Help me dive into Peter Gabriel's solo career

3 and So have always been my favorites.....honestly I could listen to So and never get tired of it maybe with the exception of "Big Time". Never was a big fan of that song. I would just go in order to get a feel for how Gabriel evolved through the years. I agree that 2 is probably the weakest album, but the Classic Records vinyl sure sounds great! I know it may be overplayed, but In Your Eyes is just a masterpiece.

- Buck

 

I saw PG's club tour in support of the Scratch album, and "Waiting for the Big One" was a performance highlight, including a stroll through the crowd.

 

Us and Secret World Live are must haves too IMHO. As well as everything before it and UP. After that he lost me.

 

You are a lucky guy, I should be there also to watch the live version of this song but it does not fit in the album and the Blues are not the best choice for Peter IMO.

 

I'm confused by so many posters concentrating only on the self-titled albums. Yes, 3 & 4 are my personal favourites, but there's a lot more to PG than just that quartet.

I think that Up was a genuine return to form: certainly his best since So and arguably his best since Security (4). Scratch My Back has its moments (the version of 'Boy In The Bubble' is amazing, but I couldn' recommend the album as a whole.)

I think that the Growing Up Live DVD is as good an entry point for a new listener as any: the showmanship is very impressive indeed and gives a real sense of where PG is 'coming from' as a performing artist. (Don't accidentally buy the Still Growing Up DVD though because it's nowhere near as revelatory!)

 

This, and I agree the first two might be his worst but the journey will be fantastic.

 

Well, since Up is his latest studio recording - what exactly did you lose?

I find brilliant moments in all his releases, my favorites being 1 (Car) and 3 (Melt).

Also he has given us a very strong output of DVD/Bluray releases:

• Live in Athens (Live 80's)
• Secret World Live (Live 90's)
• Growing Up Live (Live 00's)
• Play (Video collection with superb 5.1-mixes and stellar sound quality)
• New Blood (Live 10's with orchestra)
• Back to Front (Live 10's)

 

Well, I am dumbfounded. I can't believe this. His first two albums the worst? PG2/Scratch a patchy album? Wot!
Me and my friends grew up on this stuff. We ate it up. I absolutely love Gabriel's first two albums.
You guys need to listen to these again, that's what I think!

 

I would steer clear of the Shaking the Tree compilation as many of the songs are edited in some way. Anyway, I find the songs work better in the context of their parent albums. Gabriel's music is some of the most moving I have heard and I don't find myself listening to it as often as I once did for that reason. But when I do, it's an event. His music is meant to be played loud. Incredible stuff.

 

I grew up with So, and still find this his best album. Going back in time I can recommend Security (4) and Melt (3). But I like Peter better if he doesn't sound like the old Genesis, so for me OVO and Up are both great albums. I also like his tracks in Big Blue Ball.

 

Some of us came at PG solo work in the early or mid 80s, and then went backward. In that context you can probably see why his first two albums and all the early Genesis work is a little less accessible. But I will do what you said and play those two again!

That comp omits "In Your Eyes" too, which is really a slap in the face by the record company. I agree with your assessment, although the comp works well in the car for a road trip.

 

The original version, on the "car" album is far superior.

Since everyone has a different order for the first 4 albums, you might as well get them all and decide for yourself. I prefer the first one.

 

I endorse the advice to listen to PG 1- 4 in that order; it's fascinating to see (hear!) an artist change and develop as a human over a period of time. And as we've seen, one person's 'worst' song is another's 'best' song. I also rate Us and Up highly too.

 

Well his Rabbit Proof Fence, Scratch My Back, OVO, stuff like that.

 

Hey thanks...
Actually, I first heard Gabriel's work in the early 80's as well. By the time I (and my little group of school friends) was 17, in 1989, we sort of got into this stuff together: early Genesis, Gabriel, along with a lot of other music.
I'm very emotional about these records, apparently. Didn't realise just how much until I saw someone call PG2 a weaker album.

 

Great posts! Looks Like I'll be heading to my local brick and mortar. They had 1-4 in the used bins the other day. Hope they're still there!

 

I only have "1", So and The Passion but this track remixed by the late great Martyn Bennett is wonderful -

 

I would not recommend the second album for someone just getting into Peter Gabriel. Any of the other albums are good though I also wouldn't begin with Up or Us either but they are good albums.

 

Re: "Here Comes The Flood"

I'm sorry, but that is objectively incorrect

 

Oops. Sorry. (Maybe a gort can correct that?)

 

I agree, love Up, I think it's a great album, I remember buying it on release day and playing it at a local bar for my friends, suffice to say I was not the life of the party It's best endured by one's self

 

I've said it in another thread, but I think this is the best version of that song. Simple. Perfect.

 

II and III are the only ones I go back to, but I would say that his catalog is pretty consistent, if you're into that sort of thing, so if you're into it I'd say that you'll like all of it through the Us album.

Things get patchier after that, IMO.

 

I'd recommend the same.

 

I personally love Up, but it is not aptly named. Very dark album!