Big Blue Ball

Big Blue Ball
Big Blue Ball
Studio album by Big Blue Ball (Peter Gabriel and various artists)
Released	June 24, 2008
Recorded	1991–2007
Studio	Real World, Box, UK
Genre	World
Length	59:01
Label	Real World; Rykodisc;
Producer	Peter Gabriel; Karl Wallinger; Stephen Hague;
Peter Gabriel chronology
Alternative cover

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[1]
Rolling Stone	^[2]

Big Blue Ball is an album by multiple artists which "grew from 3 recording weeks" at Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios in the summers of 1991, 1992, and 1995.^[3] It is Peter Gabriel's fourteenth album project overall.

Background

In production for more than 18 years, "Big Blue Ball" is a project featuring several artists from all around the world working together. Gabriel said that although the initial recording was finished by 1995, "the tapes were left in a mess and it's taken this long to sort out." Producer Stephen Hague was finally called in to sort out the project.

Guests on the album include Wendy Melvoin of Wendy & Lisa, Sinéad O'Connor, Karl Wallinger (of World Party), Natacha Atlas, and Papa Wemba. Gabriel takes the lead vocals on several tracks on the album. A mix of western, African, and Asian musicians are also included.^[4]

Big Blue Ball was launched in the United States in June, 24th, 2008. The European premiere took place 13 days previously on June, 11th, 2008 in the city of Aachen, Germany in collaboration with the Ludwig Forum Museum of Modern Art and the city's cultural director Richard Takvorian. "After all these years, it's a fine wine ready to be drunk," says Peter Gabriel, "It was the most fun music making I've ever had." It was released thanks to a venture-capital trust initiative. Bosses at London-based firm Ingenious raised more than $4 million (£2 million) to help promote the release in the US. The venture capitalists, Gabriel, and his Real World Limited partners, created a new joint venture company, High Level Recordings Limited, to oversee the release of the album. The new album deal covers the North America territory, where Gabriel is currently out of contract. The worldwide distribution of the album will be dealt by Proper Music Distribution.^[5]^[6]

The first track released from the project was "Whole Thing", included on the soundtrack album for the TV series Long Way Down. A version of "Burn You Up, Burn You Down" was also included on Gabriel's 2003 compilation album Hit, with a radio edit released as a single.

There are two CD editions of the album with different covers; the music is the same on both.

A limited edition of 1000 copies of the album was released on blue vinyl, from Rykodisc.^[7]

The digital download versions of the album contain different bonus content depending on the country. UK download stores include the track "Whole Thing (Adrian Sherwood & Jazzwad Remix)". US download stores include the track "Habibe (Stefan Goodchild Remix)" and a digital booklet. Both versions include the "Story of the Big Blue Ball, Pt. 1" video.

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Whole Thing" (original mix) (featuring Francis Bebey, Alex Faku, Tim Finn, Peter Gabriel, Karl Wallinger, Andy White)	Alexis Faku, Tim Finn, Peter Gabriel, Geoffrey Oryema, Karl Wallinger & Andy White	5:27
2.	"Habibe" (featuring Natacha Atlas, Hossam Ramzy, Neil Sparkes, The Hossam Ramzy Egyptian Ensemble [Adel Eskander, Wael Abu Bakr, Momtaz Talaat])	Natacha Atlas, Hossam Ramzy, Vernon Reid, Neil Sparkes	7:12
3.	"Shadow" (featuring Juan Manuel Cañizares, Papa Wemba)	Juan Manuel Cañizares, Peter Gabriel, Karl Wallinger, Shungu Wembadio	4:28
4.	"Altus Silva"^[8]" (featuring Joseph Arthur, Ronan Browne, Deep Forest, James McNally, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Vernon Reid)	Joseph Arthur, Ronan Browne, James McNally, Eric Mouquet, Iarla Ó Lionáird & Michel Sanchez	6:07
5.	"Exit Through You" (featuring Joseph Arthur, Peter Gabriel, Karl Wallinger)	Joseph Arthur & Peter Gabriel	5:52
6.	"Everything Comes from You" (featuring Richard Evans, Joji Hirota, Sevara Nazarkhan, Sinéad O'Connor, Guo Yue)	Joji Hirota & Sinéad O'Connor	4:42
7.	"Burn You Up, Burn You Down" (featuring Billy Cobham, Peter Gabriel, The Holmes Brothers, Wendy Melvoin, Arona N'Diaye, Jah Wobble)	Peter Gabriel, Neil Sparkes & Karl Wallinger	4:30
8.	"Forest" (featuring Levon Minassian, Arona N'Diaye, Vernon Reid, Hukwe Zawose)	Levon Minassian, Arona N'Diaye, Chuck Norman & Hukwe Zawose	6:16
9.	"Rivers" (featuring Vernon Reid, Márta Sebestyén, Karl Wallinger)	Márta Sebestyén	5:45
10.	"Jijy" (featuring Arona N'Diaye, Rossy, Jah Wobble)	Peter Gabriel, Rossy, Karl Wallinger & Jah Wobble	4:00
11.	"Big Blue Ball" (featuring Peter Gabriel, Manu Katché, Karl Wallinger)	Karl Wallinger	4:52

