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Product Description
CD Description
Almost eighteen years in the making, Big Blue Ball grew from three extraordinary Recording Weeks at Real World Studios in the summers of 1991, 1992 and 1995. Produced by Peter Gabriel, Karl Wallinger (of World Party, Waterboys) and Stephen Hague (Pet Shop Boys, OMD), BBB is a unique collection of stellar artists and songs - including Gabriel, Wallinger, Sinead O Connor, Natacha Atlas, Iarla O Lionaird and James McNally (both of Afro Celt Sound System), Papa Wemba, Joseph Arthur, Hukwe Zawose, Hungary s Marta Sebestyen, Tim Finn, Justin Adams, Jah Wobble, Billy Cobham, gospel group the Holmes Brothers, flamenco guitarist Juan Canizares, Japanese percussionist Joji Hirota, and many more...in all totaling 75 artists from over 20 countries. "It s like a wall of sound coming at you, listening to the planet from outer space, Karl Wallinger says of the final mix "It s a real world-view of music, a snapshot of the music-making continents at that time. It s a more apt time to release it now than ever before. I think it s actually gathered weight with time, because it s people from all over the world playing together, just getting on together. There s an iconic aspect about that which is probably more important now. Things have become more partisan. It s a timely reminder of how you can cooperate." Tracks: Whole Thing (Original Mix) (feat. Peter Gabriel, Francis Bebey, Alex Faku, Tim Finn, Karl Wallinger, Andy White) / Habibe (feat Natacha Atlas, Hossam Ramzy, Neil Sparkes) / Shadow (feat. Juan Cañizares, Papa Wemba) / altus silva (feat. Joseph Arthur, Ronan Browne, Deep Forest, James McNally, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Vernon Reid) / Exit Through You (feat. Joseph Arthur, Peter Gabriel, Karl Wallinger) / Everything Comes From You (feat. Richard Evans, Joji Hirota, Sevara Nazarkhan, Sinead O Connor, Guo Yue) / Burn You Up, Burn You Down (feat. Peter Gabriel, Billy Cobham, The Holmes Brothers, Wendy Melvoin, Arona N’diaye, Jah Wobble) / Forest (feat. Levon Minassian, Arona N’diaye, Vernon Reid, Hukwe Zawose) / Rivers (feat. Vernon Reid, Marta Sebestyen, Karl Wallinger) / Jijy (feat. Arona N’diaye, Rossy, Jah Wobble) / Big Blue Ball (feat. Karl Wallinger, Peter Gabriel, Manu Katché)
From the Artist
"One week in the middle of summer this craziness exploded in our Real World Studios. We had this week of invited guests, people from all around the world, fed by music and a 24 hour café. It was a giant playpen, a bring your own studio party. There'd be a studio set up on the lawn, in the garage, in someone's bedroom as well as the seven rooms we had available. We were curators of sorts of all this living mass. We had poets and songwriters there, people would come in and scribble things down, they'd hook up in the café. It was like a dating agency, then they'd disappear into the darkness and make noises - and we'd be there to record it." - Peter Gabriel, producer and performer.
"It used the facilities in the best possible way. It was what Real World was designed for. The way that it's built, the way the rooms are put together, the spaces like the big room that really came into their own. I don't think could have happened anywhere else." - Richard Chappell, recording engineer.
"It was an amazing feeling, with all of it happening at once. There were different producers in different studios. John Leckie, Phil Ramone, people you respect, it was fun to dive in -- I'd do guest guitar in one room, a bit of singing in another." Karl Wallinger, performer and producer.
"After all these years, it's a fine wine ready to be drunk," says Peter Gabriel, "It was the most fun music making I've ever had. I'd love to do it again."
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
'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.
Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
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.
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.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
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
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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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great collaboration
I've been a great Peter Gabriel fan and also loved the intelligent pop of Karl Wallinger's World Party, so when I discovered they'd been the main collaborators on Big Blue Ball it... Read more
Published 22 months ago by guzzifella
Good Combination of music
Big Blue Ball is a good combination of different musical talents and musical styles from all over the world. Brought together by Peter Gabriel in his Real World Studio. Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2010 by E. J. De Bruijn
The Ordinary v. Peter Gabriel
Love his music or not, along with the multi-cultural artists he champions, no one could say that P.G. is one-dimensional. Read more
Published on 22 May 2009 by B. R. Stocker
Amazingly coherent mish-mash
A surprise release from Peter Gabriel, and an unexpected pleasure. Some of Gabriel's output over recent years has been patchy at best (like Ovo and the Rabbit Proof Fence... Read more
Published on 28 Oct 2008 by Marchespie
Worth the wait! Peter Gabriel at his best
I heard about this project some time ago and thought it destined to never make it out of the Real World Studios. Well here it is and it's been well worth the 14 year wait. Read more
Published on 17 July 2008 by A. Hill
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