petergabriel.com

This explains why it's been so hard to find a new PG back catalogue CD for the last couple of years. And no, I don't understand what it all means, either: http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3if40aadb1b179f42a2c0db132708647b2

Was glad to hear of the re-release of the back catalogue, especially the bit ".each album is issued as a digipak and is available as an enhanced CD, containing multimedia computer files in addition to the audio tracks." however from what I have seen thus far, this reboot surprisingly only seems to be limited to the US. The music stores in the UK are still a little Gabriel-light, bar the Hit compilation and a few copies of 'Scratch my Back'

I finally found Scratch, Security, and Plays - My collection is now complete, at least on CD! hahahaha.

I see that 2010 reissues for Peter Gabriel 1, 2, 3, 4/Security, So, Us, Up, Plays Live (Highlights), Birdy, Passion and Shaking The Tree are all available in the Amazon.com US store. However, these are apparently direct ports of the 2002 remasters, now in digipaks (digipaks were an option for a limited time in 2002 as well). Scratch My Back is, of course, available in its most recent issue, as is Hits and (as an import in the US) Ovo. The US version of Long Walk Home has gone out of print, though an import is available. This leaves only Secret World Live (which was not a part of the 2002 remasters) out of print in the US (and although it's not offered in the US store, I see that it's available in the UK store). Most importantly, though, Peter mentions in his October full moon video message that they are revisiting the back catalogue - it sounds like a project for release in 2011. And of course he mentioned potentially releasing something special for the 25th anniversary of So. What that may boil down to is that some who have been looking for recently-out-of-print CDs might want to be patient a bit longer. And for those of us with the CDs - this may be exciting. This activity usually gets everyone buzzing about Peter expanding the albums, restoring B-sides, etc, which I have to say doesn't feel like an interest of Peter's, based on past activity (though I would love to see those recordings resurface in pristine condition somehow!). He's even talked about a wayward tracks project, but I've always had the feeling those tracks, if they officially surface, won't be tacked onto original albums, but will find their own home. I just hope that Plays Live returns with its original tracklisting (rather than trimming four songs for the Highlights version). There is also an outstanding live version of Kiss Of Life, released as a Plays Live B-side - wouldn't it be wonderful to see that restored (which I realize seems unlikely, per my earlier comment). One small hope is that, while the studio albums are painstakingly crafted, like novels or sculpture, Plays Live, I suspect, was limited by available vinyl playtime and live recordings which he thought measured up. It's conceivable that an already-approved and mixed track might fit here (meaning, it's conceivable it was his hope that Kiss Of Life be a part of the original album). And though I don't believe Peter is going to devote any amount of time to serious hands-on work on that album, if something happens to already be in the can, wouldn't it be interesting if yet another track or two might have gone so far as mixing and dubbing back then, only to be sacrificed because they didn't work in the vinyl format and time constraints? Ah well, our brainstorming and guesswork begins.

I've always dreamed of him releasing some demos to be honest, i have the Car demos and they are wonderful - Problem is, the tapes they were digitized from were a little worn out. Can anyone explain in depth what was in the digipacks? Any videos?

I, too, would be happy if someone could shed some light onto the re-releases. Any details about the alleged CD enhancements (videos, flash files)? Thanks!

I wonder why RR spelled "Catalog" and "Catalogue" in almost the same sentence - is that a matter of American/English diversities? And if so, do you write e.g. "catalogueue" in Australia, "catalogueueue" in New Zealand, "catalogueueueue" in South Africa - and maybe "catal" in Scotland? Just curious. :-]

To Simpucker - The current re-releases appear to be the exact same as the 2002 remasters, only in digipak form. I purchased 'Shaking the Tree' which contained no extra content at all. Peter mentioned in the October update the back catalogue may be looked at next year, so who knows if some more substantial editions will be released with the 'extras' many of us were hoping for.

I found out that a digipack is a special cd cover. Name was misleading though : /

Yeah, the term digipak can be a bit misleading indeed. It is a registered trademark though so what can you do Thanks for the feedback on the contents of the discs!