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Peter Gabriel's work doesn't lend itself easily to compilations -- not because he didn't cut singles, since he made many terrific stand-alone singles, but because his body of work is so idiosyncratic, even contradictory, that it's possible to have perfectly valid differing perspectives on his catalog. This results in differing opinions among fans, so it's perfectly logical that Gabriel and his associates would have a unique view of his own work, as captured on Hit. Billed on its slipcase as "The Definitive Two CD Collection," Hit spans 29 tracks culled from his entire solo career, from 1977's Peter Gabriel to 2002's Up, plus the previously unreleased "Burn You Up, Burn You Down." It certainly is a generous compilation, and it does contain the basics: "Solsbury Hill," "Shock the Monkey," "Sledgehammer," "Don't Give Up," "Games Without Frontiers," "Biko," "Red Rain," "Big Time," and "In Your Eyes." But the devil is in the details, and in this particular case, the details push Hit away from the broad-based appeal of So and closer to the dense, subtle territory of Us and Up. This is achieved, of course, through the track selection, which is heavy on recent material (note: none of the edit details are present on the back cover, hence their presence here): from Up, there's "Growing Up [Tom Lord-Alge Mix]," "More Than This [Radio Edit]," "The Drop," "I Grieve," and "Signal to Noise," which amounts to half the entire album; the previously unreleased 2003 live track "Downside Up"; "Cloudless" from the soundtrack to the 2002 Rabbit-Proof Fence and "Lovetown" from the 1994 Philadelphia soundtrack; "The Tower That Ate People [Steve Osborne Mix]" and "Father, Son" from OVO; the 1990 Shaking the Tree remake of "Here Comes the Flood"; from Us, the album track "Love to Be Loved," plus the singles "Digging in the Dirt," "Blood of Eden [Radio Edit]," and "Steam [Radio Edit]."
That's a grand total of 16 tracks dating after the career high watermark of So -- 16 tracks covering two full albums, plus a lot of odds and ends. There's unquestionably good material here -- not just the Us singles, but much of Up was quite excellent, even if it requires several listens to appreciate -- but the heavy emphasis on this post-So work skews too much to the new (nine of the 14 tracks on disc two are of relatively recent vintage), at least if the yardstick is either an evenhanded appreciation of Gabriel's entire solo work or a portrait of his best-known, best-loved work. After all, there are many singles missing -- "I Have the Touch," "I Go Swimming," "Come Talk to Me," "Kiss That Frog," and "Secret World" among them -- plus other worthy uncollected rarities (his deliriously paranoid "Out Out" from the 1984 Gremlins soundtrack needs to finally get a CD issue) and many, many terrific album tracks that would have had given this compilation greater breadth and depth, including "Moribund the Burgermeister," "Mercy Street," "Intruder," "Family Snapshot," and the tremendous pair of "On the Air" and "D.I.Y.," the two best cuts on the underrated Peter Gabriel 2 (which is once again consciously ignored by Gabriel, with this exhaustive collection featuring nothing from the record). If some of these 12 songs had managed to get on Hit, it truly would have been definitive, capturing the entire scope of his solo career. As it stands, it's a very good collection, one that delivers most of what is expected, even as it presents a relatively up-to-date self-portrait of the artist.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Larry Fast, Keyboards - Steve Hunter, Guitar - Robert Fripp, Guitar - Peter Gabriel, Keyboards, Vocals, Writer, Performed by, MainArtist - Bob Ezrin, Producer - Tony Cousins, Engineer, Digital Remasterer - Brian Christian, Engineer, Recorder - Jozef Chirowski, Keyboards - Tony Levin, Bass - Allan Schwartzberg, Drums - Jum Maelen, Percussion
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Peter Gabriel Ltd
