petergabriel.com

Well said and a valid point Padowan. Cheers, Darcy

Yea,no kidding.The amount of time and effort it must have taken to do all new orchestral arrangements of all of these songs to me is mind boggling.Then getting all of the musicians together,and taking many of them with him everywhere he goes with this.Not to mention paying them.Doesn't sound like resting to me.Not everyone got his first two albums at first,either,but they were brilliant.His first record company dropped him.Then his third album did better and they tried to get him back.Ha.Evidently he had wanted to do this for a long time.Just because some people aren't "getting" it doesn't make it any less brilliant.

Back in 1994, PG's staff did not allow any press in the gig they did at the Tower Theatre in Upper Darby. The explanation given was that since the Tower was such a small venue, all seats were to be made available to fans. Perhaps that should be a permanent policy. I guts me to read about people who did not enjoy PG's New Blood shows in North America, since I cannot go and would love to have been there. As to reworking songs: it takes a HELL of a lot of energy and creativity. I'm a freelance writer and editing or rewriting articles takes just as much energy out of me as writing a brand new article.

*It guts me*, not 'I guts me*. Whoops!

And yet, this whole process has been a relative short cut to cash compared to Peters usual album release cycle. Much easier to have someone turn up and offer to rework your already existing tunes than to have to actually come up with something new. So far from this short cut method of creating PG has had 2 albums and 2 tours, thats almost like winning the lottery compared to the 1 in 10 he previously worked to. Its not hard to see why people can only see cash as the driver for this project, its as good an explaination as any as to why he would do it.

I can see your point, Bert. Yes, PG did have a collaborator or two helping him rework songs while I do not have a collaborator. Poor comparison (I'm no songwriter) but I can certainly see how this may seem to someone who says "PG is only doing this for the money." Personally, I'm into classical music so the ocrhestrated versions of songs appeals to me and I enjoy the focus on PG's voice rather than special effects. Hope your move to Oz is stress-free, Bert.

If he was just out for cash he'd release that new album already. I'm sure there is a bit of a marketing motive here, but this is his job after all. Plus, it's kind of a silly comment to put in a press release, as you could say that of any band touring anywhere. It would be nice if they could tour for free, but not very practical. The writer shows that he is only familiar with Peter's top chart songs and not the songs his fans really wanted to hear. He'd realize most of his fans are pretty happy with Peter's choices. Well, at least I am. Sure there may be a song or two I wish he'd done and I'm sure others have a few other songs they wish he had done, but let's face it, that would be one really, really long concert to play everything we want to hear. :-] As for other bands using orchestra's, Moody Blues, Metallica, and Alan Parson's are about the only ones that ever integrated orchestra with their regular band (guitars, drum set, electric bass, etc.) very well. The larger difference I see is Peter giving the regular band the tour off and going strictly orchestra. Still hoping the regular band will be back for the new album.

I saw New Blood at Radio City in New York last May.and eagerly await June 25th in Camden NJ.There were a few individuals in the New York audience moved to occasionally Howl for "Shock the Monkey" etc. They were silenced by neighbors. They were disappointed because the assumed and were not familiar with Scratch My Back and the New Blood Orchestra. It was embarrassing. I was hoping that this being the second tour the audience would be better educated to the No Drums No Guitars idea.

Alot of people out there (aside from us) do no understand the logistics. Everything that is involved in taking on this powerful show. It certainly is not an easy undertaking. That's for sure. I can bet, while it's still complex, performing with a traditional band is easier to get it together for a show and/or album, than with an orchestra. So if Peter is in it for the money, as many are quoting, SO be it ~ but it's only after he has paid EVERYONE else. Besides, is this not his career?, and don't people get paid for their work. If I see one more interview or comment out there about how he is in it for the money. I can go postal. foot note: ELP did their 'thing' with an orchestra once upon a time as well. so add them to the list.

I believe that the Mercury review was quite balanced, but, an unexpected view on Peter Gabriel's usual charactor and stage presence. Not, unfortunately able to attend any of the 'States' PG gigs myself, i was expecting a more flattering review. I also must agree with Moonstorm, in that, Peter Gabriel still work's hard, this is his musical career in which he has maintained fantastically over the years and still remains innovative and an original artist. PG certainly deserves any money that he makes and any credits. He is also a wonderful humanitarian and is always good to his fans worldwide. I hope that the rest of PG's US tour is a great success.

At last nights show (Dallas), someone did yell for "Shock the Monkey" and Peter replied "I'm trying to quit", lol! :-]

LOL! That's great :-] :-] :-]

He's trying to quit? Are you sure they didn't yell spank the monkey?

I guess he is trying to quit "shocking his monkey", read between the lines, lol. :-]

good comeback, no matter what the innuendo is. love it !!