Peter Gabriel: Live in Athens 1987

Peter Gabriel: Live in Athens 1987
Side A opens with ‘This is the Picture (Excellent Birds) the track leans very heavily on keyboards providing a constant beat throughout, it’s not a traditional opener as it doesn’t hit you in the face it’s a more mellow affair and introduces the listener to the world of Peter Gabriel. ‘San Jacinto’ is the next track and it’s also one of my favourite on the album, in a live environment it adds an extra dimension. The keyboard sounds are haunting the drums sombre and the lyrics hard hitting. His vocal on this track is some of the best I’ve ever heard especially on the chorus it’s so powerful and yet so heartfelt. ‘Shock The Monkey’ sees a more pop driven sound come to the forefront with a catchy chorus, and a groovy bassline. A juxtaposition to the previous track and a highlight in Gabriel’s discography. Ending Side A is another sombre affair ‘Family Snapshot.’ About how an individual became a murderer and the circumstances leading up to that it’s a really dark song, and brings a rather haunting end to Side A. 
Side B opens with ‘Intruder’ a powerful statement with loud drums and keyboards, a song about a burglary from the eyes of the intruder. It’s a brilliant song, a true rock stomper. ‘Games Without Frontiers’ is the next track on Side B a true Peter Gabriel classic. This live version features a lot of crowd participation in the chorus, and it adds a huge layer to the song. It being sung by 1000s of people highlights the strength of the song writing. ‘No Self Control’ is the third track, another slow paced sombre track with intricate keyboard sounds. It’s a song about not being able to stop certain activities hence the title, the protagonist has no self control. Ending Side B is ‘Mercy Street’ the So ballad brings a brilliant side of music to an end, it’s a slow paced song it’s a really sad song, lyrically it can hit you hard. The NME actually called it one of the most depressing songs ever. 
Side C opens with ‘The Family and The Fishing Net’ a song about the idea of weddings and Gabriel’s resentment of the idea of them. The song came about after he found out his wife was having an affair. He’d been influenced by poetry and it led to a complex song being created. A cornerstone of the album. ‘Don’t Give Up’ is the next track a beautiful ballad and maybe one of the best on the album it’s a classic and live it sounds even more beautiful his delivery makes the lyrics resonate with everyone in the crowd and they sing it back to Peter like their lives depend on it. ‘Solsbury Hill’ is next the guitar riff is instantly recognisable. It’s a short snappy affair but the audience knows every word, it’s a mass sing along and a powerful shot of guitar pop after row long ballads. ‘Lay Your Hands on Me’ ends Side C another long track and Gabriel takes the crowd participation to the next level, by falling back into the crowd as he sings the chorus. The audience are doing as he song title suggests, I love this song and this version made me fall in love with Peter Gabriel. It’s brilliant. 
Side D opens with ‘Sledgehammer’ arguably Peter Gabriel’s most famous song, it’s a brilliant piece of 80s pop. With brass and keyboards glittered throughout. This live rendition really elevates the song, the backing vocals are less subdued and everything else goes up an element. ‘Here Comes the Flood’ slows things down again, a short version of the song is played, highlighting its raw power in just a couple of minutes. ‘In Your Eyes’ is the penultimate track complete with backing vocals from Youssou N’Dour it’s a brilliant listening experience and the song builds and builds. A true album highlight and being over 10 minutes long it takes up a huge part of Side D. ‘Biko’ ends the album and it’s beautiful and poignant lyrics are the centrepiece of this track. Steven Biko was an activist in South Africa who lost his life in a police cell and the song is a dedication to him and all those facing prejudice around the world. It brings a brilliant show to an end.