TVD's Alternative Ulcer

A week ago I moved from Eastern Market to Petworth.It was, by far, the best decision I've made since moving to DC almost three years ago. I live with two really awesome guys and one kickass cat. On my first night there, one of my roommates and I had a lengthy discussion about the Smiths. Wednesday afternoon I drove a friend to BWI and the CD that was playing when I turned on my car was a Smith's CD. Then, Thursday morning, I awoke to the sounds of Morrissey's voice permeating into my bedroom from across the hall, where my other roommate lives. I'm always reluctant to discuss my love of the Smiths because everyone has a different story and who feels like reading *another* story about how much someone loves the Smiths?

Instead, since the Smiths seem to be everywhere in my life this week, I've decided to offer you some tasty rare (though I know that if you're a big Smiths fan I'm sure you already have them and are yawning right now) tracks - the songs themselves may not be rare, but the recordings are relatively so. I tried to be selective about which ones I've given you - for instance, How Soon Is Now is one you are most likely to hear on the radio, so I left that one out. Panic is probably the most "well-known" of the 6 here, but the kid on the chorus is too cute (there's video out there of this performance as well) and that song makes even a rainy afternoon like today seem less, well, London-esque. The recording is from a Eurotube session in 1986. Vicar in a Tutu is from the same year, from a performance on the Old Grey Whistle Test. Sheila Take a Bow is from the Smiths last performance on the Tube in 1987. Miserable Lie is from a John Peel session for BBC Radio in 1983. The version of Jeanne here is from 1984 and actually has Sandy Shaw on lead vocals for Radio One's Saturday Live. The only time Asleep was ever performed live was in 1985 at Eden Court in Scotland - I've put up the soundcheck for that song which is awfully and amazingly haunting.

Enjoy, kids. I'll be back later in the week with one of my delicious finds from Record Store Day.

The Smiths - Panic (Mp3)
The Smiths - Vicar in a Tutu (Mp3)
The Smiths - Sheila Take A Bow (Mp3)
The Smiths - Miserable Lie (Mp3)
The Smiths - Jeanne (Mp3)
The Smiths - Asleep (Mp3)