One Eye To Morocco
Encyclopedia
One Eye To Morocco is a solo album by Deep Purple
vocalist Ian Gillan
. The album material was written during the gap of Deep Purple's 2008 world tour, in the USA. It was released on 6 March 2009 on Edel Records as CD, Limited Edition CD and Vinyl
.
of Cracow listening to the related stories of Oscar Schindler when the voice faded - and then returned and somebody told him: 'Ah, Ian you have one eye to Morocco
.' - It was Tommy Djiubinski. Ian didn't understand the meaning of this Polish
idiom, until he was told the whole idiom: "To have one eye to Morocco and another to Caucasus". The idiom
describes a cross-eyed, or wandering eye person. This idiom inspired Gillan to make another solo album
, and the title for the album was set to "One Eye To Morocco."
's mother had died, so Gillan returned to Buffalo
to do something new. In a short period of time, with his former bandmate Steve Morris, Ian wrote more than thirty songs. The recording of album took place in Metalworks studios Mississauga. Twelve songs were chosen for the album and all of them were recorded in just three days. Recording was mixed and engineerd by Nick Blagona, who has previously worked with Deep Purple
and mixed Purple's reunion album Perfect Strangers
, as well as The House of Blue Light
and Slaves & Masters
. Also guitarist Michael Lee Jackson contributed to the album.
(Doppel CD).
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
vocalist Ian Gillan
Ian Gillan
Ian Gillan is an English rock music vocalist and songwriter, best known as the lead singer and lyricist for Deep Purple. During his career Gillan also fronted his own band, had a year-long stint as the vocalist for Black Sabbath, and sang the role of Jesus in the original recording of Andrew Lloyd...
. The album material was written during the gap of Deep Purple's 2008 world tour, in the USA. It was released on 6 March 2009 on Edel Records as CD, Limited Edition CD and Vinyl
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
.
Background
As Gillan himself tells, he was in the Jewish QuarterJewish quarter (diaspora)
In the Jewish Diaspora, a Jewish quarter is the area of a city traditionally inhabited by Jews. Jewish quarters, like the Jewish ghettos in Europe, were often the outgrowths of segregated ghettos instituted by the surrounding Christian authorities. A Yiddish term for a Jewish quarter or...
of Cracow listening to the related stories of Oscar Schindler when the voice faded - and then returned and somebody told him: 'Ah, Ian you have one eye to Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
.' - It was Tommy Djiubinski. Ian didn't understand the meaning of this Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
idiom, until he was told the whole idiom: "To have one eye to Morocco and another to Caucasus". The idiom
Idiom
Idiom is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is comprehended in regard to a common use of that expression that is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made...
describes a cross-eyed, or wandering eye person. This idiom inspired Gillan to make another solo album
Solo album
A solo album, in popular music, is an album headlined by a current or former member of a band. A solo album may feature simply one person performing all instruments, but typically features the work of other collaborators; rather, it may be made with different collaborators than the artist is...
, and the title for the album was set to "One Eye To Morocco."
Recording
In spring 2008 there was a gap between Purple's World Tour, as bassist Roger GloverRoger Glover
Roger David Glover is a Welsh bassist, songwriter, and record producer. Glover is best known as the bassist and lyricist for the hard rock band, Deep Purple.-Early career:...
's mother had died, so Gillan returned to Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
to do something new. In a short period of time, with his former bandmate Steve Morris, Ian wrote more than thirty songs. The recording of album took place in Metalworks studios Mississauga. Twelve songs were chosen for the album and all of them were recorded in just three days. Recording was mixed and engineerd by Nick Blagona, who has previously worked with Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
and mixed Purple's reunion album Perfect Strangers
Perfect Strangers (album)
Perfect Strangers is the eleventh studio album by Deep Purple, released in October 1984. It represents the first album recorded by the reformed, the most successful and popular, 'Mark II' line-up....
, as well as The House of Blue Light
The House of Blue Light
The House of Blue Light is the twelfth studio album by Deep Purple, released in 1987. It is the second recording by the re-formed Mark II lineup....
and Slaves & Masters
Slaves & Masters
Slaves and Masters is the thirteenth studio album by Deep Purple, and was released in 1990. This is the band's only album to feature singer Joe Lynn Turner, who joined the previous year .Before hiring Turner, the band had considered singer Jimi Jamison of Survivor, but other obligations made him...
. Also guitarist Michael Lee Jackson contributed to the album.
Music style
Ian Gillan said himself:
"It was a conscious decision to avoid the use of a rock rhythm section and you will notice the complete absence of guitar and keyboard solos - we get the very best of all that from Deep Purple. So the instrumentation is perhaps more seductive than thrusting."
Tracklisting
- "One Eye to Morocco" (Gillan/Morris) - 4:05
- "No Lotion for That" (Gillan/Morris) - 3:11
- "Don't Stop" (Gillan/Appleby) - 2:35
- "Change My Ways" (Gillan) - 3:26
- "Girl Goes to Show" (Gillan/Morris) - 3:59
- "Better Days" (Jackson) - 4:07
- "Deal with It" (Gillan/Morris) - 3:44
- "Ultimate Groove" (Jackson) - 3:48
- "The Sky Is Falling Down" (Gillan/Morris) - 4:09
- "Texas State of Mind (Jackson) - 3:49
- "It Would Be Nice" (Gillan/Morris) - 3:10
- "Always the Traveller" (Gillan/Morris) - 3:17
- "Lonely Days" (bonus track)
- "She Thinks It's a Crime" (bonus track)
- "Am I Getting Through" (bonus track)
Formats
One Eye To Morocco was released as CD, Vinyl LP and Limited Edition CD+VinylGramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
(Doppel CD).
Band
- Ian GillanIan GillanIan Gillan is an English rock music vocalist and songwriter, best known as the lead singer and lyricist for Deep Purple. During his career Gillan also fronted his own band, had a year-long stint as the vocalist for Black Sabbath, and sang the role of Jesus in the original recording of Andrew Lloyd...
- vocals, harmonica
- Michael Lee Jackson - guitars
- Rodney Appleby - bass
- Howard Wilson - drums
- Steve Morris - guitars
- Joe Mennonna - saxophones
- Lance Anderson - Hammond organ
- Jesse O'Brien - keyboards
- Brownman Ali - flugelhorn
- Jaro Jarosil - cello
- The Gillanaires - backing vocals
Production
- Produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Nick Blagona -
- Executive producers: Michael Lee Jackson, Drew Thompson
- Basic tracks recorded at Metalworks Studios, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
- Additional recordings at Psychotropic Studios, Dundas, Ontario, Canada
- Rehearsal at the Town Ballroom, Buffalo, New York
- Calligraphy: Katarina Dorch
- Photo: Bob Mussell
- Artwork: Patrizio Squeglia