Peter Gabriel - Live at Rockpalast Essen, Germany, Sept, 15, 1978 {UK} [1978] (Excellent Bootleg) (Kindly Submitted by Blplus)

This was submitted by Blplus, a friend of ProgNotFrog. And these are his enthusiastic comments about this bootleg:

I must say first of all that I have been a Gabriel fan over the years, and being disappointed by the long wait (10 years without a new studio album) and the subsequent below par Up-Growing Up-Still Growing Up stuff; it’s been a privilege to have access to this material from the 1978 tour.

The first impression is that this one sounds great for a boot.
The setlist is based on PG´s first and second albums, plus the closing with The Lamb. The musicians that contributed on both albums are here, Larry “Synergy” Fast on keyboards providing the atmospherics (listen to the intro), Levin the master of the bass and stick in conjunction with Marotta giving a strong rhythmic base, John Ellis on guitar is the least known member, this gig and another one with Peter Hamill have been his more important milestones. And of course, there´s Robert Fripp. What else can be said about the master? I was very curious when I learned that Fripp was playing in the 1st Gabriel album (eventually on the 2nd and 3rd as well). Anyway, this collaboration worked both ways (Levin began working with KC shortly after these gigs and made his first appearance in the 1981 Discipline album).

This concert is pure Gabriel energy, starting with a strong “On the Air”, following with the Genesis-like “Moribund the Burgermeister” (would have fit in the Lamb, I think), then on to a GREAT “Perspective” where Levin and Marotta kick asses. The credits don´t mention the sax player who makes a great solo. Then, a Gabriel standard up to these days “Here comes the flood”. This ballad sounds a bit different here thanks to the mysterious sax player again. Following is my favourite from this concert, “White Shadow” with a synth intro by Fast that blends with the rhythm section. This is a great song that seldom appears in Gabriel live cds. A bit of Frippertronics at the end. “Waiting for the big one”, the longest track, features Gabriel on piano and vocals swimming on non familiar waters (blues by the way), there is an interesting duel between the guitar and the sax (Timmy Capello from what I hear Gabriel introducing the musicians).

“Humdrum” is not one of my favourites and this version is no exception, but I have to say that the interesting thing is that it represents a period where PG hadn’t completely separated from the prog influence of his Genesis days. Then a track that represents the complete opposite “I don’t remember” makes you want to get up and dance. Another survivor in today’s PG concerts is “Solsbury Hill”, nothing special to comment. “Modern love” is full of pure Gabriel force that we miss so much nowadays.

The encore, a salute to the past: “The Lamb lies down on Broadway”. This is the only time that I am aware of that PG has played this track with his band.

In short, great sound, awesome musicians, and Gabriel at his best, what else can you expect? If only we could have some of this magic on these Growing Up days. Enjoy!

Angel Gómez, July 2006


I guess that says it all,

Keep listening...!!!

Links in the usual place.

Peter Gabriel - Humdrum...