Peter Gabriel

Shaking The Tree

For the passing fan, get 'Hit' instead

Review Score:

(6/10)
With the release of the double-CD, 'Hit' (2003), the 16 golden greats has been superceded as THE BEST collection for the passing or casual fan for two reasons:
(1) 'Hit' has 12 tracks that came out in the 1990s and beyond (after 'Shaking the Tree' (1990)), and even the passing fan would be remiss by passing up tunes like "Digging in the Dirt" and "I Grieve".
(2) As for earlier material from the 1970s and 1980s, one of PG's biggest hits - "In Your Eyes" - is included on 'Hit' (U.S. version), but is conspicuosly absent from 'Shaking the Tree'. ('Shaking the Tree' does have four other lesser-known tracks not included on 'Hit', the title track, "Mercy Street" from 'So' (1986), "I Have the Touch" from 'Security' (1982), and "Zaar" from the 'Passion' soundtrack (1989). )

At this point in time (2003), 'Shaking the Tree' is a collectible for die-hard PG fans only because: (1) the studio version of the title track featured only on this compilation; and (2) the remix of "I Have the Touch" that differs from the version on 'Security' (1982).

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