Genius. Can you say that? But you need to add it when you say Peter Gabriel. Here's a guy that just does not know what a “limit” is. He continues to push and push and push against that wall. And this time he pushed with the New Blood Orchestra (aka St. Luke's Orchestra).

This was like a close to 2 ½ hour show. The first half, covers. Yep, Pete has a new album out that consists of all covers. The second half... some of your favorite Gabriel tunes. The one's you grew up loving... (no Sledgehammer thank you). Oh there was also a great half-time surprise song by Lou Reed. Who did a totally rocking Solsbury Hill. But don't worry Gabriel played it later on too.

All these songs had to be arranged for the orchestra, and John Metcalf did just an amazing job. There was a 54 piece orchestra, that he had to work with. And it was billed as a show with no guitars and no drums. And with Gabriel's songs so drummy, and with awesome guitar riffs, how John did it was amazing.

This was a small tour. Something like only 3 concerts. You just can't truck these folks all around the country. Can you imagine the expense. Plus with a production like the one Ephman saw last night, there was very little if any money made. That was expensive. So you just have to believe Gabriel did this one out of love.

This was the show of the two at Radio City Music Hall to be at. Even Gabriel said so on his blog. Sorry first show people. But come on that first show couldn't have been so bad right? Probably was amazing also. But if you weren't at the show you can always get his latest album Scratch My Back, to get those cover tunes.
So back to the music... this was NOT your typical Gabriel concert. The songs started off slow. And picked up from song to song until the last song of the concert was so heart pounding Ephman was afraid for the old guy at the end of the other aisle.

Sorry folks. If you follow Ephman's blog you'll know he doesn't take setlists. You should have been there ;) Seriously names are just labels anyways instilled by the man to put you down. Kidding again. He'll search aroun
a bit more, but you have a setlist from the May 3^rd show posting it below would be great! Rest assured it was a great list of songs.

The only problem with the concert were the audience. There seemed to be this “no clapping with the song”, “singing with the song”, “dancing with the song”, rule in effect. Crazy right? Ephman must have seen like bunch of people chewed out by other people for doing things people do at concerts. Kind of was a bit of a bummer. Or maybe it was just that every baby boomer on the planet were sitting around Ephman. It did seem to be an older crowd then the last time he saw Peter Gabriel at Madison Square Gardens.

If there was one word to describe this concert it'd have to be “beautiful”. The images that were on the screen were mesmerizing. So much better then Micro$oft's music image thing that pulses to the beat.

Peter you are simply amazing. Thank you.

Setlist:

Part 1
Heroes (David Bowie cover)
The Boy in the Bubble (Paul Simon cover)
Mirrorball (Elbow cover)
Flume (Bon Iver cover)
Listening Wind (Talking Heads cover)
The Power of the Heart (Lou Reed cover)
My Body Is a Cage (Arcade Fire cover)
The Book of Love (The Magnetic Fields cover)
I Think It's Going to Rain Today (Randy Newman cover)
Après moi (Regina Spektor cover)
Philadelphia (Neil Young cover)
Street Spirit (Fade Out) (Radiohead cover)
Lou Reed - Solsbury Hill Cover

Part 2
San Jacinto
Digging In The Dirt
Downside Up
Signal To Noise
Mercy Street
The Rhythm of the Heat
Darkness
Red Rain
Solsbury Hill
Encore
In Your Eyes
Don't Give Up
The Nest That Sailed the Sky