I was reading the political stories in the Scottish broadsheet "The Sunday Herald" when mention was made of Barack Obama, on his UK visit, carrying a box of Cd's - including The Smiths - which the Tory leader had given to him:

As the senator swept out through Parliament's gates it emerged that he was taking with him a box of CDs of music by some of Cameron's favourite British bands, including The Smiths, Radiohead, Gorillaz and Lily Allen.

The Obama charm offensive tour plays Downing Street

Good to hear that one of the most inspirational politicians in recent years now possesses material of The Smiths, even if it was supplied by the detestable Tory toff.

I was recently gifted a collection of Smiths/Morrissey collectables and memorabilia from a Japanese acquaintance residing in Tokyo, Ms. Keiko Kondo. Included was a series of eight good quality b&w photographs of Morrissey doing an impromptu meet-and-greet with fans on the platform of Nagoya station, Japan, while travelling the country on the 1991 'Kill Uncle' tour. As far as I am aware these rare photos were never part of an official photo session, and have never been given a general release.

Although Ms. Kondo was present at the Nagoya meet-and-greet, she was not responsible for taking the photos; rather, she received them from another fan in exchange for some of her own photos. Ms. Kondo saw Morrissey perform in Nagoya, Osaka, Yokohama, and at the Budokan in Tokyo. On one occasion she and a friend bumped in Boz Boorer in a record store. She told me Boz showed her a list of CDs Morrissey had requested. One of the names on the list was Ludus!

The photos have been scanned and posted at my Morrissey website Lucky Lisp. To view, just follow the link.

Many thanks to Ms. Kondo for making these unique and wonderful photos available.

Enjoy!

Jason Collins, editor Lucky Lisp