Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Big Blue Ball, 31 Aug 2008
'Big Blue Ball' is a true world album in every sense of the word, with a hugely diverse and inspiring collection of artists in one place. From the wonderful album opener 'Whole Thing' you know you're in for a real treat. This song sounds strongly like a Peter Gabriel solo track, which is no bad thing at all. 'Habibe' has a beautiful Arabic feel, 'Shadow' is reminiscent of the Gypsy kings and 'Altus Silva' has heavenly celtic influences. Just some of the world influences on show here. There are haunting and moving lyrics on 'Everything Comes From You' and I could sit back and immerse myself in this track over and over. 'Burn You Up, Burn You Down' was originally heard on Peter Gabriel's 'Hit' CD and this alternative version is just as good nestled in the middle of this album. The sessions for this album became a hot bed of creativity and poetry and it is evident on every track. As Peter Gabriel described it, the sessions became like a musical dating agency with many artists coming together and writing and recording, and you can see that this album is the wonderful result of all those collaborations. The offspring of all those various musical liaisons. 'Rivers' has moving vocals and brooding emotion throughout and although my least favourite, the rap of 'Jijy' shows just how diverse and varied this album actually is. Finally you get the excellent and uplifting album closer 'Big Blue Ball' which tops off an evocative and stirring musical journey. It is rare for me to give a virtual track by track run down of an album but this offers so much variety, passion and beautiful music that every song here warrants a mention. A superb album and as you may have guessed, one I highly recommend.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Big Blue Ball - Holland, 28 Jun 2008
This is a real.... Realworld-Records item.
If you know the Peter Gabriel sound like the 'Us' album and the 'Secret World Live' cd then this cd bring that same feeling/vibe.
You'll hear songs sung by Peter Gabriel..but also from his RW-partners and guests like Sinead O'Conner and Tim Finn and the african (I guess) Papa Wemba, an also hearable sound from the 'Secret World Live' album.
The songs on the ablum are composed by many writers. Songs like 'Whole Thing' and 'Exit Through You' are the songs coming close to the Gabriel style. 'Shadow' is a song by the Papa Wemba band. A african style song that's really cheerfull (although they're not singing English)
The song 'Everything Comes from You' sung by Sinead O'Conner is a more Celtic/Japanese like sound with the flute in the background and the heavy drums beating through. 'A nice mix of mood and culture'
Although this cd was created in a weeks time. The project was in production for almost 18 years.
Big Blue Ball is a fine cd of differents sounds, cultures and moods.
Fans of the Gabriel sound will be satisfied of to purchase this disc
Nico Sier
Holland
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A big blue world of talent and great musicianship, 28 Jul 2008
Big Blue Ball is not a Peter Gabriel solo album, but a collection of tracks recorded at Gabriel's Real World Studios throughout three recording weeks in 1991, 1992 and 1995. It is the culmination of the work of musicians from all around the world, and it's nice to finally hear the results, albeit well over a decade later, which in Gabriel time is quite a fast turnaround.
Gabriel does take lead vocals on a couple of tracks, the first of these is opening number "Whole Thing" (as featured throughout Ewan McGregor's Long Way Down series), which is a wonderful song with one of the finest Gabriel vocals in a long time. The Gabriel and Karl Wallinger partnership really shines throughout this collection of songs, but most prominently on this track and the original version of "Burn You Up, Burn You Down" - the third version of this particular song, which differs from both the 2003 single release and the heavily synthesised version on Gabriel's Hit compilation.
The highlight for me though, is the Joseph Arthur/Gabriel duet, "Exit Through You", featuring a typical Gabriel groove, distorted drums and a wonderful performance from Peter. I was however, left craving for an all-Gabriel version, as this could have easily been a classic.
Nowadays, music making seems to be the last thing on Gabriel's list of priorities, and although as a visionary and ideas man, he's untouchable, there are still some of us who are craving for some new music from him, so for now, this is as good as it gets. Gabriel doesn't dominate the album though, only featuring heavily on the above three tracks, leaving a wealth of talent from across the globe, shine throughout the rest.
Other highlights for me include Natasha Atlas' wonderful performance during "Habibe", with her silky-smooth vocals working perfectly alongside an Egyptian string band flowing with eastern atmosphere. Sinaed O'Connor takes the lead on "Everything Comes from You", Papa Wemba gives a rather distinctive performance with Juan Cañzares on the summery "Shadow". Joseph Arthur appears again with members of Deep Forest and Iarla O' Lionáird (who sung on Gabriel's Ovo album) on the rather lovely "Altus Silva", and there's more skilled musicianship and great melodies on tracks such as "Forest" and "Rivers", with only the rap of "Jijy" sounding out of place. The album closes with Karl Wallinger's title track.
Overall Big Blue Ball is an upbeat, eclectic mix of musical styles, languages, instruments and atmospheres, and a perfect model of what Peter Gabriel set out to achieve with his Real World Studios.
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