Editor’s Pick: Peter Gabriel “Scratch My Back”

Peter Gabriel’s album of covers has you hearing some old favorites for the first time…

Among the great things about Peter Gabriel is his ability to arrange.

Fans of his live shows relish how he re-arranges his own songs into sometimes very alternate versions. On his new CD, Scratch My Back, he’s re-arranging familiar songs again, only this time they’re not his.

Covering other people’s music is not new to Gabriel. There’s a killer version of Marvin Gaye’s Ain’t That Peculiar floating out there from years back. But on Scratch My Back, it’s not only the songs, it’s the concept.

Originally, the idea was for Gabriel to cover an artist’s song, and then have them reciprocate. Then the couplet would be released simultaneously. But it’s only sort of working out, as only some of the artists he’s picked are returning the favor — at least on time.

Beyond the concept are the arrangements. Teaming with John Metcalfe of cult favorite The Durutti Column, the arrangements are essentially strings-only. In fact, a “no drums, no guitars” policy was set, and a”no drums, no guitars” tour is on the way.

The arrangements are such that you find yourself listening to familiar songs for the first time again. David Bowie’s Heroes, Paul Simon’s The Boy in the Bubble, and especially Talking Heads’ Listening Wind command attention to the lyrics like never before. The originals are either loaded with wall-of-sound production or a cacophany of polyrythms.

But Gabriel’s versions out the vocals and the lyrics, to the forefront. After owning the Talking Heads’ Remain in Light for more than 25 years, I really only heard the lyrics for Listening Wind for the first time this week — on Scratch My Back.

Probably not all that radio friendly, Scratch My Back does offer some great opportunities for acoustic-based specialty shows. At home, it sure is dinner-friendly.

Read a great piece in The New York Times.