When you’re a music video pioneer like Peter Gabriel, you can’t afford to make live concert films that aren’t filled with mind-blowing visuals and optical illusions. In recent years, Gabriel has gone to great lengths to ensure any live DVD or Blu-ray Disc bearing his name is an enticing feast for both your eyes and ears. He’s already done in-the-round and 3D with an orchestra, so the only logical thing to do was to film a concert at London’s O2 using the latest Ultra High Definition 4K technology. The result is Back to Front: Live In London, a stunning overview of Gabriel’s career with a performance of his landmark So album in its entirety as its centerpiece.
At first, we approach concert from Gabriel’s POV, wearing his “mask.” Suddenly, we’re on stage, the house lights are on, the members of the audience are seated and Gabriel is behind the piano with a cup of coffee. “Are you sitting comfortably?” he asks. He goes on to explain that the format of the show is like a meal. There’s the acoustic set, followed by the savory course (“electronic, a little darker in flavor”), and, as Gabriel, “If you survive that, you get the dessert,” which is, of course, “The full album of So from top to bottom.” Bassist Tony Levin joins him for a seemingly impromptu, unfinished “Daddy Long Legs,” before the rest of the band comes up for the acoustic set. Hearing toned-down versions of “Talk To Me” and “Shock The Monkey” reveal a bare essence of songs originally adorned in rich production. A prime example of Gabriel’s daring spirit to mix it up and bravery in playing with his music in new and illuminating ways.
“Digging In the Dirt” is the first song of the “electric” portion of the show. The roving lights and manic pace starkly contrast the previous set, and that’s probably just the way Gabriel and those of follow him like it. Staying unpredictable is the name of the game. Even so, the arrangements are as comforting as old friends. From the ominous hopefulness of “Secret World” to the ample flow of “Solsbury Hill,” the songs fit like a glove at every turn, and for good reason. Gabriel’s bands comprises four stellar musicians — drummer Manu Katche, keyboardist David Sancious, guitarist David Rhodes and Levin — who have served with Gabriel expeditiously for years, and were all part of the original So tour of 1986-87. Of course, when it came to So, it was about as close to the album as you could possibly get.
After the alluring “Show Yourself,” which backing vocalist Linnea Olsson on cello, it was time to explore So in all it glory. “Red Rain” and “Sledgehammer” (with a teasing opening and swaying rhythm), both long part of Gabriel’s live show, go off without a hitch, whereas “Don’t Give Up,” infrequently played live is a bit of a letdown, mood-wise and vocally on part of Jennie Abrahamson, whose lilting deliver doesn’t quite measure up to that of Kate Bush or, to a lesser extent, Paula Cole. “That Voice Again” is magical, lifted by Gabriel’s own piano work. It gets even better on “We Do What We’re What We’re Told.” But before all that, “Big Time” rocks a little harder for an audience unprepared for what happens next. “This Is The Picture” takes it a little further, but “In Your Eyes,” sweetened up with extra vocals from Abrahamson and Daby Toure, brings it all back for a clearly enthusiastic following. “Biko,” as always, reinforces Gabriel’s social consciousness, which continues to resonate. When it’s all said, Peter Gabriel’s Back to Front: Live In London pretty much has you covered…front to back.
~ Shawn Perry
