petergabriel.com

With time to just listen and immerse myself in Scratch My Back the emotions came flooding out. Holding back the tears was not an option! The beauty of the orchestra and its arrangements, the power of the lyrics, and Peters emotionally charged vocals are devastating. The choral work adds a spiralling majesty. This record really makes you just stop everything . . . . . . . and listen. I sometimes wonder how an artist can sing thrugh a song such as Flume or The Power of The Heart without becoming a sobbing wreck? A quite different reaction came just before the last verse of Philadelphia though. I found muself saying no out loud. The build up of an emotional vocal thrugh the orchestra at this point I think detracts from this beautiful work. I can understand why it is there, but every time I listen to it I find myself sying no it does'nt fit. Maybe in time? I find Street Spirit ( Fade Out ) extremely hard work. Peter will be asked alot of questions about that one, and I can't wait to hear why he interpreted it the way he did. Perhaps with such a dark song, the only way to go was darker? This all goes to show how versatile and diverse Peter is as an artist , and I love him even more for it. Over all though stunning stuff, I have'nt cried like that since the last time I listened to The Lark Ascending by Vaughn Williams. Alas I am unable to go to a concert this time around. But in a very small way I'm relieved, as my face looks like a smacked bum after crying for a time. And I know I would'nt be able to hold back the tears. :-]

Sesmo, my opinion is, this time Peter has given all he had in his vocal perfomance and his emotions. The result is that he has taken my breath away and he made me shed a lot of tears since the first SMB listening. I think that ,this tme, he didn't have to prouve any capability in song writting or in composition ,the songs were already ready for him. he had had all the necessary time to sing with all his soul. And the result is fantastic. Peter has always moved me but this time WOW ! , it 's hard for my heart ! Don't hold back your tears ! it's also a pleasure to cry sometimes.

Talking of holding back the tears Ceridwen, the day after SMB arrived, I continued listening to it at work. Even then I was aware of a faraway feeling that came over me, quite profound, and the tears started welling up again. WOW is the word. Don't forget your industrial size box of tissues when you go to the concert. :-] :-]

I continue to listen to this Album and i have to say i like it more and more. I agree with you all, much emotions and some passages. . . . .brrr.chills! Ceridwen you say: "the songs were already ready for him". You say something very true and important,i absolutely agree with your point,nothing to add. . . .

I just bought my tickets for the Montreal show. Waterproof mascara will be a must for that particular evening!