OVO: Millennium Show

by

Peter Gabriel

Edit

Fans of Peter Gabriel rejoice! After eight long years, Peter Gabriel finally returns with "OVO," his first release of brand-new music since 1992's "Us." It's a soundtrack album to an acrobatic, Cirque De Soleil-type show exclusively playing at the Millennium Dome in England that Peter Gabriel did the music for. This album is Gabriel's music from the show, featuring not only classic lead vocals from Peter on certain tracks, but excellent guest vocal turns from the likes of Richie Havens, Elizabeth Fraser & Paul Buchanan. And let me tell you, Peter Gabriel fans, this album is *sensational*. Peter runs the whole musical gamut here, from gorgeous ballads (Father, Son) to soaring rock (The Tower That Ate People), from spine-tingling tunes (Downside-Up) to memorable instrumentals (The Nest That Sailed The Sky). Peter even throws in some amazing techno elements, some knockout world music beats, and even a slice of giddy celtic music! "OVO" is simply astonishing from beginning to end. This CD version of "OVO" differs from the Limited Edition version in that the artwork is totally different (but no less eye-popping), there's no bonus illustrated book or bonus CD-ROM disc, and one instrumental track from the Limited Edition version, "The Tree That Went Up," has been replaced by a rap song called "The Story Of OVO," rapped by Neneh Cherry & Roscoe, with excellent music and backing vocals by Gabriel. Otherwise, this version of the album is exactly identical to the Limited Edition version in it's content, and it's no less powerful, either.I think the best compliment that I can pay Peter Gabriel's "OVO" is that, although it's a soundtrack album with guest vocalists, it doesn't *feel* like a soundtrack album. It has the genuine feel of a proper solo release from Gabriel, and, after starving for eight long years for new music from this great genius, "OVO" is simply a godsend. It's only available on import right now for us North American fans, but I guarantee you, it's worth every single penny! So, buy this album, LOVE this album, and tell your friends about it. This could become the biggest-selling import album ever, and why not? A brilliant, sensational musical work from start to finish, "OVO" is a great cause for celebration. Peter Gabriel is BACK---spread the word!

This CD comes with a little more baggage than most. If you're a British taxpayer, you'll probably be aware that the Millennium Dome lost over $1 billion during its single year of operation. While the UK government continues to hunt for a buyer, it continues to cost over $1 million a month in maintenance, even though it's closed.

Sightly less well-known is the fact that the government paid Peter Gabriel over $1 million to write the Ovo music for the Millennium Show, which was the centrepiece event for

the Dome. The news of this payment damaged Peter's reputation, certainly in my mind, and may explain why this CD wasn't promoted more actively. Anything connected with the Dome has been derided by much of the British press.

I went to the Dome last October, and I have to say that, apart from the queuing, I enjoyed the experience. I watched the Millennium Show twice, so moved was I by the combination of Gabriel's music and the aerial ballet. Although the music was deliberately constructed to cover as many genres as possible to draw in a wide audience, it did little for my wife, 13-year-old son or nine-year-old daughter.

Heard separately from the visual feast, I'm not sure that much of the music is of lasting value. "The Tower that Ate People" is the focal point of this allegory about the failings of a mechanically advanced civilisation. (Other former Genesis members seem obsessed by the symbol -- for instance, 'A Tower Struck Down' on Steve Hackett's VOYAGE OF THE ACOLYTE.) 'The Time of the Turning' is my favourite track on the album, combining a great tune with an enthralling arrangement.

I love much of Gabriel's music, particularly 'Passion', 'Security' and all his work with Genesis. But as modern music composers grow older, it becomes increasingly impossible for them to write the cutting-edge music for which they were once known. The idea of a white fiftysomething writing rap is vaguely risible.

For me, this CD is a wonderful souvenir of my family's day at the Dome. The lyrics have acquired an unfortunate unintended sheen of prescience. But that's largely it. I'm in awe of the Amazon reviewers who can appreciate this CD so much without having seen the show. You would have turned to ecstasy if you had witnessed that event!