Peter Gabriel - DNA: The Evolution of the Songs from 'So' - An Interview with Dickie Chappell

Peter Gabriel's engineer, Richard 'Dickie' Chappell, explains the thinking behind the 'So DNA' disc included in the Anniversary edition box set.
Digging into the archives Peter and Dickie found many different versions of the material that eventually appeared on So. Peter decided to include some of the extracts from early cassettes and half inch tapes when ideas were being formed.
Track by track the songs unfold from their early beginnings to the full production. Dickie explains this painstaking archiving process and goes on to talk about the three exclusive songs on the 12" vinyl included in the box set. 'Segrada', 'Courage' and 'Don't Give Up (alternative version)' all have a place in the history of 'So' and Dickie tells us why.
store.realworld.co.uk/product...
#AlbumFocus

[@Pat14922]

Saw him last week at O2 Arena Manchester, UK, (June 2023) It was an awesome innovative performance, and included several "So" tracks , which are still magical 😀😀

[@tparker2095]

I just saw him here in NYC at Madison Square Garden, I was BLOWN away by their sound, especially Digging in the Dirt! David, Tony, and Manu's playing were phenomenal!

[@gregvoloshen3065]

Perhaps the best song writer composer of the 21st century.

[@OleVanDole]

I really love these in depth videos about the production process! Seeing those old tapes, boom boxes and pictures makes my nerd senses tingle!

[@Robert_11911]

Peter Gabriel is a huge influence on the music I create. I love his music and have for a long time. Glad I got to see he live in Canada here. -- Keep it up Peter!!! - Sincerely, Rob D.

[@nickdryad]

Same. I’d love to have some of my takes as good his out takes

[@LuizBertonimusic]

This is so awesome can't thank you enough for posting it.cheers!

[@simsimma9622]

Man, he's so freakin good.

[@topheecheesecake]

What a missed opportunity to include B-sides, outtakes and alternative versions ! There was plenty of space left across the 4 discs for that... I don't understand why they chose not to include them... :(

[@BarryWarne]

I like the way those turned out and appreciate the tremendous work

[@jazzfan5000]

I agree. I own the So box set and listened to the whole DNA CD. It is very raw and industrial sounding.

[@DavideRuggerini]

So...let me know...the music ideas were all recorded on an Aiwa boombox?

[@visitation2001]

Wouldn't expect any less from PG. Excellent stuff !

[@looseSpark]

Funny how these "rough cuts" sound better to me than most music given full release.

[@contecrayononpaper]

Thanks for the ride.

[@SuperMitchell57]

So here is the Real journey Thank you but there is more in the editing and thank you for that . true love of music Thanks again Peter

[@curiousted]

Brilliant stuff!

[@panteramusica8974]

Beautiful origins of In Your Eyes. It's so upbeat and danceable. Love it. Does anyone know if the original In Your Eyes version is out there? Much appreciated.

[@Mincer1914]

...excellent and brilliant stuff

[@AdamG1983]

When you get your first credit card and the first stop you make is to a music shop that specializes in electronic music.

[@oscarvazquez4239]

who´s those knows Peter Gabriel productions, perceive the great all necessarily work behind every piece of art, Peter is one of great motivations to me for learn English language, his magisterial pronunciation and interpretation shows in the scenario make me understand perfectly what does is he transmitting.

[@jrkoiter]

Wow, this sounds good!

[@PurenonsenseLove]

AWESOMENESS! Peter Gabriel is an inspiration to me. I want to work on my music and I want to do some covers of his.

[@DrewSherm1]

This makes me realize what a genius Daniel Lanois is

[@012Spartacus]

thanx Peter...

[@maggieblue7742]

I know what state I'm in!! Sink or swim. Diving into the deep end. We'll win if winning is the point of this game we're in. Keep swimming. And in the end, we'll find The remnants of beginning. ... Love. Keep on singing. Kept. In heart. ♥

[@robgs]

excellent stuff

[@fantasticvoyageofficial4102]

Maestro!

