Secret World Live

It's actually kind of funny. I never meant to see this film. I was home one night studying when i happened to turn on the T.V. and I saw 'Peter Gabriel's Secret World' on the screen while the opening strains of what I later found out to be 'Come Talk To Me'. Thinking I would get to see 'Sledgehammer' (the only song i knew of by PG), I left it on. By the time 'Come Talk To Me' and 'Steam' were done, there was nothing that could have gotten me to turn the channel.

I have since seen the entire film as well as purchased the CD, and it impresses me as much now as when I first watched it 6 years ago. Shot over 2 nights in November, 1993 in Modena, Italy, composed of 2 stages, a catwalk with a 60' treadmill built into it, a dome which doubled as the lighting structure for the 'female' (round) stage and a rotating screen over the 'male' (square) stage, there is definately a lot to keep track of. And I haven't even mentioned the band yet! To the credit of Gabriel and stage director Robert LePage, it all works together seamlessly from song to song and never seems excessive or disjointed.

And then there is the band itself. Peter has always managed to stock his studio albums with top-notch talent and his tours are no exception. Tony Levin on bass is rock-solid in his playing and actually getting to watch his technique for playing, from tapping out notes with drumsticks, to the upright bass, to doing a little jig with the Chapman Stick during 'Solisbury Hill' will impress everyone watching. David Rhodes, while not nearly as flashy on guitar, is equally solid and provided a lot of the background rhythm in the songs. When you're following along to something in your head and can't quite put your finger on it, credit Mr. Rhodes. Manu Katche on drums manages to infuse a variety of sources into some truly enjoyable percussion work. Levon Miinissian and Jean-Claude Naimro both serve to add depth and atmosphere to the songs on the Duooduk and keyboards respectivly. And for her 1st tour, Paula Cole does an amazing job on vocals alongside Gabriel. And considering she was brought in as a 2nd replacement female vox. on the tour, it is all the more impressive. And then there is Peter himself. While not quite able to sustain the high notes of his youth and looking rather embaressing doing pelvic thrusts during 'Steam', he nontheless turns in an impressive vocal performance which manages to convey the emotion of the tracks selected here, most of which are from the 'Us' album, which was written as a form of therapy for Peter after a divorce from his childhood sweetheart and 2 nasty ends to relationships.

Overall, this is a top-notch concert film from start to finish, and I think only Pink Floyd's The Wall beats it in terms of a concert that combines performance, music and a theme to take home with you and think about after it's all said and done.

A vast improvement over the concert film from the "SO" tour, which ruined the spectacle of Peter's stage show by unwise camera work (mostly by pulling in for close ups during a stage show designed for a wide view, as well as cutting away from the stage show entirely.)

Like most concert films, it's essentially for fans only - why else would you want to see a concert? - but fans should do what they can to get their hands on a copy. Terrific arrangements and embellishments to some of Peter's best material.

I am not a fan of concert videos at all. I feel they can not provide anywhere near the amount of energy one gets from a live show, and since all concerts are designed for the stimulation of the live audience, most video/dvd concerts fall rather flat.

This, however, is one of those rare viewing experiences that transcends the medium. Gabriel weaves so much stimulation into his concerts that you can't help but be impacted by all the happenings. Etched forever in my mind is his performance of "Come Talk To Me," which might be one of the most intense and passionate performances ever captured on film/video/anything.

If you're not a Peter Gabriel fan, watch this and you will be. If you're a Peter Gabriel fan and you haven't seen this, then you're not the fan you think you are. Almost a religous experience.

A while ago my mom came home from work and she bought this DVD. The first thing she said was that I would really like his music, but I wasn't interested in it so I didn't watch it. A few days later I turned on the DVD player, forgot this DVD was in it and started watching.

After the first song "Come talk to me" I was sold and I couldn't stop watching. I was really impressed by the beautiful voice of this man and his energy on stage. the music is wonderful and very variated from slow, lovely ballads to energetic songs which really make you jump off your chair (or whatever you're sitting on :P ).

I recommend everybody who's still doubting to watch it, to just do it and let the feel-good music come to you :)

It was my good fortune to attend a Gabriel concert in 1980 just after he had left Genesis and embarked on a solo tour in the town of Taunton, England. What luck to travel 1/2 a world and find him. Even more astonishing to sit in a darkened theatre and exchange words with a latecomer over the concert and the support act and when the lights went up to discover it was Peter himself as he rose from the seat to take his place on the stage. It was memorable for a stripped down stage show, a baby who wailed at an appropriate moment in Mother of Violence, and a rapturous applause from the audience for the show. From that to this, full on stage effects, marvelous music, astounding camera work, and don't i just love the way that Peter does not hog the show. What an extraordinary group of musicians he has and how they enjoy each other and playing the music. You Europeans are damn lucky to get to go, pity us down the bottom of the world 12500 miles away, But this DVD brings them into your room, and as Jon Anderson sings 'It's almost like being there' .Oh yes! Go you bald men go. Glad Peter joined Tony and David in the head department, and now the drummer as well.