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"It is daffodil time, so the robins all cry,
For the sun's a big daffodil up in the sky,
And when down the midnight the owl call "to-whoo"!
Why, then the round moon is a daffodil too;
Now sheer to the bough-tops the sap starts to climb,
So, merry my masters, it's daffodil time. "

Clinton Scollard 'Daffodil Time'

February's Full Moon sees the release of the second 'double A-side' - Digi 45 from the 'Scratch My Back' project on iTunes. Peter Gabriel's version of 'The Boy In The Bubble' and Paul Simon's reciprocal cover of 'Biko'

Peter, Paul Simon, Bob Ezrin and John Metcalfe talk about the two songs and the process of recording the two tracks in the video below.

Peter's Ferbuary update finds him busy in the studio with Bob Ezrin and John Metcalfe working on arrangements for the 'New Blood' dates. Watch out for more news of a special date coming up in Paris.

"On Peter's behalf, I would like to say a big thank you for your birthday greetings, cards and gifts. Your kind thoughts are much appreciated....

....I have divided the competition into two sections: 'New Blood' in which the the first name out of the hat will win 2 tickets for Peter's Sunday show (28th March) at London O2 (please note that there is no sound check that night) as well as a CD and T-shirt, and 'SMB' in which winners will receive an item (chosen at random) from my collection of lovely 'Scratch My Back' goodies

Sighs of relief as signs of spring emerge around the studio in Box

"The art-rock guru looks back on his astonishing 40-year career. From fronting progressive masters Genesis to solo pop success, his is a story of restless toil and adventure. With a new album set for release in March, Gabriel guides us through a unique life in music. PLUS! Kate Bush, Elbow and Vampire Weekend salute the legend!"

Peter Gabriel will be appearing on The Radcliffe & Maconie Show on BBC Radio 2 this evening. The show starts at 8PM GMT. If you can't get it on the radio, you may be able to listenon-line. Links are on the BBC web page.

Amazon.com are running a promotion with a new video clip and audio sample focusing on each track from 'Scratch My Back' in turn until the release of the album in the U.S.A on March 2nd.

Congratulations to the winners of our 'New Blood' ticket competition. We've emailed our three winners whose names were drawn at random from the correct entries. The winners came from the UK, Germany and Italy and have each won a pair of tickets for their chosen 'New Blood' date in Berlin, Paris or London.

Check in to Tina's Fan Attic where Peter's near mythical archivist, perhaps even oracle, runs a regular competition for the die-hard fan.

A whole host of 'Scratch My Back' loveliness has been added to our store.

There's been a problem with our links for Montreal tickets. They should now be working.

As 'Scratch My Back' is released in various territories, another format option becomes available, you'll be able to order 'Scratch My Back' as an iTunes LP.

The links seem to be different in each territory, but a quick search in the iTunes store should bring it up.

"I'll always want an angle, something to separate me from the pack," he says, mischievously. "I'm sure I'm just a marketing man in disguise."

He insists this is not some kind of stopgap, masking his own notoriously slow creative process, but a genuinely felt response to the times. Indeed, Simon Cowell may be indirectly to blame. "With all these talent shows focusing on performance, the songwriter is being overlooked.

We have a second Montreal Bell Centre date, April 29th available as 'fan club' pre-sale today. Links and details are in the Live section.

Other North American dates should also be on general sale from today, and we have exclusive 'sound-check access' bundles available for the shows.

For these exclusive bundles we've reserved a limited number of the best seats in the house and the access includes privileged entry to the soundcheck prior to the show (except London March 28th, Montreal April 29th and New York, May 3rd) where you'll get a 'behind the scenes' look at the preparations for the evenings concert. You'll also receive a New Blood T-shirt and an event access laminate as mementos of the experience along with the CD of 'Scratch My Back' to play on your way home.

'Sledgehammer' is in Billboard's '50 best chart performing songs about sex' at number 31.

Isn't it about gardening and the infinite possibilities of human kinds inventiveness and transformational powers?