Steve Hackett - (2002) The Genesis Files

Steve Hackett - (2002) The Genesis Files

Boxset/Compilation, released in 2002

2CD Genesis Files = Genesis Revisited + tracks from other Hackett albums, as stated in the track list. There is nothing older than two pieces from '83 acoustic guitar album Bay of Kings (except 'Horizons' from it appeared originally in Foxtrot, and 'Steppes' from Tokyo Tapes live album in Defector '80). Each song is served with liner notes and thus clearing the 'Genesis' concept also in tracks that at first seem to have nothing to do with it. To be honest, some don't. Two instrumental tracks from '99 Darktown? As well or better could have been some (new versions perhaps) from earliest solo albums that are closer in style to Genesis. But this kind of limited compiling principle suits well. The sense of compilation is almost absent if you haven't heard all the source albums. It's principally just an extended version of "Watcher of the Skies - Genesis Revisited" (96) and it works as that. ...Sorry such lecturing: call it The Premiere Review Syndrome.

Genesis revisitations were made with a large amount of guests. John Wetton in 'Firth of Fifth' and 'Watcher of the Skies', wow! Colin Bluntstone's tender 'For Absent Friends' accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic is dangerously close to oversweetness. 'Your Own Special Way' as a Rutherford tune has Paul Carrack from Mike+Mechanics, and I must say the nature of the song fits better to that polished style than to Wind & Wuthering. 'Fountain of Salmacis' sung by Steve is a good example how he manages to add new excitement even to such dramatic classics. It's almost TOO full. 'Waiting Room Only' is an atonal curiosity based on the Lamb track. The Tokyo concert with a superb all-stars lineup seems really great.

Here and there this music feels a bit overproduced & highly strung, and makes me miss the more peaceful side of Hackett's music. But worth getting if you missed Genesis Revisited.

Track Listings

Disc 1
1. Firth Of Fith (Genesis Revisited)
2. Watcher Of The Skies (Genesis Revisited)
3. Riding The Colossus (Genesis Revisited (Jap. Ed.))
4. Rise Again (Darktown)
5. Valley Of Kings (Genesis Revisited)
6. Time Lapse At Milton Keynes (Bay Of Kings)
7. Your Own Special Way (Genesis Revisited)
8. The Fountain Of Salmacis (Genesis Revisited)
9. For Absent Friends (Genesis Revisited)
10. Twice Around The Sun (Darktown)

Disc 2:
1. Horizons (Bay Of Kings)
2. Prizefighters (Feedback '86)
3. Camino Royale (The Tokyo Tapes)
4. I Know What I Like (Genesis Revisited)
5. Deja Vu (Genesis Revisited)
6. Waiting Room Only (Genesis Revisited)
7. Dance On A Volcano (Genesis Revisited)
8. The Steppes (The Tokyo Tapes)
9. In That Quiet Earth (The Tokyo Tapes)
10. Los Endos (The Tokyo Tapes)


Line-up/Musicians:

- John Wetton / bass, vocals
- Bill Bruford / drums
- Ben Fenner / keyboards, programming
- Tony Levin / bass
- Julian Colbeck / keyboards
- Hugo Degenhardt / drums
- Doug Sinclair / bass
- Roger King / programming, keyboards, virtual drums
- Aron Friedman / keyboards, piano
- Billy Budis / bass
- Nick Magnus / keyboards, programming
- Jerry Peal / keyboards, programming
- Paul Carrack / vocals
- Chester Thompson / drums
- Alphonso Johnson / bass
- John Hackett / flute
- Colin Blunstone / vocals
- Bonnie Tyler / vocals
- Chris Thompson / vocals
- Terry Pack / bass
- Ian McDonald / flute, keyboards
- Pino Palladino / bass
- Will Bates / saxophone
- The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Tony Levin - (2007) Stick Man

Tony Levin - (2007) Stick Man

Studio Album, released in 2007

When I last went to see California Guitar Trio, Tony Levin just happened to be with the guys for that show. He also had his new CD available for sale. So, along with the recording of that night's CGT performance, I got a signed copy of "Stick Man" (he is also such a nice man, that he told me I didn't look old enough to have seen him with Peter Gabriel back in 1982).

Tony is best known as a kind of musical mercenary. Is there anyone he hasn't played with? If there is, I sure he has plans to correct any omission. So what does he do when it's just him? I had heard some samples of other albums, but never had an entire Tony Levin CD. From what I had heard, I was expecting world music, or jazz-fusion. Well, it was something completely different. The best way to explain is that Tony seems to have been missing King Crimson. To me, this is what they would sound like if Tony Levin ever took the reigns over from Robert Fripp. Much of it is in a heavy avant style, still with a bit of jazz flavor, and some precision, rapid fire drumming. There are some vocals (done by Mr. Levin), but it is mostly instrumental.

There are some heavy-duty jam outs, slow grooves, fun stuff, and even a touch of some classic new wave sounds (ala Eno/Talking Heads). Some of it is even reminiscent of more current Jeff Beck work. He gets a little help from a few friends, but it is mostly Tony on his famous stick, and a drummer. What that man can do with that instrument is just incredible, but you probably already know that. Whether he is creating atmosphere, or using it for a lead guitar riff, it is all masterfully done. This album is satisfying on every level, and I highly recommend it.

I would love to give "Stick Man" five stars, but alas I just don't see it as a true masterpiece. However, I still think you would be doing yourself a disservice by staying away from it.

H.T. Riekels

Track Listings

1. Welcome (4:12)
2. Gut String Theory (3:27)
3. Speedbump (2:46)
4. Slow Glide (4:00)
5. Shraag (4:25)
6. Not Just Another Pretty Bass (3:22)
7. El Mercado (2:27)
8. Orange Alert (2:32)
9. In Her Locket (3:56)
10. Rising Waters (3:16)
11. Metro (4:21)
12. Zeros to Disk (3:33)
13. Sticky Fingers (2:27)
14. Rivers of Light (4:24)
15. Chop Shop (2:53)
16. The Gorgon Sisters Have a Chat (2:31)
17. Dark Blues (3:39)

Total Time: 58:15
Line-up/Musicians

- Tony Levin / stick, basses, cello, vocals, and misc.
- Pat Mastelotto / drums & percussion
- Scott Schorr / keyboards, drums, percussion
- Chris Albers / guitar
- Tim Dow / drums

King Crimson - (1993) The Concise King Crimson

King Crimson - (1993) The Concise King Crimson

Boxset/Compilation, released in 1993

I have taken the easy way to make a review, it´s easier to review a compilation or "Best of" than an a complex studio album.

