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Peter Gabriel: Shaking the Tree - Sixteen Golden Greats

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s


Label: Virgin Records
Released: 1990
Time:
 77:05
Category: Pop/Rock
Producer(s): See Artists ...
Rating: *********. (9/10)
Media type: CD
Web address: www.petergabriel.com
Appears with: Genesis, Tony Banks, Steve Hackett, Mike Rutherford, Phil Collins, Tony Levin, David Rhodes
Purchase date: 2000.12.16
Price in €: 15,99



 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


[1] Solsbury Hill (Peter Gabriel) - 4:20
[2] I Don't Remember (Peter Gabriel) - 3:48
[3] Sledgehammer (Peter Gabriel) - 4:54
[4] Family Snapshot (Peter Gabriel) - 4:25
[5] Mercy Street (Peter Gabriel) - 4:43
[6] Shaking the Tree (Gabriel/N'Dour) - 6:23
[7] Don't Give Up (Peter Gabriel) - 5:54
[8] San Jacinto (Peter Gabriel) - 6:40
[9] Here Comes the Flood (Peter Gabriel) - 4:31
[10] Red Rain (Peter Gabriel) - 5:35
[11] Games Without Frontiers (Peter Gabriel) - 3:57
[12] Shock the Monkey (Peter Gabriel) - 3:56
[13] I Have the Touch (Peter Gabriel) - 3:44
[14] Big Time (Peter Gabriel) - 4:25
[15] Zaar (Peter Gabriel) - 2:56
[16] Biko (Peter Gabriel) - 6:54

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


Peter Gabriel - Synthesizer, Piano, Composer, Vocals, Whistle, Producer

Kate Bush - Vocals
Stewart Copeland - Hi Hat
Steve Hunter - Guitar
George Acogny - Percussion, Background Vocals, Producer, Fairlight, Sequencing
John Barclay - Trumpet
Guy Barker - Trumpet
Pete Beachill - Trumpet
Simon Clark - Organ, Synthesizer, Piano, Background Vocals, Keyboard Bass
Djalma Correa - Conga, Triangle
Nathan East - Bass
Larry Fast - Synthesizer, Bagpipes, Processing
Habib Faye - Bass, Guitar
Robert Fripp - Guitar
Jill Gabriel - Background Vocals, John Giblin - Bass
Coral Gordon - Background Vocals,
Hossam Ramzy - Tabla, Tambourine, Triangle, Finger Cymbals
Wayne Jackson - Trumpet, Cornet
Manu Katche - Drums
Larry Klein - Bass
Tony Levin - Bass, Stick
Dee Lewis - Background Vocals,
Steve Lillywhite - Whistle, Producer
Jerry Marotta - Drums
Don Mikkelsen - Trombone
Dick Morrissey - Saxophone
Youssou N'Dour - Vocals, Background Vocals,
Hugh Padgham - Whistle
David Rhodes - Guitar, Background Vocals,
Mark Rivera - Alto, Baritone & , Tenor Saxophone
Richard Tee - Piano

David Bottrill - Producer
Bob Ezrin - Producer
Daniel Lanois - Producer
David Lord - Producer
Peter Walsh - Producer

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s


LP:
UK Virgin PGTVL 6: ("Twelve Golden Greats", only 12 tracks)
US Geffen 24326-?: (same)
Cassette:
UK Virgin PGTVC 6
US Geffen 24326-?
CD:
UK Virgin PGTVD 6
US Geffen 9 24326-2



This is an odd best-of collection. True, it includes his hits, but Gabriel isn't merely a singles artist. As a result, there are many important album tracks that are glaring omissions from a more well-rounded picture of Gabriel's artistry. The title, no doubt, is an indicator of the tossed-off nature of this set.

