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One Eye To Morocco

Ian Gillan’s new solo album One Eye To Morocco will be released in Europe on March 6 and in the UK on March 23.

“It all started in Cracow, Poland, late December 2005.

In a cafΓ© in where Oscar Schindler had been active during dark times in the mid-20th century, I sat across the table from my friend Tommy Djiubinski who was telling me all about it. He was deep into this amazing story when a woman caught my eye as she walked behind Tommy. Quite naturally I followed her graceful movement; I was drawn by her magnetism.

‘Sorry, what were you saying?’
‘Ah, Ian you have one eye to Morocco.’

This meant I was not concentrating on the matter in hand; I apologised and we carried on.
Later I was curious about the expression so Tommy gave me the full version…You have one eye to Morocco and the other to The Caucasus.

We could only guess the origins but agreed the epigram meant being distracted from the party line by the lure of something exotic. So I filed it away in Incomplete Proverbs, Vague Maxims or more likely Interesting Phrases.

Three years later, due to a family illness, there was an unexpected break in the Deep Purple tour schedule. I made some calls and we discussed making a new album. When we finished counting there were 38 songs in various stages of completion. Roughly half of these were discounted because they need too much work in the allotted time span, and the rest were put on the ‘Short List’.

There was one particular song, untitled and without lyrics, that I felt should be the nucleus of the project. The song was the criterion by which all the rest would be judged and so the process was made easier by having a yardstick or even an interesting phrase – Aha! ‘One Eye to Morocco’ became the title of that song, and the song became the title track of the album.”

Ian Gillan One Eye To Morocco
Photo by Β© 2009 Tommaso Mei

Tracklisting:

Normal CD:

1. One Eye To Morocco
2. No Lotion For That
3. Don’t Stop
4. Change My Ways
5. Girl Goes To Show
6. Better Days
7. Deal With It
8. Ultimate Groove
9. The Sky Is Falling Down
10. Texas State Of Mind
11. It Would Be Nice
12. Always The Traveller

Ltd. Edition CD:
Limited digi-pack with CD with exclusive track: “Lonely Days”

12″ Vinyl Gatefold

7″ vinyl single (signed) & CD album



104 Comments to “One Eye To Morocco”:

  1. 1
    Roberto says:

    Ahahah still looking to women…
    great picture…

  2. 2
    purpletemple says:

    Can’t wait to hear it. i am very excited with this new release, even more since I heard it was gonna be different from classic hard rock.
    Thank you Ian.

  3. 3
    John Bartone says:

    Ian Rules!!! Looking forward to the new album… By the way, I really liked his Dreamcatcher album.. Even though he had used electronic drums, the songs were very good with some terrific vocal melody’s…One of my fav’s… Long live the Morse Era!!

  4. 4
    Crimson Ghost says:

    Here’s hoping Peter is more on the ball than so and so… thanks for the rundown.

  5. 5
    sirpa says:

    “One Eye to Morocco” is absolutely fantastic!
    Ultimate Groove!
    Sirpa
    p.s. See review and interview on http://www.psof.fi (in Finnish):-)

  6. 6
    big al says:

    splendid.. you cant beat a bit o gillan even if it aint hard rock.. but how come you cant pre order it?

  7. 7
    Crimson Ghost says:

    You can, here is but one outlet.

    http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/9163111/One-Eye-To-Morocco/Product.html#

  8. 8
    stephen says:

    amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Eye-Morocco-Ian-Gillan/dp/B001RTP3UA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1236026598&sr=8-2
    however they’re showing it as an import. I guess with the press release the correct information will now arrive at the amazons and play’s of the world.

  9. 9
    69 says:

    amazon germanyΒ΄s been taking pre-orders since january.

  10. 10
    Crimson Ghost says:

    Yep, I hope your last name doesn’t start with a “Z.”

  11. 11
    andresihotang says:

    Nice photo!!

    Isn’t he looks much (I said ‘much’) younger than Robert Plant, Dan McCafferty, McCartney, David Gilmour, Mick Jagger, or Jack Bruce?
    Me said so.

    I really want to enjoy Gillan voice in different manner (ballad, ‘Haunted’ and ‘Razzle Dazzle’style, pop, jazz). He is the most accomplishment vocalist I’ve ever known. People said Mercury was the best. But I think Mercury sounded bad or average when singing hard rock (listen ‘Sheer Heart Attack’, ‘Now I’m Here’ {many dubbing in the tracK}, and ‘Stone Cold Crazy’). And I never really heard him sang in very high octave as well with Paul Rodgers, like Ian GIllan did so so many times ’till these days. Mercury screams??

    Can’t wait to buy and hear it.

    Cheers

  12. 12
    AndreA says:

    nice to read this about Gillan and the new work.

    After Gillan’s Inn,Live in Anaheim now we are getting another new stuff from Gillan:

    I am so grateful to him,it is always a big emotions to hear this voice,always:

    Thank You Mr.Universe,
    you are my only one great rock hero!

    The photo is cool!

    YYYEEEEAAAAHH!!

