Customer Reviews

Big Blue Ball

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!)

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.

"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!

I actually purchased this CD for my brother as I already own it myself. This music seems to be a departure for Gabriel from his usual stuff. He includes pieces by other musicians, and like it's title this seems to end up being more about music from around the "Big Blue Ball". I enjoyed hearing music from other cultures. I'd highly recommend it.

I bought this as a World Party (Karl Wallinger) fan. And of course, what fan of World Party doesn't love Peter Gabriel? And Sinead O'Connor, as far as I can recall from "back in the day" was o.k. So this sounded like a mix I had to have. And it almost is. But here's the thing. There's only one Wallinger number - and it is quinessential World Party material and I love it (it's the last song on the album). And there are 4 really excellent Gabriel numbers that are as good as Gabriel gets (and I mean that in a good way). But Sinead's hastily-written (by the sound of it) song sort of sucks, and then the rest of the album is a virtually unlistenable ethnic stew of zydego, Mid-Eastern nasally chanting crap, and a some other hard to define styles that I'm not nearly worldy enough to appreciate - even a little. So overall, if you love Gabriel, and can't live without his complete collection, go for it. The same is true, to a lesser extend for World Party (since there's only the one song). Personally I hate listening to albums that have songs I just can't listen to - it really ruins the experience - even though I do have a track advance button. This album has a whole bevy of them. If I had it to do over, I'd skip it.

By the way, as I understand it, this is the same album as the other Big Blue Ball cd - I got this one 'cause I thought the cover illustration was more interesting.

Any ideas what the differences are between the 2 versions available: ASIN: B0018RKENW and ASIN: B00195FU9Q - aside from price and cover art?
Both are listed as being CDs with the same track and editorial descriptions. Amazon eve offers them as a package deal. And what a deal that is!!

Don't bother asking Amazon, as they are clueless and that's where they leave it - after repeatedly witnessing the clerk mentality raised to an art form - instead of trying to get answer.

Any reliable help, as opposed to simply more speculation in which we are buried,would be welcomed.

Thanks.