Rick Clark, All-Music Guide



Peter Gabriel - ein Hans Dampf in allen Gassen

Kaum ein anderer hat einen derartigen Einfluss auf die Musik der letzten drei Jahrzehnte ausgeübt wie Peter Gabriel. Seine Verdienste um die Zusammenführung von Pop- und Weltmusik sind unumstritten. In Gabriels "Real World Studios" werden eine Vielzahl kommerziell uninteressanter Künstler produziert und finanziert - ein bislang einzigartiger Vorgang in der Welt des Musikbusiness! Nach seinem Weggang von der Supergroup Genesis (nach der "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway"-Tournee), begann für Peter Gabriel und seine Fans ein neues Musikzeitalter. Während seine Ex-Kollegen sich auf den kommerziell interessanteren Phil Collins als neuen Lead-Sänger konzentrierten, zog sich der große Bühnendarsteller fast drei Jahre zurück, um sich u.a. der Kartoffelzucht zu widmen. 1977 überraschte er die Musikwelt mit dem abwechslungsreichen Album "Peter Gabriel", das mit "Solsbury Hill" auch den ersten nennenswerten Hit enthielt.

Nach 13 Jahren nun erscheint endlich eine Best Of-Compilation, die es versteht das Genie Gabriel umfassend zu beleuchten. Er singt von politischen Attentätern ("Family Snapshot"), der Emanzipationsbewegung in Afrika ("Shaking The Tree") oder läßt Kinder Krieg spielen ("Games Without Frontiers"). Ebenso beeindruckend die musikalische Hommage an den Freiheitskämpfer Steven "Biko", die Gabriels Engagement für Menschenrechte sowohl inhaltlich als auch musikalisch eindrucksvoll dokumentiert. Natürlich fehlen auch nicht die kommerziell sehr erfolgreichen Titel aus dem Superalbum "So", wie etwa "Sledgehammer" oder "Big Time". Die Auswahl der Songs ist in der Tat exquisit, mit einer Ausnahme: die Neuaufnahme von "Here Comes The Flood" am Piano ist vergleichsweise enttäuschend. Hier wäre die Originalversion aus dem ersten Album die bessere Wahl gewesen.



Sehr gute Musik

Peter Gabriel, Ex- Sänger von Genesis, hat später sehr engagierte und dabei dennoch ungeheuer hörenswerte Musik gemacht. Unvergessen beispielsweise seine Duette mit Kate Bush ("Don't give up") und Youssou N'Dour ("Shaking the Tree"), aber auch seine Filmmusik zu "Biko" oder das pazifistische "Games without Frontiers". Alle diese Musik hat gemeinsam, daß sie eine wirkliche Aussage mit guter Musik verbinden, die zwar anspruchsvoll ist, dennoch aber nicht auf das verzichtet, das der Hörer trotzdem braucht: Refrains etwa, die ins Ohr gehen, und Instrumentierung, die trotz aller Sparsamkeit außerordentlich effektvoll ist. Diese Zusammenstellung lohnt sich auch für Nicht- Peter- Gabriel- Fans auf jeden Fall!

 

 L y r i c s


Solsbury Hill

Climbing up on Solsbury Hill
I could see the city light
Wind was blowing, time stood still
Eagle flew out of the night
He was something to observe
Came in close, I heard a voice
Standing stretching every nerve
Had to listen had no choice
I did not believe the information
I just had to trust imagination
My heart going boom boom boom
"Son," he said, "Grab your things, I've come to take you home."
To keepin' silence I resigned
My friends would think I was a nut
Turning water into wine
Open doors would soon be shut
So I went from day to day
Tho' my life was in a rut
'Till I thought of what I'd say
Which connection I should cut
I was feeling part of the scenery
I walked right out of the machinery
My heart going  boom boom boom
"Hey," he said, "grab your things, I've come to take you home."
When illusion spin her net
I'm never where I want to be
And liberty she pirouette
When I think that I am free
Watched by empty silhouettes
Who close their eyes,but still can see
No one taught them etiquette
I will show another me
Today I don't need a replacement
I'll tell them what the smile on my face meant
My heart going boom boom boom
"Hey," I said, "You can keep my things, they've come to take me home."


