SPILL LIVE REVIEW: BLOOD AND GUTS: BILLY MORRISON X J BALL @ LISS GALLERY, TORONTO

BLOOD AND GUTS: BILLY MORRISON X J BALL

@ LISS GALLERY, TORONTO

AUGUST 8, 2024

Hot off the release of his third solo album, The Morrison Project, long-time Billy Idol guitarist, Billy Morrison, hosted a celebration of his paintings and collaboration with Toronto-based artist, J Ball, at Toronto’s Liss Gallery. While Morrison was set to perform an intimate, acoustic solo set, he was joined by Idol’s touring band, with Idol himself making a showstopping appearance.

The Liss Gallery   gem among the Yorkville strip. In addition to regularly showcasing original paintings and sculptures, The Liss Gallery also hosts some of popular music’s most revered of photographers, including Mick Rock, Richard Beland, Jerome Brunet, and Bob Gruen. Additionally, in cementing the gallery’s connection to classic rock, they have also showcased the art of John Lennon and Mick Fleetwood. For Blood And Guts, the gallery showcased a collection of work, including J Ball’s “Palm Sunday”, “Blue Herons”, and “Spaghetti Western”, alongside Morrison’s socially and politically charged work – “See The Money”, “TelephoneHead”, and “Intimacy” – which stand as striking pieces and criticisms of our reliance on technology and society’s capitalistic desires. Their collaborative pieces, “Sophia” and “Seer”, saw the two artists play with colour, textures, and media to a stunning degree.

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As the night went on, members of Idol’s band had walked into the gallery, stoking the excitement for what was to come. Morrison would take the stage, performing acoustically, joined by drummer Erik Eldenius on a cajón, and Paul Trudeau on guitar. The trio would later be joined by Stephen McGrath on backing vocals and guitarist Steve Stevens. Their set consisted of six songs, primarily covers from some of the greatest classic rock artists. Opening with a deeper cut – if anything off Sticky Fingers can truly be considered a deep cut – “Dead Flowers” from The Stones kicked off the night. Morrison’s vocals were simultaneously edgy and refined, with his British accent giving the energy of a ‘70s punk singer leading his band through an MTV Unplugged show. The band would continue, performing stripped down arrangements of Oasis’ “Wonderwall”, Cheap Trick’s “Surrender”, Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here”, and Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” – even taking a moment to indulge in the reggae breakdown that Guns N’ Roses would regularly do live. As their performance went on, Idol watched, quietly from a corner in the room, genuinely beaming as he watched his band. As they concluded their set, he joined them for a surprise performance of his 1983 mega-hit, “Rebel Yell”. The acoustic arrangement of the song was exceptional, with Idol’s vocals reverberating through the tight gallery walls. As they performed through the classic in its entirety, it was clear that this was a once in a lifetime moment. To see Billy Idol perform for, at most, 50 people, spontaneously in an art gallery, a day before his concert at the Scotiabank Arena, made for an unforgettable moment, something which only furthered Idol’s legendary status.

Morrison’s collaboration with J Ball is something to be celebrated and will be on display until September 14. With a performance that greatly exceeded all expectations in every regard, Morrison’s gala at Toronto’s Liss Gallery made for an extraordinary night of art and music; one which will ultimately remain a unique highlight among Toronto’s vivid musical history.

Billy Morrison Links

J Ball Links