The Smiths’ guitar legend Johnny Marr finally cuts a solo CD, and returns to perform classic songs live
He’s one of the world’s most employable guitarists, as well as one of our most distinct songwriters. But because Johnny Marr has spent most of the 26 years since the breakup of his beloved band the Smiths contributing to projects rather than dominating them, some have seen him as an underachiever.

“Believe me, I haven’t been just marking time all these years,” says Marr, 50. “People who’ve worked with me know whatever project I’m in, I’m in full-on.”

And those projects haven’t exactly been low-profile. Since the collapse of the Smiths, Marr has collaborated with the Pretenders, Talking Heads, Pet Shop Boys, Modest Mouse and others. He also co-led the hit band Electronic with New Order’s Bernard Sumner in the 1990s and spirited the short-lived act the Healers in 2003.

But only this year did Marr do what many hoped he would for eons — release a solo CD. The new release finally puts front and center his bright guitar parts and clean songwriting. Titled “The Messenger,” the disc came with a tour during which, for the first time in decades, Marr performed songs from the sacred Smiths catalogue.

On Saturday, he’ll bring that show back to Webster Hall.

When he last played the city at Irving Plaza in May, Marr offered no fewer than five Smiths classics. Why allow these previously banned songs just now?

“Because my band plays them so well,” Marr replies. “Then there’s the joy of making everyone happy — and making myself happy, too.”

Even so, the guitarist can be defensive when dealing with his legacy. Before our interview, Marr’s publicist warned me not to ask if the Smiths will ever reunite, or about Marr’s thoughts on the acidic new autobiography from his co-leader of that storied band, Morrissey. The book, published last month in the U.K., won’t come out in the U.S. until early December, but advance word says it’s not at all friendly to the other Smiths.

Despite warnings, I asked Marr about his feelings on the book. “I haven’t read it,” he says. “I’ve got other stuff going on.”

But surely he’s heard it’s hostile to him. “It’s not a big deal,” he says. “Good luck to him.”

The brilliance of Marr’s new music makes the high road easier to take. In his classic style, the guitars jangle around the tune, stitching fine elaborations while adding nuance to the rhythm. The songs show just how many textures and hues his axe can command. Better, Marr somehow found a firmer voice to sing them with. It’s a huge improvement over his wobbly work with the Healers a decade ago. Marr credits the change to “learning to write for my voice, and also knowing what kind of singer I wanted to be.”

That is an exuberant kind, suited to the rousing material. “This isn’t an album for kicking back,” Marr says. “It’s about energy.”

He has long favored a high-spirited style. But it’s odd that it took so many years for him to harness that mood for a solo CD. Marr says he didn’t feel a burning need to do one. He just found he had time between projects and “started getting all these ideas that led me into the studio. I followed where the music took me.”

One place the music took him was back to his native Manchester. For the previous five years he’d been living in Portland, Ore., drawn there by his work with Modest Mouse. He didn’t return to the U.K. out of nostalgia. “I learned my musical values there,” he says. “And I wanted to sharpen those.”

While Marr recorded the CD as a one-man band, he has since formed the group he’s now touring with. Marr expects to keep that band for a future CD, but don’t look for him to commit to one thing for too long. He’s already writing songs with Hans Zimmer for an upcoming “Spider-Man” movie, and is open to wherever inspiration and opportunity take him.

“I was always in different bands before the Smiths,” Marr says. “I always wanted to go where I can learn and do the best job I could until the flame dimmed. Then I go wherever I can keep that flame going. I just carry on.”

Tues. and Wed., Barclays Center; Sat. and Sun, the Garden; all 8 p.m.

Kanye’s tour has been plagued by technical problems, but hopefully Yeesuz will rise again for these local dates. If so, expect him to show up ready to rant and rage.

The best power-pop melodists in the last 20 years will spin their classic tunes here — and some fine new ones, too.

Neo-soul singer Leela James has lately connected to the genre’s original reference point, delivering the songs of Etta James with her own hip-hop spin.
Please write a summary below.
He’s one of the world’s most employable guitarists, as well as one of our most distinct songwriters. But because Johnny Marr has spent most of the 26 years since the breakup of his beloved band the Smiths contributing to projects rather than dominating them, some have seen him as an underachiever.

Freddie Mercury Returns -- as an Optical Illusion With Queen

Following the success of the Tupac 3D hologram that popped up in April at the at the 2012 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California, it seems like other deceased musicians may be hitting the stage in the near future.

According to a BBC report, late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury is expected to make an appearance on stage with the band during an upcoming performance of “We Will Rock You” in London on May 14. Queen’s guitarist Brian May said that Mercury may appear as “an optical illusion of sorts” and not as a hologram.

“People will come out saying, ‘did we actually see Freddie?’” May told the BBC.

The projection is also said to be tour ready.

The trend has been helped along by late rapper Tupac Shakur who appeared in 3D holographic form during a performance with Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre last month. Many tweeted their reactions to the event and made the YouTube clip go viral in just 24 hours.

It’s also been reported that virtual Tupac could team up with Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre later this year and hit the road. Those associated with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg are expected to discuss the potential concept soon. Besides a tour with the two rappers and holo-Tupac, there is also a possibility of involving other large-scale performers from Eminen to 50 Cent at stadium shows.

Do you like the trend of late artists showing up on stage during new performances? Let us know in the comments.

Summary:
Queen guitarist Brian May revealed to BBC that late lead singer Freddie Mercury will