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I really think this is perhaps the best things Peter has released since anything from the "Us" album. A genuinely beautiful track, superb musical arrangement and stunning vocal. Everything about it is perfect. I'm assuming that it was recorded in the 1995 recording week - it could have easily found a place on Up.

Yes, i agree that it's a lovely song,but sounds of "UP" are different,honestly i can't see it included in this Album.

maybe it`s just me, but I personally think, that anything Peter produced after "Us" sounds quite good. A lot of good tracks like "White Ashes", "Down to Earth", "Salala", "In the Sun", "Animal Nation", the whole "UP"- and "SMB"-album, the "BBB"-PG-songs - I am really glad about all these great tunes.

No Cimber, it's not just you. . . : ) The past couple days I've been traveling with SMB and BBB CD's in my car and listening while driving. (Spend lots of time in my car for work). I wasn't a member of this forum when BBB was released. . .I can only imagine the mixed reviews. . .:-] Personally, I love BBB. Of course, the PG tracks are favorites, Whole Thing (I agree Alex), Exit Through You with Joseph Arthur, BYU BYD. . . But, the other artist's tracks are wonderful as well. . ."Altus Silva", "Everything Comes From You", "Big Blue Ball" just to name a few. I've always respected PG's concept behind this CD and feel that the final result turned out to be something very special, imo. Cimber. . .all the songs you've metioned. . . . . .but I must add one more to your list. . .Define Dancing. . .

I think you could combine "Define Dancing" and "Mirrorball" together by using "Dancing" as an instrumental introduction to "Mirrorball". I once read Peter Gabriel was working around a song to become the most perfect song (at least in his catalogue) - by sitting back and listening to "Whole Thing" I get this feeling that he made it with THIS ONE.

Please,count me in! I am with both of you,absolutely! These songs mentioned by you are fantastic!! I LOVE "Down to Earth", it's a great song,and the beginnig of this song reminds me of the sounds of "PGII", wonderful "Define Dancing" is touching. . . MAK,about B.B.B i subscribe every your words,when this record was relised,i have read many conflicting opinions and criticism,and ok. . . everyone is free. But i find this record lovely and nice and like you i thought it's fantastic the concept of Peter behind this record. I like very much "Habibe", maybe because i love Arabic Music,the rhythm, the voice of the singer.

. . . I will always remember the first time I heard Whole Thing - I was waiting for a performance to start in the Siam tent at Charlton Park Womad July 2007, when all of a sudden - it just started (BBB had just about been released then) - and it just sounded so good! It reminds me of that moment everytime I hear it now. I wish I knew what the song was about though. . . I don't understand the lyrics.

. . .Sorry, I meant to say that Whole Thing was played over the PA before a performance, not that Whole Thing was performed. . . doh!

Cimber. . ."Define Dancing" paired with "Mirrorball" would sound wonderful. . .can hear it now! Dolce. . .somehow, I knew you would agree. . .just a feeling I had. . . Mr. Beef. . .I've never been to a Womad Festival. . .I envy those who have. . .maybe some day and would LVE to hear "Whole Thing" performed live. What a wonderful memory to have for the rest of your life! If I can find the lyrics to "Whole Thing" I'll post them on this thread. . . In the meantime, here is the song. . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWTLQw01Yx8 "Whole Thing"

"Whole Thing" whole thing will still go on without you something will still be there to move me cause my own thing is always to inspire you one that I love I dream beside one that I love I dream beside one that I love is close as I can get one that I love I dream beside one that I love I dream beside sometimes I can't remember sometimes I can't forget whole thing will still come down without you cause it's nothing to do with all of you but my own thing was only to protect you one that I love I dream beside one that I love I dream beside one that I love is close as I can get one that I love I dream beside one that I love I dream beside sometimes I can't remember sometimes I can't forget forget each night in bed my dreams take me over each night in bed my dreams take me over over and over the whole world still goes round without you one that I love I dream beside one that I love I dream beside one that I love is close as I can get one that I love I dream beside one that I love I dream beside sometimes I can't remember sometimes I can't forget forget (over and over) (over and over) this whole world (over and over) still goes round without you (over and over) this whole world (over and over) still goes round without you (over and over) and this whole world (over and over) still goes round without you (over and over)

