So [25th Anniversary Edition]

by Peter Gabriel

Overview

Peter Gabriel introduced his fifth studio album, So, with "Sledgehammer," an Otis Redding-inspired soul-pop raver that was easily his catchiest, happiest single to date. Needless to say, it was also his most accessible, and, in that sense it was a good introduction to So, the catchiest, happiest record he ever cut. "Sledgehammer" propelled the record toward blockbuster status, and Gabriel had enough songs with single potential to keep it there. There was "Big Time," another colorful dance number; "Don't Give Up," a moving duet with Kate Bush; "Red Rain," a stately anthem popular on album rock radio; and "In Your Eyes," Gabriel's greatest love song, which achieved genuine classic status after being featured in Cameron Crowe's classic Say Anything. These all illustrated the strengths of the album: Gabriel's increased melodicism and ability to blend African music, jangly pop, and soul into his moody art rock. Apart from these singles, plus the urgent "That Voice Again," the rest of the record is as quiet as the album tracks of Security. The difference is, the singles on that record were part of the overall fabric; here, the singles are the fabric, which can make the album seem top-heavy (a fault of many blockbuster albums, particularly those of the mid-'80s). Even so, those songs are so strong, finding Gabriel in a newfound confidence and accessibility, that it's hard not to be won over by them, even if So doesn't develop the unity of its two predecessors.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/22/2012
Label:	Real World Prod. Ltd
UPC:	0884108001547
catalogNumber:	800154
Rank:	4485

Tracks

1. Red Rain
2. Sledgehammer
3. Don't Give Up
4. That Voice Again
5. Mercy Street
6. Big Time
7. We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37)
8. This is the Picture (Excellent Birds)
9. In Your Eyes

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Peter Gabriel   Primary Artist,Synthesizer,Percussion,Piano,Vocals,Background Vocals,Synclavier,Prophet Synthesizer,Linn Drum,CS-80
Kate Bush   Vocals,Guest Appearance
Stewart Copeland   Drums,Hi Hat
Bill Laswell   Bass
Nile Rodgers   Guitar
P.P. Arnold   Background Vocals
Michael Been   Background Vocals
Djalma Corrèa   Conga,Triangle
Coral Gordon   Background Vocals
Wayne Jackson   Trumpet,Cornet
Manu Katché   Percussion,Drums,talking drum
Jim Kerr   Background Vocals
Larry Klein   Bass
Daniel Lanois   Guitar,Tambourine,12-string Guitar
Tony Levin   Bass
Dee Lewis   Background Vocals
Jerry Marotta   Drums
Don Mikkelsen   Trombone
Youssou N'Dour   Guest Appearance
David Rhodes   Guitar,Background Vocals
Mark Rivera   Saxophone
Richard Tee   Piano
Ronnie Bright   Bass (Vocal)
Simon Clark   Bass,Hammond Organ,CS-80

Technical Credits

Laurie Anderson   Composer
Peter Gabriel   Composer,Lyricist,Producer,Horn Arrangements,Cmi
David Bottrill   Engineer
Wayne Jackson   Horn Arrangements
Kevin Killen   Engineer
Bruce Lampcov   overdub engineer
Daniel Lanois   Producer,Engineer,Horn Arrangements
David Rhodes   Arranger,Composer,Lyricist
David Stallbaumer   Engineer,Studio Manager
Jairo Gualberto   Percussion Engineer
Richard Chappell   Engineer
Ary Carvalhaes   Percussion Engineer
Marc Bessant   Graphic Design,Repackaging
Graciela Silberberg   Session Supervisor
Simon Clark   Cmi
Dan Blore   Sleeve Restoration
Charlene Colon   Session Supervisor
Renato Costa   Session Supervisor
Mic Smith   Introduction