King Crimson being a monster of Progressive Rock, is neccessary to be tasted by every prog fan, if you like it or not, that´s the less important, but you have at least to listen to them to haveyour persola criteria about the band, i think for deep prog fans like the most of the people in this site, is not important to own a compilation, at least it´s not that usual that i put my Bests Of in my CD player very often, sometimes is good because maybe you have the mood of listen to those classic songs (usually called hits) , but it´s obvious that we prefer much more the studio albums.

The fact is, that the opposite happens when you are a newbie, i mean, i have had the experience of people that are interested in new bands, the first thing that they do before buying the album , is download some songs, usually the most well known songs, and then they decide if dig the band or saty away, so my thoughts here is that a compilation or best of could be recommendable for people who is not familiar with the band or the songs, they probably dont know the names of the most beautiful albums, so the easy way is buying a compilation which supposes to contain the most representative songs (not always the best songs.

King Crimson had released some compilation albums, Sleepless is one of them, and maybe the one that i prefer.

A newcomer of King Crimson maybe won´t know that they have had several line up changes, and musical changes, in this album i think the track selection is suitable for newbies and also for Crimson lovers (as i said above, a Crimson lover won´t play a compilation that often, but sometimes it´s ood to have a nice time).

The order of the tracks is chronologically , which is a good point, because you will appreciate the different eras one by one, and not suddenly like in "The Compact King Crimson" which track list is not that different from this one, but the order makes it terrible to listen to. Also we won´t find the original songs, some of them have been edited to give pass to other ones, it´s only like a proof of what King Crimson music is about.

Track Listings:
1. 21st century schizoid man (7:20)
2. Epitaph (8:45)
3. In the court of the Crimson King (7:19)
4. Cat food (edit) (2:45)
5. Ladies of the road (5:30)
6. Starless (abridged) (4:36)
7. Red (6:16)
8. Fallen angel (6:00)
9. Elephant talk (4:41)
10. Frame by frame (5:07)
11. Matte Kudasai (3:45)
12. Heartbeat (3:53)
13. Three of a perfect pair (4:11)
14. Slepless (remixed) (5:22)

Total Time: 75:30

Line-up/Musicians
- Robert Fripp / guitar
- Adrian Belew / guitar, lead vocal
- Tony Levin / bass guitar, Chapman stick, support vocal
- Bill Bruford / percussion, electric and acoustic drums
- Ian McDonald / woodwind, keyboards, mellotron
- Greg Lake / bass guitar, lead vocal
- Michael Giles - drums, percussion
- Peter Sinfield - words & illumination
- Keith Tippet / piano
- Mel Collins / saxophone, backing vocal
- Boz / bass guitar, lead vocal
- Ian Wallace / drums, percussion, backing vocals
- John Wetton / bass guitar, vocal
- Marc Charig / cornet
- Robin Miller / oboe

King Crimson - King Crimson Collector's Club 08 (1994) VROOOM Sessions

King Crimson - (1994) KCCC08 VROOOM Sessions

(Review from progreviews.com)

The eighth edition in the King Crimson Collector's Club presents outtakes from the first series of rehearsals of the 'double trio' of the band in 1994.

The sessions heard here are largely an exhibit of six musicians just beginning to oil their joints as a unit with no firm material yet established. So, one can't fault Fripp and company too much for stretching out in what is clearly a rehearsal setting not recorded with an eye towards release.

Still, even in these simple jams, there's a slightly detectable forced 'descent into busywork' that seemed to dog this lineup at the expense of a more focused simplicity. Eventually this led to the oversaturation and the band moved towards partitioning into 'fraKctals'.

That's not to say there aren't some interesting moments to be found here. The aptly titled "Monster Jam", with Fripp's sinister soundscapes and Bruford's thundering drumwork, shows the tremendous force that this band could summon with little difficulty. Among the other tracks, "Bill & Tony" recalls "Waiting Man" from Beat, and there are instrumental run-throughs of "One Time" and an embryonic version of "Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream" (here entitled "No Questions Asked"). Also, "Krim 3" would eventually see light as a track on Adrian Belew's solo album under a different name.

Obviously one wouldn't expect to hear anything inspiring, though it provides insight into this particular time slot in Crimson's history for the interested.

Track List :
01. Bass Groove - 4:34
02. Fashionable - 4:59
03. Monster Jam - 8:38
04. Slow Mellow - 2:57
05. Krim 3 - 3:20
06. Funky Jam - 4:57
07. Bill & Tony - 1:36
08. No Questions Asked - 3:24
09. Adrian's Clouds - 1:39
10. Calliope - 5:58
11. One Time - 5:24
12. Booga Looga - 3:46

Line-up :
* Robert Fripp - Guitar, Soundscapes
* Adrian Belew - Guitar
* Trey Gunn - Stick
* Tony Levin - Basses, Stick
* Pat Mastelotto - Acoustic & Electronic Drums & Percussion
* Bill Bruford - Acoustic & Electronic Drums & Percussion

King Crimson - King Crimson Collector's Club 07 (1998) ProjeKct Four San Francisco

King Crimson - (1998) KCCC07 ProjeKct Four San Francisco

(Review from progarchives.com)

This release is subtitled “The roar of P4” and that's just what it is. It was recorded on November 1, 1998 at the 7th Note in San Francisco. It is a heavy and dark album.

The album opens with “Ghost”. It starts with a spacy sound, but this is soon supported by a fast beat and extensive soloing by Fripp. An energetic track. This followed by “Heavy” and “Light ConstruKction”. These two tracks were previously performed by ProjeKct Two (they can be found on the album “Live Groove”) and were later performed by ProjeKct Three (on the album “Live in Austin”). The track “Deception of the Thrush” was later adopted by King Crimson. “Seizure” can also be found on the improve disc of the triple album “Heavy ConstruKction”. Again a very dynamic track, not much melody but mainly rhythm. The album closes with “Ghost 3”, which is a slow and heavy track and “ProjeKction” that resembles the space sound of ProjeKct Two.

Track List :
01. Ghost - 8:50
02. Heavy ConstruKction - 9:14
03. Light ConstruKction - 8:32
04. Deception Of The Thrush - 9:04
05. Seizure - 13:36
06. Ghost 3 - 12:13
07. ProjeKction - 10:10

Line-up :
- Robert Fripp / Guitar
- Tony Levin / Basses, Stick
- Trey Gunn / Touch Guitar, Talker
- Pat Mastelotto / Electronic Traps And Buttons

King Crimson - King Crimson Collector's Club 05-06 (1995) Broadway

King Crimson - (1995) KCCC05-06 Broadway

(Info from wikipedia)

The tracks on the album were recorded at the Longacre Theater in New York City, USA, on November 20, 21, 22, 24 and 25, 1995, as the band was touring to promote the album Thrak.

"Vrooom Vrooom" live album features one disc with recordings from the Broadway concerts. The final track, "Fearless and Highly THRaKked", is also featured on the live album THRaKaTTaK. An alternative version of this track, entitled "Biker Babes of the Rio Grande", is featured on the "Vrooom Vrooom" live album.

