The portal opened and in a flash, "Morrissey" redeemed every mistake. Overwhelmed by emotion, we struggle to absorb the swirling sonic pools which effortlessly morph and weld the labyrinthine beauties of a template laid out intially by Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir", then Jeff Buckley's "Eternal Life". And, of course, "How Soon Is Now" by The Smiths. Whoever wrote this music has grounds for life-long celebration. And like the first single, the production on the second rises above the brain-damaging obsession with being a "radio-friendly unit-shifter" to deliver an aural landscape that even in MP3 format is diverse and cinematic.
Opening with the call to prayer, this profound prayer could not possibly have come from anyone tormented by covert demons of racism or religious, cultural intolerance. In our minds eye we see ourselves in the shisha bars, coffee shops and balti houses of Small Heath and Sparkhill as this track plays from the speakers and the Punjabi Blinder brothers and sisters turn their heads to inquire of "BrummieBoy" who is responsible for this epochal act of musical 'jihad for peace'. Tonight we will be there in person to celebrate this song's release with members of our global family, friends and community. This party can't wait till Friday but we think the whirling dervish dancing may last from tonight until the weekend......
Easily eclipsing previous artistic triumphs, the greatest event of Morrissey's life as a singer fittingly isn't about his personal challenges. What is utterly astonishing is that there is no bifurcation between the narrator and the emotional intensity of the singer. It's not "Morrissey" singing this song. "Morrissey"'s voice is channeling forces beyond his personal identity. He is channeling the pain and despair of millions. At long last, a work of art that truly deserves "global, religious fame". Not for some 'pop star vanity project' but as part of the wider campaign to Stop The War. "World Orphans Are None Of Your Business".
We have suffered serious illness and recovered almost miraculously. At times we felt there was no hope on either a personal or global level. Coming from B10, "BrummieBoy" watched the flow of humanity on the streets near St Andrews change from refugees from Ireland and Jamaica to 'fugees' from Pakistan, Iraq, Somalia and now Syria. All through this period there was quiet despair that so few with the power of celebrity in popular culture were even attempting to engage these issues, lost in a tedious nonsensical competition for personal 'fame' as if that's going to save anyone if Collapse unfolds. Now we can relax and let go. We don't have to do it. Morrissey has done it. And nothing can ever be the same again. He's not "back", this isn't a "return to form", it's a quantum leap into a parallel dimension. Or this "Morrissey" has come from another parallel reality. This iteration of "Morrissey" has never existed. "I Will See You In Far Off Places" was a practise run, but this is quite simply one of the most beautiful and moving performances ever by any serious artist.
We issued the fatwa when "Morrissey" jumped the shark with his comments about Madonna. Her adopted son was not a public figure, not a celebrity or an anonymous number in some vast global disaster. He had a name and his name was shamed and traduced. The failure to issue a heartfelt apology for so many years meant we finally had no choice. Once issued, it's supposedly impossible to retract, but we now do so and instruct our disciples to accept our authority in this precedent. Make it so.
And because of these words, our work here is done. We dearly hope that the simmering ill-will and suspicions about "Morrissey" now evaporates and everybody gets behind this song to drive it into the firmanent. It is irrelevant if this performer lapses into Diva mode or is sometimes incorrigibly cantakerous exhibiting challenging behaviour and difficult to meet needs. This song is an important political statement. This song needs to resound around the world. Not for him, not for his 'career' or his seemingly tragic 'fame'. This song is more important than "Morrissey" or the entirely bankrupt concept of 'The Fame' through 'Art-Pop'. It needs to be heard to bring attention to the plight of every every little boy and girl orphaned in the storm, exposed to child abuse and enforced prostitution.
"World Orphans Are None Of Your Business"
We believe this is one of the most important songs we have ever heard. It is truly a heartbreaking work of staggering genius and we are glad we remained on the planet to hear it. In fundamentalist Islam, music is stigmatised as 'haram', as are moving images and dancing. But in Birmingham and Istanbul, the Sufi dance to this music begins today and will, ensh'Allah, expand outwards in ripples of peace around the world until the sun explodes.
With every good wish
"BrummieBoy"
Pax Vobiscum. Shalom. Salaam.
The Shire and Mordor
Tuesday 20th April 2014 CE
13:00 hrs.
“Sufism is not a religion or a philosophy, it is neither deism nor atheism, nor is it a moral, nor a special kind of mysticism, being free from the usual religious sectarianism. If ever it could be called a religion, it would only be as a religion of love, harmony, and beauty.”
Hazrat Inayat Khan
http://www.sufiorderuk.org/