  13. 13
    George says:

    hehe,
    in his age of 63. Ian Gillan looks so sexyyyy. πŸ˜€
    (don’t even think that I’m gay :D)
    I really would love to look so sexy and young in my 60’s…

    I saw Gillan’s several promo-photos for One Eye To Morroco, all of them are fabulous…
    can’t wait for the album…

  14. 14
    Roberto says:

    Mercury reached very very high notes but were not real screams and they were with not much volume…
    Paul Rodgers has a small vocal range while Dan Mccafferty is unique ’till these days…(listen to ‘the gathering’from the new Nazareth album:the newz)
    Gillan looks cool and young here, the problem is he can’t do screams pretty well…but in his solo album this is not important…he just screamed a lot on the wonderful Gillan’s Inn…

  15. 15
    andre sihotang says:

    Yes, I do not expect much of his screaming again if it will make him hurt or he can’t do it proper again. I just need his persona, charisma, and of course voice! But If he still can scream, that would be a great bonus.

    Hey roberto, I can whisper in high notes hehe.. You’re right.

  16. 16
    Rascal says:

    Forgive me if im wrong, but im not sure if Freddie Mercury’s ability not to ‘scream’ was ever a real problem for his career!

    Does Roberto ever read, understand and believe what he types?

  17. 17
    Crimson Ghost says:

    Freddie is vastly overrated by heavy rock fans, if I want a drag queen I’ll bust out the NY Dolls.

  18. 18
    stephen says:

    just before we start, can I remind folks to keep to the topic please….

  19. 19
    GerAssenNetherlandsAge51Male says:

    First : #17 stephen > indeed, the subject of the topic should be the main stream.

    I’m excited that ‘One eye to Morocco’ is almost available now ! Does anyone know if the album will be for sale outside the internet, in the regular recordshops ? Can it be pre-ordered in the shops ?
    Thanks for any respond.
    Cheers to you all.

  20. 20
    Crimson Ghost says:

    @17

    ….certainly not Freddie!

  21. 21
    GerAssenNetherlandsAge51Male says:

    # 19 : Hahaha, right ! πŸ™‚

  22. 22
    Rascal says:

    Freddie might be vastly overrated by heavy rock fans………………..

    But I think ‘heavy rock’ fans are vastly overrated…….

    But if you really want a drag queen……… you need to find ‘toto’, the those ‘ruby slippers’, and those ‘fingerless gloves’

  23. 23
    AndreA says:

    George #12

    let’s leave the usual speeches on free gay .. it’s better that I am disagreeable…i say only that sometime I like to think if I were born female because men like Gillan,Clint Eastwood are lovable…yes..I envy the women that could fall in love with them!
    OK?!

    about screamings:

    Gillan does not scream like in the past,but now he screams always and he gives me the same emotions because sends me the same great feelings.

    When I listen for example MEN OF THE WAR,NO LAUGHING IN HEAVEN from new LIVE IN ANAHEIMhe remains an original great performer and I love these “new” sceaming and mainly because ( you all must remember this ) only GILLAN DARES with his voice!

    no singer (among youngs and “olders”) in this case (and in many others) can be compared to him.

    I LOVE HIM!

    LOVE

  24. 24
    Crimson Ghost says:

    @21

    That’s impossible, for it’s the heavy rock fans who do the rating and stick to it, so you should too, instead of rating the fans… rate the artists.

  25. 25
    Crazy Horst says:

    Hehe,
    what does he say about his taste in clothes in his latest book?

    “I’ve got the dress sense of a saxophone”.

    So for every release, Ian is put into fancy gear and forced into stylish postures. (Remember the press shots for Naked Thunder?).
    And on tour, it’s bag to the odd T-Shirt and baggy pants again.

    I prefer him eating budgies.
    Very, very very funny.

  26. 26
    George says:

    AndreA,

    hmm… I would dream if Gillan had the voice NOW which he used to have even in 2006. Live In Anaheim is his truly one of the greatest live album, I still keep listening to it 2-3 times a day and can’t believe that the singing and these fabulous screams are made by the man of 63 years old…

    BUT NOW… now Gillan just can’t do not only what he did in the 70’s or 80’s, but he can’t do what he did in 2006, during Gillan’s Inn Tour…

    People believe me, I would like to see Gillan wothout voice, than to see DP without Gillan… but the truth is truth – he can’t sing anymore… Gillan is still GREATEST for singing ballads and lullabys, but he’s not a great ROCK SINGER nowadays.

    watch clips from 2009 Tour…
    I dream that Gillan maintains even his current voice till the July 20 Istanbul show, I dream that his voice won’t spoil anymore…

  27. 27
    GerAssenNetherlandsAge51Male says:

    # 25 George : the only way that we, DP and Gillan fans,
    COULD find out how Ian’s voice is now for REAL, is asking Ian himself. He’s the only one who can give the right answer, I’m convinced of that. So, I have a suggestion : why don’t we all over here, visiting the THS, join ourselves and ask HIM, Ian himself !

    Ok, I’ll give it a shot here : personal question to you Ian, assuming you visit now and then THS, from all the worried Gillan-fans :

    HOW IS THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL STATE OF YOUR VOICE NOWADAYS !!!!! We all really would like to know ’cause many amoungst us are concerned about it !

    Perhaps Crimson (Larry), Steve or others can give us a hand, you’re all closer to the fire than we are …..

    Maybe a statement of Ian personally on this site could
    take away a lot of worries from the fans.

    Cheers and bottoms up.
    Best regards to all, especially to you Ian !

  28. 28
    Crimson Ghost says:

    Well, a hoarse… of course!