Thanks for the lyrics MAK - it makes (a bit more) sense now - although I still can't quite get it - maybe it's meant to be impressionistic. I think Whole Thing is about the duality of our existence - the way our personal worlds of ongoing experience are everything to us, and yet as individuals, we are insignificant to the whole world and how these two versions of experience overlap and conflict with each other. Re: Womad - I've been to many in the UK since the early 90s and I've had some great times there. Discovered many new favourite musicians that I would probably never have otherwise know of. The format of the festivals vary depending on where they are being held. I'm never sure how much of a cross over there is here between PG fans and womad?

I'd definitely go to WOMAD if you got the chance MAK. I've only been to one but that was a fantastic opportunity to hear such a variety of music. I'd go so far as to say it changed my musical life. I think Mr Beef is probably right. The people I met there know of PG as WOMAD co-founder but some have never heard of him, especially the younger ones. But then you don't go there to hear about PG. Of course if you happen to meet a Lunatic that's a different matter! :-]

Defintely Duddy! Womad opened my ears to so much music that I would not normally have heard or accepted as "my kind of thing". I've now got such a wide range of favourites that it makes managing the resulting ongoing musical obession a bit tricky. . . in terms of £££&$$$, storage and listening time. . . having opened my ears, I've now got music coming out of my ears. . . One last thought about my interpretation of Whole Thing - that the overlap and conflict of internal/personal/global relationships is resolved when dreaming. . . just my guess.

. . . those weird looking symbols were meant to be currency.

just for giggles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH_7ezJJy5w define dancing under the list of a mirrorball

listing is not good. i meant "light."

Mozo. . .that is great! Thanks!!! It's one thing to imagine the two songs back to back, but to actually hear it is fantastic! Your videos also view well together Mozo along with the musical aspect. You were absolutely right Cimber. . .I surely hope Peter is listening! :-]

:-] Mr Beef, I concur as far as space and time for music goes. I am sure other people feel the same way - but I feel as if have music running through my sleep as well as waking. But I think I am better at listening to other things too when the music is off. My ears feel hyper-tuned. I still think WOMAD is a wonderful privilege - can't quite believe I'm lucky enough to be going this year too. I do find 'Whole Thing' very moving. It always feels as if there is a struggle to hang on to what we know and love, in the face of the world which does indeed carry on regardless. Lovely vid Mozo, the beginning of that song always brings mirrors/tinkling glass to mind.

After reading your comments about Womad Mr Beef and Duddy. . .makes me want to go to a Womad Festival even more! Sounds as though I'd fit right in with the Womad experience! Back to the song. . ."Whole Thing". . . Mr Beef. . .your interpretation is very interesting. I've always thought PG was singing about something on a more personal level until really focusing upon the lyrics with this thread. Now I think it's a bit of both. . .personal and worldly/professional level. Being in the public eye, as most musical artists of his caliber are, the two are bound to cross over much of the time. Being on the road, touring (which he did more frequently/longer tours at the time this song was written/recorded), missing his loved ones, trying to keep a balance between his personal and professional lives. The lyrics, imo, seem to bounce back and forth between his personal and professional lives and reflect somewhat of a struggle within. . .trying to balance his personal life and career. . .please his fans, the critics and ultimately his loved ones. Overall a very moving song. . .stirs emotions in oneself in a fashion distinctly Gabriel-like. . .great vocals (even a bit of Gabrielese ) and an incredibly beautiful melody.

Francis Bebey passed away a few years ago - he was the musician, who played this flute-like African instrument in the back. His name is listed on the credits of the song. I think he can be also seen explaining his instrument and technique on the "2009 ARTE Realworld-film".