Larry Fast, Synthesizer - David Lord, Producer - Peter Gabriel, Composer, Producer, Programmer, Vocals, Writer, Instruments, MainArtist - Tony Levin, Percussion, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Jerry Marotta, Drums - Peter Hammill, Vocals
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Geffen Records. All rights reserved
Wayne Jackson, Trumpet - Peter Gabriel, Composer, Lyricist, Producer, Piano, Programmer, Vocals, Writer, Performed by, Instruments, Synthesizer, MainArtist - Tony Cousins, Engineer, Digital Remasterer - David Bottrill, Engineer - KEVIN KILLEN, Engineer - Daniel Lanois, Producer, Engineer, Guitar, Tambourine - Tony Levin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Manu Katche, Drums - Coral Gordon, Vocals - Dee Lewis, Vocals - David Stallbaumer, Engineer - P.P Arnold, Vocals - Mark Rivera, Saxophone - Don Mikkelsen, Trombone - Daniel Roland Lanois, Producer, Engineer, Guitar, Tambourine - P P Arnold, Backing Vocals
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2003 Real World Productions Ltd under exclusive licence to WEA International Inc, Warner Music Group. An AOL Time Warner Company
Simon Clarke, Chorus - Richard Tee, Piano - Peter Gabriel, Producer, Piano, Programmer, Vocals, Writer, Instruments, Synthesizer, MainArtist - Tony Cousins, Engineer, Digital Remasterer - David Bottrill, Engineer - KEVIN KILLEN, Engineer - Daniel Lanois, Producer, Engineer - Kate Bush, Vocals - Tony Levin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Manu Katche, Drums, Percussion - David Stallbaumer, Engineer - Daniel Roland Lanois, Producer, Engineer
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2002 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd
Larry Fast, Synthesizer - Peter Gabriel, Piano, Lead Vocals, Writer, Whistle, Synthesizer, MainArtist - Tony Cousins, Engineer, Digital Remasterer - Kate Bush, Backing Vocals - Hugh Padgham, Engineer, Whistle - Steve Lillywhite, Producer, Whistle - John Giblin, Bass Guitar - David Rhodes, Guitar - Jerry Marotta, Drums, Percussion
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2002 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd
Wayne Jackson, Cornet, Trumpet - Simon Clarke, Hammond Organ, Programmer, Instruments, Bass - Peter Gabriel, Producer, Programmer, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Tony Cousins, Engineer, Digital Remasterer - David Bottrill, Engineer - KEVIN KILLEN, Engineer - Daniel Lanois, Producer, Engineer, Guitar - Tony Levin, Percussion, Musician - David Rhodes, Guitar - Jimmy Bralower, Drums, Programmer - Jerry Marotta, Percussion, Musician - Stewart Copeland, Drums - Coral Gordon, Vocals, Voices - Dee Lewis, Vocals, Voices - David Stallbaumer, Engineer - P.P Arnold, Vocals, Voices - Mark Rivera, Saxophone - Don Mikkelsen, Trombone - P P Arnold, Voices
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2002 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd
Karl Wallinger, Composer, Piano, Vocals - Richard Chappell, Engineer, Recorder - Peter Gabriel, Composer, Producer, Organ, Vocals, Bass, Synthesizer, MainArtist - David Bottrill, Engineer, Recorder - Justin Adams, Guitar - David Rhodes, Guitar - Chuck Norman, Programmer - Tchad Blake, Mixer - Billy Cobham, Drums - Gib Wharton, Vocals - Jules Shear, Vocals - Neil Sparkes, Composer - Popsy Dixon, Vocals - The Holmes Brothers, Vocals - Arona N'Diaye, Drums
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2002 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd under exclusive licence to Virgin Records Ltd
Richard Chappell, Editor, Engineer, Programmer, Recorder - Peter Gabriel, Producer, Keyboards, Organ, Programmer, Vocals, Writer, Synth Bass, Synthesiser, Album Sequencer, MainArtist - Pete Davis, Programmer - TOM LORD-ALGE, Remixer - Alex Swift, Programmer - David Rhodes, Guitar, Vocals - Manu Katche, Drums - Tchad Blake, Beats and Scratches Beats, Scratching - Ged Lynch, Drums, Percussion - Steve Osbourne, Production - A D Chivers, Vocals
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2003 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd under exclusive licence to Virgin Records Ltd