  29. 29
    GerAssenNetherlandsAge51Male says:

    # 28 : ????????? I’m none-englisch, don’t get it hahaha πŸ˜‰ πŸ™‚

  30. 30
    GerAssenNetherlandsAge51Male says:

    # 28 : a non-englisch man knows what a ‘horse’ means,
    but ‘hoarse’ ? Hahaha, you can call me anything :):)

  31. 31
    Crimson Ghost says:

    A sore throat causes it to sound hoarse. The pun was intended from an old US TV program about a talking horse. “No one can talk to a horse, of course.”

  32. 32
    George says:

    #27

    I don’t think that Ian will answer us…
    In Interviews, while asked how he maintains the vocal, Ian always answers that the reason he maintains his voice for over 40 years, is that he always sings naturally and don’t tries to hit the notes which he can not hit…
    So, it would be great If Gillan answers us, but I think we don’t need his answer. his current vocal-ability is what you listen on current tour… sadly…
    Gillan always does his best live… so what you’ll see on 2009 tour, it will be his best in the current age and ability…

    btw, I’m a die-hard fan for big Ian Gillan, that’s why I’d prefer Gillan die on stage with DP, than to see him replaced by another vocalist. DP without Gillan is like human without soul. human can be alive if he losts his hands, feet, heart, and ANY organs… but once the human losts soul, one’s just dead…

    this is what I, a die-hard fan think about the band and Gillan. I’m sure I’m not objective here.
    and I do know what ordinary fans or just DP/rock music listeners think about Gillan’s CURRENT voice: they think: Gillan,time to STOP! you’re destroying your own and band’s reputation, as well…

    Actually Gillan really destroyed his voice in 83… he was HIGHLY adviced to stop thinking for over 1-2 years, but instead he went on tour with Black Sabbath. Born Again Tour took the maximum from Gillan’s voice, thus, spoiled it very much…

    the last DP studio album where Gillan’s screams sounded great, was 2003’s Bananas – 6 years ago. on Rapture he was singing in quite agressive and hard-rocking way, but Rapture was the very first DP studio album which saw Gillan without his fabulous screams…

    can’t wait for the next Purple’s studio album.
    dreams of Gillan’s future fabulous screams are gone… sadly…

  33. 33
    Crimson Ghost says:

    I’m ready for graduation after that, lol!

  34. 34
    GerAssenNetherlandsAge51Male says:

    # 31 crimson :
    I surely hope Ian does NOT suffer from pain of the throat : he’s the last person in the universe I’d want that to suffer from !

    # 32 George :
    1st : I don’t know for sure if Ian wants or doesn’t want to give us an answer ….. just wait and see …

    2nd : “Gillan always does his best live … ”
    and that’s one of the main reasons why I have an IMMENSE respect for the person/musician/singer/songwriter/ performer Ian Gillan !

    3rd : I know you are a die-hard, and it might be predictable Ian passes away on stage, like Tommy Cooper did (I dare to say Ian would prefer such a ‘passing-away’)

    4th : I’m not ‘an’ ordinary fan who wants Ian to stop. NO way : he should continue as long as he wants !

    And about the subject ‘screams’ : ROCK isn’t a matter of
    screams, it’s a matter of POWER, ENERGY, ATTITUDE, PASSION, BEING CLOSE TO YOUR FANS AND SO ON. And what is for sure : Ian fits to all these credits !!!
    Cheers again to all of you. Enjoy DP/Gillan.

  35. 35
    GerAssenNetherlandsAge51Male says:

    uuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh : info > Time-schedules in Netherlands is GMT + 1 hour, so I think postings from other continents/countries can flow into THS at times I’m
    asleep hahahahaha. And of course also the other way around whahahaaha πŸ™‚ πŸ˜‰

  36. 36
    George says:

    #34

    I somehow don’t agree you on this subject: “ROCK isn’t a matter of
    screams, it’s a matter of POWER, ENERGY, ATTITUDE, PASSION, BEING CLOSE TO YOUR FANS AND SO ON. And what is for sure : Ian fits to all these credits !!!”

    that’s quite sure, but It was his epic screams that made him the biggest name in the rock-vocalists.
    If it weren’t Child In Time’s screams, if it weren’t the 20-seconds falsetto at the end of Strange Kinda Woman (from Made In Japan), if it weren’t the greatest-ever scream in rock music from Fighting Man and if it weren’t Gillan’s thousands of screams which Gillan has been doing past 40 years, Deep Purple wouldn’t be what they are now, and Ian Gillan wouldn’t be considered to be the GREATEST rock vocalist of all time…

    Being a great singer doesn’t mean that you have to scream a lot, for sure… tens of singers can hit Child’s notes… so we can call all of them good-screamers… But there’s only ONE man in the universe who could do what Gillan did in his best years – and it is Ian Gillan himself. no other can be compared to him…
    Gillan is great singer/songwriter/musician/writer/philosopher and who knows what else… but it was his GREATEST screams which put his name into the top of rock music’s greatest voices…

    I listened to 5 songs from One Eye To Morocco and all of them are so nice songs, Gillan is so great ballad-singer. I listened Gillan singing Ray Charles’ song on Live At The NEC 2002, and it was one of the greatest pleasure I’ve ever got from the singer. the man can sing rock/metal/blues/folk/soul/funk/pop and even a bits of hip-hop…
    BUT for me Ian Gillan mostly associates with the most powerfull screams, which made him so big… Am I right?