I Don't Remember

I got no means to show identification
I got no papers show you what I am
You'll have to take me just the way that you find me
What's gone is gone and I do not give a damn
Empty stomach, empty head
I got empty heart and empty bed
I don't remember
I don't remember
 
I don't remember, I don't recall
I got no memory of anything at all
I don't remember, I don't recall
I got no memory of anything
-anything at all
 
Strange is your language and I have no decoder
Why don't you make your intentions clear
With eyes to the sun and your mouth to the soda
Saying, "Tell me the truth, you got nothing to fear
Stop staring at me like a bird of prey
I'm all mixed up, I got nothing to say
I don't remember
I don't remember
 
I don't remember, I don't recall
I got no memory of anything at all
I don't remember, I don't recall
I got no memory of anything
Anything at all
 
I don't remember, I don't recall
I got no memory of anything at all
I don't remember, I don't recall
I got no memory of anything
   absolutely anything at all
I don't remember


Sledgehammer

you could have a steam train
if you'd just lay down your tracks
you could have an aeroplane flying
if you bring your blue sky back
 
all you do is call me
I'll be anything you need
 
you could have a big dipper
going up and down, all around the bends
you could have a bumper car, bumping
this amusement never ends
 
I want to be your sledgehammer
why don't you call my name
oh let me be your sledgehammer
this will be my testimony
show me round your fruitcage
'cos I will be your honey bee
open up your fruitcage
where the fruit is as sweet as can be
 
I want to be your sledgehammer
why don't you call my name
you'd better call the sledgehammer
put your mind at rest
I'm going to be-the sledgehammer
this can be my testimony
I'm your sledgehammer
let there be no doubt about it
 
sledge sledge sledgehammer
 
I've kicked the habit
shed my skin
this is the new stuff
I go dancing in, we go dancing in
oh won't you show for me
and I will show for you
show for me, I will show for you
yea, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I do mean you
only you
you've been coming through
going to build that power
build, build up that power, hey
I've been feeding the rhythm
I've been feeding the rhythm
going to feel that power, build in you
come on, come on, help me do
yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, you
I've been feeding the rhythm
I've been feeding the rhythm
it's what we're doing, doing
all day and night


Family Snapshot

The streets are lined with camera crews
Everywhere he goes is news
Today is different
Today is not the same
Today I make the action
Take snapshot into the light, snapshot into the light
I'm shooting into the light
 
Four miles down the cavalcade moves on
Driving into the sun
If I worked it out right
They won't see me or the gun
 
Two miles to go, they're clearing the road
The cheering has really begun
I've got my radio
I can hear what's going on
 
I've been waiting for this
I have been waiting for this
All you people in TV land
I will wake up your empty shells
Peak-time viewing blown in a flash
As I burn into your memory cells
'Cos I'm alive
 
They're coming 'round the corner with the bikers at the front
I'm wiping the sweat from my eyes
-It's a matter of time
-It's a matter of will
And the governor's car is not far behind
He's not the one I've got in mind
'Cos there he is-the man of the hour, standing in the limousine
"I don't really hate you
-I don't care what you do
We were made for each other
-Me and you
I want to be somebody
-You were like that too
 If you don't get given you learn to take
And I will take you."
 
Holding my breath
Release the catch
And I let the bullet fly
 
All turned quiet-I have been here before
Lonely boy hiding behind the front door
Friends have all gone home
There's my toy gun on the floor
Come back Mum and Dad
You're growing apart
You know that I'm growing up sad
I need some attention
I shoot into the light


Mercy Street

(for Anne Sexton)
 
looking down on empty streets, all she can see
are the dreams all made solid
are the dreams all made real
 
all of the buildings, all of those cars
were once just a dream
in somebody's head
 
she pictures the broken glass, she pictures the steam
she pictures a soul
with no leak at the seam
 
lets take the boat out
wait until darkness
let's take the boat out
wait until darkness comes
 
nowhere in the corridors of pale green and grey
nowhere in the suburbs
in the cold light of day
 
there in the midst of it so alive and alone
words support like bone
 
dreaming of mercy st.
wear your inside out
dreaming of mercy
in your daddy('s arms again
dreaming of mercy st.
'swear they moved that sign
dreaming of mercy
in your daddy's arms
 
pulling out the papers from the drawers that slide smooth
tugging at the darkness, word upon word
 
confessing all the secret things in the warm velvet box
to the priest-he's the doctor
he can handle the shocks
 
dreaming of the tenderness-the tremble in the hips
of kissing Mary's lips
 
dreaming of mercy st.
wear your insides out
dreaming of mercy
in your daddy's arms again
dreaming of mercy st.
'swear they moved that sign
looking for mercy
in your daddy's arms
 
mercy, mercy, looking for mercy
mercy, mercy, looking for mercy
 
Anne, with her father is out in the boat
riding the water
riding the waves on the sea


