Recorded live with the 46 piece New Blood Orchestra, New Blood features new arrangements of Peter Gabriel classics by Gabriel, New Blood conductor Ben Foster, and long time collaborator John Metcalfe. The genius of New Blood is that Gabriel, Foster, and Metcalfe chose not to take the path of most artists who give their songs the symphonic treatment, playing their biggest hits whether they work with an orchestra or not.
Indeed, if you're looking for more poppy Gabriel hits like "Shock the Monkey" or "Sledgehammer", you will be disappointed. Gabriel populated New Blood with songs that would be enhanced by the brass, woodwinds, percussion, and strings of the New Blood Orchestra.
As such, this is an excellent jumping on point for those who might be familiar with Gabriel's biggest MTV hits but want to explore the depth of his catalog. There are just enough familiar songs, such as "In Your Eyes" and "Red Rain", to be accessible, but the genius of New Blood is the fresh breath it breathes into lesser known Gabriel songs such as "Downside Up" and the album's standout track "Wallflower".
Gabriel brings in two guest singers to help with the songs. Norwegian singer Ane Brun ably interpret's Kate Bush's vocals on "Don't Give Up". Melanie Gabriel helps out on "Downside Up".
Peter Gabriel's New Blood will be released in stores on October 10 in a single disc edition and a double disc edition that features a disc of instrumental versions. A concert DVD of the show will be released on October 25.
©Examiner, by Chris Griffy