  37. 37
    George says:

    haha, it’s 4:16 AM in Tbilisi now, but there always is time for me to post about Gillan πŸ˜€

  38. 38
    GerAssenNetherlandsAge51Male says:

    # 36 George :

    I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU.
    I RECOGNIZE YOU’RE A BIG GILLAN-FAN AS I AM.
    AND IT’S NO PROBLEM (TO ME ANYWAY) TO HAVE A MINOR DIFFERENT WAY OF LOOKING TO AND FEELINGS ABOUT HOW THINGS ACCORDING TO DP AND ESPECIALLY GILLAN DEVELOP(ED).
    WE’RE ALL HUMAN, I THINK.
    ABOUT NEC2002 : MY BROTHER-IN-LAW MADE A COPY FOR ME :
    IT IS AN AMAZING DVD : INCLUDING THE FAREWELL TO JOHN LORD !
    AND YOU’RE RIGHT : MAINLY PEOPLE ASSOCIATE GILLAN AND DEEP PURPLE WITH THE SCREAMS YOU MENTIONED !
    I CAN’T ARGUE WITH YOU, YOU’RE RIGHT.
    FISHING TOUCH : I am a gillan-fan since approximately ’69 (12 years old) till nowadays, and that will not change,
    that’s for sure
    Have sweet rocking dreams George. Best regards πŸ˜‰

  39. 39
    GerAssenNetherlandsAge51Male says:

    #38 fishing touch = finishing touch hahaha (I don’t like fishing πŸ˜‰ )

  40. 40
    andresihotang says:

    George, GerAssen

    I have a little bit uncertain about your posts, but after all I TOTALLY AGREE about your nice and critical opinions over Ian Gillan character and performances. Yes, I’m also Gillan’s freak.

    About screaming, the world knows he is the best on it. Many singers (and people included me) can scream anytime, anywhere, and anyhow. But I can grant that only Ian Gillan has soul (I said soul) in his screaming. I can’t imagine the message and the majesty of Deep Purple Mk2,7, and 8 songs without his screaming (and of course live performances). Rob Halford maybe the only one in a level with Gillan talking about high notes, but many times I heard him screamed, there’s no soul in it. And how if we talk about screaming of Coverdale, Plant, Mercury, Johnson, or CAfferty? For me they’re screaming were sometimes (I said ‘sometimes’) unimportant concern with their music, bad or average, hurting, and somehow rubbish –> rubbish : I’m talked about the first name in this sentence.

    #18
    I’m talked about Mercury wasn’t go out of topic. Coz, I’m talked about who’s the best vocalist in the world in which Gillan in my opinion certainly and absolutely deserve the award, while many people and pools always put Mercury up in the sky. Don’t get me wrong, I’m also Mercury’s fan.

  41. 41
    andresihotang says:

    So everyone here agree with me that Ian Gillan is the most accomplishment vocalist ever ? (Or may I say the best singer ever?)

    Cheers

  42. 42
    HZ says:

    @ 41

    It’s hard to say whether he’s the most accomplished vocalist ever, but for sure Gillan is my favorite – though it’s very different story how was his voice in 70s, 80s, and how it is today. Gillan in Deep Purple back in 70s is in my opinion the best hard rock/heavy metal vocalist ever – I can hardly belive how good is he on Made In Japan(even though he doesn’t like to be connected to what’s stereotype of HM). But in 80s he had major problems with his voice, and that was obvious. Today I must say that I’m amazed how he deals with so demanding and challenging songs, as Deep Purple’s are. Not to mention that he’s quite a showman. Well I’ll see them in 16 days πŸ˜‰

  43. 43
    Rascal says:

    @24

    I rate the music, but I dont pigeonhole myself into ‘heavy rock’, other music does exist.

  44. 44
    George says:

    HZ

    Gillan’s best days began in 1969 and lasted till 2006….
    in the 70’s we got In Rock (with Child), Jesus Christ Superstar, Machine Head & Made In Japan with Child and Highway Star,
    in the 80’s we got OUTSANDING Gillan band, which saw Ian in his best again, and we got Fighting Man where Gillan hit the note whic is his highest (2 notes more than in Child’s screams).
    in the 90’s we got No More Cane On Brazos (from naked trhunder), and Toolbox’s earth-shuttering screams
    in the middle of 90’s we got most emtional and one of the highest screams on the last chorus of Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming
    in 1998 we got Bludsucker screams, just greater than he screamed in Bloodsucker in 1971.
    In 2002 we got Child In Time back in the setlis and performed too much emotionally and screams was fantastic (considering his age)
    in 2006 we got Gillan’s Inn Tour, which brought us Live In Anaheim. This Live brought us GREAT Ian Gillan in his best.
    So, we got almost 40 years of Gillan in his best days…

    Listen to ANY Gillan’s contemporary singer, listen to Plant who turned into a folk-singer coz he can’t do anything better
    There’s only ONE man who was in his best for 40 years – Ian GIllan
    fuck, What a man he is…

  45. 45
    HZ says:

    @44

    Yes George, his my favorite singer to :-). I stressed on the period when he was outstanding in term of his vocal capabilities and style, which is when he was young. I agree that he had great performances in every period of his career, though you can’t compare him now, or in 90s to his early days.

  46. 46
    Joanna says:

    “Drawn by her magnetism”,ha ha. What did your wife say, Mr Gillan? She was in Cracow then, too… πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€

  47. 47
    purplepriest1965 says:

    @31

    Well, certainly I cant, but maybe someone knows how to…
    You cant be sure thats not possible.