Lead singer and guitarist Adrian Belew performed John Lennon's "Free As A Bird" as a solo piece throughout the Broadway engagement. This was not included on King Crimson On Broadway, but was released on Belew's solo album Belewprints and on the "Vrooom Vrooom" live album.

Track List :
CD1
01. Conundrum - 1:57
02. Thela Hun Ginjeet - 6:43
03. Red - 6:29
04. Dinosaur - 7:16
05. Vrooom Vrooom - 4:48
06. Frame By Frame - 5:10
07. Walking On Air - 5:28
08. B'Boom - 5:35
09. Thrak - 6:31
10. Neurotica - 4:34
11. Sex,Sleep,Eat,Drink.Dream - 4:58

CD2
01. People - 6:14
02. One Time - 5:55
03. Indiscipline - 7:16
04. Improv: Two Sticks - 2:02
05. Elephant Talk - 4:17
06. Prism - 3:56
07. Talking Drum - 2:59
08. Larks' Tongues In Aspic (Part II) - 7:27
09. Three Of A Perfect Pair - 4:22
10. Vrooom - 3:54
11. Coda: Marine 475 - 2:41
12. Fearless And Highly THRaKked - 2:31

Line-up :
* Robert Fripp - guitar
* Adrian Belew - guitar, vocals
* Tony Levin - bass guitar, Chapman stick
* Trey Gunn - Warr guitar
* Bill Bruford - drums, percussion
* Pat Mastelotto - drums, percussion

King Crimson - King Crimson Collector's Club 04 (1982) Live at Cap D'Agde

King Crimson - (1982) KCCC04 Live at Cap D'Agde

Tracks 1-6 recorded at the Arena, Cap D'Agde, France, August 26, 1982. Tracks 7-9 recorded at the Arena, Frejus, France, August 27, 1982.

The quality of the recording is astounding, rivaling the 'mainstream" release of "Absent Lovers".

Track List :
01. Waiting Man - 7:09
02. Thela Hun Ginjeet - 4:30
03. Matte Kudasai - 3:58
04. The Sheltering Sky - 9:48
05. Neil And Jack And Me - 5:38
06. Elephant Talk - 4:57
07. Indiscipline - 12:31
08. Heartbeat - 4:05
09. Larks' Tongues In Aspic II - 7:50

Line-up :
* Robert Fripp / guitar
* Adrian Belew / guitar, vocals
* Tony Levin / bass guitar, Chapman stick
* Bill Bruford / drums, percussion

Yes - (1991) Union

Studio Album, released in 1991

I heard that Wakeman has referred to this one as “Onion”. You know, it might have worked if only they had included Patrick Moraz and Peter Banks.

This really isn’t that bad of an album. I got into it when it was fresh and then I saw them on the tour. (A crappy outdoor venue I might add.)

The first couple of pieces are a bit too commercial, but then comes in Masquerade, a rather nice acoustic piece by Howe. Lift Me Up starts of with promise, but then goes back into commercial territory. Miracle of Life’s not too bad. Silent Talking may be one of the real gems on the album apart form Howe’s solo piece. More We Live/Let Go is nice, too. The extremely short Evensong is interesting, prog, yet only 51 seconds. Take the Water to the Mountain, which wraps it up, is quite good, too.

There's some dense and intense moments offered on Union. Not a Yes masterpiece, but really not a piece of crap.

So, all in all, an interesting, but uneven experiment. If you can get past the commercial bits, there’s something decent here to listen to. And frankly, the commercial bits aren’t all that bad.

Track Listings

1. I Would Have Waited Forever (6:32)
2. Shock to the System (5:09)
3. Masquerade (2:18)
4. Lift Me Up (6:30)
5. Without Hope You Cannot Start the Day (5:18)
6. Saving My Heart (4:42)
7. Miracle of Life (7:30)
8. Silent Talking (4:01)
9. The More We Live - Let Go (4:34)
10. Angkor Wat (5:24)
11. Dangerous (Look in the Light of What You're Searching For) (3:39)
12. Holding On (5:24)
13. Evensong (0:52)
14. Take the Water to the Mountain (3:10)
15. Give and Take (see below)

Total Time: 65:25

Line-up/Musicians:

- Jon Anderson / vocals on 1, 2, 4-5, 8, 10-12, 14-15
- Chris Squire: bass on 4, 6-7, 9, vocals on 1, 4, 6-7, 9
- Tony Levin / bass on 1, 2, 5, 8, 10-12, 14-15
- Tony Kaye / keyboards on 4, 6-7, 9
- Rick Wakeman / keyboards on 1, 2, 5, 8, 10-15
- Alan White / drums on 4, 6-7, 9
- Bill Bruford / drums on 1, 2, 5, 8, 10-15
- Trevor Rabin / guitars and vocals on 4, 6-7, 9
- Steve Howe / guitars on 1-3, 5, 8, 11-12, 14-15

ABWH - (1989) Birmingham, England

October 24th, 1989 - Birmingham, England
Venue/City: National Exhibition Centre,
Source: Soundboard

In the late 80s, Jon Anderson was pretty tired of the Trevor Rabin dominated Yes. As described Steve:
Jon called and asked me if I thought it was the right time to start working together again. Speaking to him, I felt pretty instantly that something good could be gotten out of it. Certainly, that's what I'd hoped for, since Jon and I had always had a lot of fun writing together. (...) Jon's creative powers and imagination are quite enormous, so they need to be listened to like everybody else's ideas. When Jon spoke to me, he was calling Wakeman and Bruford as well. He got the same feedback from them that we could do it. At the first meeting we just talked about it, then we took it to the next stage by collaborating on the songs.
This way, ABWH was born. They released an album with new material (described by Bill: They're essentially Jon's songs. I had very little to do with them. I thought that Jon was on strong form for that album, yes, I thought he was on strong form.) and then they started touring.
To replace Mr. Squire on bass, the famous Tony Levin (who played with King Crimson, Peter Gabriel and more hundreds of people) was chosen. Steve says: He was a very logical and wonderful choice because of his association with Bill. We'd all admired im tremendously. The bass department was vacant, and Tony was a marvelous choice.
Did Tony replace Chris well? Many say yes, I have to say no. He's an accomplished and respected bassist, but he's not suited to Yes style. This concert here, from 1989, shows many things, and one of them is Squire's decisive role in Yes music, more evident when he's not around. Other complaints I do are about Rick's and Bill's modern timbres... Some keyboards have a rather new-age feeling that doesn't fit well in songs like Starship Trooper. I'm glad Rick would return to his moog in the 90s! Bill uses some electronic drums in Close to the Edge that spoilthe experience of finally hearing him playing this song live...
Sorry but I can't help being critic about ABWH. To counterbalance my opinion, I'll quote a review by Prosciutto, in Progarchives:
The performances on most of the songs are great specially on the ABWH numbers which are the highlights (...) About the Yes songs, the standout is without doubt Close to the Edge, this epic never had sounded so bombastic and powerful before, in addition the vocal performance of Jon Anderson is incredibly inspired, I think this is the definitive version of Close to the Edge. The rest of the Yes numbers are just OK.