Shaking The Tree

(with Youssou N'Dour)

Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon, We are shakin' the tree
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon, We are shakin' the tree

Waiting your time, dreaming of a better life
Waiting your time, you're more than just a wife
You don't want to do what your mother has done
She has done
This is your life, this new life has begun
It's your day - a woman's day
It's your day - a woman's day

Turning the tide, you are on the incoming wave
Turning the tide, you know you are nobody's slave
[ 1989 version - Find your Brothers and sisters ]
[ 1990 version - Find your sisters and brothers ]
Who can hear all the truth in what you say
They can support you when you're on your way
It's your day - a woman's day
It's your day - a woman's day

Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon, We are shakin' the tree
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon, We are shakin' the tree
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon, We are shakin' the tree

[ extra lyrics from 1989 12" remix ]

There's nothing to gain when there's nothing to be lost
There's nothing to gain if you stay behind and count the cost
Make the decision that you can be who you can be
You can be
Tasting the fruit come to the Liberty Tree
It's your day - a woman's day
It's your day - a woman's day

[ end of extra lyrics from 12" remix ]

Changing your ways, changing those surrounding you
Changing your ways, more than any man can do
Open your heart, show him the anger and pain, so you heal
Maybe he's looking for his womanly side, let him feel

You had to be so strong
And you do nothing wrong
Nothing wrong at all
We're gonna to break it down
We have to shake it down
Shake it all around

Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon, We are shakin' the tree
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon, We are shakin' the tree
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon, We are shakin' the tree
...


Don't Give Up

in this proud land we grew up strong
we were wanted all along
I was taught to fight, taught to win
I never thought I could fail
 
no fight left or so it seems
I am a man whose dreams have all deserted
I've changed my face, I've changed my name
but no one wants you when you lose
 
don't give up
'cos you have friends
don't give up
you're not beaten yet
don't give up
I know you can make it good
 
though I saw it all around
never thought I could be affected
thought that we'd be the last to go
it is so strange the way things turn
 
drove the night toward my home
the place that I was born, on the lakeside
as daylight broke, I saw the earth
the trees had burned down to the ground
 
don't give up
you still have us
don't give up
we don't need much of anything
don't give up
'cause somewhere there's a place
where we belong
 
rest your head
you worry too much
it's going to be alright
when times get rough
you can fall back on us
don't give up
please don't give up
 
'got to walk out of here
I can't take anymore
going to stand on that bridge
keep my eyes down below
whatever may come
and whatever may go
that river's flowing
that river's flowing
 
moved on to another town
tried hard to settle down
for every job, so many men
so many men no-one needs
 
don't give up
'cause you have friends
don't give up
you're not the only one
don't give up
no reason to be ashamed
don't give up
you still have us
don't give up now
we're proud of who you are
don't give up
you know it's never been easy
don't give up
'cause I believe there's the a place
there's a place where we belong 


San Jacinto

Thick cloud - steam rising - hissing stone on sweat lodge fire
Around me - buffalo robe - sage in bundle - run on skin
Outside - cold air - stand, wait for rising sun
Red paint - eagle feathers - coyote calling - it has begun
Something moving in - I taste it in my mouth and in my heart
It feels like dying - slow - letting go of life

Medicine man lead me up though town - Indian ground -
so far down
Cut up land - each house - a pool - kids wearing water
wings - drink in cool
Follow dry river bed - watch Scout and Guides make
pow-wow signs
Past Geronimo's disco - Sit 'n' Bull steakhouse - white
men dream
A rattle in the old man's sack - look at mountain top -
keep climbing up
Way above us the desert snow - white wind blow
 
