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Peter Gabriel – Recording Compendium, Part 11: 2009 – 2012 (Scratch My Back / New Blood)
Peter Gabriel’s orchestra project turned out to be unexpectedly successful – at least at a level which caused yet another distraction from working on a new album. Meanwhile, Peter was also quite creative elsewhere.
Official stuff, Demos, Outtakes & more
Part 11: Scratch My Back / New Blood | 2009 – 2012
Last Update: 09/02/2025
Introduction
back to part 10 | on to part 12
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Album Tracks
Peter Gabriel had long entertained the idea of a musical exchange project. Years earlier he had mentioned ‘Another Tongue’ as a possible album on which other artists would sing his songs. In 2009, he finally began recording the two-part idea of ‘Scratch My Back/…And I’ll Scratch Yours’, in which he would first create his own versions of songs by other artists, who would in turn interpret Gabriel’s songs. After his popular interpretation of the Magnetic Fields’ The Book Of Love with just an orchestra, it was decided to produce a full album of daring arrangements in the same style. Thirteen cover versions were recorded for Scratch My Back, including a new version of The Book Of Love…
Heroes
(Brian Eno/David Bowie) (4:10)
The Boy In The Bubble
(Forere Motloheloa/Paul Simon) (4.28)
Mirrorball
(Craig Potter/Guy Garvey/Mark Potter/Pete Turner/Richard Jupp) (4:48)
Flume
(Justin Vernon) (3:01)
Listening Wind
(Brian Eno/David Byrne) (4:23)
The Power Of The Heart
(Lou Reed) (5:52)
My Body Is A Cage
(Jeremy Gara/Richard Parry/Régine Chassagne/Tim Kingsbury/William Butler/Win Butler) (6:13)
The Book Of Love
(Stephin Merritt) (3:53)
I Think It’s Going To Rain Today
(Randy Newman) (2:34)
Après Moi
(Regina Spektor) (5:13)
Philadelphia
(Neil Young) (3:46)
Street Spirit (Fade Out)
(Colin Greenwood/Ed O’Brien/Jonny Greenwood/Phil Selway/Thom Yorke) (5:06)
Recording date: 2009
Recording location: The Bus Stop, Real World Studios/Box, Real World Temple, Air Lyndhurst/London, Tom-Tom D Studio/Budapest
Produced by: Bob Ezrin & Peter Gabriel
Performed by: see album credits
First official release: 12th February 2010 – Peter Gabriel Scratch My Back (EU CD//Virgin PGCD12)
Best available source: Peter Gabriel Scratch My Back (48kHz/24bit PCM download//Real World Productions)
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Outtakes
In addition to the twelve regular album tracks, another one ended up on the bonus disc of the special edition of the album…
Waterloo Sunset (Oxford London Temple Version)
(Ray Davies) (3:50)
First official release: 15th February 2010 – Peter Gabriel Scratch My Back (Special Edition) (EU 2CD//Virgin PGCDX12)
Best available source: Peter Gabriel Scratch My Back (Special Edition) (48kHz/24bit PCM download//Real World Productions)
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Different versions
Special versions of the album tracks can also be found on disc 2 of the Special Edition and on a single promo…
My Body Is A Cage (Oxford London Temple Version)
(Jeremy Gara/Richard Parry/Régine Chassagne/Tim Kingsbury/William Butler/Win Butler) (6:04)
Heroes (Wildebeest Mix)
(Brian Eno/David Bowie) (4:07)
Remixed by: John Metcalfe & Richard Chappell
The Book Of Love (Remix)
(Stephin Merritt) (3:40)
First official release: 15th February 2010 – Peter Gabriel Scratch My Back (Special Edition) (EU 2CD//Virgin PGCDX12)
