Version City #47 - Morrissey sings Waylon Jennings

I've long contended that Morrissey should seriously consider putting together his own 'Pin-Ups' style album. Whatever you think of his recent recorded output, there's no denying the fascinating array of cover versions he's sprinkled through his live sets over the years (I've previously touched on a few of my own favourites here). At the end of August, in California, he performed what must rank as his least likely cover yet, a one-off reading of 'Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?', written by Country legend Waylon Jennings. Extraordinary.

Version City #18 - Zee Avi sings Morrissey

Since we're on a Morrissey tip, here's Malaysian singer, songwriter and ukulele player Zee Avi's divine interpretation of 'The First of the Gang to Die'. This tune cropped up on one of the, otherwise interminable, background muzak compilations that we were obliged to play on permanent rotation at the coffee shop in which I worked. The discs, though regularly updated, consisted of 99% dismal aural wallpaper, with just a very occasional gem randomly dropped into the mix. It was little moments of pop delight such as this that got me through the day.

If you must write prose and poems the words you use should be your own...

It was once such a regular activity, to leave the house, go to a record shop and buy a new single or album on the morning of release - I must have done it a hundred times, if not more. Today though, I did something I've rarely done before - I purchased a book on the actual day of publication. After catching a breathy review of Morrissey's 'Autobiography' on the radio over breakfast, I made a mental note to look out for it in town later on, while in reality doubting that I'd actually be able to find a copy locally. WH Smith didn't make it easy either. I'd all but given up the search when I found a small pile of them at the very back of the shop in a small alcove near the Post Office, on the floor, literally.

So now I pause awhile in my quest to re-read all of Kinky Friedman's books before the year is out, in order to take a gander at what young Steven Patrick has to say for himself. Initial observations? No chapters or index pages and an opening paragraph that spreads itself over 4½ sides. So far so good.

Perfect Pop - Guest Contributor

By way of rounding off this week's short series of posts, Steven from Manchester has been in touch. Apparently Steven was in a band for a few years in the 1980s and still occasionally finds the time to get up and belt out a few numbers now and then - including these interpretations of some great pop moments.

Thanks for your suggestions Steven and good on you for sticking at it, your big break could be just around the corner.