One Eye to Morocco

Ian Gillan

2009

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About

One Eye to Morocco is the fifth solo studio album by English rock vocalist Ian Gillan, released on March 6, 2009, in Europe and March 31, 2009, in North America. The album's title was inspired by a Polish idiom Gillan learned in Kraków, meaning to be distracted or have a 'wandering eye'. The album material was written during a break in Deep Purple's 2008 world tour, with Gillan collaborating with Steve Morris and other musicians. The recordings took place at Metalworks Studios in Mississauga, Ontario, over just three days. The album showcases a blend of rock and roll, soul, and blues influences, with Gillan exploring musical versatility. It incorporates elements from classic Gillan rock to Arabic sounds in the title track, along with soulful ballads and bluesy mid-tempo rockers. The album also features a variety of instrumentation, including saxophone, Hammond organ, and cello, contributing to its diverse sound.

Recording Info

The album was recorded in Metalworks Studios, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Basic tracks were recorded in three days. Additional recording took place at Psychotropic Studios, Dundas, Ontario, Canada. Nick Blagona produced and mixed the album.

Track Highlights

One Eye to Morocco — Features a Middle Eastern flavor with flute and soprano sax
Don't Stop — Catchy, light rock with a shuffle guitar sound
Better Days — Straight blues track
No Lotion for That — Basic guitar-based rock and roll
Texas State of Mind — Features a boogie feel

Personnel

Ian Gillan (Lead and backing 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)
Nick Blagona (Producer, Mixing, Engineering)
Brownman Ali (Flugelhorn)
Jaro Jarosil (Cello)
The Gillanaires (Backing vocals)

Significance

One Eye to Morocco marked Ian Gillan's first studio album with all-new material in ten years. Critics noted the album's versatility, blending hard rock with blues, soul, and funk influences. Some reviewers found the album mellower than Gillan's previous work, praising its groove-oriented sound and the incorporation of diverse musical styles.

The album's title and title track were inspired by a Polish idiom Ian Gillan learned in Kraków, which translates to 'one eye to Morocco and the other to the Caucasus,' describing someone with a wandering eye or who is distracted.