Best available source: Peter Gabriel Scratch My Back (Special Edition) (48kHz/24bit PCM download//Real World Productions)
The Power Of The Heart (Instrumental)
(Lou Reed) (5:48)
The Power Of The Heart (Radio Edit)
(Lou Reed) (4:31)
First official release: 5th April 2010 – Peter Gabriel The Power Of The Heart (UK promo CD//Virgin PGSP16)
Best available source: same
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Non-album activities
From late March to early May 2010, Peter went on tour with the ‘New Blood Orchestra’ for the first time, performing songs from his own repertoire in orchestral arrangements for the first time alongside the Scratch My Back tracks. Over the next twelve months they would all be recorded in studio versions, with the exception of a short intro by Sledgehammer, which was only played in Paris on 22 March and in Berlin on 24 March. The studio recordings began in June – immediately after the spring concerts. And apparently there was also time for non-album activities…
Here Comes The Flood [piano version 2010]
(Peter Gabriel) (3:55)
Recording date: 5th May 2010
Recording location: Guitar Center/Hollywood
Performed by: Peter Gabriel
First official release: 21st August 2010 – Peter Gabriel Here Comes The Flood On Guitar Center Sessions (webstream broadcast/DirectTV.com)
Best available source: Peter Gabriel Here Comes The Flood Live At Guitar Center (mp3 download/petergabriel.com)
In The Neighborhood
(Tom Waits) (2:41)
Recording date: 26th May 2010
Recording location:
Produced by: Peter Gabriel
Performed by: Peter Gabriel
First official release: 21st June 2010 – Peter Gabriel In The Neighborhood (webstream video/TheVoiceProject.org)
Best available source: Various Artists (The Voice Project presents) Home Recordings, Vol. 1 (mp3 download//???)
Open Your Eyes (Pakistan Humara)
(Salman Ahmad) (5:53)
Recording date: 2010
Recording location: ???/US, Real World Studios/Box
Produced by: Salman Ahmed & John Alec
Performed by: Salman Ahmad (vocals/guitar/keyboards/harmonium) feat. Peter Gabriel (vocals/keyboards/celeste), Alison Sudol & Samina (vocals), John Alec (bass/sitar), Sunny Jain (drums/doumbek/dhol), Samir Chatterjee (tablas)
First official release/Best available source: 2nd November 2010 – Salman Ahmed with Peter Gabriel Open Your Eyes (m4a download//itunes.com)
Pakistan Humara (Urdu Remix)
(Salman Ahmad) (4:00)
Remix date: 2011
Remixed by: ?
First official release/Best available source: 18th March 2011 – Salman Ahmad of Junoon Pakistan Humara (Urdu Remix) (m4a download//itunes.com)
Open Your Eyes [remix]
(Salman Ahmad) (5:12)
Remix date: 2015
Remixed by: ?
First official release: 21st August 2015 – Open Your Eyes (movie release)
Best available source: Salman Ahmed Open Your Eyes (feat. Peter Gabriel) (mp3 download//soundcloud.com/junoon25)
Open Your Eyes [remix edit]
(Salman Ahmad) (3:04)
First official release: 7th Cctober 2015 – Salman Ahmed Open Your Eyes (feat. Peter Gabriel) (m4a download/itunes.com)
Best available source: same
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Live Tracks
The recordings for the New Blood album were interrupted by a second part of the tour from mid-September to early October. Here they used the (overlong) concert in the venerable amphitheatre in Verona for a recording directed by Peter’s daughter Anna Gabriel. This resulted in two films, Scratch My Back Live in Verona (with the first half of the concert) and Taking The Pulse Live in Verona (with the second half), which were only shown for the first time more than three years later…
