Peter Gabriel: And I'll Scratch Yours

In 2010, Peter Gabriel released Scratch My Back – an album of covers by some of his favourite artists both new and old. With songs ranging from Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ and Bon Iver’s ‘Flume’ to Radiohead’s ‘Street Spirit (Fade Out)’ and Randy Newman’s ‘I Think It’s Going To Rain Today’ it was a compelling collection. On that album, the arrangements were largely orchestral, with Gabriel’s distinctive voice being the main attraction. And I’ll Scratch Yours is a companion piece of sorts, where the compliment is returned by a stellar cast of guests who interpret his own material, this time with livelier, more adventurous arrangements. Both albums are available together in a Deluxe edition.

It’s a great idea, overseen by Gabriel himself and one that generally works very well. There are some terrific performances here too including that of Randy Newman, who makes ‘Big Time’ all his own with his dramatic voice and piano flourishes. The late Lou Reed’s vocal treatment on ‘Solsbury Hill’ transforms it from the familiar exuberant version, to a denser, more unsettling affair while Elbow offer a majestic take on ‘Mercy Street’, with Guy Garvey’s voice to the fore. Paul Simon does a very decent ‘Biko’ – a song that could easily have fitted into his own Graceland period, while David Byrne is his usual jerky, syncopated self on an effervescent ‘I Don’t Remember’. Bon Iver’s wondrous, ethereal vocals are tailor made for ‘Come Talk To Me’ while, elsewhere, Arcade Fire’s chugging take on ‘Games Without Frontiers’ isn’t radically different to the original.

Feist fills Kate Bush’s shoes comfortably on ‘Don’t Give Up’ with Taylor Kirk from fellow Canadians Timber Timbre taking Gabriel’s vocal part while Regina Spektor’s ‘Blood Of Eden’ is another highlight. Well worth hearing.