Even more Morblus!

As you might recall we have already reviewed the auditory live-gem of the Italian band. Now we have also the chance to enjoy them in moving pictures starring guitarist Roberto Morbioli and keyboarder Daniele Scala, as composers jointly responsible for almost all songs on this DVD.

In premium quality, the DVD shows a concert at the Teatro Camploy, Verona, recorded on Nov 17th, 2006. With a playing time of almost two hours, the disc is not only opulently filled but also splashes out on first-class stage guests.

So to speak Morblus with back-up: as another guitarist, there is Luca Boscagin. The rhythm fraction is increased by Sbibu (percussion), and Giancarlo Zucchi additionally strikes the keys.

Yet, the icing on the cake are the three background singers called Hilly Billy Soul.

Morblus with drilled cylinders, you may say so.

The stage of the theatre is very spacious and between the long, gathered drapes the backdrop consists of a huge wall of lamps. This “wall of lights” allows for a diversified setting constantly changing colors and shape and catches the eye - without disregarding the three ladies!

“Road Tracks” is an appropriate title for the DVD, one or another of the tracks, however the minority, could already be found on the live-CD. In any case, all pieces have certainly been performed at numerous concerts before. For the reviewer, Morblus again comes out as a master of different variations of the blues, and the local viewers gladly notice that the quartet from Fumane also gives space to solo attempts of the guests Boscagin and Zucchi.

Due to the blues diversity, we get to hear an outstanding version of “Pappy’s Word” with Morbioli on playing the acustic guitar and Zucchi with a cool electric guitar jazz solo. Fantastic!

Unfortunately, the introductive words to this song are not subtitled, but moving on the bonus material.. the interview with Morbioli and Scala can be well understood thanks to the English subtitles.

"C.O.D.", one of the few external compositions, is a side trip to Rock’n’Roll while “lump Sugar” represents the Blues-swinging Morblus.

I have to mention it again… this wall of lights is really impressive!

Just as the whole concert! Even though Morbioli now and then gives truly short comments to the tracks, this just insignificantly disturbs the flow of the performance in the “Play concert” mode.

Talking about the menu: we give an extra reward to Edoardo Olivieri who designed a both clear and smart navigation system. In the bonus part, he is also responsible for the collection of the photo gallery.

Morbioli also does not dispense with the use of the bottleneck ("Better Half Of Me") and without even giving one negative point of criticism, the camera work and quality are exceptional. The sound is as well at the highest stage.

It goes without saying that the "Funky Party" shows up just as well as the traditional blues tracks  - and the finale with two popular songs ain’t half bad either: first, the great “Mustang Sally” with Morbioli as the funk master, another Zucchi-solo, followed by bassist Paola Legramand and Marco Sachitella at the drums. Sbibu also participating gives finally the dot on the i.

For the definite close there is "Purple Rain" from Prince that, with the visual perception, comes across better.

In the bonus part of the DVD, there are some interesting recordings of the sound checks and rehearsals, as well as another live recording of the quartet’s performance.

What more could you ask for: the DVD is a very appealing documentation of a Morblus-Gig and another successful advertisement for the upcoming tour of the Italians.

Line-up:
Roberto Morbioli (guitar, vocals)
Daniele Scala (Hammond C3)
Paolo Legramandi (bass)
Marco Sacchitella (drums)

Additional Musicians:
Luca Boscagin (guitar)
Giancarlo Zucchi (piano)
Sbibu (percussion)
Hilly Billy Soul (backing vocals)

Freedom of spelling!

In certain cases it might be permitted, especially with wordplays. Just like the Italian band MORBLUS. Although I really have to concentrate to not type the two missing letters.....

This band has already experienced a lot since its foundation in 1991, and launched a remarkable number of recordings, among these also a DVD. After having already established a great reputation in its home country with tours featuring John Mayall or Robben Ford, MORBLUS now wants to gain ground on this side of the Alps.

How else could it be that MORBLUS has already come off in the Netherlands and in Belgium and even played in the legendary club of B.B. King.

Rock Times  has on hand a CD from 2006 titled "I Can't Go Wrong". And now we want to find out if the band is on the right blues-track.

Right from the beginning on I notice that the CD has a really rich sound. It was recorded at the “Mac Wave Studios” in Brescia, Italy.

At first go I really like the interplay of hammond (Daniele Scala) and guitarist (Roberto Morbioli).

In the compositions there is enough space for solo trips and Morbiolis slightly rough voice goes well with the music.

The choruses are terrific. First you could bet that it’s the MORBLUS musicians making for the excellent backing vocals but not later than with “What's It To You" it becomes evident that there are definitely some girls singing.
One singer has real soul/gospel in her voice and turns the song into a high flyer.

Gee, this Hammond is applied greatly and Scala knows how to accentuate the organ in a large spectrum.

The bass player Paolo Legramandi plucks more than solidly and the band draws from the entire range of blues music.

The instrumental "Lump-Sugar" is an impulsive piece of music with Jump Blues-sound and even in the slow songs, the band plays a convincing 12 beat.

In the title track, the reins are loosened to a more of a rock sound.

Until now, MORBLUS leaves nothing to be desired, the more so as Morbioli provides his guitar with certain sound effects that are not only achieved by the wah wah pedal.

The band has an explosive drive and convinces with independence and originality.

Changing the equipment from electric guitar to sliding dorbo allows for additional colours of the blues. With another instrumental piece of music ("Guitars' Talking"), the sound becomes more jazzy and grooves like fury. Here, too, the hand drums make for an extra kick! Hats off!

There is also a purely acoustic highlight: "Pappy's Words" is a pleasantly airy soul title and there they are again.. the already mentioned ladies at the micro. Here, Scala almost takes his time off, he merely weaves a really delicate sound background.

After a good hour of listening, I can state that the Italians are really not wrong presenting a very entertaining tour across the 12 beats: "I Can't Be Wrong"!

The ingredients are right; they were mixed soundly and know how to appeal.

Going back to the introduction I can only write: More Blues..

Line up:

Roberto Morbioli (vocals, guitar)

Daniele Scala (hammond organ, piano, fender rhodes)

Paolo Legramandi (bass & background vocals)

Marco Sacchitella (Drums)

The most funky blues and soul band from Italy MORBLUS !!!