I only picked up on him when Salsbury Hill was a hit on radio in LA and of course beginning years of MTV. Now I'm reading his biography Without Frontiers by Daryl Easlea. Great reading.
I only bought the Car album at that time and didn't really understand it until slightly mind altering substance was used and I realized I was in the middle of a carnival. But now I really understand what he was all about since I've had many years of art history, life experience and numerous concerts tho sadly never a Gabriel concert.
I had moved down to San Diego 83 making $5/hr so my entertainment was MTV. I loved Shock the Monkey , again didn't understand the whole album. Talking with a guy at a bar said he saw Gabriel in SD, a run down old ornate theater with a platform out over some seats. He said he'd never seen anything so spectacular, Gabriel had mesmerized the audience and was a shaman leading them thru another dimension. I had a smile on my face, i understood that, but damned myself for missing that concert, it hurts even worse today thinking about it.
When I read more I want to see a couple concerts on YouTube on my TV with great stereo, I've already done the shorts of his songs. Amazingly creative man and I bet Genesis was an incredible group in those early years.
I have UP and Security on CD, So, Car and Security on LP.
Posted on: 10 October 2015 by hafler3o
You are missing Scratch! I saw PG at Earls Court, 'Big Time' tour. Got the t-shirt on right now as I type. It's rotted under one armpit and as fragile/seethrough as cellophane now. As for the gig the doors opened in mid afternoon and there were loads of womad artists all over the place, absolutely brilliant. I was captivated by Ravi Shankar for an hour. There was too much to see/hear. Rumours were circulating Kate Bush was going to show during the performance, and she did. Great gig.
Posted on: 10 October 2015 by Sloop John B
Originally Posted by hafler3o:
Got the t-shirt on right now as I type. It's rotted under one armpit and as fragile/seethrough as cellophane now.
I see the Dectectorists are due back for a second series soon, this could have come form it.
Priceless.
SJB
Posted on: 11 October 2015 by blorbed
And for those that perhaps aren't aware, Peter's first four solo albums (and the two german vocal versions) will be re-issued, Friday (16th) on vinyl.
Each album has been half-speed remastered onto double 180g LP's at 45RPM. Albums include a download card with a choice of 16/44.1 or 24/96 download.
English language versions limited to 10,000 copies (German 3,000).
Posted on: 15 October 2015 by Quad 33
My vinyl copy of "car" arrived this lunch time gave side 1 a quick spin before going to work. First impression nice gate-fold cover and artwork, vinyl clean and flat in poly - paper inners. However, a little disappointed regarding SQ which to my ears sounds digital and loud, with slightly toppy! vocals. 
Graham.
Posted on: 22 October 2015 by mudwolf
I know I am missing a lot of his work, Scratch and Melt are on my list as are others. Wonderful to discover another great artist at 61yo. After I wrote the post I got out to my desert place, and one afternoon I read about Up. Author goes into great detail about each song and said it's a difficult album esp the first song. Yeah that's the one I skip. However, after that chapter I put it on and understood what a beautiful album it is, it does take a few listenings to grasp. Tho his vocals aren't always distinct so I need to get the lyrics online.
Xmas coming up I'll be hunting for more. I'd also like to have more Real World CDs I have Passion and Nusrat Ali Kahn. That evening after Up, I put that on, opened the windows and slider, took my drink out onto patio and stared at the evening sky, spotting stars between the clouds and the dark shape of the mountain a mile away. The desert is really a great place now that the heat is over.
I'm not one to buy 45LPs, I don't like getting up that often, 2 songs just ain't enough for me to bliss out.
Posted on: 23 October 2015 by popeye34
Dont overlook Peter Gabriel Plays Live, a double (on vinyl) live( of course ).
Sublime version of San Jacinto...given your location and so forth it could be very much to your liking.
Posted on: 07 November 2015 by mudwolf
When I was back in LA I stopped by a small music store in Pasadena, nice to not have hundreds at Amoeba. I bought Hit and Miss and Melt. I'll look for the vinyl I'd like to hear a live concert. Some of Hit is live. Now that I know more of his background and read about the events that triggered songs I've adapted to his voice and understand more. Also, slowly figuring out the sonic character and multiple layers. There was also a brief mention in the book he filtered his voice in periods to blend with the tracks which becomes apparent with so many different songs on the Hit compilation. My serious listening tho was out in the desert, I can focus more there, tho I miss my Harbeth SLH5s.
