PLAYS LIVE

Once, I wrote an anecdotal article about ten legendary live albums. Somehow, Peter Gabriel's "Plays Live" was not included in that list, which is actually strange. The double album "Plays Live" with its distinctive cover featuring a close- up of Gabriel with his face painted like a monkey is as legendary as it gets. Gabriel and his albums were, to say the least, trending topics in my environment in the 80s. It was a missed opportunity that I overlooked the album in my article. With this review, I am taking revenge on myself, so to speak.

First some facts. "Plays Live" consists of sixteen songs recorded during a tour of the United States and Canada in 1982. The selection on the album comes from four locations in the Midwest of America. The first twelve songs were recorded during three different concerts in the state of Illinois, while the last four songs were recorded in Kansas City. The album was released on June 6, 1983, as a double LP and oh, how impressive LP covers are. In 1985, a slimmed- down version called "Plays Live Highlights" was released, featuring only twelve songs, some of which were also shortened. Finally, in 1987, the complete album was released on a double CD and it wasn't until 2019 that it became available as a digital stream on various platforms.

The liner notes state the following: Some additional recording took place not a thousand miles away from the home of the artist. The generic term for this process is cheating. Care has been taken to keep the essence of the gigs intact, including human imperfection.

I don't care about all that. I firmly believe in the band's integrity. What spontaneous and passionate music the gentlemen bring and how skilled they are. Listen to how drummer Jerry Marotta manifests himself and how he collaborates with the incomparable Tony Levin on bass guitar and Chapman Stick. Listen to how guitarist David Rhodes and keyboardist Larry Fast fill the music in their own unique way and above all, do not overlook Gabriel's amazing voice. I often use the word amorous to describe vocals in my reviews, but Gabriel elevates the word to the fourth power. Sometimes it seems like there are multiple vocal cords in his throat. No, I'm not talking about harmony singing or anything like that. Just his powerful voice.

The album comes at a great point in his career. He has four solo albums to draw from at that time and he does so abundantly. Only one song is an odd one out. It's the David Bowie-esque I Go Swimming, a song originally intended for his third album. It's a catchy uptempo number, in my opinion, truly something meant for the stage. Gabriel's music deserves to be released live and realize that it is happening for the first time on "Plays Live". From the scorching opening track The Rhythm Of The Heat with its angular tom rhythm and thunderous climax to the impressive closing piece Biko, it's a stronghold of intensity and energy you hear. Of course, everything is well balanced, with a pleasant variety. The contemplative San Jacinto passes by and time and time again, I am floored by the powerful guitar chords and Gabriel threatening to sing the world to pieces. There are also a few lively songs like On The Air and D.I.Y., contrasting with a couple of calm songs like Humdrum and Family Snapshot, but the majority is devoted to the regular Gabriel songs. I'm talking about tracks like I Have The Touch, Not One Of Us, No Self Control, I Don't Remember and Shock The Monkey. The hit Solsbury Hill is also in attendance and believe me, back in 1983, it wasn't as catchy as it is now. I always thought it was a nice song.

"Plays Live" was my most played LP at the time. I don't know that for sure, of course, but my feeling tells me it's true. I hardly ever listen to this magnificent album anymore. I can't. It hangs neatly framed on the wall. Out of respect.

Originally posted on www.progenrock.com