BIG BLUE BALL

Originally recorded at Real World studios over numerous sessions between 1991 and 1995 this album has finally seen the light of day. Like a large jigsaw puzzle and through mainly the erstwhile efforts of Peter Gabriel, Karl Wallinger ( World Party fame) and mixer/producer Stephen Hague after many hours and hard labour, Big Blue Ball is now available to the listeners.

The music is a collaboration of sorts from various artists. Much more useful to view the credits section , but mainly Karl Wallinger, Joseph Arthur, Tim Finn ( Split Enz/Crowded House fame), the ubiquitous David Rhodes on guitar, Deep Forest and Tchad Blake to name a few. First class production and sound quality gives this album the distinct Gabriel wall of sound with the Passion,Us world music elements also.

The album kicks off with the typical Gabriel rocker Whole Thing. In fact if you are looking for similar strong songs in this vein on the album check out also Exit Through You and ' Burn You Up, Burn You Down ( the last one also off his recent Hits album release. Joseph Arthur works well with Peter Gabriel as does Karl Wallinger in delivering three solid tracks. Other noteworthy songs are the beautiful Altus Silva and the highlight for me River with world renowned Hungarian vocalist Marta Sebesteyn delivering a perfectly plaintive voice. The final track is the self titled Big Blue Ball written and sung by Karl Wallinger and is a very uplifting positive song to end this environmentally conscious album on.

For any Peter Gabriel fans I strongly recommend getting this. For me this even stronger than the Ovo release. A solid three and a half stars.