    I missed the pun intended, I just thought about a sore throat.

    @ Ger.
    Joining ourselves?
    Mmmmmmmmmmmmhhhhhhhhhh, sounds a bit like hermaphroditical?
    How many she males among THS readers?

  48. 48
    Crimson Ghost says:

    @43

    Sure, but DP fans need no reflecting there, as it’s not about punk rock here. You mention it at your own risk and should know that just like punkers do, heavy rockers can and will call it crap… it goes both ways and that’s a fact.

  49. 49
    Crimson Ghost says:

    Punk formed over kids thinking heavy rock is crap, and you should know that much… they actually started that ignorant separation from jump.

  50. 50
    Rascal says:

    @48 For sure ‘heavy rockers’ will call other music ‘crap’, but its not about ‘heavy rock’ here either.

  51. 51
    Rascal says:

    The beginnings of punk relied on the hatred of ‘heavy rock’???…………come on CG your hardly scratching the surface……

  52. 52
    Crimson Ghost says:

    So you’re saying they were of anywhere near the same stance concerning ability to play music, and that they relied on sheer talent to do so, the punkers that is?
    Or are you just trying to control the topic from staying it’s course?

    If it’s not about “heavy rock” here, then I suppose it’s about punk?
    Fairy enough.

  53. 53
    Rascal says:

    Ohhh lets not leave the ‘current thread’……that wouldnt be right would it!

    Its about ‘One Eye To Morocco’, which of course is heavy rock!

    You can take the helm Captain……..

  54. 54
    GerAssenNetherlandsAge51Male says:

    #47 purplepriest1965 says :
    @ Ger.
    Joining ourselves?
    Mmmmmmmmmmmmhhhhhhhhhh, sounds a bit like hermaphroditical?
    How many she males among THS readers?

    Don’t know really what you mean, or trying to achieve.
    Perhaps I don’t wanna know …… πŸ˜‰

    Cheers, have fun (I’m here for joy, I don’t want to go personal here, just want to stay to the topics)

  55. 55
    GerAssenNetherlandsAge51Male says:

    There’s NO lack of enthousiasm during a DP-concert in Brazil, that’s for sure …… ! :

    Teatro do Bourbon Country Porto Alegre Brazil
    entrada do deep purple 02 03 09
    Entrada do Deep Purple foi um show incrivel … :

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4w9OEZmOjac

  56. 56
    Crimson Ghost says:

    @53

    Exactly what I meant, as I said “it’s not about punk rock, either.”
    Plain and simple… so I thought you’d get that. Apparently you didn’t.

  57. 57
    George says:

    One Eye To Morocco is a heavy rock album??? are you joking?
    OETM is an awesome blues-folk-soul album with some African tunes…
    The fact that album belongs to the heavy rock singer, doesn’t mean that the album itself is a heavy rock…

  58. 58
    AndreA says:

    Poll #11: Which of these Sabbath albums is the most underrated?

    Born Again 46.9% (5056 Votes)
    The Eternal Idol 19.5% (2109 Votes)
    Seventh Star 16.8% (1819 Votes)
    Forbidden 16.5% (1785 Votes)

    Total Votes: 10771
    ___________________________________________________________________________________________

    Poll #23: What is your favorite song from the “Born Again” album?
    Zero the Hero 22.8% (595 Votes)
    Disturbing the Priest 17.1% (446 Votes)
    Trashed 15.1% (395 Votes)
    I don’t have this album 14.4% (376 Votes)
    Born Again 13.8% (362 Votes)
    Digital Bitch 5.1% (135 Votes)
    The Dark 3.5% (92 Votes)
    Hot Line 3.4% (89 Votes)
    Stonehenge 2.3% (61 Votes)
    Keep it Warm 2.1% (55 Votes)
    ____________________________________________________________________________________

    Poll #1: Who is your favourite Sab singer?

    Ozzy Osbourne – 73.2% (5814 votes)
    Ronnie James Dio – 15.4% (1224 votes)
    Tony Martin – 5.5% (440 votes)
    Ian Gillan – 4.2% (339 votes)
    Glenn Hughes – 0.9% (79 votes)
    Ray Gillen – 0.4% (37 votes)

    Total votes – 7,933. Poll ran from August 26th to October 21st, 1999.

    You can view a graphical representation of the votes here.
    _________________________________________________________________________________________

    http://www.black-sabbath.com/polls.html

  59. 59
    Pinky says:

    Ian Gillan, you are so damn sexy. You handsome devil.

  60. 60
    Rascal says:

    Well i guess we can be thankful that theirs more to music than ‘heavy rock’ then!

    Musical ability isnt defined by a music genre. A hard pill to swallow?

    OETM contains some good tracks, but I will still keep returning to AOP, which remains a firm favourite. Gillans versatility hasnt always been as apparent in the last couple of DP albums, so its good to see it in this solo stuff.

    Back on topic. Plain and simple……

  61. 61
    andre sihotang says:

    #58
    Because the last two DP albums were produced by Mr. Ritchie More Black. SO Gillan voices was very drowned there.

    One Eye to Morocco. Refreshing to hear Gillan in another land!

  62. 62
    Crimson Ghost says:

    @57

    Wake up George, nobody said it was a ‘heavy rock’ album… try reading!

    @58

    You’re having trouble reading yourself there… I did not define any music that way. I’ll say it’s a genre full of those who cannot play their instruments well enough to be exploiting themselves that way and get my money. Do you have a problem with that? What about the “Sex Pistols” again?

