CAVLDRON 2WENTY 4OUR <> INFLUENCE.
[ Now playing in Demon Tribe Hollow...
Composition: Biko
Author: Peter Gabriel
Codex: Peter Gabriel ]
Theres a far different side to me than that was laid out yesterday; one that might have certain people calling me a poseur. But Im unafraid because, in contrast, I know this aspect of my personality gives me more validity and integrity than if I didnt possess it.
That is, the most prominent and everlasting influence on me as a musician, Im proud to say, is undoubtedly Peter Gabriel.
Which is sure to elicit a few chuckles, considering most people only know Gabriel from the pop tunes emanating from the latter half of his career. But Im referring to his work during his tenure as frontman of Genesis and then his solo career immediately after. During the latter, he admitted himself that he struggled to find his own sound, but by his third eponymous record released May 23 1980 (known in some circles as Melt), he had truly come into his own as a songwriter unmatched critically and passionately.
And like many other young men my age, alienated and ostracized for our eclectic tastes in art in general and music specifically, though there were many reasons to love this record, the best was the albums closer, a paean to the South African activist, Stephen Biko.
Some criticized Gabriel for performing the song live in front of arena audiences with an authenticity befitting more a head of state than a pop music performer, I never questioned Peters motive or his conviction.
To this day, I still consider Gabriel a humble man, especially given his talent and remarkable voice, and I am utterly convinced that he very rightfully wouldnt put himself above Biko or any other important activist of his time, ever. The struggle for basic human rights remains a vital cause for PG and for so many others during this critical time in history, considering the plight of the Syrian resistance, especially.
I am nothing except proud to call this remarkable song fundamental in my development from young man into adulthood, and I take especially deep comfort in the fact that the following lyric still makes me cry:
You can blow out a candle, but you cant blow out a fire;
Once the flame begins to catch, the wind will blow it higher.
And the eyes of the world are watching now, watching now...
[ Now playing in Demon Tribe Hollow...
Composition: Biko
Author: Peter Gabriel
Codex: Peter Gabriel ]
Theres a far different side to me than that was laid out yesterday; one that might have certain people calling me a poseur. But Im unafraid because, in contrast, I know this aspect of my personality gives me more validity and integrity than if I didnt possess it.
That is, the most prominent and everlasting influence on me as a musician, Im proud to say, is undoubtedly Peter Gabriel.
Which is sure to elicit a few chuckles, considering most people only know Gabriel from the pop tunes emanating from the latter half of his career. But Im referring to his work during his tenure as frontman of Genesis and then his solo career immediately after. During the latter, he admitted himself that he struggled to find his own sound, but by his third eponymous record released May 23 1980 (known in some circles as Melt), he had truly come into his own as a songwriter unmatched critically and passionately.
And like many other young men my age, alienated and ostracized for our eclectic tastes in art in general and music specifically, though there were many reasons to love this record, the best was the albums closer, a paean to the South African activist, Stephen Biko.
Some criticized Gabriel for performing the song live in front of arena audiences with an authenticity befitting more a head of state than a pop music performer, I never questioned Peters motive or his conviction.
To this day, I still consider Gabriel a humble man, especially given his talent and remarkable voice, and I am utterly convinced that he very rightfully wouldnt put himself above Biko or any other important activist of his time, ever. The struggle for basic human rights remains a vital cause for PG and for so many others during this critical time in history, considering the plight of the Syrian resistance, especially.
I am nothing except proud to call this remarkable song fundamental in my development from young man into adulthood, and I take especially deep comfort in the fact that the following lyric still makes me cry:
You can blow out a candle, but you cant blow out a fire;
Once the flame begins to catch, the wind will blow it higher.
And the eyes of the world are watching now, watching now...
moparhyde:
Peter Gabriel is fucking awesome! I listen to some heavy shit, but I challenge anyone to find a song as powerful as "rythm of the heat". That whole album is amazing! You definitely are not a poser, far from it!