Conference cookie::notes$archive:cd_v1

    I picked up all three at BCD in Harvard Square.

    In keeping with the intentions of the artist, I will refrain from
    using anything but the proper album titles:

    `peter gabriel' (the one with Pete sitting in the blue car early one
    rainy evening, I guess) sounds terrific.  This is the one I was really
    hoping I'd see some day on CD.  "Solsbury Hill" sounds better than you've
    ever heard it.  "Humdrum" is another one that sounds better on CD, even
    though there is hisssssssssssssss.

    `peter gabriel' (the one with Pete scratching the album cover) improves
    slightly, but the hiss gives it an overal rating of "about the same as
    the vinyl."

    `peter gabriel' (the one with Pete's "melting" face) sounds great, too.

    It's too bad, though, that the artists can't (or won't) go back and re-mix
    these albums for CD.  All three could have sounded much better.  Take it
    from George Martin, who says the CD is a "different medium" which requires
    a different mix . . .

						John

    
    I got the 1st 2, but have not seen the 3rd.
    
    PG I -   Excellent sound, slight hiss, but a 75% improvement over
    	     over the LP.
    
    PG II -  PG's heavy reliance on Robert Fripp makes this album very
             strong in the mid to high ranges, and requires a lot of
             volume to appreciate the subtleties. The absence of scratches
             on "Mother of Violence" and the end of "White Shadow" make
             this a must have CD ...
    
    Also -   they have issued a mini-CD called "Big Time" with :
    
    		1.  Big Time , extended version, very different than
                    the version on "So".
    
    		2.  No Self Control, from PG III
                        
    		3.  Curtains, from the "So" sessions, not released before.
    
    		4.  Across the River, with Stewart Copeland on drums,
    		    from a set PG did for the "Best of Music and Rhythm"
    		    album in England.
    
    		5.  Big Time, the "So" version.
    
    		This was only $ 9.99, and came with no jewel case.
    
    - Andy
    

    Are these  imports? What record company puts them out. I've been looking
    for  PG  III  ever  since I bought my first CD player (~1.5 yr). After I
    read  this note on Friday, I went to 4 stores in Framingham, and none of
    them  had  heard  that  these  CDs had been released.

    I would  rather  not  make  a special trip into boston for the CDs. Does
    anyone knows where you can get them west of 128?

    re: .3
    
    I'm in Atlanta and saw these discs today.  They were priced $17
    in a store that sells domestic disc for $12-$14.  Must be an import.
    
    Dale

    They're on Virgin/Charisma.

    The catalog numbers are PGCD1, PGCD2 and PGCD3.  I'm sure you can guess
    which one is `peter gabriel' III.

I'm told by my local record store owner that #3 (melting cover) is due to be
released in the US sometime in July.  Since the price on the import versions
is pretty hefty (around $18 - $19, by consensus), it would be more economical
to wait the extra month.  You might catch it on a $12.99 sale then.

(BTW : He knew nothing about US releases of #1 or #2)

Tom

    
    Now that I own PG I, II, III, has anyone seen any of the german
    versions of his albums on CD?
    
    Thanks for any info.
    
    Steve.

    
    PG III is out; I picked it up at Lechmere last weekend for ~$14.
    Analog, obviously, and not remixed, but sounds great.  "Intruder"
    sounds chilling through headphones, and I've always loved "No Self
    Control" (on the CD Phil "The Antichrist" Collins' drumming
    is even more powerful)
    
    No sign of I or II yet.  I'd kill for Peter-Gabriel-In-The-Rain-
    Covered-Car; I want to hear what "Here Comes the Flood" _really_
    sounds like, without tape hiss and distortion.
    
    Matt
    

    
    Here Comes The Flood Sounds great on CD.  The key is not to
    turn the volume up too loud at the beginning (the 'chorus' almost
    blew my speakers...)                                      

    Speaking of "Here Comes The Flood," I heard that Fripp's `Exposure' is
    now available on CD from EG Records.  (Pete says he likes the Frippertronic
    version better.)  Haven't seen it yet in the Boston area, though...

    I think that version of `Flood' is also available on the Fripp
    compilation release _Network_.  Is that on CD yet?

    You're right about _Network_ containing "...Flood."  I haven't heard
    anything about that album's CD release.

    BTW, I saw _Exposure_ listed in the back of the latest "Digital Audio."

    I have So and love it, but recently picked up PGCD4 and am less
    enthusiastic. How do 1,2,3 compare? So strikes me as being more
    "musical" than 4 with greater variety and breadth of style (just
    my taste, of course!). Any comments greatly appeciated - even though
    they're not imports in the UK, we're still talking about $15 - $18
    each (standard prices here).
    
    wrh

Depends on what you're looking for.  PG I has some fine songs, but I find the 
perdormances lacking bite.  The best songs have more bite on the Live album.  
PG II similarly, although some might prefer this album for Robert Fripp's 
playing.  PG III is where I really come in.  This album was a complete 
departure, bringing in the Burundi beat on the drums (Phil Collins is one of 
the drummers), which reappeared in less punkish and more authentic terms on PG 
IV.  PG III is a must for Kate Bush fans, although her presence is less felt 
than on "So".  PG III has lots of surprise guests, and has a bit more musical 
variety than IV, which was mostly composed on the Fairlight CMI STARTING with 
the rhythms.  I like IV, but it has less mass appeal than III (with the 
exception of the ONE song I DETEST, "Shock the Monkey").

I believe IV and Live were recorded digitally, perhaps III as well, so these 
are probably ideal recordings to buy on CD vs. vinyl.

The German versions, by the way, are NOT overdubs, if memory serves me 
correctly, but different recordings.  I had the German version of either III 
or IV (can't even remember!) and found it very dull sounding.  Maybe it was 
me, or maybe Peter was singing words he didn't know and didn't put as much 
feeling into it.

I don't consider "So" to be a commercial "sell-out" on Peter's part, as many 
people do.  I consider it to be the natural maturation of a musician who has 
dabbled in many different musical forms over the years.  I DO find it ironic, 
though, that Peter has finally overtaken his peers (Genesis) in popularity!


				Mark

    Re: .14

    Only IV was recorded digitally.

    
    "So" was purposely recorded AAD because PG felt that the analog
    recording handled bass more strongly (and with Tony Levin this becomes
    a very important consideration...)
    
    Matt