Morrissey's debut solo record Viva Hate will be reissued next week in the U.K. The new version was remastered by the album's original producer and co-writer, Stephen Street. Previous to working on Viva Hate, Street worked with the Smiths, notably on the band's final record Strangeways Here We Come. Smiths and Morrissey fans will be very interested in reading a recent interview with Street--Street dished about the final days of the Smiths, Morrissey's transition into a solo career, working on Viva Hate, his relationship (then and now) with Morrissey, and why Viva Hate needed to be remastered. Read the interview here.Street is also gearing up for the reissue of Viva Hate on his official website with the posting of a virtual book dedicated to the release on his official website. The book features commentary from Street and handwritten sheet music for some of the songs on the record, but the true gem is a handwritten letter from Morrissey dated August 18, 1987. In the letter Morrissey writes,
"I want the Smiths to be laid to rest and I want to record for EMI under my own name. I would naturally be very happy if you would accept this situation and work with me."
In the letter Morrissey also lamented about the charting position of the Strangeways song "Girlfriend in a Coma," before ending by telling Street he was looking forward to recording new material. View the virtual book here (click the corners of the book to "flip" the pages).