[title]Big Blue Ball[/title] is the long-awaited, much-anticipated collection of stand-out tracks culled from the all-star, pan-global collaborations that took place over three years of Peter Gabriel's legendary Recording Week gatherings at his state-of-the-art Real World Studios in the English countryside.

Produced by Peter Gabriel, Karl Wallinger (of World Party, Waterboys) and Stephen Hague (Pet Shop Boys, OMD), it's a nonstop stream of poignant, sterling performances by a truly stellar lineup of artists-- including Gabriel, Wallinger, Sinead O'Connor, Natacha Atlas, Iarla O'Lionaird and James McNally (both of Afro Celt Sound System), Papa Wemba, Joseph Arthur, Tanzania's late music legend Hukwe Zawose, Hungary's Marta Sebestyen, Tim Finn, Cameroonian star Francis Bebey, Vernon Reid, Justin Adams, Jah Wobble, Billy Cobham, Rupert Hine, gospel group the Holmes Brothers, flamenco guitarist Juan Canizares, Japanese percussionist Joji Hirota, and many more...in all totaling 75 artists from over 20 countries.

"It's like a wall of sound coming at you, listening to the planet from outer space," says Karl Wallinger of the final mix. "It's a real world-view of music, a snapshot of the music-making continents at that time. It's a more apt time to release it now than ever before. I think it's actually gathered weight with time, because it's people from all over the world playing together, just getting on together. There's an iconic aspect about that which is probably more important now. Things have become more partisan. It's a timely reminder of how you can cooperate."

Big Blue Ball's songs were created and recorded between 1991 and 1995, but the album has been an active work-in-progress at Real World ever since, a labor of love with ace producer Stephen Hague working closely with Peter Gabriel and Karl Wallinger. Holding the disparate elements in place is the powerful backbone of big drum tracks underpinning many of the songs. Wallinger says, "Everyone was in orbit around this groove, and there is a universal language of dance, of dance grooves. That groove is the one bit that's non-denominational on the album."

Says Peter Gabriel, "It's a fine wine ready to be drunk. It was the most fun music making I've ever had. I'd love to do it again."

1. Whole Thing 5:27
2. Habibe 7:14
3. Shadow 4:29
4. altus silva 6:09
5. Exit Through You 5:54
6. Everything Comes From You 4:44
7. Burn You Up, Burn You Down 4:32
8. Forest 6:18
9. Rivers 5:46
10. Jijy 4:01
11. Big Blue Ball 4:52

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018RKENW/?tag=imwan-20

When the heck is Karl Wallinger going to put out a new album? It's been 8 years since Dumbing Up came out.

Heard Big Blue Ball for the first time yesterday and really enjoyed it. Certain songs sounded as if they were leftovers from Peter's Us and Up sessions, while others almost could have been lifted directly from the Aladdin or Lion King soundtracks in my opinion. Heck, there were even one or two that seemed very Arabian nights to me. But yet through it all this strange but wonderful compilation of many different artists and musicians never failed to peak my interest or enthrall me from beginning to end. Each and every song had something quite unique to it and more than anything it was just fun to listen to it. I certainly hope Peter Gabriel gets around to releasing a brand-new full-length album soon, but until he does Big Blue Ball will fill the void nicely.

went to three stores in the akron area yesterday and no one had this.

renny

I listened to Big Blue Ball on Rhapsody yesterday and enjoyed it quite a bit. I'll probably buy it as I buy all of Gabriel's projects.

I figured this would be a pain in the butt to find in stores, so that's why I ordered mine from Amazon three days before it came out. If it was something I knew would have a good chance of being in the ads I probably would have waited to get it the day it came out like I've done with other cd's, but just like the Chicago one I figured would just be easier to order it online instead. Plus I padded my order with the recent reissue of Luther Vandross's remastered Power of Love cd just to get the free shipping lol.

Dumbing Up was released in the UK in 2002 and domestically in 2006.

"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight the part of Peter Gabriel will be played by Dennis Hopper."

Yeah Calijawn, he sure does look like Hopper these days.

Or Ben Kingsley......

CD Universe is showing this release with two different cover artwork but the same tracklists.Anyone own this yet? Are both covers in the release?

They are separate releases with identical content; this isn't another Ovo situation.