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For Paul and Ross Godfrey, Morcheeba's latest album is a re-entry into deep creative waters with this
beautiful and fluid sea of musical delight. After a bit of collective and personal turbulance, the group has
found some peace and comfort with this project as reflected in the calm blues groove Washed Away.
Now here is a band that had for years enjoyed the success of playing outside the box. Enticing audiences from dance, to smooth jazz, trip-hop, alternative
soul, country, conceptual and cutting edge in a unique way. Morcheeba had set expectations, and the public was waiting for the next new groove.
But they had explored the far reaches of their musical endeavours and perhaps feeling the pressures of outside expectations. In the last two years,
not hearing anything from them we didn't really know where they would go from here. Not unlike other musical successes, Morhceeba had to go through a sort of metamorphasis.
SoDive Deep is the treasure they've brought to the surface. Each song is a journey and a true expression of personal experiences and emotion.
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Ross Godfrey
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Songs from Morcheeba's Dive Deep, on this North American tour were performed
seemingly with such ease and a natural flow that smoothed the atmosphere at the Opera House on March 30th. Vocalist, Manda
from Paris connected with the band through MySpace replacing the fomer Skye and with them for two years now. Her delicate pipes
opened with The Music That We Make, French accented, soft and delightful.
The next few songs Otherwise, Trigger Hippie and one of my new favourites Enjoy The Ride
were a cool and soulful introduction to the show . Then into Never An Easy Way which is elaborately coloured
by Ross's dynamically bright guitar solos of which there is no replacement for hearing live as it peirces into
your being so magical and precise. It was then followed by bass man Bradley singing Run Honey Run who's incredibly
warm vocals are surrounded by the folky, strutting and a steady droning undertone.
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(left) Manda delights in the sound
(right) Ross urges Toronto to make more noise than Montreal
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Ross introduced Part Of The Process as the "song for Hillbillies" and away he went into the seething slide riffs with
country fervor. Manda urged the crowd and we all sang along for the chorus. This was something the band admits to being surprised
at both in Toronto and Montreal, that Canadian audiences knew all the words to their songs, very encouraing for any artist. Then we were
introduced to another two new tracks Gained The World and Sleep On It Tonight comprising sweet harmonies from Andy on keys and Bradley on bass
who's vocal ranges blend perfectly with Manda's lead. Another of my favourites The Sea opened to cheers from the crowd, into its light
funky stride and layered synth like calm waters, and a groovy sax solo at the end from Andy. This is an inviting tune for lovers.
Many were swaying in their embraces to the smooth flow and immaculate soft golden lighting which Scott held down perfectly with each
mood change. We then got Blindfold and Let Me See from the Big Calm album, which had us all clapping the two shots with the snare popping
between versus. After three encores at the demand of the audience, Morcheeba thanked Toronto and made their exit to continue on through the U.S.
and including Vancouver to complete their North American Tour.
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Manda & Bradley harmonize on Gained The World
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Contributing vocals to the recordings of Dive Deep include: Judie Tzuke, Thomas Dybdahl, Bradley Burgess, and Cool Calm Pete. A few
songs from the album were not performed at this show including the delicate Au-delà, Morcheeba's first French song, written with Manda.
The rest of the songs you will have to experience for yourself, believe me, you'll dive deep and not want to come up.
Morcheeba is dedicated to non-destructive fishing and encourages
the public to support the Marine Conservation Society on their MySpace, visit www.myspace.com/morcheeba
Get the CD and Dive Deep
Eryn Vogn
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