    Deal with it, we’re not on a “PR” forum, it’s moot to discuss it with me, find someone else to entertain.

  63. 63
    Rascal says:

    @60 Off topic………Or back in control?

  64. 64
    Crimson Ghost says:

    Niether, just replying.

    Punko Rocko!

  65. 65
    Rascal says:

    Neither ‘Punko’ or ‘Rocko’

  66. 66
    Crimson Ghost says:

    I didn’t think you’d get it, but I threw it out there anyway. It’s a track from the second GMT album. Bernie Torme still has his roots, if you want a good heavy/punk mix, I recommend it. ‘Punko Rocko’ is the first single off the album.

  67. 67
    Rascal says:

    I didnt get the connection, but the track is familiar. Isnt their a Twisted Sister connection here?

  68. 68
    Crimson Ghost says:

    Dee Snider is a guest on that track, and others, as well as on the first album. I’ll be reveiwing ‘Evil Twin’ and interviewing J.McCoy in the next week or two, the whole ‘punk’ factor will be discussed, so you might find it a decent read… it won’t center much at all on the Gillan connection, I’m not interested in that, like the sleezy corporate journalists always have been. It will be focused on current factors for the most part.

  69. 69
    Roberto says:

    @26
    totally agree…
    I said it before on previous post but people was near to kill me…
    @58
    Born again is wonderful
    and the live album (bootleg) is incredible…just liste to Gillan’s screams on war pigs, heaven and hell zero the hero and paranoid…He blew away Dio and Ozzy together in two seconds…

  70. 70
    George says:

    One Eye To Morocco TRAILER posted on YOUTUBE:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4cCy4yIReQ

  71. 71
    Rascal says:

    @69 Again, if screams were a contest Gillan would once have won.

    IMO only Ozzy and Dio can do justice to those respective tracks. I saw them play and I cringed at the non-‘Born Again’ tracks….. Somehow it just wasnt right.

  72. 72
    Crimson Ghost says:

    You attended the wrong show… there were only a hand full of spectacular ones, the rest were quite the opposite.

    I was at the best show of the tour, one of Ian’s finest career hours.
    I have every bootleg from the tour and it backs my story, concerning Gillan that is… can’t blame the rest of the band.
    When his voice was on, he shined much more on some the OZZY tracks than even the BA tracks, he should not have done the Dio tracks.
    That tour hurt his voice for sure, he never really recovered.

  73. 73
    Roberto says:

    what’s the best born again bootleg?
    I think ‘Gillan tapes’ (which have been released under different names…)

  74. 74
    Crimson Ghost says:

    @73
    That’s one of them, from Worcester Mass. But the even better overall performance is the FM Broadcast of Reading. Not the audience version, although that’s more complete, the taper does not keep position very well, and I’m suprised he did at all, it was a riot! Top show, Gillan shined like his first DP shows in late 69.

  75. 75
    Crimson Ghost says:

    “One Eye To Morocco”

    After receiving a promo this afternoon, thanks to Edel, I sat down and relaxed to my first listening. This album is smooth and mellow, yet there are some bursts of excitement here and there. An overall eclectic vocal performance, with sophisticated backing arrangements that swing from east to west with a minimum of fuss and bother. A strong touch of soulful jazz, and even an underlying southern vibe, at times *almost* instrumentally reminiscent of a Dire Straits groove, at least that’s what I felt about a few tracks at first listen.

    I’ll link my critical review here in the next day or two.

  76. 76
    Roberto says:

    Thanks
    it’s esay to find the black sabbath FM Broadcast of Reading?

    I wait for your Marocco review…

  77. 77
    George says:

    2 songs from ONE EYE TO MOROCCO posted on YouTube:

    One Eye To Morocco: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqAdhtV0liM

    Don’t Stop!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkGTViE7LAU

  78. 78
    Crimson Ghost says:

    Review still isn’t done, but that’s okay, the darn thing keeps growing as I listen to it.(not sure you’ll lie what you usually refer to as “Sting” factors, but on the cultural side, it’s very “AOP” think ‘Via Miami’ and you’re on the right track.

    Send me an email and the Reading link is yours. Easy to download.

  79. 79
    marcinn says:

    It’s a gorwer Larry, isn’t it? I’m so excited about this album, it’s great. I really can’t get some tunes out of my head. I’m also about to write a review for my website, but I can’t get to it since I still haven’t caught the proper spirit of the album. Any particular favourites of yours? I adore ‘Don’t Stop’, ‘Girl Goes To Show’, and ‘Deal With It’. Apart from that the title track is a killer, they are all great. No weak stuff on the album. In one of the interviews Ian admitted he wanted to make this album as simple as possible. Well, maybe the process of making was simple but the outcome is intriguing to say the least. All the arrangements, additional sounds, horns. I often catch myself listening to this album ‘Hey, I didn’t notice that here last time I was listening’ πŸ™‚ It’s pure magic, and the melodies are unforgettable.

    Thanl you Ian, you are the Only ONE.

  80. 80
    Crimson Ghost says:

    Cheers marcinn!

    “Deal With It” is a personal favorite so far, just for it’s sheer ‘outside the box’ factor. Another one is definitely “Change My Ways!” Talk about “Hot!”

