News
05-10-2009
Peter's October update
Herding cats and Lighthouse Keepers' parties all get a mention. Peter's back on your screens this October with the news that whilst there has been a brief outage here, others have been hard at work- it seems some satirical fun is being poked at the Moon Club.
Other news includes a look back at WOMAD Charlton Park, where Peter aired material from the forthcoming 'Scratch My Back' project in public for the first time. There's more on that project and other new music from Speed Caravan, Portico Quartet and David Rhodes amongst others. Recollections from the amazing Polar Music Prize award ceremony where Peter was presented with his award by His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden for 'groundbreaking, outward - looking and boundary-busting artistry'. This years other award winner, the Venezuelan conductor, composer and economist José Antonio Abreu is also discussed along with a new campaign to improve the rights of musicians - The Featured Artists Coalition.
17-09-2009
John Metcalfe on 'Scratch My Back'
"I have been busy working closely with Peter Gabriel on his 'Scratch My Back' project. This is a song swap with some of the world's most legendary artists and is due for release in the Spring. My role has been to re-interpret the music of the song's he has chosen to cover - quite honerous as some of the songs are among the best known in the last 40 years. The album will be acoustic, using only orchestral instruments (no guitars, drums or world instruments) and range in size from sparse chamber music to a much fuller orchestral sounds. We recently recorded the orchestra at Air Lyndhurst studios (George Martin's studio) in London which was an enormous thrill hearing my arrangements performed by some of the best performers in the UK. The producer of the album is Canadian legend Bob Ezrin who has recorded dozens of classic albums including Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' We performed one of the songs, Paul Simon's 'Boy In The Bubble' at Womad back in July. I have been working a lot down at Real World studios editing and mixing and will be continuing with that in the Autumn and it's been a huge privilege to work with the great man."
You can see John Metcalf at WOMAD at the Tower Festival in London this weekend performing with The Bays, The Heritage Orchestra and Simon Hale.
Images from the recording session at Air and John Metcalfe with Richard Chappell back at the Sony Oxford in the Writing Room at Real World.
04-09-2009
Lunar apologies
The full moon is upon us, shining brightly in clear skies hear in Box. Unfortunately Peter has been unable to record the video that we intended to post this evening. Peter sends his apologies and says we will be back next month.
27-08-2009
David Rhodes releases 'Bittersweet'
Until now David's been more than content to be the supporting artist in the shadows, a few paces back from the main attraction. As well as his lengthy tenure on the shoulder of Peter Gabriel, David's also been an in-demand session player, his fluid guitar lines adorning the records of Tim Finn, Talk Talk, Paul McCartney, T-Bone Burnett and even Roy Orbison. Then there's the sizeable soundtrack work he undertakes with musical partner Richard Evans, much of it for documentaries on the Discovery Channel and National Geographic. But Bittersweet is the turning of a crisp new page, a fresh chapter whose plot has yet to be written.
06-08-2009
August's full moon - Peter's transmission
This month's full moon finds Peter floating in a small craft atop a large unstable liquid mass. The data connection to his location is pretty much non-existent, so there will be a hiatus in the video updates this month.
Here in Box, were not even sure there is a moon anymore as nothing but thick grey cloud and heavy precipitation has been experienced for quite some time. We hope it's still up there. Assuming it is, we'll be back with an update next month.
04-08-2009
'The Real World of Peter Gabriel' Documentary Broadcast in France and Germany on Arte TV
A new documentary entitled 'The Real World of Peter Gabriel' directed by Georg Maas and Dieter Zeppenfeld will be broadcast simultaneously in Germany and in France on Arte TV next Thursday, 6th of august at 11.20pm. The documentary will also be broadcast on Sunday 9th of August at 12.55pm.
The film was inspired by the 20th Anniversary of Real World Records and the release of last years long gestating collaborative album 'Big Blue Ball'. This record was a result of some of the legendary 'Real World Recording Weeks' which took place in the 1990's, where musicians from all over the world would get together and make music. The film gives an insight on the extraordinary atmosphere in which these sessions were held and also on the philosophy of Real World on the process of recording with producers and artists that come from different cultural backgrounds.
Peter Gabriel himself got personal insights on the social and political conditions and problems in many countries by working with musicians from all around the world. In consequence he initiated political initiatives for Human Rights, like 'Witness' and 'The Elders'
The filmmakers spent time at Real World going through the archives, filming interviews with key staff, including Peter Gabriel himself and also watching a recording session as it took place - 'Syriana' - a forthcoming project on Real World Records.
Follow the links below to the Big Blue Ball artist page and to Arte TV.
If you are in Europe on Thursday or Sunday make sure you tune in to this fabulous documentary!
03-08-2009
Tell No lies No.1 in World Music Charts Europe!
Justin Adams and Juldeh Camara's recent release, Tell No Lies, has taken the top spot in August's edition of The World Music Charts Europe.
The album has been in the top 4 since entering the charts in June 09.
Congratulations to Justin and Juldeh from all at Real World Records!
16-07-2009
Charlton Park iPhone App available
We've just launched or Charlton Park iPhone application - it's free and it will be one of the services that can take advantage of the site-wide Wi-Fi.
If you would rather not be without the internet for a whole weekend then fear not as WOMAD Charlton Park has it's own WiFi network. Access to some pages, such as pages this website and the iPhone application will be free. Charges apply for wider access. Lets get Twittering.
1 day: £5.00
All weekend 23rd - 26th July: £10.00