Peter Gabriel, Producer, Keyboards, Programmer, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Tony Cousins, Engineer, Digital Remasterer - David Bottrill, Programmer - Daniel Lanois, Producer - Tony Levin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Manu Katche, Drums - Peter Hammill, Vocals - Richard Blair, Engineer, Programmer - Leo Nocentelli, Guitar - Dave Bottrill, Mixer, Engineer, Recorder, Engineer & Mixer - Ayub Ogada, Vocals - Assane Thiam, Drums, Musician - Babacar Faye, Drums - Hossam Ramzy, Drums - Hossam Ramzi, Drums - Richard MacPhail, Vocals - Daniel Roland Lanois, Producer
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2002 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd
Richard Chappell, Mixer - Peter Gabriel, Composer, Producer, Keyboards, Vocals, MainArtist - Levon Minassian, Woodwinds - David Bottrill, Programmer - Daniel Lanois, Producer, Cymbals, Vocals - Tony Levin, Bass - Shankar, Violin - David Rhodes, Guitar - Sinéad O'Connor, Vocals, MainArtist - Richard Blair, Personal Assistant, Programmer, Assistant - Dave Bottrill, Mixer, Engineer, Recorder, Engineer & Mixer - Gus Isodore, Guitar - Daniel Roland Lanois, Producer, High-Hat Cymbals, Featured Vocalist
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2003 Digital Remaster (P) 2003 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd under exclusive licence to Virgin Records Ltd
Dominic Greensmith, Drums - Richard Chappell, Engineer, Programmer, Recorder - Peter Gabriel, Composer, Producer, Guitar, Organ, Piano, Programmer, Vocals, Synthesizer, Album Sequencer, MainArtist - Tony Cousins, Masterer, MasteringEngineer - Richard Evans, Engineer - Tony Levin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar, Vocals - Tchad Blake, Mixer - The Blind Boys Of Alabama, Vocals - Ged Lynch, Drums, Percussion - Melanie Gabriel, Vocals - John Brion, Chamberlain Strings, Keyboards, Mandolin
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2002 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd under exclusive licence to Virgin Records Ltd
Larry Fast, Bagpipes, Synthesizer - Phil Collins, Drums - Peter Gabriel, Drums, Piano, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Tony Cousins, Engineer, Digital Remasterer - Hugh Padgham, Engineer - Steve Lillywhite, Producer - David Rhodes, Guitar - Jerry Marotta, Drums - Dave Ferguson, Noises
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2002 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd
Peter Gabriel, Composer, Producer, Arranger, Keyboards, Percussion, Vocals, Arrangement Horn, MainArtist - Tony Cousins, Engineer, Digital Remasterer - David Bottrill, Programmer - Daniel Lanois, Producer, Arranger, Arrangement Horn - Tony Levin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Manu Katche, Drums - Tim Green, Saxophone - Richard Blair, Engineer, Programmer - Leo Nocentelli, Guitar - Dave Bottrill, Mixer, Engineer, Recorder, Engineer & Mixer - Renard Poche, Trombone - The Babacar Faye Drummers, Drums, Musician - Reggie Houston, Saxophone
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2002 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd
Peter Gabriel, Producer, Piano, Programmer, Vocals, Writer, Instruments, Synthesizer, MainArtist - Tony Cousins, Engineer, Digital Remasterer - David Bottrill, Engineer - KEVIN KILLEN, Engineer - Chris Hughes, Programmer - Daniel Lanois, Producer, Engineer, Guitar - Tony Levin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar, Vocals - Jerry Marotta, Drums - Stewart Copeland, Cymbals - David Stallbaumer, Engineer - Alvin Clark And The Monochrome Set, Producer
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2002 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd
DICK WAGNER, Guitar, Vocals - Larry Fast, Keyboards - Steve Hunter, Guitar - Robert Fripp, Guitar - Peter Gabriel, Producer, Keyboards, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Bob Ezrin, Producer - Tony Cousins, Engineer, Digital Remasterer - Brian Christian, Engineer, Recorder - Jozef Chirowski, Keyboards - Tony Levin, Bass - Allan Schwartzberg, Drums - Jum Maelen, Percussion