ABWH are:
Jon Anderson > Vocals
Bill Bruford > Drums
Steve Howe > Guitars
Rick Wakeman > Keyboards
Julian Colbeck > Keyboards
Tony Levin > Bass
Milton McDonald > Guitars


Setlist:
Disc 1:
1. Time and a word / Owner of a lonely heart / Teakbois
2. Clap
3. Mood for a day
4. Wakeman Solo
5. Long distance runaround/Drum Solo
6. Birthright
7. And you and I
8. All good people
9. Close to the Edge

Disc 2:
1. Themes / Bruford-Levin duet
2. Brother of mine
3. The meeting
4. Heart of the sunrise
5. Order of the universe
6. Roundabout
7. Starship trooper

Tony Levin - (2002) Pieces of the Sun

Tony Levin's Pieces of the Sun is a refreshing return to his prog rock roots. Of course, he never left them but as a solo artist he has explored new horizons through world music .
Levin has assembled a great band that has provided the background sound to a solid and well played record. The record was written and produced with a prog rock band in mind and not only as a showcase for Levin to play bass.
The songs on this record remind the listener of great tunes by Yes, Genesis, King Crimson but they are original and interesting. After all, Tony Levin has had a starting role in many of these bands music over the years.
In this recording Tony Levin has structured his performance on heavy use of the Stick Bass and in the texture and sounds that this instruments adds to the music.
Mr. Levin and Co. plan to tour behind this album for what promises to be another innovative set of prog material for old and new followers.

The reader probably knows Tony from Peter Gabriel's band and King Crimson, and here he steps out on his own with a rousing set that recalls some of the best work of his employers. Apollo itself is a wonderful 3-part opus with Crimsonic mayhem, lilting Yes/Genesis acoustic passages, and a soaring finale that keeps ascending like the morning star itself. The band is in in top form--Jerry Marotta has a perfect balance of solid groove with just enough chops and flair to wow the listener, Larry Fast coats the compositions in lush synth textures that bring the work of Tony Banks to mind, and Jesse Gress (a new face for me) alternately waxes Beck (Jeff Beck!) and Belew as he proves a versatile foil for Levin. Levin himself, as always, is the consummate musician, never unnecessarily flashy, but always very tasty and anchoring his compositions with rock-solid, unbreakable grooves. He gets quite a bit of mileage out of his arsenal including fretless upright, 5-string bass with "funk fingers", and his well-traveled Chapman Stick. Parts of the album recall the synth-laden, pulsating drama of his former employer Peter Gabriel, especially the title track and the "Fifth Man." For me, the high point was the remake of Synergy's "Phobos", which has one of the hookiest odd-time riffs one will ever hear, and features stunning playing from the whole lineup. Amazing, and highly recommended.

Like John Paul Jones and Jeff Beck, Tony Levin is a musician's musician whose collaborations sparkle (in Levin's case with such eclectics as Peter Gabriel, King Crimson, and Lou Reed), but it's his solo stuff that really sails off the chart. And like the aforementioned players, Levin is anything but an oldies machine; he uses each new recording as a way of further juxtaposing his primary instruments (bass and Chapman stick) against the weirdest, most challenging stuff he can score. Consequently, Pieces of the Sun is, predictably, wholly unpredictable, with Levin and his 2001 touring band lighting into a set of headphone-melting instrumentals best described as pulsing prog-rock built on the kind of awesome playing that, in a concert setting, attracts packs of drooling amateurs to the stage to watch the musician's hands. "Dog One"--an unreleased recording with Gabriel--appears rerecorded here as a jittery, piano-and-guitar speckled opus with muffled call-and-response vocals, while the percussive "Tequila" shines the spotlight on a mournful tenor sax before turning things over to ambient synth and lazy electric guitar. With the exception of the languid and loose closing track, "Silhouette," everything on Pieces of the Sun feels urgent, with Levin once again acquitting himself and his generation of charges of stagnation.

Track Listing:

01 - Apollo (6:49)
02 - Geronimo (3:11)
03 - Aquafin (5:13)
04 - Dog One (5:15)
05 - Tequila (5:20)
06 - Pieces of the Sun (7:20)
07 - Phobos (7:08)
08 - Ooze (4:16)
09 - Blue Nude Reclining (3:08)
10 - The Fifth Man (5:47)
11 - Ever the Sun Will Rise (9:08)
12 - Silhouette (4:37)

Musicians:

Tony Levin - Basses, Stick, Cello
Jesse Gress - Guitars
Larry Fast - Synthesizers
Jerry Marotta - Drums

Tony Levin - (2000) Waters of Eden

"Waters of Eden" differ from "World Diary" quite a lot, but Levin has succeeded in maintaing the excellent level with which he started his solo career.
What changed is that Levin himself composed all the tracks here and almost all the tracks feature bass/stick as the main lead instrument. The compositions are more melodic and intricate. Most of the album is calm and pleasant to listen. Also, there are a few great guitar parts (guitar was actually missing in "World Diary"), so the album sound more rock-like. Nevertheless, the world and exotic elements are still present.
"Waters Of Eden" has a much more personnal feeling than its predecessor "World Diary". More traditionnal instruments are used this time: bass, drums, guitar, piano/synth. The music - more rock oriented - is much more melodic and less technical. I would recommend this record to any fan of instrumental rock music.

Highlights on this album include "Bone & Flesh" and "Opal Road" with Steve Gorn playing the flute (I would recommend "In the caves of the Iron Mountain" from Gorn, Levin, Marotta to listen to what those guys can fully do). "Waters Of Eden" and "Utopia" are outstanding tracks too.

Note: The Autographed cover, Mr. Levin signed this for me when i see him Sunday, April 7, 2002 at "Blueberry Hill" in St. Louis MO.

