Peter Gabriel - So (30th anniversary)

Yesterday (May 19th) marked the thirtieth anniversary of the release of So, the fifth studio album from Peter Gabriel. The 1986 album spent ninety-three weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 2.

For my full review, click here.

For more from Peter Gabriel, click here.

Peter Gabriel - Peter Gabriel III (35th anniversary)

This week (May 16th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Peter Gabriel's third solo studio album. with a twenty-nine week total run on the US Billboard Album chart, it peaked at number 22.

Click here for my full review of the 1980 release.

For more albums with music by Peter Gabriel, click here.

Rick Springfield - Hard to Hold

Welcome to another edition of Soundtrack Sunday.

This month (April 6th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Hard to Hold, a 1984 musical drama starring Rick Springfield, Patti Hansen and Tom Scott. Many of the songs from the film, performed by Springfield, appeared on the soundtrack album. The record went to number 87 in Australia and number 29 in Canada. Here in the US, it spent thirty-six on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 16.

Against All Odds (soundtrack) (30th anniversary)

Welcome to another edition of Soundtrack Sunday.

Today (March 2nd) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Against All Odds. The accompanying soundtrack featured some big names in the 80's music scene including Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Stevie Nicks, Big Country, and Kid Creole and the Coconuts.

Click here for my full review.

Laurie Anderson - Mister Heartbreak

Today (February 14th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Mister Heartbreak, the second studio album from Laurie Anderson. The 1984 release charted at number 93 in the UK and number 60 on the US Billboard Album chart (nineteen weeks total on the chart).

DVD: Peter Gabriel - So (Classic Albums series)

2011 marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of the release Peter Gabriel’s fifth album So and it was featured that year on the Classic Albums documentary series that ran at the time. In October of 2012, the episode was released on DVD and Blu-Ray by Eagle Rock Entertainment.

While I was very familiar with the album (click here for my review of the album), there was a lot I did not know about the behind the scenes of this landmark record. I had the opportunity to review this DVD this week and thought I would share a few of my thoughts on it.

Peter Gabriel - Peter Gabriel IV

Today (September 8th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the fourth solo and self-titled album from Peter Gabriel. Sometimes known as Security, Peter Gabriel IV did very well on the charts back in 1982. It hit number 28 on the US Billboard Hot 200, number 18 in New Zealand, number 14 in Norway and the Netherlands, number 10 in Sweden, number 6 in the UK, number 5 in France and number 2 in Canada.

Against All Odds (soundtrack)

Welcome to another edition of Soundtrack Sunday.

On March 2nd of 1984, director Taylor Hackford released a neo-noir remake of the 1947 film Out of the Past. This new film, entitled Against All Odds starred Jeff Bridges, Rachel Ward and James Woods. Jane Greer, who had appeared in the original film, also had a supporting role in this new movie.

DVD: Peter Gabriel - New Blood: Live in London

Last month, rock legend Peter Gabriel released his ninth studio album New Blood, a collection of re-recordings of tracks through out his musical career but done with a full orchestra instead of a rock band. The idea for the record came about when he was doing some orchestral work for the second half of 2010 tour. On the record he worked with arranger John Metcalfe.

To go along with the CD, Gabriel filmed two performances in March of 2011 at the Hammersmith Apollo in London to be released as a 3D film experience as well as on DVD and Blu-Ray. I had the opportunity to check out the DVD of the concert this week and thought I would share my thoughts with the readers here.

Peter Gabriel - Peter Gabriel III

On May 16th of 1980, the former member of Genesis released his third studio album. Like the first two and the fourth, it was simply titled Peter Gabriel but it is also known by its designation of three (III) and by the name “Melt” due to the melting facial image of the artist on the front cover. No matter what you call it, it was his best selling solo album up to that time as it went to number 1 in the UK and number 22 on the US Billboard Album chart. It spent a total of twenty-nine weeks on the latter chart.

The album was ranked number 45 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 100 Greatest Albums of the 80’s. Q magazine ranked it at number 53 on its list of the 100 Greatest British Albums Ever and number 29 on its list of the 40 Best Albums of the ‘80s.

Peter Gabriel - So

So, released on May 19th of 1986, was the fifth studio album from Peter Gabriel. The record would eventually become his most successful solo release. It was a number 1 album in his native UK as well as Austria, Canada, the Netherlands, Italy, New Zealand, and Norway. Here in the US it reached number 2 on Billboard Album chart. The record went platinum a number of times.