Peter Gabriel
New Blood

THE REVIEW

Peter Gabriel, an artist who has made his mark over 4 decades, from the distant '60s and '70s to the first decade of the new millennium, has a vast discography behind him, including studio albums, live albums, and live DVDs. After the first four albums that simply bear his name accompanied by a number (I, II, III, and IV - like Led Zeppelin), each released shortly after the others, Peter chooses to take a break from studio work, and the albums are released with several years between them. Peter himself declares himself a "slow" artist, with a slow and prolonged rhythm, with breaks that are, however, repaid with wonderful albums and prestigious tours "around the world."

In 2009, the artist decides to produce covers of famous and prestigious artists like David Bowie, Neil Young, and Radiohead, to be released in an album. This results in a very beautiful album, Scratch my back, in which Peter gives full proof of his vocal abilities, without disrespecting the original authors of the songs used as covers. In 2010 the sixty-year-old singer wants to challenge himself again, this time using his own songs to sing and record in an orchestral version. He revives his old hits and lays them bare by singing them accompanied by a grand orchestra.

The album opens with a hit from the '80s, The rhythm of the heat, which in this album takes on a new nature and breathes, with a magnificent orchestral arrangement. It is followed by a very sweet piece, sung by Peter in collaboration with his daughter, Melanie Gabriel, Downside up, in which both give a great account of themselves. The third song of the album is San Jacinto, taken from the 1982 album Peter Gabriel IV. Listening to this version is even more moving than listening to the original. It is followed by Intruder, which in the refrain takes on a relentless pace, thanks to the sublime work of the orchestra. The screams of the original version are no longer heard and take on new life, in a more ethereal atmosphere. Other noteworthy songs of excellent quality are Wallflower and In your eyes, Red rain, Don't give up and Digging in the dirt, and finally a beautiful piece taken from the first album of the great showman just emerged from Genesis, Solsbury hill.

New blood is an example and testimony that proves Peter Gabriel is not just a great rock artist and a more than good pop performer, but a well-rounded artist who knows how to give new life to his pieces through an orchestra and his wonderful voice.