I hold the line - the line of strength that pulls me through
the fear
San Jacinto - I hold the line
San Jacinto - the poison bite and darkness take my sight -
I hold the line
And the tears roll down my swollen cheek - think I'm losing
it - getting weaker
I hold the line - I hold the line
San Jacinto - yellow eagle flies down from the sun -
from the sun
 
      We will walk - on the land
      We will breathe - of the air
      We will drink - from the stream
      We will live - hold the line


Here Comes the Flood

(1990 version)

When the night shows
the signals grow on radios
All the strange things
they come and go, as early warnings
Stranded starfish have no place to hide
still waiting for the swollen Easter tide
There's no point in direction we cannot even choose a side.

I took the old track
the hollow shoulder, across the waters
On the tall cliffs
they were getting older, sons and daughters
The jaded underworld was riding high
Waves of steel hurled metal at the sky
and as the nail sunk in the cloud, the rain was warm and soaked the crowd.

Lord, here comes the flood
We'll say goodbye to flesh and blood
If again the seas are silent
in any still alive
It'll be those who gave their island to survive
Drink up, dreamers, you're running dry.

When the flood calls,
You have no home, you have no walls
In the thunder crash
You're a thousand minds, within a flash
Don't be afraid to cry at what you see
The actors gone, there's only you and me
And if we break before the dawn, they'll use up what we used to be.

Lord, here comes the flood
We'll say goodbye to flesh and blood
If again, the seas are silent
in any still alive
It'll be those who gave their island to survive
Drink up, dreamers, you're running dry.


Red Rain

red rain is coming down
red rain
red rain is pouring down
pouring down all over me
 
I am standing up at the water's edge in my dream
I cannot make a single sound as you scream
it can't be that cold, the ground is still warm to touch
this place is so quiet, sensing that storm
 
red rain is coming down
red rain
red rain is pouring down
pouring down all over me
 
well I've seen them buried in a sheltered place in this town
they tell you that this rain can sting, and look down
there is no blood around see no sign of pain
hay ay ay no pain
seeing no red at all, see no rain
 
red rain is coming down
red rain
red rain is pouring down
pouring down all over me
 
red rain-
putting the pressure on much harder now
to return again and again
just let the red rain splash you
let the rain fall on your skin
I come to you defences down
with the trust of a child
 
red rain is coming down
red rain
red rain is pouring down
pouring down all over me
and I can't watch any more
no more denial
it's so hard to lay down in all of this
red rain is coming down
red rain is pouring down
red rain is coming down all over me
I see it
red rain is coming down
red rain is pouring down
red rain is coming down all over me
I'm bathing in it
red rain coming down
red rain is coming down
red rain is coming down all over me
I'm begging you
red rain coming down
red rain coming down
red rain coming down
red rain coming down
over me in the red red sea
over me
over me
red rain


Games Without Frontiers

Hans plays with Lotte, Lotte plays with Jane
Jane plays with Willi, Willi is happy again
Suki plays with Leo, Sacha plays with Britt
Adolf builts a bonfire, Enrico plays with it
-Whistling tunes we hid in the dunes by the seaside
-Whistling tunes we're kissing baboons in the jungle
It's a knockout
If looks could kill, they probably will
In games without frontiers-war without tears
Games without frontiers-war without tears
 
Jeux sans frontieres
Jeux sans frontieres
Jeux sans frontieres
 
Andre has a red flag, Chiang Ching's is blue
They all have hills to fly them on except for Lin Tai Yu
Dressing up in costumes, playing silly games
Hiding out in tree-tops shouting out rude names
-Whistling tunes we hide in the dunes by the seaside
-Whistling tunes we piss on the goons in the jungle
It's a knockout
If looks could kill they probably will
In games without frontiers-wars without tears
If looks could kill they probably will
In games without frontiers-war without tears
Games without frontiers-war without tears
 
Jeux sans frontieres
Jeux sans frontieres
Jeux sans frontieres


Shock the Monkey

Shock the monkey to life
Shock the monkey to life
 
Cover me when I run
Cover me through the fire
Something knocked me out' the trees
Now I'm on my knees
Cover me, darling please
Monkey, monkey, monkey
Don't you know when you're going to shock the monkey
 
