The iconic Plays Live cover captures a moment of stillness, but this new Live In Athens image is the epitome of singer-in-motion. In a nod to the Plays Live album the cover image features another close-up picture of Peter taken by photographer Armando Gallo, whilst the back cover – Peter falling backwards into the audience – is by Guido Harari.
This, however, is the first time on vinyl for ‘Live in Athens 1987’, presented as a 2LP set with a wide-spine single sleeve and full colour printed inner bags, featuring brand-new artwork by Marc Bessant, Gabriel’s long-time designer. In 2012, the audio was restored and mixed by Ben Findlay (alongside the concert film), for the So 25th anniversary album, released that October, and can be found within the So box set and the 3CD and digital special edition versions of the album. film, produced by Martin Scorsese and directed by Michael Chapman. The concert was recorded over three nights at the Lycabettus theatre, by Kevin Killen, Effanel Music, Randy Ezratty, Mark Shane and John Harris and subsequently mixed by Kevin Killen and David Bottrill for the P.O.V. On stage with Peter are David Rhodes on guitar, Tony Levin on bass, David Sancious on keyboards and Manu Katché on drums, ‘the famous five’, joined towards the end of the show by Youssou N’Dour and members of his band Les Super Etoiles de Dakar. And here in the Greek capital the occasion will be preserved for eternity.
Over many, many months, this jolly caravan has travelled throughout North America and Europe, from Buffalo to Bologna, Milwaukee to Munich, Toronto to Toulouse. More significantly, it’s the climax of Peter Gabriel’s This Way Up tour, an endeavour that kicked off nearly 12 long months previously – in Rochester, NY, – tens and tens of thousands of miles ago.
Live In Athens 1987 Released 16th October, 2020