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2002 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd
DISC 2
Larry Fast, Moog - David Lord, Producer - Peter Gabriel, Producer, Programmer, Vocals, Writer, Instruments, MainArtist - Tony Cousins, Engineer, Digital Remasterer - John Ellis, Guitar - Tony Levin, Percussion, Musician - David Rhodes, Guitar - Jerry Marotta, Drums - Ian Cooper, Masterer, MasteringEngineer - Jill Gabriel, Vocals
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2002 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd
Larry Fast, Production, Synthesizer - Robert Fripp, Guitar - Phil Collins, Drums - Peter Gabriel, Vocals, Writer, Synthesizer, MainArtist - Tony Cousins, Engineer, Digital Remasterer - Kate Bush, Vocals - Hugh Padgham, Engineer, Recorder - Steve Lillywhite, Producer - John Giblin, Bass - Morris Pert, Percussion - Dick Morrissey, Saxophone
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2002 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd
Gavyn Wright, Violin - Richard Chappell, Drums, Engineer, Programmer, Tambourine, Loops - Peter Gabriel, Composer, Producer, Keyboards, Piano, Vocals, Produced by, Music, MainArtist - Tony Cousins, Masterer, MasteringEngineer - Richard Evans, Mixer, Engineer, Guitar, Recorder, Bass - Peter Green, Guitar - HAGUE, Mixer, Produced by - Stephen Hague, Producer, Mixer, Drums, Programmer - Gavin Wright, Violin - Alex Swift, Programmer - David Rhodes, Guitar, Vocals - Chuck Norman, Keyboards, Programmer - Jackie Shave, Violin - The Blind Boys Of Alabama, Vocals - Ged Lynch, Drums, Percussion - Marco Migliari, Engineer - Cousins, MasteringEngineer - Edel Griffith, Engineer, Recording - yang, Personal Assistant, Assistant - Kevin Quah, Personal Assistant, Assistant - Ningali Lawford, Vocals - Myarn Lawford, Vocals - Ganga Giri, DJ, Didgeridoo - Derek Zuzarte, Engineer, Recording
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2002 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd under exclusive licence to Virgin Records Ltd
Larry Fast, Synthesizer, Moog - David Lord, Producer - Peter Gabriel, Producer, Drums, Programmer, Vocals, Writer, Instruments, MainArtist - Tony Cousins, Engineer, Digital Remasterer - John Ellis, Vocals - Tony Levin, Bass - David Rhodes, Vocals - Jerry Marotta, Drums - Ekome Dance Company, Drums
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2002 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd
Larry Fast, Synthesizer, Moog - David Lord, Producer - Peter Gabriel, Composer, Producer, Programmer, Vocals, Instruments, MainArtist - John Ellis, Vocals - Tony Levin, Percussion - David Rhodes, Guitar, Vocals - Jerry Marotta, Drums
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2003 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd under exclusive licence to Virgin Records Ltd
Richard Chappell, Engineer, Programmer, Recorder - Peter Gabriel, Producer, Keyboards, Vocals, Writer, Synth Bass, Performed by, Synthesiser, Samples, MainArtist - Tony Cousins, Masterer, MasteringEngineer - Richard Evans, Engineer, Guitar - Stephen Hague, Producer, Percussion - Tony Levin, Bass - Shankar, Violin - Will White, Percussion - David Rhodes, Guitar - Manu Katche, Drums - Chuck Norman, Programmer, Strings - Ged Lynch, Percussion
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2003 Real World Productions Ltd under exclusive licence to WEA International Inc, Warner Music Group. An AOL Time Warner Company
Larry Fast, Synthesizer, Miscellaneous - Robert Fripp, Producer - Peter Gabriel, Piano, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Tony Cousins, Engineer, Digital Remasterer - Ed Sprigg, Engineer, Recorder - Tony Levin, Guitar, Musician - Steve Tayler, Engineer, Recorder - Jerry Marotta, Drums - Steve Short, Engineer, Recorder - Michael Getlin, Engineer, Recorder - Sidney McGinnis, Guitar, Mandolin - Bayete, Keyboards
