 |
|
The first officially released live set is composed almost entirely of songs from the third and fourth Peter Gabriel records. In doing so, Peter seems to have made a very clear statement about his music across the four albums. Particularly telling is the "this is a number we haven't done for a little while..." comment at the opening of Humdrum. In some ways this record shows the limitations of attempting to reproduce superb studio work in a live format with just five musicians in the early eighties. Sounds easily achievable in the studio were still difficult to recreate live, mainly due to the still lousy sound quality of road synthesisers (listen to the difference between the "bagpipes" on Come Talk to Me from Secret World Live and on Biko from Plays Live).
While comparing Plays Live tracks to their studio counterparts will usually see the live versions coming off second best, consider the still remarkable achievement that has been accomplished. Exactly how would you go about playing The Rhythm of the Heat live? Peter has never made it particularly easy for his road band, but the results really speak for themselves. At times it is possible to hear the exciting interplay between the musicians and the audience appreciation and participation.
The set was recorded at various locations on the Autumn 1982 tour of the United States and it was produced by Gabriel with Peter Walsh. Some acknowledged "cheating" was recorded at Bath in 1983. The effervescent playing and even joyousness evident on Plays Live is interesting considering that, at the time of recording, the black cloud of the financially disasterous Womad festival must have still hung over Peter's head, not to mention the marital problems. Perhaps this is the reason for PG's rather dour introductions for most of the songs (see the deadpan "....here we go..." for Family Snapshot). Then again, having seen Peter "playing live" both in the flesh and on several videos, it's quite possible that he always introduces his songs in that dour tone.
Written by Mercutio
while he had too much time
on his hands. Thankfully this has now been rectified.