Heroes [live 2010] *
(Brian Eno/David Bowie)
The Boy In The Bubble [live 2010] *
(Forere Motloheloa/Paul Simon)
Mirrorball [live 2010] *
(Craig Potter/Guy Garvey/Mark Potter/Pete Turner/Richard Jupp) (4:48)
Flume [live 2010] *
(Justin Vernon)
Listening Wind [live 2010] *
(Brian Eno/David Byrne)
The Power Of The Heart [live 2010] *
(Lou Reed)
My Body Is A Cage [live 2010] *
(Jeremy Gara/Richard Parry/Régine Chassagne/Tim Kingsbury/William Butler/Win Butler) (6:13)
The Book Of Love [live 2010] *
(Stephin Merritt)
I Think It’s Going To Rain Today [live 2010] *
(Randy Newman)
Après Moi [live 2010] *
(Regina Spektor)
Philadelphia [live 2010] *
(Neil Young)
Street Spirit (Fade Out) [live 2010] *
(Colin Greenwood/Ed O’Brien/Jonny Greenwood/Phil Selway/Thom Yorke)
Digging In The Dirt [live 2010] **
(Peter Gabriel)
The Drop [live 2010] **
(Peter Gabriel)
Signal To Noise [live 2010] **
(Peter Gabriel)
Downside Up [live 2010] **
(Peter Gabriel)
Darkness [live 2010] **
(Peter Gabriel)
Mercy Street [live 2010] **
(Peter Gabriel)
Blood Of Eden [live 2010] **
(Peter Gabriel)
The Rhythm Of The Heat [live 2010] **
(Peter Gabriel)
Washing Of The Water [live 2010] **
(Peter Gabriel)
Intruder [live 2010] **
(Peter Gabriel)
Red Rain [live 2010] **
(Peter Gabriel)
Solsbury Hill [live 2010] **
(Peter Gabriel)
In Your Eyes [live 2010] **
(Peter Gabriel)
Don’t Give Up [live 2010] **
(Peter Gabriel)
The Nest That Sailed The Sky [live 2010] **
(Peter Gabriel)
Performance date: 26th September 2010
Performance location: Anfiteatro Arena/Verona
Produced by: Dawn Christy/Nylon Films, Ben Findley (audio mix)
Performed by: Peter Gabriel & The New Blood Orchestra
* First official release: February 2014 – Peter Gabriel Scratch My Back Live In Verona (IT Websream?//RAI5)
* Best available source: Peter Gabriel Scratch My Back Live In Verona (HD video stream//vimeo.com/realworldrecords)
** First official release: 1st June 2014 – Peter Gabriel Taking The Pulse Live In Verona (US TV Broadcast//AXS TV)
** Best available source: Peter Gabriel Taking The Pulse Live In Verona (HD video stream//vimeo.com/realworldrecords)
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Non-Album activities
Work on the New Blood album entered the next round in October, which also included two unscheduled contributions…
Wallflower [piano version]
(Peter Gabriel) (4:55)
Wallflower [piano version remix] *
(Peter gabriel) (4:54)
Recording date: November 2010
Recording location: Real World Studios/Box
Produced by: Dickie Chappell
Performed by: Peter Gabriel feat. Tom Cawley (piano)
First official release: 21st December 2010 – Full Moon Club (webstream video/petergabriel.com)
* First official release: 2nd February 2011 – Full Moon Club (webstream video/petergabriel.com)
Best available source: same
We Want Peace
(Emmanuel Jal/Clinton Outten) (3:50)
Recording date: 2010
Recording location: ???
Produced by: Clinton Outten
Performed by: Emmanuel Jal feat. Peter Gabriel (string arrangement), Alicia Keys, ???
First official release: 14th December 2010 – Emmanuel Jal We Want Peace (webstream video/youtube.com)
Best available source: Emmanuel Jal See Me Mama (CD//Gatwich – Universal Music)
We Want Peace (Reloaded)
(Emmanuel Jal/Clinton Outten) (4:35)
Remix date: 2012
Remixed by: ?