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2002 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd
David Sancious, Vocals - Peter Gabriel, Composer, Producer, Mixer, Vocals, Writer, Voices, MainArtist - Tony Cousins, Engineer, Digital Remasterer - David Bottrill, Mixer, Engineer - Youssou N'Dour, Vocals, Voices - Shankar, Violin, Musician - Fatala, Percussion, Loops - Doudou N'Diaye Rose, Percussion, Loops
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2002 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd
Richard Chappell, Mixer, Engineer, Programmer, Recorder - Peter Gabriel, Producer, Piano, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Tony Cousins, Masterer, MasteringEngineer - Richard Evans, Engineer
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2002 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd under exclusive licence to Virgin Records Ltd
Steve Osborne, Remixer - Brian Transeau, Guitar, Programmer, Miscellaneous - Richard Chappell, Mixer, Drums, Tom Toms Drums, Programmer, Loops, Miscellaneous - Peter Gabriel, Composer, Producer, Keyboards, Vocals, MainArtist, Miscellaneous - Tony Levin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Manu Katche, Drums
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2003 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd under exclusive licence to Virgin Records Ltd
Peter Gabriel, Composer, Lyricist, Producer, Keyboards, Percussion, Programmer, Vocals, Synth Bass, Synthesiser, MainArtist - David Bottrill, Engineer, Recorder - Daniel Lanois, Producer, Guitar - Tony Levin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Manu Katche, Drums - Tim Green, Horn - Richard Blair, Mixer - Renard Poche, Horn - Reggie Houston, Horn - Leo Necentelli, Guitar
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ Digital Remaster (P) 2003 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd under exclusive licence to Virgin Records Ltd
Peter Gabriel, Composer, Producer, Arranger, Piano, Vocals, Synthesizer, MainArtist - Richard Evans, Mixer - Tony Levin, Bass - Will Gregory, Arranger - James Watson, Conductor - Black Dyke Mills Band, Brass - Elizabeth Purnell, Orchestra, Brass - Black Dyke Band, Brass
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2000 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd under exclusive licence to Virgin Records Ltd
London Session Orchestra, Strings - Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Producer, Vocals - Richard Chappell, Engineer, Programmer, Recorder - Peter Gabriel, Producer, Programmer, Vocals, Writer, Synth Bass, Performed by, Strings, Synthesiser, Album Sequencer, Mellotron, Samples, MainArtist - Tony Cousins, Masterer, MasteringEngineer - Steve Gadd, Drums, Percussion - Richard Evans, Engineer - David Rhodes, Guitar, Vocals - The London Session Orchestra, Strings - Will Gregory, Strings - Tchad Blake, Mixer - Ged Lynch, Percussion - Dhol Foundation, Drums
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2003 Real World Productions Ltd under exclusive licence to WEA International Inc, Warner Music Group. An AOL Time Warner Company
Rachel Z, Keyboards, Vocals - Peter Gabriel, Composer, Keyboards, Vocals, MainArtist - Tony Levin, Vocals, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar, Vocals - Ged Lynch, Drums - Melanie Gabriel, Vocals
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2003 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd under exclusive licence to Virgin Records Ltd
Malcolm Burn, Arranger, Arrangement Horn - Peter Gabriel, Composer, Producer, Keyboards, Vocals, MainArtist - Tony Cousins, Engineer, Digital Remasterer - Daniel Lanois, Producer - Tony Levin, Bass - Manu Katche, Drums - Tim Green, Saxophone - Wil Malone, Arranger, Strings - Richard Blair, Engineer - Johnny Dollar, Arranger, Strings - Dave Bottrill, Mixer, Engineer, Recorder, Engineer & Mixer - Caroline Lavelle, Cello - Renard Poche, Trombone - Reggie Houston, Saxophone
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2002 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd
Album review
Peter Gabriel's work doesn't lend itself easily to compilations -- not because he didn't cut singles, since he made many terrific stand-alone singles, but because his body of work is so idiosyncratic, even contradictory, that it's possible to have perfectly valid differing perspectives on his catalog. This results in differing opinions among fans, so it's perfectly logical that Gabriel and his associates would have a unique view of his own work, as captured on Hit. Billed on its slipcase as "The Definitive Two CD Collection," Hit spans 29 tracks culled from his entire solo career, from 1977's Peter Gabriel to 2002's Up, plus the previously unreleased "Burn You Up, Burn You Down." It certainly is a generous compilation, and it does contain the basics: "Solsbury Hill," "Shock the Monkey," "Sledgehammer," "Don't Give Up," "Games Without Frontiers," "Biko," "Red Rain," "Big Time," and "In Your Eyes." But the devil is in the details, and in this particular case, the details push Hit away from the broad-based appeal of So and closer to the dense, subtle territory of Us and Up. This is achieved, of course, through the track selection, which is heavy on recent material (note: none of the edit details are present on the back cover, hence their presence here): from Up, there's "Growing Up [Tom Lord-Alge Mix]," "More Than This [Radio Edit]," "The Drop," "I Grieve," and "Signal to Noise," which amounts to half the entire album; the previously unreleased 2003 live track "Downside Up"; "Cloudless" from the soundtrack to the 2002 Rabbit-Proof Fence and "Lovetown" from the 1994 Philadelphia soundtrack; "The Tower That Ate People [Steve Osborne Mix]" and "Father, Son" from OVO; the 1990 Shaking the Tree remake of "Here Comes the Flood"; from Us, the album track "Love to Be Loved," plus the singles "Digging in the Dirt," "Blood of Eden [Radio Edit]," and "Steam [Radio Edit]."
That's a grand total of 16 tracks dating after the career high watermark of So -- 16 tracks covering two full albums, plus a lot of odds and ends. There's unquestionably good material here -- not just the Us singles, but much of Up was quite excellent, even if it requires several listens to appreciate -- but the heavy emphasis on this post-So work skews too much to the new (nine of the 14 tracks on disc two are of relatively recent vintage), at least if the yardstick is either an evenhanded appreciation of Gabriel's entire solo work or a portrait of his best-known, best-loved work. After all, there are many singles missing -- "I Have the Touch," "I Go Swimming," "Come Talk to Me," "Kiss That Frog," and "Secret World" among them -- plus other worthy uncollected rarities (his deliriously paranoid "Out Out" from the 1984 Gremlins soundtrack needs to finally get a CD issue) and many, many terrific album tracks that would have had given this compilation greater breadth and depth, including "Moribund the Burgermeister," "Mercy Street," "Intruder," "Family Snapshot," and the tremendous pair of "On the Air" and "D.I.Y.," the two best cuts on the underrated Peter Gabriel 2 (which is once again consciously ignored by Gabriel, with this exhaustive collection featuring nothing from the record). If some of these 12 songs had managed to get on Hit, it truly would have been definitive, capturing the entire scope of his solo career. As it stands, it's a very good collection, one that delivers most of what is expected, even as it presents a relatively up-to-date self-portrait of the artist.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 2 disc(s) - 30 track(s)
- Total length: 02:30:00
- Main artists: Peter Gabriel
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Real World Productions
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
© 2003 Peter Gabriel Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 2003 The copyright in this compilation is owned by Peter Gabriel Ltd under exclusive licence to Virgin Records Ltd
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