Scratch My Back

Over the past four nearly five decades, Peter Gabriel has produced some of the very best music to have been heard in the medium. His track record in producing and promoting a wide diversity of musical styles is second to none. However, this covers album requires repeated listening for even his most hardened fans. An eclectic selection of well known and not so well known songs are laid bare before the listener. Gabriel puts his own mark on this selection of excellent songs and I for one am looking forward to the reciprocal album due from those artists Gabriel has chosen to cover. Whilst some of the covers are wildly different from the originals, Gabriels versions work remarkably well, given the fact that they were originally composed, in most cases, for the standard rock set-up of drums guitars and bass. The listener is provided not with Karaoke versions of the originals but with orchestral treatments which on occasion take some time to register, in fact some of the songs are so… more »

Over the past four nearly five decades, Peter Gabriel has produced some of the very best music to have been heard in the medium. His track record in producing and promoting a wide diversity of musical styles is second to none. However, this covers album requires repeated listening for even his most hardened fans. An eclectic selection of well known and not so well known songs are laid bare before the listener. Gabriel puts his own mark on this selection of excellent songs and I for one am looking forward to the reciprocal album due from those artists Gabriel has chosen to cover. Whilst some of the covers are wildly different from the originals, Gabriels versions work remarkably well, given the fact that they were originally composed, in most cases, for the standard rock set-up of drums guitars and bass. The listener is provided not with Karaoke versions of the originals but with orchestral treatments which on occasion take some time to register, in fact some of the songs are so different, you might think you where at a recent Dylan concert. With the odd exception Gabriels voice, which has deepend and matured beautifully over the years, gives new impetus to some of the tired original versions. If you are not 'moved' by his version of Lou Reed's 'The Power of the Heart' or Regina Spector's 'Apres Moi' you really do need to get out more. A slow burner that repays repeated plays, not for the faint hearted and often challenging, but ultimately uplifting. And finally Peter, the 'Street Spirit (fade out)' - Radiohead cover is just 'creepy', must do better. Not to be sniffed at but to be listened to with an open mind. Recommended