Big Blue Ball Explained

Big Blue Ball
Type:Studio album
Artist:Big Blue Ball (Peter Gabriel and various artists)
Cover:Big_Blue_Ball.jpg
Released:June 24, 2008
Recorded:1991–2007
Studio:Real World, Box, UK
Genre:World
Length:59:01
Label:
Producer:
Chronology:Peter Gabriel
Prev Title:Hit
Prev Year:2003
Next Title:Scratch My Back
Next Year:2010

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.[1] 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.[2]

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.[3] [4]

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.[5]

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.

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.[6]

1. "Whole Thing" (original mix)

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

2. "Habibe"

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

3. "Shadow"

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

4. "Altus silva"

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

5. "Exit Through You"

Published by Real World Music Ltd

6. "Everything Comes from You"

Published by WOMAD Music Ltd/EMI Music Publishing

7. "Burn You Up, Burn You Down"

Published by Real World Music/Universal Publishing Ltd

8. "Forest"

Published by Explorians/Copyright Control/WOMAD Music Ltd

9. "Rivers"

Published by Kismet Bt.

10. "Jijy"

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

11. "Big Blue Ball"

Published by Universal Music Publishing

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://bigblueball.realworldrecords.com/ Big Blue Ball
  2. http://billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002950818 Gabriel Has A 'Ball' With Long-Gestating Album
  3. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article1294871.ece Gabriel Deals a Blow to the Record Business
  4. http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/gabriel%20calls%20on%20venture%20capitalists%20to%20help%20album%20launch_1019918 Gabriel Calls on Venture Capitalists to Help Album Launch
  5. http://www.rykodistribution.com/genericq.asp?module_map_id=1234&view=albumprofile&item_number=RWL%20080148%20A%20%20%20 Big Blue Ball (Limited Edition 150 Gram Blue Vinyl: 2LP)
  6. http://gab-news.blogspot.ch/2008/07/big-blue-balls-credits.html?m=1 Gabriel Real World News: Big Blue Ball's Credits

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