A Must See Tour

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http://www.buzztone.com/petergabriel/buzz.asp?ori=38


http://cce.clearchannel.com/standalone/petergabriel/



http://cc.com/artist.asp?artistID=17410

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Beating out the other shows of 2002 I seen.
Dream Theatre/Satriani/Kings X
YES
King Crimson
Nektar
CSNY
RUSH
The Man just knows how to perform.

It astounds me to think that Giants Stadium is full on a raw, rainy, 40 degree day. Hey folks, they play 8 home games a year. That evening, right next door, Peter Gabriel plays to a 1/2 full Continental airlines arena after not touring for almost 10 years. A crowd so sparse, that I actually felt sorry for this extremely talented musician. But even more sorry for all the folks that passed on this event. People who have no idea what they're missing. However, it worked to our advantage, as with many of other PG fans who attended the show this Sunday evening. A lot of us were rewarded with upgraded seats.

The crowd that was there greeted Peter very enthusiastically. Most knew what to expect, though they're were a lot of first timers like my sweetheart and 11 year old son. Both who agreed they just witnessed one of the most spectacular and memorable musical events they have ever seen.

While Peter appeared to not carry as much enthusiastic energy as he once unleashed on the stage, he still managed to thoroughly entertain the audience. Having seen Peter numerous times during past tours, I was amazed at how the age progression has changed his appearance. Balding with heavier upper torso, and a low neck line. Dare I say Peter appeared to bare a close resemblence Dr. Evil? No more makeup, no more outrageous costumes. That's not the Peter Gabriel of the 21st century.

The stage setup was of one in the round and located directly in the center of the arena. While an exterior walk path rotated in circles at times the center of the stage was immobile. Except for the drum set which rose and sank several times during the show, atop a center stage trap door. Above the Stage was a very sophisticated light setup. Four long extended arms that reached out like cranes, with a seated light control person in each. A surrounding deck shaped like a captains wheel, that at times would be lowered to the stage and hover over the rotating walk path. It actually appeared reminiscent as if a Close Encounters of The Third Kind' had descended and parked itself inside the arena right over the stage. The speakers were all located above the stage, intertwined within that big monstrosity. The sound was impeccable.

Peter opened the show with 'HERE COMES THE FLOOD' , the last track from his first solo album after departing from Genesis. So fitting. Especially since most everyone had to go sloshing through the parking lot from their cars to the arena to stay dry. This would be the oldest track he would cover throughout the entire night.

Peter's second song was 'DARKNESS', the first track from his newest album titled 'UP'. You kind of sensed this coming. Especially since the entire drumset was hidden within a tent shaped like "The house in the woods". Peter sang most of this tune using the perimeters of the stage with a wireless hand held microphone. Not utilizing the tent prop as much as I would have expected. But nonetheless, his translation of past childhood fears were conveyed very well. His voice sounded as clear and crisp as ever.

The third song he covered was 'RED RAIN' . The first song from his 'SO' album. Peter did not move around much during this song. Mostly taking his place behind the keyboards as swirling red lights, some of which were shaped like blood droplets, luminated all over the entire stage.

From there Peter indulged in a various collection of tunes from his past three albums, 'SO', 'US' and 'UP' reaching back only for SOLISBURY HILL until the encore. Peter made great usage of props during many of his songs. From what appeared to be a giant blimp shaped balloon pointing down towards the stage dropping out of the middle of that monstrosity that hovered overhead like a gigantic chandelier. The balloon then became immersed in a pale blue shade with clouds floating all over it for his next tune 'SKY BLUE' . Afterward it peeled opening up like a gigantic flower over the stage unveiling a huge ball in the center. The peddles rose up and out of sight as the gigantic ball slowly sank to the center of the stage landing where the drum set was situated. The entire drumset itself was on wheels. Stage hands ("Orange Men" as Peter Gabriel referred to them) then unzipped the gigantic ball and pull off its cover unveiling what appeared to be a gigantic reflective disco ball. It slowly rose back up over the stage reflecting all different colors of stage lights.

Again it descended onto the stage. Peter crawled inside as the band began to lead into 'GROWING UP'. Inside this huge bubble Peter began, rolling himself around the stage. Only his silhouette could be seen inside the transparent bubble as he began to push it around on stage like a hamster in a wheel. Sometimes going with, sometimes against, the rotating walk path surrounding the stage. Obviously this routine had been practiced a bit. His balance and coordination somewhat compromised by the rotating stage. As 'Growing Up' came to an end, Peter rolled it back onto a foundation positioned over the trap door where the drum set once sat. The trap door opened and the ball slowly deflated into the hole.

That humungous chandelier lowered from the sky again. This time Peter took his place atop it. It too also had a walk around. Once he took his place, it partially rose back upward, hovering about 15 feet above the main stage. "ITS SHOWTIME" as Peter breaks into 'THE BARRY WILLIAMS SHOW' . Peter pushes a gigantic camera around on dollies waving his hands like the game show host he was portraying. Peter could have showed a bit more exuberance and looseness during this tune. But it still worked out very effectively for him.

From riding a bike around on stage, to glowing in the dark with a black shiny sequin jacket, Peter Gabriel managed to pull it off again, even enlisting background vocal help from his daughter, Melanie. One of the most touching moments was the very last song of the night during the encore. A song about his father and himself. About how he physically made contact with his father for the first time in some 40 years. This man is truly amazing and if you get the opportunity, you don't want to miss his tour.

2 1/2 hour set To name a few tunes covered:
Darkness
Here Comes The Flood
Secret World
Digging in the dirt
Signal to Noise
Growing Up
Mercy Street
Barry Williams
Sky Blue
Solisbury Hill
Sledgehammer
More Then This
Couple of cuts from OVO

Encore
In Your Eyes - sequin jacket
Snapshot
Father Tune

[OU812]

A MUST RUSH / DREAM THEATER / AND SOON 2003 LED ZEPP. BABY

[JUKEBOX HERO]

dont hold your breathe about led zeppelin 2003, although it may happen sooner than the release of zebras next cd. again, dont hold your breathe

scorpions put a helluva show on. they blew deep purple off the stage at jones beach last summer. also skynyrd and 38 special at brookhaven was no slouchy show, and the who at jones beach, OH BABY!!!!!