Fox the fox
Rat the rat
You can ape the ape
I know about that
There is one thing you must be sure of
I can't take any more
Darling, don't you monkey with the monkey
Monkey, monkey, monkey
Don't you know you're going to shock the monkey
 
     Wheels keep turning
     Something's burning
     Don't like it but I guess I'm learning
 
Shock! - watch the monkey get hurt, monkey
 
Cover me, when I sleep
Cover me, when I breathe
You throw your pearls before the swine
Make the monkey blind
Cover me, darling please
Monkey, monkey, monkey
Don't you know you're going to shock the monkey
 
     Too much at stake
     Ground beneath me shake
     And the news is breaking
 
Shock! - watch the monkey get hurt, monkey
 
Shock the monkey
Shock the monkey
Shock the monkey to life


I Have the Touch

The time I like is the rush hour, cos I like the rush
The pushing of the people - I like it all so much
Such a mass of motion - do not know where it goes
I move with the movement and ... I have the touch
 
I'm waiting for ignition, I'm looking for a spark
Any chance collision and I light up in the dark
There you stand before me, all that fur and all that hair
Oh, do I dare ... I have the touch
 
     Wanting contact
     I'm wanting contact
     I'm wanting contact with you
     Shake those hands, shake those hands
     Give me the thing I understand
     Shake those hands, shake those hands
     Shake those hands, shake those hands
 
Any social occasion, it's hello, how do you do
All those introductions, I never miss my cue
So before a question, so before a doubt
My hand moves out and ... I have the touch
 
     Wanting contact
     I'm wanting contact
     I'm wanting contact with you
     Shake those hands, shake those hands
     Give me the thing I understand
     Shake those hands, shake those hands
 
Pull my chin, stroke my hair, scratch my nose, hug my knees
Try drink, food, cigarette, tension will not ease
I tap my fingers, fold my arms, breathe in deep, cross my legs
Shrug my shoulders, stretch my back - but nothing seems
     to please
 
     I need contact
     I need contact
     Nothing seems to please
     I need contact


Big Time

(suc cess)
 
I'm on my way, I'm making it
I've giot to make it show, yeah
so much larger than life
I'M going to watch it growing
 
the place where I come from is a small town
they think so small
they use small words
-but not me
I'm smarter than that
I worked it out
I've been stretching my mouth
to let those big words come right out
 
I've had enough, I'm getting out
to the city, the big big city
I'll be a big noise with all the big boys
there's so much stuff I will own
and I will pray to a big god
as I kneel in the big church
 
big time
I'm on my way-I'm making it
big time  big time
I've got to make it show yeah
big time  big time
so much larger than life
big time
I'm going to watch it growing
big time
 
my parties all have big names
and I greet them with the widest smile
tell them how my life is one big adventure^
and always they're amazed
when I show them round my house, to my bed
I had it made like a mountain range
with a snow-white pillow for my big fat head
and my heaven will be a big heaven
and I will walk through the front door
 
big time
I'm on my way-I'm making it
big time  big time
I've got to make it show-yeah
big time  big time
so much larger than life
I'm going to watch it growing
big time  big time
my car is getting bigger
big time
my house is getting bigger
big time
my eyes are getting bigger
big time
and my mouth
big time
my belly is getting bigger
big time
and my bank account
big time
look at my circumstance
big time
and the bulge in my big big big big big big big


Zaar

(Instrumental)


Biko

September '77
Port Elizabeth weather fine
It was business as usual
In police room 619
Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko
Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko
Yihla Moja, Yihla Moja
-The man is dead
 
When I try to sleep at night
I can only dream in red
The outside world is black and white
With only one colour dead
Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko
Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko
Yihla Moja, Yihla Moja
-The man is dead
 
You can blow out a candle
But you can't blow out a fire
Once the flames begin to catch
The wind will blow it higher
Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko
Yihla Moja, Yihla Moja
-The man is dead
 
And the eyes of the world are
         watching now
         watching now

 M P 3   S a m p l e s


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