The Brilliant Peter Gabriel

I've had always been a fan of Peter Gabriel and such as hits like 'Solsbury Hill', 'In Your Eyes' and 'Sledgehammer', but honestly didn't have much knowledge of his music beyond that.

Anyhow, I eventually decided to buy a "greatest hits" two-disc CD package of his and I'm amazed at how much I've missed out on. Truthfully, Gabriel's music is just amazing.

The bass lines are superb - the drumming top notch - the lyrical structure and vocal performance are to the highest of quality. I already have a handful of favourite tunes too (IE: Digging in the Dirt; Rhythm of the Heat; Blood of Eden, etc).

However, my enthusiasm for Peter Gabriel was made even stronger when three weeks ago I decided to buy his concert DVD recorded in 1994, by the title of 'The Secret World'. Naturally I had assumed it to be a normal concert, but truth be told it's far more than that. As it was produced by Gabriel himself (who has a knack for creating insane music video's) and co-produced with a French Canadian movie director it not only comes off as a movie - but as a real piece of artistic work, not some contrived bullshit.

Here are a few video examples from the concert:

'Digging in the Dirt'



'Shaking The Tree'



Even though I've watched this DVD four times since original purchase, I still find myself never disappointed with the dance choreography which takes place.

Furthermore, the way in which the symbolic meanings are carried out are quite spectacular. 'The Secret World' (and much of Peter Garbriel's music) very much focus on the differences between females and males - or the lack thereof. Essentially implying we are all from the same 'little egg' and much of the stage dancing, actions and set displays emphasize on such.

The entire DVD is just bloody amazing, further proving my point about Peter Gabriel's brilliance. Not only is his music amazing and his mind creative, but he's a true artist. This virtue of creativity appears - no, is - lacking from modern day artists. Peter Gabriel is a true artist, in all sense of the word.

He's one who doesn't lower his standards to make substandard garbage. He's an artist which doesn't strive to make a quick buck - he makes music because it's his passion and he loves it.

With that, I leave you with what is arguably the best performance on the entire DVD:

'In Your Eyes'