Bonus tracks
No.	Title	Length
12.	"Habibe" (Stefan Goodchild remix) (US digital download bonus track)
13.	"Whole Thing" (Adrian Sherwood & Jazzwad remix) (UK digital download bonus track)
14.	"Story of the Big Blue Ball, Pt. 1" (digital download bonus video)

Personnel

Produced by Peter Gabriel, Steven Hague and Karl Wallinger. Original recordings produced by Peter Gabriel and Karl Wallinger except "Altus silva" by Eric Mouquet and Michel Sanchez. Mixed by Tchad Blake except "Habibe" by Stephen Hague and "Everything Comes from You" by Richard Chappell.^[9]

1. "Whole Thing" (original mix)

Lead vocal, keyboards: Peter Gabriel
Guitars: Karl Wallinger, Paul Allen
Nord brass, backing vocals: Alex Faku
Flutes: Francis Bebey
Backing vocals: Tim Finn, Andy White
Programming: Chuck Norman
Toms: Tchad Blake

Published by Gallo Music Publishers/Mushroom Music Pty/Real World Music Ltd/WOMAD Music Ltd/Universal Music Publishing/Reverb Music Ltd

2. "Habibe"

Vocals: Natacha Atlas
Drums and percussion: Hossam Ramzy, Neil Sparkes
Strings: The Hossam Ramzy Egyptian Ensemble (Wael Abu Bakr, Adel Eskander, Momtaz Talaat)
Saz: Tim Whelan
Keyboards: Stephen Hague
Programming: Chuck Norman

Published by Annie Reed Music/Hossam Ramzy PRS, MCPS & PAMRA/copyright control/Real World Music Ltd

3. "Shadow"

Vocals: Papa Wemba
Backing vocals: Reddy Amisi
Guitar: Juan Manuel Cañizares
Percussion: The Papa Wemba Band, Alan Gyorffy
Bongos: Laurent Coatalen
Frame drums: Tchad Blake

Published by JMC Music Productions S.L./Real World Music Ltd/Universal Music Publishing/Real World Works Ltd

4. "Altus silva"

Vocals: Joseph Arthur, Iarla Ó Lionáird
Bass: Noel Ekwabi
Conga: The Papa Wemba Band
Piano, keyboards: Eric Mouquet and Michel Sanchez
Guitar synth: Vernon Reid
Whistle, low whistle: James McNally
Uilleann pipes: Ronan Browne
Programming: Chuck Norman
Keyboards, harmonium and flute like body bells: Tchad Blake

Published by Real World Music Ltd/ WOMAD Music Ltd/Editions La Paya (Catalogue YEAA Music)/Michel Sanchez Music (MSM)

5. "Exit Through You"

Vocals: Joseph Arthur, Peter Gabriel
Guitar: Joseph Arthur, Karl Wallinger
Bass: Peter Gabriel
Keyboards: Peter Gabriel
Backing Vocals: Justin Adams, Karl Wallinger
Programming: Chuck Norman
Shaker, tambourine, bass: Tchad Blake

Published by Real World Music Ltd

6. "Everything Comes from You"

Vocals: Sinead O'Connor
Backing vocals: Sevara Nazarkhan
Drums, percussion, Chinese drum: Joji Hirota
Drums: Ged Lynch
Flutes: Guo Yue
Keyboards: Rupert Hine
Piano: Angie Pollock
Guitar, mandolin and recorder: Richard Evans

Published by WOMAD Music Ltd/EMI Music Publishing

7. "Burn You Up, Burn You Down"

Vocals, keyboards: Peter Gabriel
Backing vocals: The Holmes Brothers: Wendell, Sherman & Popsi; Jules Shear; Karl Wallinger
Guitar: Justin Adams, David Rhodes
Bass: Jah Wobble, Wendy Melvoin
Djembe, sabar: Arona N'Diaye
Drums: Billy Cobham
Programming: Chuck Norman
Guitar synth, organ, skin shake, hi hat, frame drum: Tchad Blake

Published by Real World Music/Universal Publishing Ltd

8. "Forest"

Vocals: Hukwe Zawose
Guitar: Vernon Reid
Percussion: Arona N'Diaye
Doudouk: Levon Minassian
Programming: Chuck Norman and Stephen Hague

Published by Explorians/Copyright Control/WOMAD Music Ltd

9. "Rivers"

Lead vocal, flute: Marta Sebestyen
Bass: Karl Wallinger
Drones, river pad, general programming: Chuck Norman
Guitar synth: Vernon Reid
Accordion: Stephen Hague
Drones: Peter Gabriel

Published by Kismet Bt.

