Tracks
Disk #1
Disk #2
Disk #3
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This was a special edition of the classic Peter Gabriel album. The original set also included two DVD's, in addition to whatever collector's booklets and other stuff you might find in a boxed set. But the set was actually panned by many fans. Some of the problem was with the physical set, some with the sound quality of the remasters, but this download breaks it down into it's most basic pieces, so it might be a more fair conclusion.
The first disc is a remastered version of the original album. I am not an audiophile, so I couldn't tell you the technical differences. I can say that it sounds great, and that it's an all-time classic album. Songs like "Sledgehammer" and "Big Time" were big hits, with flashy music videos that were in heavy rotation in their time. "Red Rain" and "Mercy Street" are very reflective of Gabriel, quiet protest songs with haunting melodies. "Don't Give Up" is an inspirational plea for strength and courage. "In Your Eyes" had become his signature...a song that is a love song, a protest song, a pop song, a thousand things to a thousand people, and a gorgeous song to everyone.
Disc two was titled "So DNA". This has demos, works-in progress, bits that were meant to show the development of every song on the album. This is really a collector's piece, nothing here will replace the finalized album version. It's interesting to hear how the pieces were constructed, but you aren't likely to return to them very often.
The last two discs are a live show, "Live in Athens 1987". This is a great show, the quality is excellent, the song selection is outstanding. This came from one of his most popular periods, it makes a great companion to his Secret World Live album, which has a few of his later hits in favor of some earlier songs found here. Gabriel is something of an educator, an activist and an entertainer all wrapped into one, you can feel his emotions come through with each song. Some of the lyrics might come off as a bit heavy handed, by his performances never do. "In Your Eyes" is particularly great here; "This is the Picture" is a perfect lead in to his show.
So what you are getting is a classic album, a great album, and an ok look into the making of it all, which doesn't really grab you, and certainly doesn't call for multiple listenings. It's a worthwhile set, but having the ability to pick and choose what to get probably works well to the advantage of the causal fan.
The first disc is a remastered version of the original album. I am not an audiophile, so I couldn't tell you the technical differences. I can say that it sounds great, and that it's an all-time classic album. Songs like "Sledgehammer" and "Big Time" were big hits, with flashy music videos that were in heavy rotation in their time. "Red Rain" and "Mercy Street" are very reflective of Gabriel, quiet protest songs with haunting melodies. "Don't Give Up" is an inspirational plea for strength and courage. "In Your Eyes" had become his signature...a song that is a love song, a protest song, a pop song, a thousand things to a thousand people, and a gorgeous song to everyone.
Disc two was titled "So DNA". This has demos, works-in progress, bits that were meant to show the development of every song on the album. This is really a collector's piece, nothing here will replace the finalized album version. It's interesting to hear how the pieces were constructed, but you aren't likely to return to them very often.
The last two discs are a live show, "Live in Athens 1987". This is a great show, the quality is excellent, the song selection is outstanding. This came from one of his most popular periods, it makes a great companion to his Secret World Live album, which has a few of his later hits in favor of some earlier songs found here. Gabriel is something of an educator, an activist and an entertainer all wrapped into one, you can feel his emotions come through with each song. Some of the lyrics might come off as a bit heavy handed, by his performances never do. "In Your Eyes" is particularly great here; "This is the Picture" is a perfect lead in to his show.
So what you are getting is a classic album, a great album, and an ok look into the making of it all, which doesn't really grab you, and certainly doesn't call for multiple listenings. It's a worthwhile set, but having the ability to pick and choose what to get probably works well to the advantage of the causal fan.