First official release/Best available source: 2nd October 2012 – Emmanuel Jal See Me Mama (m4a download//itunes.com)
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Live Tracks
In March 2011, Gabriel played two concerts in London with the New Blood Orchestra, which were recorded for another video release. The tracks included Biko, which had not previously been released in an orchestrated studio version…
Intruder [live 2011]
(Peter Gabriel)
Wallflower [live 2011]
(Peter Gabriel)
The Boy In The Bubble [live 2011]
(Forere Motloheloa/Paul Simon)
Après Moi [live 2011]
(Regina Spektor)
The Drop [live 2011]
(Peter Gabriel)
Washing Of The Water [live 2011]
(Peter Gabriel)
The Book Of Love [live 2011]
(Stephin Merritt)
Darkness [live 2011]
(Peter Gabriel)
The Power Of The Heart [live 2011]
(Lou Reed)
Biko [live 2011]
(Peter Gabriel)
San Jacinto [live 2011]
(Peter Gabriel)
Digging In The Dirt [live 2011]
(Peter Gabriel)
Signal To Noise [live 2011]
(Peter Gabriel)
Downside Up [live 2011]
(Peter Gabriel)
Mercy Street [live 2011]
(Peter Gabriel)
The Rhythm Of The Heat [live 2011]
(Peter Gabriel)
Blood Of Eden [live 2011]
(Peter Gabriel)
Red Rain [live 2011]
(Peter Gabriel)
Solsbury Hill [live 2011]
(Peter Gabriel)
In Your Eyes [live 2011]
(Peter Gabriel)
The Nest That Sailed The Sky [live 2011]
(Peter Gabriel)
Recording date: 23rd/ 24th March 2011
Recording location: HMV Hammersmith Apollo, London
Produced by: Richard Chapell (audio)
Performed by: Peter Gabriel & The New Blood Orchestra
First official release: 18th October 2011 – Peter Gabriel New Blood – Live In London (EU Blu-Ray/)
Best available source: Peter Gabriel Live Blood (24bit FLAC download/Eagle Rock Entertainment)
For the 60th anniversary of Amnesty International in 2021, the live version of Biko was reworked instrumentally…
Love Dove Biko [Biko live 2011 remix]
(Peter Babriel) (2:20)
Remix date: 2021
Remixed by: Richard Chappell
First official release/Best available source: 28th May 2021 – Celebrating 60 Years Of Amnesty International – Freedom Flight (YouTube Video// https://youtu.be/BFiao8bJtbo)
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Album Tracks
In summer 2011, the recordings for the New Blood studio album with the orchestrated Gabriel songs were finally completed…
The Rhythm Of The Heat [New Blood version]
(Peter Gabriel) (5:41)
Downside Up [New Blood version]
(Peter Gabriel) (3:52)
San Jacinto [New Blood version]
(Peter Gabriel) (6:58)
Intruder [New Blood version]
(Peter Gabriel) (5:07)
Wallflower [New Blood version]
(Peter Gabriel) (6:25)
In Your Eyes [New Blood version]
(Peter Gabriel) (7:13)
Mercy Street [New Blood version]
(Peter Gabriel) (5:59)
Red Rain [New Blood version]
(Peter Gabriel) (5:15)
Darkness [New Blood version]
(Peter Gabriel) (6:10)
Don’t Give Up [New Blood version]
(Peter Gabriel) (6:40)
Digging In The Dirt [New Blood version]
(Peter Gabriel) (4:57)
The Nest That Sailed The Sky [New Blood version]
(Peter Gabriel) (3:54)
A Quiet Moment
(Peter Gabriel) (4:48)
Solsbury Hill [New Blood version]
(Peter Gabriel) (4:35)
Recording date: June 2010 – summer 2011
Recording location: Air Lyndhurst/London, Real World Studios/Box, Ladbroke Temple
Produced by: Peter Gabriel with John Metcalfe
Performed by: see album credits
First official release: 10th October 2011 – Peter Gabriel New Blood (EU CD//Real World PGCD13)
Best available source: Peter Gabriel New Blood (48kHz/24bit PCM download//Real World Productions)
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Non-Album Tracks
Other songs from the sessions, some of which didn’t make it onto the regular album, still found a home…
Washing Of The Water [New Blood version]
(Peter Gabriel) (3:58)
First official release: 28th September 2010 – Peter Gabriel The Book Of Love/The Washing Of The Water (mp3 download/amazon.com)
Best available source: same
Blood Of Eden [New Blood version]
(Peter Gabriel) (6:05)
First official release: 10th October 2011 – Peter Gabriel New Blood (Special Edition) (EU 2CD//Real World PGCDX13)
Best available source: Peter Gabriel New Blood (Special Edition) (48kHz/24bit PCM download//Real World Productions)
Signal To Noise [New Blood version]
(Peter Gabriel) (7:46)
First official release: 10th October 2011 – Peter Gabriel New Blood (Special iTunes Edition) (m4a download/itunes.com)
Best available source: Peter Gabriel New Blood (Special Edition) (48kHz/24bit PCM download//Real World Productions)
Father, Son [New Blood version]
(Peter Gabriel) (4:09)
First official release: 10th October 2011 – Peter Gabriel New Blood (petergabriel.com Editions) (mp3 download/petergabriel.com)
Best available source: same
The Drop [New Blood version]
(Peter Gabriel) (?)