10. "Jijy"

Vocals: Rossy
Programming: Chuck Norman and Stephen Hague
Percussion: Arona N'Diaye
Drums and vibes: Alan Gyorffy
Bass: Jah Wobble

Published by Real World Music Ltd/Heaven Music PRS MCPS/Universal Music Publishing/Copyright Control

11. "Big Blue Ball"

Vocals, acoustic guitar, bass, keyboards: Karl Wallinger
Piano, organ, keyboards, solo keyboards: Peter Gabriel
Drums: Manu Katché
Accordion: Stephen Hague
Programming: Chuck Norman
Kick drum, bells: Tchad Blake

Published by Universal Music Publishing

References

^ AllMusic review
^ Rolling Stone review
^ Big Blue Ball Big Blue Ball Website.
^ Gabriel Has A 'Ball' With Long-Gestating Album Archived 2011-06-05 at the Wayback Machine by Nigel Williamson, 4 August 2006. billboard.com
^ Gabriel Deals a Blow to the Record Business by Paul Durman, 21 January 2007. timesonline.co.uk
^ Gabriel Calls on Venture Capitalists to Help Album Launch — 24 January 2007. contactmusic.com
^ Big Blue Ball (Limited Edition 150 Gram Blue Vinyl: 2LP) Archived 2009-02-01 at the Wayback Machine — rykodistribution.com
^ Altus Silva is Latin for Deep Forest, whose members (Eric Mouquet and Michel Sanchez) provided the keyboards for the piece.
^ Gabriel Real World News: Big Blue Ball's Credits

External links

Big Blue Ball — official site at Real World Records
NPR's "Weekend Edition Sunday" — interview with Peter Gabriel, Stephen Hague and Karl Wallinger

[1] AllMusic review

[2] Rolling Stone review

[3] Big Blue Ball Big Blue Ball Website.

[billboard-4] Gabriel Has A 'Ball' With Long-Gestating Album Archived 2011-06-05 at the Wayback Machine by Nigel Williamson, 4 August 2006. billboard.com

[timesonline-5] Gabriel Deals a Blow to the Record Business by Paul Durman, 21 January 2007. timesonline.co.uk

[contactmusic-6] Gabriel Calls on Venture Capitalists to Help Album Launch — 24 January 2007. contactmusic.com

[2LP-7] Big Blue Ball (Limited Edition 150 Gram Blue Vinyl: 2LP) Archived 2009-02-01 at the Wayback Machine — rykodistribution.com

[8] Altus Silva is Latin for Deep Forest, whose members (Eric Mouquet and Michel Sanchez) provided the keyboards for the piece.

[9] Gabriel Real World News: Big Blue Ball's Credits

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v t e Peter Gabriel
Studio albums	Peter Gabriel (Car) Peter Gabriel (Scratch) Peter Gabriel (Melt) Peter Gabriel (Security) So Us Up Scratch My Back New Blood I/O
Live albums	Plays Live Plays Live Highlights Secret World Live Live Blood Back to Front: Live in London Growing Up Live
Singles	"Solsbury Hill" "Modern Love" "D.I.Y." "Games Without Frontiers" "No Self Control" "Biko" "I Don't Remember" "Shock the Monkey" "I Have the Touch" "Wallflower" "Sledgehammer" "In Your Eyes" "Don't Give Up" "Big Time" "Red Rain" "Shaking the Tree" "Digging in the Dirt" "Steam" "Blood of Eden" "Kiss That Frog" "While the Earth Sleeps" "When You're Falling" "The Barry Williams Show" "More Than This" "Growing Up "Burn You Up, Burn You Down" "Darkness" "Down to Earth" "Panopticom" "The Court" "Playing for Time" "I/O" "Four Kinds of Horses" "Road to Joy" "So Much" "Olive Tree" "Love Can Heal" "This Is Home" "And Still" "Live and Let Live"
Songs	"Here Comes the Flood" "On the Air" "Intruder" "Family Snapshot" "The Rhythm of the Heat" "San Jacinto" "That Voice Again" "Mercy Street" "We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37)" "This is the Picture (Excellent Birds)" "Come Talk to Me" "Secret World" "Sky Blue"
Soundtracks	Birdy Passion OVO Long Walk Home
Compilations	Shaking the Tree: Sixteen Golden Greats Revisited Hit Rated PG Flotsam and Jetsam
Concert tours	Secret World Tour Back to Front Tour i/o The Tour
Films	Secret World Live Growing Up: Live Still Growing Up: Live & Unwrapped
Video games	Xplora1: Peter Gabriel's Secret World Eve Myst IV: Revelation
Other	Discography Genesis WOMAD Passion – Sources The Story of OVO Millennium Dome Show Play: The Videos Big Blue Ball And I'll Scratch Yours Real World Records Real World Studios Solid State Logic (SSL)
Peter Gabriel discography