Mozza back on home patch

ONE of Manchester’s most notorious musicians is returning to his home town for a 50th birthday party with a difference.

Former Smiths star Morrissey will hit the Manchester Apollo on May 22 and 23 to promote new album “Years of Refusal” which is released in February, 2009 — and to celebrate his landmark birthday in the city he grew up in.

Single “I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris” will come out a week before the album with additional tracks “Because of my Poor Education” and “Shame is the Name” with Chrissie Hynde.

“Years of Refusal” was recorded earlier this year at the Conway Studios in LA with the late Jerry Finn, producer of Morrissey’s acclaimed 2004 release “You Are The Quarry”.

Morrissey describes the new album — the follow up to 2006’s “Ringleader of The Tormentors” — as his strongest work to date.

The 12-track album includes a clutch of new songs played live in recent months including “Something Is Squeezing My Skull”, “Mama Lay Softly On The Riverbed” and “One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell”.