Peter Gabriel + 46 Piece Orchestra = Surprisingly Dull Listening Experience
Just a few hours ago Rolling Stone launched a free stream of Peter Gabriel’s latest, Live Blood, which doesn’t officially come out until next week. The album, recorded live at London’s Hammersmith Apollo last March, is a sprawling double-disc opportunity for the legendary songwriter to preen in front of a live audience. These arrangements of songs from 2011′s New Blood and 2010′s Scratch My Back, with the added “benefit” of a 46-piece orchestra, prove to be a case-study in overindulgence.
The real issue with Live Blood is that we’ve heard the material before. These arrangements are not significant improvements on the re-imaginings we’ve already heard on his two most recent albums. Set the gigantic orchestra aside and there’s little left but a bloated money grab.
It isn’t even particularly relevant as a live album, since we already have Peter Gabriel Plays Live, which showcases his music when in his touring prime. That double LP remains among the best rock recordings ever put to vinyl. Live Blood, however, leaves the most energetic songs for the end, to be heard only by the most ardent fans. “Apres Moi,” his Regina Spektor cover, hints of the raw power the orchestra could provide. But it isn’t until we reach “Red Rain,” “Solsbury Hill” and “In Your Eyes” near the end of the second disc that the album comes anywhere near success.
Perhaps it is time for Peter Gabriel to put aside his greatest hits and get to work on a proper follow-up to 2002′s Up, his most recent stab at new material. These orchestral indulgences only back up the theory that the living legend hasn’t done anything of consequence since 1986′s So. Long-time fans will know that isn’t the case. Still, it’s a shame to see someone with such untapped potential to innovate choosing merely to tread water. When an artist can’t let go of his past, he’s doomed to forever miss out on the future.
All my friends who are rabid PG-fans were just head-over-heels about “Scratch My Back.” They are zombies for whom their beloved Peter can do no wrong. That was one of the most boring damned albums I’ve ever heard. It sounded like Gabriel was standing at the sink peeling potatoes and mumbling songs absentmindedly. “New Blood” was slightly better, but only slightly.
But I don’t agree with the line “When an artist can’t let go of his past, he’s doomed to forever miss out on the future.” One can handle the past and the future inside the same skull. Jethro Tull have always managed to “live in the past” quite well, doing fun remakes of old stuff while forging ahead with new stuff. If you’ve ever heard “The Beacons Bottom Tapes” you’ll know what I mean. Utterly kick ass. Also: Ian Anderson’s new album “Thick As A Brick 2″ is excellent.
Exactly, but that’s the thing: Jethro Tull actively produce both reissues / remakes and new material on a regular basis. Peter Gabriel hasn’t done new original material in a decade, and prior to that album, it’d been a decade since the previous original release. So I’d call him “lost” in his past, whereas a group like Jethro Tull is trying to build on theirs.
I can’t agree with the adverb in your title. At this point, What would be suprising would be Gabriel’s releasing something that wasn’t dull. And I say that as a listener who enjoyed much of what recorded up through (and including) “Passion,” the soundtrack to “The Last Temptation of Christ.” But that was 24 years ago.
agreed
i think gabriel ran out of rocket sauce after the passion soundtrack (which was one of my favorite pieces of music by anyone imo though)
I love that recording! Puts a thundershower in your soul. My wife walked down the aisle in our wedding to “With This Love.” My late father escorted her and gave her away.
Passion was 24 years ago!!??!!
I suddenly feel very old…..
If Gabriel doesn’t have it in him to produce new material that’s up to par with his previous work, maybe he should rejoin Genesis for a reunion tour. At least that would be interesting. I wouldn’t mind hearing them rip through “Dancing With the Moonlit Knight” again. If they could talk Phil Collins into unretiring, that is.
Sadly, Phil is done. From what I understand, his physical impairments are just too much. It would have been splendid, though. The little 1999 reunion they had where they redid “Carpet Crawlers” was wonderful! Phil & Peter sound so amazing together! Their voices mesh so beautifully!
I was a rabid Peter Gabriel fan in my teens, even imagining that I liked the pretentious nonsense that was his time in Genesis … but even I had to admit that after the soundtrack for “The Last Temptation of Christ”, he really didn’t have much to say. “Us” was … okay, “Rabbit Proof Fence” was so boring I actually forgot I bought it, and I just couldn’t work up enthusiasm for “Up”. So, really, no shocker.
For me a similar experience was Journey To The Center of The Earth by Rick Wakeman.
He was a pioneer in Moog synth music with Yes. I was so excited to get the record. I could not listen to the whole thing, even back in the day.
I’m sorry, that was elevator muzak…all 10 tracks…