It was a VERY good year, in my eyes.
My many highlights:
Getting Years of Refusal in my grubby little hands and listening to it repeatedly all year long and never once tiring of it. I still feel it's his best album yet. I'll never forget hearing the complete album for the first time and hearing that undeniably strong voice and the intensity of the whole thing. It bowled me over.
Also getting the re-issues of SouthPaw and Maladjusted, with their beautiful photos and wonderful liner notes. Also hearing Honey, You Know Where to Find Me for the very first time (I know, where had I been?) and falling completely in love with it.
And of course, Swords, which has turned out to be a beautiful album unto itself, not just a collection of B-Sides.
ALSO, the publication of The Bleak Moor Lies which is incredibly exciting because it exceeds all my (already high) expectations. And Morrissey + writing = bliss.
ALSO, receiving a package from a dear friend with a very unexpected surprise - a piece of a Morrissey concert shirt! My gasp of surprise terrified my son and spooked the cats. This in addition to many other letters and gifts exchanged with new pen pals..... Amazing stuff, amazing people!
Oh, and Jose's radio show - which has brightened every Sunday except for the few I had to miss. The show with Mike Farrell was fantastic, especially when he answered my question about his favorite moment onstage with Morrissey and he said it was the moment they first played How Soon is Now? and the audience was stunned (in a good way).
From a Frink perspective we had so many beautiful photos, so many wonderful heartfelt fan stories and the 7" photo shoot can't be topped. Or can it?
*waits*
AND...saving the BEST for last......
3 concerts - Ann Arbor, Milwaukee and Chicago. My God, was that this year? It doesn't seem possible this all happened this year! I've gone into great detail elsewhere, but what a pleasure it was to meet so many of you in person. I've developed lifelong friendships with people I wouldn't have met otherwise.
I have nothing but gratitude, respect and increased admiration for the man who brought all this happiness to so many of us this year. And I feel the same for his band, who don't get enough attention and respect, especially in the press.
I hope 2010 brings greater press recognition, more projects.... And greater HEALTH and relaxation for everyone after what has really been an incredible, dramatic, never dull year.