    The songs you mentioned are of course great too, everything meshes together so well it’s hard to distinct a few of them from ech other at the moment, I just keep it in rotation.(my review will be at The Deep Purple Underground, since Brent has it all covered at the Hub… but expect mine to get around, for sure, as it won’t be Exclusive to any web location)

  81. 81
    marcinn says:

    The overall sound of the album is very coherent as well. After what Nick did on Gillan’s Inn and One Eye To Morocco and obviously Live At Anaheim I see why Ian opts for him as a producer for the forthcoming Deep Purple record. Nick Blagona has also my vote here, adore his production, he really is the Master. I also like “Change My Ways”. It’s simple, and has great groove, just like “Ultimate Groove”. πŸ™‚
    In this Polish magazine I recently translated the interview from, there is also the review of One Eye, and the reviewer says “Change My Ways” is the weakest track on the album. Of course it is his opinion and he is entitled to it as we all are to ours, but it suprised my why he didn’t put out an argument where the track misses something.

    Looking forward to reading your thoughts Larry!

  82. 82
    Crimson Ghost says:

    Man, the build up in that track is amazing, it’s freaking awesome imo!

    But “The Ultimate Groove” is another turly amazing song, the vocal in the chorus is just killer! I wonder what Glenn Hughes would think of this album, because it sure is funky.

    This track “Better Days” OMG this is good!!!!!!!
    Chills mans, chills!

  83. 83
    marcinn says:

    Better Days is stunnig indeed, and Ian’s voice is so deep and so expressive. I think Glenn would like it for sure. Another thing is Ian and Steve have recently come up with some new ideas, and he admitted in the interview they have 5 or 6 new songs. One Eye To Morocco part 2? πŸ™‚ I’d be over the moon.

    And what about ‘No Lotion For That’, pure rock’n’roll, you can hum it, you can sing along with Ian, even you can dance to it. Hell, you can dance entire album through. The piece ‘Texas State of Mind’ is also astounding, it has a nice melody, and is destined for listening when you’re dirving a car. “Driving for days with you on mind…” Can’t get tired of it. It was a shining point of Gillan’s Inn tour and I always wondered what Ian will do with this track. Now I know, and what he did went beoynd my expectations. πŸ™‚

    I will be going to the shop, since there is another Polish magazine and with an interview from Ian. Expect the translation on the Hub soon. πŸ™‚

  84. 84
    Crimson Ghost says:

    I could do with more, for sure…

    ‘No Lotion’ is classic Gillan rock and roll… yes, you can dance to every song most likely.

    The arrangement and mix for ‘Texas State Of Mind’ are an improvement, written and once wecorded by Jackson and produced by Blagona, but somehow the vocals don’t improve it for me, it’s just okay in that department, as where Jackson’s version is more like it.

    This is a first class album, every song is excellent!

  85. 85
    Crimson Ghost says:

    “wecorded?” LOL!!!!

  86. 86
    marcinn says:

    Texas has more rock’n’roll, funky feel to it wheras on tour the song was played with much more heavy sound I guess. But as you’ve mentioned the arrangements are a huge improvement, the vocals are great if you ask me, maybe beacuse I prefer Ian’s voice to Michael’s on it.

    What about ‘It Would Be Nice’, another great gem. I was hooked on this one first time I heard it on this Italian radio. The stanzas are very mellow, and the chorus is pure fire. Also the lyrical side of this song is strong.

    Do you happen to notice the snippets of “Change My Ways” and “Always The Traveller” are on Highway Star DVD as closing tracks? The sound of the guitar is much more exposed there, and Ian’s voice reminds me of that one from Dreamcatcher. On One Eye both of the tracks are imrpoved, the guitar is somehow hidden just to provide a nice melody. And lyrics are great as well. Especially their poetic nature in “Always The Traveller” catches my attention. I love this song.

    Anyway, back to work, another interview is awaiting translation. πŸ™‚

  87. 87
    Crimson Ghost says:

    Texas is on MLJ’s album, so I was talking about that version.

    There is not one bad track on this album, it’s perfectly balanced.

  88. 88
    marcinn says:

    Yeah, I haven’t had a chance to hear Michael’s album yet.

    One Eye is a masterpiece for sure.

  89. 89
    George says:

    YOU CAN NOW LISTEN TO THE WHOLE ALBUM ON YOUTUBE.

    and here’s quite interesting brand new unterview with Gillan,In Telegraph UK, Ian talks about money: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/fameandfortune/4980681/Deep-Purples-Ian-Gillan-talks-money.html

  90. 90
    George says:

    admins can post this interview on blog

  91. 91
    George says:

    One Eye TO Morocco – Absolutely fantastic album!
    I’ve already pre-ordered my copy from amazon, but it will arrive in 1 month I think, so I downloaded it from Internet, and from the first listen, I still can’t stop listening to it.

    To tell the truth, it’s the ONLY Gillan album where ALL TRACKS are MY personal favourites, there’s not even 1 low-point in the CD…
    from the favourites, my top tracks are: One Eye To Morocco, Don’t Stop, Change My Ways, Better Days and Girl Goes To Show…

    THE BEST IAN GILLAN SOLO-ALBUM EVER!

  92. 92
    Crimson Ghost says:

    Band news Goerge…. shame on you!!!!!!!!!

    I don’t care if it’s on Youtube, your lack of support is more appalling than your attitude. It’s one thing to grab it early, illegally, but to talk about it here is absurd. Good thing you pre-ordered it, otherwise I’d tell you where to get off.

