The Smiths were a big part of the background music of University days. At the time they were perhaps a little too arty for my then tastes. However, their quality has stood the test of time. Sadly, it seems a Morrissey/Marr reunion is not going to be on the cards, which in this era of the big "let's put it all behind us and get back on stage" tours is quite a statement. So what do we do in the mean time?
A discussion recently in the non-Vicarage about tribute bands, and this set in particular.
Who would have thought, back in the day, that poppy Rick Astley would be able to pull something like this off. Videos of The Smiths playing all tend to be quite grainy excerpts from Top of the Pops and Johnny Marr is still touring and playing these songs, but Astley and the Blossoms (and the audience too) certainly look like they are loving giving this 110%.
I always find Dietrich Bonhoeffer's letter After Ten Years particularly moving. A decade of struggle against the Nazis led him to the question Are we still of any use?, to which he answers
Unbearable conflicts have worn us down or even made us cynical. Are we still of any use? We will not need geniuses, cynics, people who have contempt for others, or cunning tacticians, but simple, uncomplicated, and honest human beings.
We too can become cynical, absorbing the world-weariness of our culture or perhaps feeling overwhelmed, unable to make any meaningful difference. The opposite of that hard-hearted cynicism is not to be soft-hearted, but rather to be whole-hearted. To joyfully dive in and give it our all. That feels to me like one reasonable interpretation of what Jesus says in Mark 10.
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Perhaps this is our calling then as followers of Jesus. To be the Tribute Band who gives each and every song 110%.
And if a double-decker bus crashes into usTo die by your sideIs such a heavenly way to dieAnd if a ten ton truck kills the both of usTo die by your sideWell, the pleasure, the privilege is mine
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