Secret World

[octothorpe]

I just finished watching the DVD of Peter Gabriel's "Secret World" tour. I saw that show at MSG back in the early/mid 90s. I remember being blown away by the theatricality, and the arrangement. It brought me to tears on several occasions. The CD, both the studio version, and the live version are the best things he's ever produced.

I didn't like the "UP" album all that much. It was lacking the progressiveness of his very early work (car, scratch, melt --all actually titled "Peter Gabriel"), or the lush organic sound of his later work (So, Us). I just didn't find it as accessible. Because I didn't like the CD, I skipped the tour. Looking back at the SWL DVD, I really shouldn't have skipped the tour. $50+ a ticket is worth experiencing him live again.

A hint on the DVD that I had missed… There will be an "Over" album, as a follow-up to "UP". Not sure if it will be a companion CD (linked in a series), or standing on its own, but I am looking forward to it.

The DVD itself is actually quite poor. It suffers from some serious compression artifacts, and the sound gets a bit funky in places, but the camera work is so amazing it just doesn't matter. Sure, like all live DVDs, there is some overdubbing, but again, it's not too distracting. If you haven't seen it, pop it into your Netflix queue, and listen to it in 5.1 surround glory.

Comments

Sky Blue

[poodler.livejournal.com]

I felt the same way about the cd at first but it grew on me. I still love Sky Blue. It harkens something in me that I have yet to understand.

Re: Sky Blue

[fuzzyset.livejournal.com]

I'll second Paul's exact opinion. Up took some warming up to, but it now stands as one of my favorite PG albums, as long as you substitute 'Burn You Up, Burn You Down' (from the European release) for that ridiculous "The Barry Williams Show" track -- yuk.

'Sky Blue' is an ethereal experience for me every time I hear it. It appeared as an instrumental/chanting version on the soundtrack of The Rabbit-Proof Fence.

Even the ostensibly dreadful 'I Grieve' (originally from the City of Angels soundtrack) really touches me now.

The songs seem to have a contiguous theme of life, death, and rebirth.
Genius at work.

Re: I Grieve

[poodler.livejournal.com]

I think for anyone who has truly grieved, I Grieve is a great, passionate, song. I can't say that every PG song is a work of "genius". Most are simply clever.

Re: I Grieve

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

My personal favourite is Signal to Noise, but only the live version. the studio version isn't as evolved.

Re: I Grieve

[poodler.livejournal.com]

I haven't heard the live version. I'm way behind in my PG worshiping.

Re: I Grieve

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

I have *MUCH* music to give you =)

Whatcha doing friday night? I think the Pagers are inviting a bunch of folk for dinner at 7

Re: I Grieve

[poodler.livejournal.com]

Uh, no plans as of yet, though I plan not to be working im Manhattan on Friday (I work from home one day a week). Keep me informed of the Pager's choice of eating establishments and perhaps I can convince Glen to come in. Any plans afterwards?

BTW, I love the background vocals on the CD version of Signal to Noise. It's essentially the noise going through my head each morning before I have my coffee. LOL!

My ghost like to travel

[fuzzyset.livejournal.com]

...and who doesn't get chills listening to 'Growing Up'? Has there ever been a cooler song about reincarnation?