debut released some 26 years ago. It was fitting that Morrissey then went into “Black Cloud” from his 2009 release Years of Refusal. Moments earlier he quipped, “It’s a great privilege to be in this hall. Leonard Bernstein, the entire cast of Lost in Space, James Darren. It’s a privilege.”
Moz’s voice was flawless throughout the set, and he was quite talkative in between each song. After introducing the band he said, “And who am I? I’m the great and filthy tide of life.” Modesty has never been his strong suit. He even went on to a bit of trash talk, asking the audience, “Well, you didn’t make it to the Bowery Ballroom? Well, you’re quite wise.” The grand hall is a magnificent venue, with its tiered balconies overlooking the floor seats that are separated by two aisles. The first row and the front of the aisles became a crowd of hands, longing for a touch of Moz throughout the show. He put the microphone in front of one girl who screamed “I love you!” He replied with what would be the line of the night: “No, no I’m like a dog from a rescue home, I can’t be loved.” Seconds later, as he walked to the other side of the grand stage toward a sea of hands, a man screamed out “I broke my neck at one of your concerts.” Unmoved, Moz replied, “It was worth it.”
The set was well balanced with his solo work and a smattering of Smiths songs, including the crowd pleasing “How Soon Is Now.” At 49, Moz still rips his shirt off (twice), throwing it into the audience as fans scatter to get a piece of a living musical legend. With the raw power of his latest release, he has proven to be viable in the modern day music scene. 
He approached the end of his set with new songs “I’m OK by Myself” and “Something Is Squeezing My Skull.” The energy in the Hall was electric, and the audience included a mix of longtime fans and a younger crowd that was there to show respect for arguably one of the most influential recording artists of all time.
For the encore he played “First of the Gang To Die” from his 2004 album You Are the Quarry. The tradition of fans running on stage began shortly thereafter, and two fans were successful before bouncers carried them off the stage and out the door. The highlight of the night came in the middle of the show when Moz went backstage and came out holding his tour manager’s son in the same position as the cover of Years of Refusal. He said, “This is Sebastian, the star of Years of Refusal.” This moment in the show sent chills down my spine and sealed the perfect unforgettable night.
Setlist
This Charming Man
Black Cloud
When Last I Spoke To Carol
How Soon Is Now
Irish Blood English Heart
Let Me Kiss You
I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris
How Could Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel
Seasick Yet Still Docked
The Loop
I Keep Mine Hidden
The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores
Ask
Best Friend On The Payroll
Mama Lay Softly On The Riverbed
One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell
Death Of A Disco Dancer
Sorry Doesn’t Help
Something Is Squeezing My Skull
I’m OK By Myself
Encore:
First Of The Gang To Die
Morrissey-First of the Gang to die (Live from Jools Holland 2004)