Track Listings

1. Bone & Flesh (6:43)
2. Waters Of Eden (4:50)
3. Icarus (5:34)
4. Gecko Walk (5:01)
5. Belle (4:01)
6. Pillar Of Fire (6:42)
7. Boulevard Of Dreams (6:46)
8. Opal Road (6:22)
9. Utopia (7:58)

Total Time: 54:10
Line-up/Musicians

- Tony Levin / cello, bass, upright bass
- Jerry Marotta / drums
- Larry Fast / synthesizers (1, 4, 6, 8, 9)
- Jeff Pevar / guitar (3, 4, 6, 8, 9)
- Steve Gorn / bansuri flute (1, 8)
- David Torn / guitar, loops, oud, and drum processing (1, 4)
- David Sancious / piano, synthesizers, and virtual soprano (2, 3)
- Pete Levin / synthesizers (5)
- Warren Bernhardt / piano (7)

Peter Gabriel - (2000) OVO The Milenium Show

OVO is the soundtrack to the Millennium Dome Show in London that was composed by Peter Gabriel. It was his eleventh album overall. It was released on 29 August 2000 and features guest vocals by Neneh Cherry, Rasco, Richie Havens, Elizabeth Fraser and Paul Buchanan (of The Blue Nile). Two versions of the album were released, a limited edition version, which was only released in the United Kingdom, and a standard international version. The UK limited edition version was discontinued after its initial 2000 pressing and replaced with the standard international version. Some pressings of the UK limited edition version contained a booklet with a comic book telling the OVO story and a bonus CD with the track, "The Story of OVO".

Gabriel performed "Father, Son", "The Tower That Ate People", "White Ashes", and "Downside Up" over the course of the Growing Up and Still Growing Up tours. Melanie Gabriel provided backing vocals for "Downside Up". These performances are available on the Growing Up Live and Still Growing Up: Live & Unwrapped DVDs. "Downside-Up" and "The Nest That Sailed The Sky" were performed as part of The New Blood Tour in 2010 and 2011, the former as a duet between Peter and Melanie Gabriel and the latter as the closing, orchestra-only track of the show. "Father, Son" was also performed. These performances are available on the New Blood Live In London DVD.

Peter Gabriel - (2000) OVO The Milenium Show

01 - The Story Of OVO
02 - Low Light
03 - The Time Of Turning
04 - The Man Who Loved The Earth / The Hand That Sold Shadows
05 - The Time Of The Turning (Reprise) / The Weavers Reel
06 - Father, Son
07 - The Tower That Ate People
08 - Revenge
09 - White Ashes
10 - Downside-Up
11 - The Nest That Sailed The Sky
12 - Make Tomorrow

Millennium Dome Show London 2000 widescreen

Peter Gabriel - The Millennium show OVO part 1

Peter Gabriel - The Millennium show OVO part 2

Peter Gabriel - The Millennium show OVO part 3

Peter Gabriel - (1994) Secret World Live

Peter Gabriel - (1994) Secret World Live

When it comes to music DVDs I find the majority of concert videos rather boring after one viewing, to be perfectly frank. Multiple shots of sweaty, posing rockers from every angle imaginable only goes so far with me. That’s what makes this great live show even more special because it never fails to entertain and surprise. I’ve already posted my rave review of the CD of “Secret World Live” so I’ll just concentrate on the visuals this time.

Sadly, I’ve never seen Peter Gabriel in person (although he’s still on my list) so this may be the closest I ever come to experiencing the thrill and, in that sense alone, I feel that I now know exactly what it would be like due to this footage. Obviously the man is a charismatic performance artist that knows how to engage his audience and give them something they will remember forever.

Acute anticipation is registered clearly on the faces of the crowd as they hold lighters high in the darkened arena, waiting for the extravaganza to begin. A single red phone booth suddenly rises from the stage with Peter inside, lit from below as the opening strains of “Come Talk to Me” fill the room. Soon he is joined by his fantastic band members as they, too, rise from beneath. The door finally opens and Gabriel bursts out clutching the phone to his ear, the wire stretching and stretching like some existential umbilical cord as he fights and struggles to move away from the confines of the booth to reach the svelte Paula Cole who stands beckoning and singing to him from the second stage. It’s a stunning, arresting way to start a show. (I also must mention that the close-up of drummer extraordinaire Manu Katche allows you a brief and rare glimpse of the man’s passionate and powerful skills.) On the lively “Steam” Tony Levin on bass and David Rhodes on guitar accentuate Peter’s theatrics by falling right into step with him before he takes the song right to the crowd out on the circular stage #2 in the middle of the hall. The dramatic aura the group creates on the instrumentals “Across the River” and “Slow Marimbas” as Gabriel picks up a long oar and steers the group gracefully out to stage #2 is awesome. This is no ordinary “Hello, Cleveland!” rock & roll gig, that’s for sure.

As they start up the spirited “Shaking the Tree,” lo and behold a modest-sized tree grows out of the middle of the stage as Peter & Co. dance joyfully around it throughout the tune. The honest energy and enthusiasm displayed by the band is impossible to fake and you can see they’re having the time of their lives right on their faces. Their professionalism and total commitment to Gabriel’s performance is exhilarating. With the tree still in place they next deliver the poignant “Blood of Eden” as the stage becomes fully bathed in dense red light. The subtle mood they establish shifts the emphasis to the emotional singing of Peter and Paula. “San Jacinto” may be the highlight of the concert for me but perhaps that’s just because I love the song so much. Gabriel’s expressive hand and body gesturing as he glides along the peninsula between the two stages is mesmerizing. A strikingly large picture of a full moon towers in front of him as he makes his slow journey and at the end his undulating shadow is projected up on the huge screen like the phantom ghost of some Native American medicine man. It’s a perfect scene to compliment the haunting, eerie atmosphere the band creates.

Book-ending their soulful rendition of “Washing of the Water,” the incredibly hot and funky “Kiss that Frog” and the universally recognized “Solsbury Hill” both demonstrate how choreographed moves don’t have to come off as being hopelessly corny or awkward. It’s a fact that no one here will ever be mistaken for Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly, but Peter and his bandmates are simply having a ball and they aren’t bashful about showing it. It’s hard to believe these highly-esteemed, cream-of-the-crop musicians are having so much fun at the workplace. “Digging in the Dirt” is one bizarre detour off the interstate highway, though. Gabriel’s stationary head-cam provides a freaky, slightly disorienting yet undeniably imaginative point of view that’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen at a rock show. On the driving “Sledgehammer” Peter, Paula, Tony and David traverse the two stages freely, completely involving the gyrating audience that surrounds them.

Gabriel begins the magnificently sublime “Secret World” at his keyboard, then moves out to front the group as they trek through the ever-changing moods of the song. Pulsating strobe lights help to emphasize the torrid jam at the end before a row of travel cases comes streaming down a conveyor belt toward the band like lost refugees from an airport’s baggage claim. Peter picks up the largest trunk and carries it out to the middle of the room where one by one each of the musicians walk away from their instruments, step inside of it and disappear from sight. Tony Levin, naturally a favorite with the audience by now, bids a reluctant adieu to his adoring fans before being the last to leave. Gabriel then closes up the bag and walks to stage #2 where a massive canopy drops over him. It’s all very cool, folks, very cool. When it lifts for the encores the whole group and their equipment has reappeared as they play a somber version of “Don’t Give Up” on a stark set. It works beautifully for this heart- wrenching tune. The concert ends with their phenomenally euphoric version of “In Your Eyes” that draws every person in the place (as well as the viewer at home) under its spell as the magic of tribal, celebratory dancing casts its irresistible charm over all in attendance. The arena nearly levitates. Wow.