First official release: —
Best available source: —
Lead A Normal Life [New Blood version]
(Peter Gabriel) (?)
First official release: —
Best available source: —
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Different versions
In addition to numerous instrumental versions on the Special Edition of the album, edits and four very special, slowed-down arrangements were also released…
Blood Of Eden [New Blood version instrumental excerpt]
(Peter Gabriel) (1:32)
First official release: 26th June 2010 – Full Moon Club (webstream video/petergabriel.com)
Best available source: same
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The Rhythm Of The Heat [New Blood version instrumental]
(Peter Gabriel) (5:41)
Downside Up [New Blood version instrumental]
(Peter Gabriel) (3:52)
San Jacinto [New Blood version instrumental]
(Peter Gabriel) (6:58)
Intruder [New Blood version instrumental]
(Peter Gabriel) (5:07)
Wallflower [New Blood version instrumental]
(Peter Gabriel) (6:25)
In Your Eyes [New Blood version instrumental]
(Peter Gabriel) (7:13)
Mercy Street [New Blood version instrumental]
(Peter Gabriel) (5:59)
Red Rain [New Blood version instrumental]
(Peter Gabriel) (5:15)
Darkness [New Blood version instrumental]
(Peter Gabriel) (6:10)
Don’t Give Up [New Blood version instrumental]
(Peter Gabriel) (6:40)
Digging In The Dirt [New Blood version instrumental]
(Peter Gabriel) (4:57)
First official release: 10th October 2011 – Peter Gabriel New Blood (Special Edition) (EU 2CD/Real World PGCDX13)
Best available source: Peter Gabriel New Blood (Special Edition) (48kHz/24bit PCM download//Real World Productions)
The Rhythm Of The Heat [New Blood version radio edit]
(Peter Gabriel) (3:27)
Red Rain [New Blood version radio edit]
(Peter Gabriel) (3:43)
First official release: September 2011 – Peter Gabriel New Blood (promo CD/EMI)
Best available source: same
The Drop [New Blood version instrumental remix]
(Peter Gabriel) (1:13)
Lead A Normal Life [New Blood version instrumental remix]
(Peter Gabriel) (1:20)
Downside Up [New Blood version instrumental remix] *
(Peter Gabriel) (1:21)
Blood Of Eden [New Blood version instrumental remix]
(Peter Gabriel) (1:20)
First official release/Best available source: 18th October 2011 – Peter Gabriel New Blood – Live In London (EU DVD//Eagle Vision EREDV888)
* Best available source: Peter Gabriel New Blood – Live In London (EU Blu-ray//Eagle Vision ERBRD5084)
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Topping The Mountain [from San Jacinto New Blood version]
(Peter Gabriel) (10:03)
Slow Blooded [from Blood Of Eden New Blood version]
(Peter Gabriel) (5:30)
Deep Heat [from The Rhythm Of The Heat New Blood version]
(Peter Gabriel) (9:13)
Warm And Alive [from Father, Son New Blood version]
(Peter Gabriel) (17:29)
First official release: January 2012 – Peter Gabriel Full Stretch (CD//La Fabrica Revista Matador 9788415303442)
Best available source: Peter Gabriel Full Stretch (subscriber FLAC download / petergabriel.bandcamp.com/album/full-stretch)
The New Blood tour took Gabriel to North America in June and to Central and South America in November. The program now also included Secret World, for which the orchestral arrangement was only created after the album sessions. In 2012, there were a few more concerts in Europe in the spring before the three-year “orchestral phase” was finally completed and Peter Gabriel wanted to devote himself to new songs for a new album.
Author: Steffen Gerlach
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