SECRET WORLD LIVE

Peter Gabriel has of course a name to hold up when it comes to playing live. So I was pretty curious to see this show, decades after I've seen him perform live myself. And great this is!! The stage setting is absolutely awesome, with the musicians standing 'in the round'. The lighting is superb and gives you a hell of a watching experience. But it's the music that it's all about. And that is great too. From the start you witness a very professional show with a well-thought choreography and use of sober but effective means like a real British telephone booth. 'Come talk to me' is a very good opener with ample possibilities for Gabriel to shine a light on him and on Paula Cole, no doubt a real asset in this performance. The sound is clear, the mix of instruments well balanced, the songs are performed in a sometimes very surprising manner. My personal favourite is no doubt the ballad 'Blood of Eden' that sends numerous shivers down my spine. So beautifully sung and played, almost unbelievable. But actually all songs are very, very good, including 'Don't give up' in which Cole succeeds in singing Kate Bush' part convincingly enough.

Yet there is one thing that turns out a bit annoying when watching the show. There is hardly if any room for spontaneity. All that is done and played is extremely well organised and performed but where is the interaction with the public? If there had not been any public, hadn't they played then anyhow? It is like a professional play instead of a rock concert. In that respect this show is probably a bit too much thought of, too much produced, too perfect. Therefore I won't give it 5 stars but keep to 4,5. Because it is a very, very good dvd.