If you’ve never quite figured out why Peter Gabriel is still considered one of the greatest performers to ever grace a rock & roll stage then you owe it to yourself to see this. The music is outrageously stunning and the visuals are breathtaking. You get the whole package. This is Mr. Gabriel at his peak of popularity and middle-age vitality and I have no problem in proclaiming it the best live DVD ever. It’s that good. 5 very bright stars.

Disc 1
1. Come Talk To Me
2. Steam
3. Across The River
4. Slow Marimbas
5. Shaking The Tree
6. Red Rain
7. Blood Of Eden
8. Kiss That Frog
9. Washing Of The Water
10. Solsbury Hill

Disc 2
1. Digging In The Dirt
2. Sledgehammer
3. Secret World
4. Don't Give Up
5. In Your Eyes

Peter Gabriel - (15-03-1977) Live Music Hall - Cleveland

Peter Gabriel - (15-03-1977) 

Live Music Hall - Cleveland

The tempest had died down. It was done. Peter Gabriel had left Genesis in 1975 after The LAMB LIES DOWN ON BROADWAY tour and was now about to embark upon a whole new venture as a solo artist. Phil Collins was the new lead singer of the band Gabriel had left behind, and with the albums A TRICK OF THE TAIL and WIND AND WUTHERING, both released in 1976, Genesis were enjoying new levels of success in album sales and concert attendances. This prompted mixed feelings for their ex-frontman, as he would later explain: “It felt kind of strange for me. I mean, I was very happy for the guys because I knew they could make it without me but it’s strange how the way people feel about you can change so fast. When I was with Genesis, just because of the costumes and the stage shows, people assumed that I ‘was’ Genesis, that I was doing everything, which was a faulty vision that I constantly fought to dispel. But when I had left and the band was reaching new heights, people started to assume that I had done nothing, which was a bit ego-bruising, to say the least !”…
With that in mind, Peter Gabriel now had to prove that he could stand alone and create his own musical world. No easy task after such an incredible run with as great a band as Genesis was then, but Gabriel was never a man to shy away from a challenge From the very start, he knew that he had to be as different from Genesis as possible, Both musically and visually - no more long and syncopated musical suites, no more batwings and flower masks. The last months of 1975 and the first half of 1976 were spent at his home in England, resting with his family and slowly writing new material on the piano. Having dug deep into his own musical background, he created a very special collection of songs, each of which had a distinct personality of its own, and he set about recording his first solo album. In an effort to get away from the archetypal ‘English’ rock sound, Gabriel sought the help of American producer Bob Ezrin, well known for his work with Alice Cooper and Kiss. Most of the resulting album was recorded at Soundstage studio in Toronto, Canada. Ezrin’s involvement in the project undoubtedly helped bring forth the raw sound that Gabriel was looking for, but it was the choice of musicians in his new recording band that would ultimately make this first solo album such a departure from Gabriel’s previous recorded work.
Steve Hunter’s harsh guitar licks and Allan Schwartzberg’s heavy drums were as far removed from the Hackett-Collins combination as could possibly be imagined, while Larry Fast’s discrete synthesizer work couldn’t be further away from Tony Banks’ huge presence on the keyboards. Add Tony Levin, an amazing bass player with a unique style of his own, and the brilliant ex-King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp (who would insist on staying in the shadows, both on the album and the ensuing tour when he was referred to only as ‘Dusty Rhodes’), and you have all the elements needed to create an album as different from Genesis and progressive rock in general as a fly is from a windshield ! To further accentuate the contrast, Gabriel would also bring in orchestral arrangements for one of the songs, another first for the ex-Genesis angel. One could still hear vague musical remnants of Peter’s days with Genesis in songs like “Moribund The Burgermeister” and “Down The Dolce Vita”, but for the most part, this first solo effort was very fresh in its overall approach and it came as a delightful surprise to Peter Gabriel fans the world over. The advertising campaign which accompanied the release of the album in February 1977 advised listeners to ‘Expect The Unexpected’. Wise words indeed.
With the album and first single “Solsbury Hill” achieving deserved success, March 1977 saw Gabriel taking his new music out on the road. Electing to avoid using costumes and elaborate stage choreography, Gabriel’s voice, body and music would now be the only weapons he would use to try and conquer a whole new audience. The set list consisted of the new album in its entirety, along with early versions of new songs that would later appear on his second album, and even a few covers. By the time the tour reached the UK, the following month, “Why Don’t We?” had been dropped from the set, never to reappear live or in a recorded version.
Was the surprisingly heavy interpretation of Genesis’ “Back In NYC” as an encore a concession to his older fans ? Only Peter could tell us but after playing “The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway” on the 1978-79 tour for his second album, no more Genesis song would ever be included in the set list of a Peter Gabriel show. The man was intent on making it on his own ! And it all began with the 1977 tour for his first album, from which we proudly bring you this exceptional recording of what was only Gabriel’s sixth ever solo performance. We most certainly hope that you are going to enjoy it as much as we do.

Peter Gabriel - (15-03-1977) Live Music Hall - Cleveland

CD1
01 Here Comes The Flood (Piano Version)
02 On the Air
03 Moribund The Burgermeister
04 Waiting For The Big One
05 A Song Without Words
06 Excuse Me
07 Solsbury Hill
08 Ain't That Peculiar
09 Why Don't We
10 Humdrum
11 Peter Talking
12 Slowburn
13 All Day And All Of The Night

CD2
01 Here Comes The Flood (Band Version)
02 Modern Love
03 Band Introductions
04 Down The Dolce Vita
05 Back In N.Y.C.
06 Peter Gabriel Interview-Piccadilly Radio (April 1977-Manchester,UK)

Line up :

• Peter Gabriel – vocals, keyboards, flute, recorder
• Allan Schwartzberg – drums
• Tony Levin – bass, tuba, leader of the Barbershop Quartet
• Steve Hunter – electric, acoustic & rhythm guitar, pedal steel
• David Rhodes (aka-Robert Fripp - Guitars & Effects)
• Phil Aaberg - Keyboards and Backing Vocals
• Larry Fast – synthesizer, programming
• John Maelen - Percussion and Backing Vocals
  
  

King Crimson - 1991 The Abbreviated King Crimson

" When you want to hear where music is going in the future, you put on a King Crimson album."
- Bill Bruford, 1995

Track Listings:

