PETER GABRIEL
Long Walk Home - Music from the Rabbit-Proof Fence (RealWorld)
Reviewed by Rusty Pipes

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This is not a pop record and fans of Peter Gabriel's singing and lyrical prowess may be disappointed that this is almost entirely an instrumental album. Gabriel contributes vocals (mostly wailing amidst other voices) on only three tracks. However if you love the mysterious and deep moods that underpin much of Gabriel's work, you will find this a stunning and absorbing album.

In keeping with the Australian themes, there are didgeridoo and aboriginal percussion instruments, which Gabriel combines with modern keyboard drones to create a fulfilling, yet ominous experience. There's none of the exciting bass work by Tony Levin that has marked much of Gabriel's solo work, here he relies on the very capable Richard Evans. In fact most cuts don't have electric bass, that's been done on keyboards, and there's very little acoustic piano and no cutting electric guitar. What little guitar there is is handled by David Rhodes. The main motifs are gossamer sheets of synthesizer waving in the wind, especially "Crossing The Salt Pan." Also there is much to be heard from the violin of Shankar here and that's always a treat in my book; he's one of the most beautifully emotional electric violin players in the world. I haven't seen the movie but the fact that it has all this superlative Peter Gabriel music in it is enough to make me seek it out. This album is full of spare, mournful soundscapes that would be as appropriate for a special on the World Trade Center Bombing as a story on the kidnapping of Australian aborigine children by Christian missionaries like this one is. Gabriel's Passion, his soundtrack for The Last Temptation Of Christ was a triumph; LWH breaks less new ground for him, but is no less powerful or moving.

© 2002 - Rusty Pipes