    Baw!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  93. 93
    George says:

    CG,

    As I already said before, you just do your best to see something negative and annoying in my posts!

    Please, don’t teach me how to support the band. I ordered OETM from amazon.com, The album isn’t released In the USA yet, thus I’d have to wait for my copy for 1 month AFTER the official release (1 month after 31 March). What could I do? I could I do? I checked google for 4-5 times a day to find ANY download link, BEFORE my official copy would arrive.

    What about my opinion to illegal copies, I have the FULL DP discography on my PC, downloaded from the torrents… I could buy illegal DP CD’s in Tbilisi for 2 or 3$.. so I don’t have the problem to listen to them without paying any bucks… but instead, I ordered the full DP discography from amazon.com, 2 years ago. 18 Studio albums, over 10 Live albums and 7 DVDs, and yeah, I payed over 400 Dollars for that. while my wages are 120$ each month.

    I have One Eye TO Morocco in my PC, but I pre-ordered it from amazon as well…

    So, first ask me, and then If i’m wrong, begin blaming me, ok??

  94. 94
    George says:

    btw, this problem botherss not only to the band, but to me as well…
    1 years ago, I posted somewhere on ths.com about DP CDs illegal copies, and asked the site administration to inform the band management about that. Russia is the greatest exporter of illegal CDs and DVDs. here in Tbilisi, you can buy ANY music CD and DVD of ANY genre and ANY artist for 2 or 3 dollars (5 Georgian Lari). All those CD, DVDs are imported from Moscow.

    One of my relatives works in the Tbilisi’s greatest CD/DVD shop, they distribute illegal copies. I keep asking him the sales of DP albums. and the results: from 2005 to 2007, this ONE shop sold over 3000 copies of Rapture of the Deep & Bananas (1 000 copies of Bananas and 2000 for Rapture). if we take this figures in consideration, Bananas & Rapture BOTH would sold over 15 000 ILLEGAL copies in Tbilisi.

    I’m going to find this comment which I posted months before, and sadly admins didn’t pay any attention to that.

  95. 95
    George says:

    And here it is: http://www.thehighwaystar.com/shop/
    follow that link and read my #1 post, it is posted on April 28, 2008…

    and to sort out figures in order:

    over 3000 ILLEGAL copies of Rapture sold in the first month of release in Tbilisi…

    the figures I posted on the comment above, covers ONLY figures of my relatives CD SHOP.

    So, dear admins, you have more voice to inform management about it… and if you don’t care, if the management don’t care, then let Moscowian and Tbilisian pirates to sell thousands illegal copies of DP’s albums. I do care about it, thus I do what I can – just buy the official copies, even if I have to pay 20 more dollars for official ones…

    btw, Rapture costs 9-11$ on amazon, and I payed 23$ (including distributing costs)…

  96. 96
    Roberto says:

    how can an album sell something if you can download it in 5 minutes?

  97. 97
    George says:

    Roberto

    Actually, Internet downloads and file-sharing systems killed record companies. We complain about DP album sales, while Madonna, who’s one of the bestseller artist in the world, says: ” releasing CD’s isn’t the way to make money anymore, CD sales decrease and decrease year-by-year. making live concert becomes the only way to make the profit and Live concert is the only one audience wants from you”…

    So, low CD sales and high ticket sales isn’t the matter of Deep Purple only, it’s the problem of world music indistry…

    And yeah, Radiohead was the band who helped killing CD-culture, when they allowed everyone to download their album from web-site, for free…
    And there was fantastic results: In Rainbow’s sales/Download number from the official site was over 500 000, while the album sold/was downloaded 8 000 000 copies from the torrents…

    So, we have to deal with it… sadly…

  98. 98
    Crimson Ghost says:

    Take it easy there little tiger… first of all, there was nothing positive in your post besides your overzealous rating of it after so few listens, lol!

    I didn’t pay for the CD either, it was forwarded to me for support exchange, but of course I will get all the formats, so just like you….

    File sharing hasn’t hurt everyone, if you do it right and don’t share official material and support the artists who’s material you share, it can be hugely supportive. Just ask DP, the internet has done them wonders and I’m glad to be a part of it.

    I was just taking the opportunity to sizzle the first thief to rear.[sic!]

  99. 99
    purplepriest1965 says:

    Thanx to Georgian Solitaire, whats in a name?, I got to listen to all the tracks of OETM yesterday.
    Or am I missing out on certaqin bonustracks now?

    Always an annoying thing when you have to buy different formats because they try to rip you off some more money
    And those tracks could easily have been placed on the big one after all, only 44 minutes?

    I must say I might have to listen some more before I really can appreciate it
    Uptill now though, although I must stress I m very open to NON ROCK efforts for the Purple guys…..I loved CHERKAZOO for example, the new Gillan does not give me goosebumps yet.

    Well, maybe it takes some more time….
    Or not.

  100. 100
    Crimson Ghost says:

    Review

    http://www.runboard.com/bforgillanfansonly.f61

    Interview to follow…

  101. 101
    Crimson Ghost says:

    Review

    http://www.runboard.com/bforgillanfansonly.f61

    Interview to follow

  102. 102
    Crimson Ghost says:

    Review

    http://www.runboard.com/bforgillanfansonly.f61

    Interview to follow

  103. 103
    Crimson Ghost says:

    My review

    http://www.runboard.com/bforgillanfansonly.f61.t70696

  104. 104
    Crimson Ghost says:

    Uh, talk about a glitch.

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