1 - The King Crimson Barber Shop (Tony Levin) - Also featured on the compilation (4CD set) Frame By Frame: The Essential King Crimson (1991) Subsequently featured on the reissued version of the album Three of a Perfect Pair (1984)
2 - 21st Century Schizoid Man (Fripp, Michael Giles, Greg Lake, Ian McDonald, Peter Sinfield) - Abridged, from the album In the Court of the Crimson King (1969)
3 - The Court of the Crimson King (McDonald, Sinfield) - Abridged, from the album In the Court of the Crimson King (1969)
4 - Elephant Talk (Adrian Belew, Bill Bruford, Robert Fripp, Levin) - Abridged, from the album Discipline (1981)
5 - Matte Kudasi (Belew, Bruford, Fripp, Levin) - From the album Discipline (1981)
6 - Heartbeat (Belew, Bruford, Fripp, Levin) - Abridged, from the album Beat (1982)
7 - Medley

Total Time: 22:44
Line-up/Musicians

- Adrian Belew / guitar, vocals
- Bill Bruford / drums, percussion
- Robert Fripp / guitar, devices
- Tony Levin / basses, Stick

Robert Fripp - (1979) EXPOSURE

Studio Album, released in 1979

Track Listings

1. Preface (1:15)
2. You Burn Me Up I'm a Cigarette (2:23)
3. Breathless (4:39)
4. Disengage (2:52)
5. North Star (3:12)
6. Chicago (2:11)
7. NY3 (2:17)
8. Mary (2:10)
9. Exposure (4:26)
10. Haaden Two (1:56)
11. Urban Landscape (2:35)
12. I May Not Have Had Enough of Me But I've Had Enough of You (3:38)
13. First Inaugural Address to I.A.C.E. Sherborne House (0:04)
14. Water Music I (1:19)
15. Here Comes the Flood (3:52)
16. Water Music II (3:52)
17. Postscript (0:38)

Total Time: 49:43

Track listing of Discipline 2006 re-issue :

CD1 Exposure (first edition)
first edition -- original 1979 release as above

CD2 Exposure (third edition)
1. Preface (1:15)
2. You Burn Me Up I'm a Cigarette (2:24)
3. Breathless (4:42)
4. Disengage (2:43)
5. North Star (3:12)
6. Chicago (2:17)
7. New York, New York, New York (2:17)
8. Mary (2:08)
9. Exposure (4:25)
10. Haaden Two (1:57)
11. Urban Landscape (2:34)
12. I May Not Have Had Enough of Me But I've Had Enough of You (3:37)
13. First Inaugural Address to I.A.C.E. Sherborne House (0:07)
14. Water Music I (1:18)
15. Here Comes the Flood (3:55)
16. Water Music II (3:53)
17. Postscript (0:55)

Third edition: the 1983 remix, 1985 re-release, including 3 formerly unreleased Daryl Hall vocals

Bonus tracks: alternative takes
18. Exposure (4:28)
19. Mary (2:06)
20. Disengage (2:49)
21. Chicago (2:02)
22. NY3 (2:15)

Line-up/Musicians:
- Robert Fripp / guitars, Frippertronics
With:
- Barry Andrews / keyboards
- Phil Collins / drums
- Brian Eno / synthesizer, voice
- Peter Gabriel / vocal, piano
- Daryl Hall / vocal
- Peter Hammill / vocal
- Tony Levin / bass
- Jerry Marotta / drums
- Sid McGuinniss / guitar
- Terre Roche / vocal
- Narada Michael Walden / drums
- Joanna Walton / lyricist
- J.G. Bennett / voice

Peter Gabriel - (2002) Up

It's now 12 years that had been gone as Peter Gabriel released his last studio album "Us". So it was very interestening to wait for "Up". Could the ex-Genesis mastermind set new standards again? Could he introduce the music of the last decade in his sound, but without catching trends? The question on both answers is: yes. The opener "Darkness" is a changing game off beautiful refrain and disharmonic guitars with Portishead-character, and is one of the best songs in prog since years. All songs on this masterpiece move on to think about things, like the wonderful "Sky Blue", the very melancholic "I Grieve", which moves on at the end and makes a positive mind about moving on in life, or the short, just with piano underlined ending track "The Drop". Any tune or note on this album have hand and foot, and there is enough place to breathe for the unbelievable musicianship. But there is only time to wait, how many people will interest themselves for the in truth kind of word progressive music of Peter Gabriel in a more and more faster changing world. Here's nothing really hard; the album doesn't work as background music. But who will dive in in this trip, will be very rewarded. "Up" touches the soul. Which album really can this today?


Studio Album, released in 2002

Track Listings

1. Darkness (6:51)
2. Growing Up (7:33)
3. Sky Blue (6:37)
4. No Way Out (7:53)
5. I Grieve (7:24)
6. The Barry Williams Show (7:16)
7. My Head Sounds Like That (6:29)
8. More Than This (6:02)
9. Signal To Noise (7:36)
10. The Drop (3:01)

Total Time: 66:43
Line-up/Musicians

- Peter Gabriel / vocals, bosendorfer, mutator, keys, jamMan, mpc groove, organ, keyboards
- Manu Katche / drums
- Dave Power / drums
- Mahut Dominique / percussion
- Ged Lynch / percussion, drums
- Richard Chappell / percussion
- Tony Levin / bass
- David Rhodes / guitar, background vocals
- Daniel Lanois / percussion, guitars
- Peter Green / guitars
- David Sancious / Hammond
- Melanie Gabriel / backing vocals
- The Blind Boys of Alabama / vocals
- Steve Gadd / drums
- Dominic Greensmith / drums
- Hassan Ramzy / Tabla
- Danny Thompson / double bass
- Will White / percussion
- Stephen Hague / percussion
- Richard Evans / acoustic guitar
- Shankar / double violin
- Christian Le Chevretel / trumpet
and many others....

Peter Gabriel - (2000) Ovo

More a showpiece album than a soundtrack. Ovo surprised me on release only in that it is so good. Great contributions from Elisabeth Fraser and Richie Havens ( check out also ' Please Don't Touch' by Steve Hackett). Shankar plays some mean violin too.Highlights are ' Low light', ' Make Tomorrow' ' Downside-Up' and last but not least ' The nest that sailed the sky' Worth having for sure.


