The promotional juggernaut behind the reissue of The Smiths’ The Queen is Dead continues with today’s premiere of the latest unreleased live version of a cut off that record. This week it’s “Bigmouth Strikes Again,” recorded at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, Calif., on Aug. 23, 1986.
This follows last week’s unreleased live version of “Cemetry Gates,” recorded Oct. 30, 1986, at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester. Before that, came a live take on “Never Had No One Ever,” recorded Oct. 21, 1986, at the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham, and a live version of “I Know It’s Over,” recorded Aug. 25, 1986, at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles.
Prior to that, we were treated to a live version of “Frankly Mr. Shankly” from the band’s concert at the Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee, Wisc., on Aug. 16, 1986, and, the week before that, a live version of the album’s title track recorded Aug. 28, 1986, in Irvine, Calif.
None of these newly unearthed live versions will appear on the 3CD/1DVD reissue of The Queen is Dead, which includes a live album recorded in Boston. The new weekly live tracks are available on streaming and for purchase as digital downloads. The Queen is Dead reissue is due out Oct. 20 (here’s the full tracklist).
Below, hear the new live version of “Bigmouth Strikes Again.”
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS
- Listen: The Smiths, ‘Cemetry Gates’ — unreleased live take from Manchester 1986
- Listen: The Smiths, ‘Never Had No One Ever’ — unreleased live take from Nottingham 1986
- Listen: The Smiths, ‘I Know It’s Over’ — unreleased live take from Los Angeles 1986
- Listen: The Smiths, ‘Frankly Mr. Shankly’ — unreleased live take from Milwaukee 1986
- Listen: The Smiths, ‘The Queen is Dead’ — previously unreleased live recording
- The Smiths’ ‘The Queen is Dead’ 3CD/1DVD reissue to include unreleased 1986 live album
Does anyone know who is singing backup starting at 2:27?
Not sure. I know that Phranc opened many of the shows on this tour, so it could be her. This was the last song of the show.