Big Blue Ball

Big Blue Ball | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 24, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Real World
• ASIN: B00195FU9Q
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #72,531 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #53 in Music > World Music > Middle East > Arabic

Track Listings

1. Whole Thing (Original Mix) (feat. Francis Bebey, Alex Faku, Tim Finn, Peter Gabriel, Karl Walllinger, Andy White)

2. Habibe (feat Natacha Atlas, Hossam Ramzy, Neil Sparkes)

3. Shadow (feat. Juan Cañizares, Papa Wemba)

4. altus silva (feat. Joseph Arthur, Ronan Browne, Deep Forest, James McNally, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Vernon Reid)

5. Exit Through You (feat. Joseph Arthur, Peter Gabriel, Karl Wallinger)

6. Everything Comes From You (feat. Richard Evans, Joji Hirota, Sevara Nazarkhan, Sinead O Connor, Guo Yue)

7. Burn You Up, Burn You Down (feat. Billy Cobham, Peter Gabriel, The Holmes Brothers, Wendy Melvoin, Arona N diaye, Jah Wobble)

8. Forest (feat. Levon Minassian, Arona N Diaye, Vernon Reid, Hukwe Zawose)

9. Rivers (feat. Vernon Reid, Marta Sebestyen, Karl Wallinger)

10. Jijy (feat. Arona N Diaye, Rossy, Jah Wobble)

11. Big Blue Ball (feat. Peter Gabriel, Manu Katché, Karl Wallinger)

Editorial Reviews

An album of collaborations, a truly international, multi-artist project that grew from a series of "recording weeks" at Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios in the early 1990's. Many artists took part in writing songs, making music and being part of the musical community. Produced by Gabriel, Karl Wallinger (World Party) and Stephen Hague (Pet Shop Boys, New Order, Robbie Williams). This album comes in two different covers, this cover option is a graphic design of a winking big blue ball whereas option 1 is a photograph of a big Blue Ball on a hill.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The *Other* Album Cover Is Better, Don't Ya Think?, June 28, 2008

By 

Alan Caylow (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Big Blue Ball (Audio CD)

Okay, so this isn't a review of "Big Blue Ball" (other than to say that it's an outstanding album, hence my 5-star rating). It looks to me like the only difference between this "Big Blue Ball" and the *other* "Big Blue Ball" is the album cover. The tracks are exactly the same. The other album cover is better, don't ya think? Go on, look at it. I mean, it's just total "big blue ball"....it's much more striking & representative. Looks good in the music stores, too. You see that big blue ball on the cover, and you know exactly what album it is! *This* album cover....it's very pretty, but that's about it. So, Uncle Alan says go buy the other "Big Blue Ball" instead of this one. (P.S. My proper review of the album is over there too!)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent blend of world music with the Peter Gabriel flair!, August 25, 2008

By 

P. Franklin (Portland, Oregon United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Big Blue Ball (Audio CD)

This album is an excellent blend of both world music and classic Peter Gabriel sounds. You'll hear his sounds blended all through the album. Altus Silva is a beautiful melody with gaelic charm. This will not disappoint those looking for a different flavor.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Around the World in 11 Songs, July 2, 2008

By 

Amaranth "music fan" (Northern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Big Blue Ball (Audio CD)

"Big Blue Ball" is the fruitful, fascinating fusion of three amazing Recording Weeks at Peter Gabriel's Real World Studio in Wiltshire, England. Gabriel united musicians from around the world in an electrifying open mike session. There's something for everyone. It's a natural compilation, right down to the tracks "Forest" and "Rivers."

"Big Blue Ball" opens with the electrifying "Whole Thing" that deftly blends Pygmy flute with contemporary dance. In the sensual "Habibe", Egyptian diva Natacha Atlas sings a love song with the Hossam Ramzy Egyptian Ensemble. "Shadow" magically blends African music with Spanish flamenco. "Altus Silva" blends Celtic stylings with Papa Wemba's congas. "Everything Comes From You" is a plea for peace. It has an unusually serene Sinead O'Connor singing with a Japanese percussionist and Chinese flautists. "Forest" evokes the African jungle, while "Rivers" has the Hungarian singer Marta Sebestyen with a Turkmen ensemble, flowing like water. The closing title track is a touching plea for universal unity, following in the theme of the opening song. It's musical alchemy blending a Celtic-sounding accordion with African drums.

"Big Blue Ball" is an amazing,psychedelic world fusion album. (I got the alternate cover shown because it looks like the sort of art the Grateful Dead would go for!) It's a delightful rainbow of vocals and instrumentals. Enjoy the Real World!