Studio Album, released in 2000

Track Listings

1. The Story Of OVO (5:21)
2. Low Light (6:37)
3. The Time Of The Turning (5:05)
4. The Man Who Loved The Earth / The Hand That Sold Shadows (4:14)
5. The Time Of The Turning (Reprise) / The Weavers Reel (5:36)
6. Father, Son (4:56)
7. The Tower That Ate People (4:49)
8. Revenge (1:30)
9. White Ashes (2:34)
10. Downside-Up (6:05)
11. The Nest That Sailed The Sky (5:06)
12. Make Tomorrow (10:02)

Total Time: 61:55
Line-up/Musicians

- Peter Gabriel / Vocals, keyboards
- Richie Havens / Vocals
- Kudsi Erguner / Ney flute
- Adzido / drums
- Ravi Shankar / violin, vocals
- Paul Buchanan / vocals
- Markus Dravs / percussion
- Nigel Eaton / Hurdygurdy
- Elizabeth Fraser / vocals (Cocteau Twins)
- Steve Gadd / drums
- Stuart Gordon / fiddle, viola
- Hossam Ramzy / cymbals, tabla, crotale
- Manu Katche / drums
- Tony Levin / bass
- James McNally / piano, accordion, Whistle (instrument), Bodhran
- Peter Nicholls / photography (IQ)
- David Rhodes / guitar
- Assane Thaim / talking drum
- Simon Emmerson / cymbals, bells, drum programming
- Jim Barr / bass (Upright), guitar (12 string acoustic) electra strings, strings
- Sussan Deyhim / screams
- Johnny Kalsi / drums

Peter Gabriel - (1992) Us

The atmospheric, understated "Us" may have come as a disappointment to some following the upbeat "So", but anyone who picked up "Passion" will anticipate the mix-heavy melange of third world sounds and electronic effects present here. Coproduced by Daniel Lanois, "Us" did feature a few singles that sought to cultivate the audience developed with "So": “Kiss That Frog", “Digging in the Dirt", and especially “Steam". And more groundbreaking videos were in the offing for each, giving the impression that little had changed over the years. And yet much had changed; Peter GABRIEL and Rosanna Arquette (yes, it’s nice to be a rock star) had split, and GABRIEL seems to have plumbed the experience to its depths in a post-mortem examination of their failed attempt to connect. More indicative of "Us" are the moments when GABRIEL exposes his wounds, such as “Love To Be Loved", “Secret World” and “Blood of Eden” (one of several tracks to reference Adam and Eve as aliases for the parties involved).

The album does take time to appreciate, slowly working its way under the skin with subtle melodies and exotic soundscapes. Although "Passion" and "So" are the albums most like it, "Us" does give a nod back to GABRIEL’s second album with “Washing of the Water", a piano-led ballad that recalls “Flotsam and Jetsam” and “Indigo". Building on his musical alliances with alternative rock’s leading ladies (Laurie Anderson, Kate Bush), GABRIEL here enlists the help of Sinead O’Connor on backing vocals, who makes an impression out of the gate with her distinctive voice on “Come Talk To Me". "Us" isn’t the happiest record in the GABRIEL arsenal, though the artist was increasingly disinterested in making commercial music (and perhaps music altogether). It is a sonically gorgeous effort, however; perhaps a little too subtle for some tastes, but bound to please his fans on at least a few levels.


Studio Album, released in 1992

Track Listings

1. Come Talk To Me (7:05)
2. Love To Be Loved (5:19)
3. Blood of Eden (6:38)
4. Steam (6:03)
5. Only Us (6:33)
6. Washing of the Water (3:52)
7. Digging in the Dirt (5:18)
8. Fourteen Black Paintings (4:38)
9. Kiss That Frog (5:20)
10. Secret World (7:01)

Total Time: 57:49
Line-up/Musicians

- Peter Gabriel / bass, harmonica, keyboards, percussion, triangle, vocals
- Richard Blair / keyboards
- Bill Dillon / guitar, guitar (electric)
- N'Diaye Rose Doudou / drum loop
- Brian Eno / keyboards
- Kudsi Erguner / flute
- Babacar Faye / djembe, drums
- Tim Green / sax (Tenor)
- Reggie Houston / sax (Baritone)
- Gus Isidore / guitar
- Darryl Johnson / drums, percussion
- Manu Katche / drums
- Daniel Lanois / guitar, shaker, vocals
- Caroline LaVelle / cello
- Tony Levin / bass
- Marilyn McFarlane / vocals
- Levon Minassian / doudouk
- Leo Nocentelli / guitar
- Sinéad O'Connor / vocals
- Ayub Ogada / vocals
- Chris Ormston / bagpipes
- Renard Poché / trombone
- Hossam Ramzy / tabla
- David Rhodes / guitar
- Doudou N'Daiye Rose / loops
- Lakshminarayana Shankar / violin

Peter Gabriel - (1990) Shaking the Tree

I’m usually now a fan of compilation albums as a “real fan” would always prefer to have all original studio albums rather than just some compilation disc. Usually it also tends to reek after some “cashing in” by the artist as many artist come up with some compilation albums when they are long lost and forgotten. This is one would be an exception to the rule I think, since Mr. Gabriel has still released many fine albums after this one. I guess it’s not a bad one to start with if you didn’t already own some (or all) of his preceding studio albums…

The track list of “Shaking the Tree” is top notch with indeed 16 golden tracks on it. However: if you don’t own this one yet I would rather go for the 2003 release “HIT” as it is a double disc set which has 15 tracks more on it. Once again the track list of “HIT” is also top notch. Since I only owned the album “SO” until “Shaking the Tree” was released this was a very nice addition to my PG collection. 4 stars once again.

Boxset/Compilation, released in 1990

Track Listings

1. Solsbury Hill (4:20)
2. I Don't Remember (edit) (3:48)
3. Sledgehammer (slight remix) (4:56)
4. Family Snapshot (4:25)
5. Mercy Street (edit) (4:44)
6. Shaking The Tree (1990 remix) (6:24)
7. Don't Give Up (edit) (5:56)
8. San Jacinto (6:41)
9. Here Comes The Flood (new recording 1990) (4:31)
10. Red Rain (5:36)
11. Games Without Frontiers (edit) (3:57)
12. Shock The Monkey (edit) (3:58)
13. I Have The Touch (1983 remix) (3:44)
14. Big Time (4:26)
15. Zaar (2:59)
16. Biko (edit) (6:54)

Total Time: 77:21
Line-up/Musicians

- Peter Gabriel / vocals, piano, fairlight, prophet, CS80, percussion
- Tony Levin / bass, stick (1-3,7,8,10,12,13), drumstick bass (14)
- Steve Hunter / guitar (1)
- Robert Fripp / guitar (1,2)
- Larry Fast / synthesizers (1,8,11-13,16)
- Alan Schwartzberg / drums (1)
- Jerry Marotta / drums (2,4,8,10-12,16), drumstick bass (14)
- David Rhodes / guitar (2-4,6,7,8,10-15)
- Manu Katche / drums (3,6,7)
- Phil Collins / snare drum (4), surdu (16)
- John Gilbin / bass (4)
- Larry Klein / bass (5)
- Youssou N'Dour / vocals (6)
- Habib Faye / bass, guitar (6)
- Kate Bush / vocals (7,11)
- John Ellis / guitar (8)
- Daniel Lanois / guitar (10,14)
- Stewart Copeland / hi-hat (10), drums (14)
- Peter Hammill / backing vocals (12)
- Simon Philips / drums (13)
- Simon Clark / bass (14)
- Shankar / doublin violin (15)
- Nathan East / bass (15)