[@nielswil]

He's got two Fairlight monitors.

[@carstenaltena]

He's got 2 Fairlights. Because he can.

[@timdowns7937]

I think he had generation one and two. Gen 2 had the page R rhythm sequencer.

[@decrink]

He was the first adopter and then distributor of the Fairlight in the UK so he DID have complete access.

[@decrink]

He was the first adopter and then distributor of the Fairlight in the UK so he DID have complete access.

[@jbfairlight]

There are indeed two Fairlight VDUs, one for the C.M.I. (I or II, but not IIx because there is no MIDI/SMPTE at the back) and the other one which is in fact connected to the computer of the SSL 4000.

[@Lemmy905]

This sounds Freaking Awesome...

[@kentborges5114]

THEE ONE, THEE ONLY, PETER GABRIEL...Magnificent !

[@_fig.8]

that feeling you get when you already know you're going to want to hear longer samples of versions that are knitted together in the box set. perhaps bonus track downloads in the future now that the files have been located, remastered and vaulted.

[@jicamasaladco]

"Passion", "Us", "OVO", "Long Walk Home" and "Up" are all original material, and all quite excellent. Seems like you have missed a few great PG records in the last 25 years - off to the record shop with you!

[@alfamonk]

Amazing..i want to buy these unreleased tracks that i'm hearing in the background..PG release them - they're great!

[@rodiguru]

great great great!!!

[@RosaliaFacts]

I would like to see that HD restoration of DON'T GIVE UP video 7:13

[@IvanOdintsoff]

Sagrada is so awesome. They should complete it like with Courage.

[@Cimbarius]

We are waiting for "Us - the Album - the 25th anniversary."

[@escaton74]

+Cimbarius it's next year already... back in the day it seemed to be ages in between PG releases, nowadays 5 years are hardly more than a blink of an eye

[@brushuk]

no we're not....

[@XanAxDdu]

@@brushuk eat your shit dear

[@nlight101]

This is good stuff

[@arothmanmusic]

The drums on "Courage" have got to be Stewart Copeland.

[@Ken5253]

You're right I did overlook the two movie soundtracks but I think I can continue to live without them, so no trip to any record shop (if I could find one these days!)

[@Herfinnur]

2:00 total Dave Matthews moment

[@JohnLennon100]

Passion, Birdy, Long Walk Home are different animals. They're soundtracks ...they're meant to follow a film which is very different to any of Peter's original albums. I love Peter Gabriel but I can only say that the only album I worship from him is So and only So. So it's even my #4 album of my all time favorites after 30 years listening to great music. #4 only after Revolver from the Beatles (1) Double Fantasy (2) John Lennon. I think my #3 is Man on the Line. #5 Mama from Genesis.

[@Nephilim-81]

Chappell rules!!!

[@martincaz7772]

OMG that Red Rain version... 😮

[@marthagogele7566]

Peter ist einer der besten 👌💯❤️

[@topheecheesecake]

The rough demo of Sledgehammer on the So DNA disc.

[@ramonrojasalmuzara290]

Stewart Copeland on 05:20? That hi-hat can only be him

[@kai326]

It absolutely is, he recorded the hi hat on red rain

[@joh898]

It is available to Australian customers from jb hi-fi online.

[@corium_]

BIGTIME

[@xnonsuchx]

"Courage" (though the guy's accent right before it plays sounds like "Carriage").

[@jagshrapnel]

Is there a B-side compilation available for what is not on here?

[@ScottGarapolo]

could be Manu also, any idea for sure? I'd love to know... always knew he must have done more than just the hi hats on Red Rain...

[@kai326]

Stewart Copeland plays drums on Red Rain, not Manu. And yes the only organic drum sound you’re hearing on that song is the hi hat

[@LaNoteRouge]

With the exception of Passion, I would not rate these as high as the 4 first. In fact at the time, I thought 'So' was all about 'fancy' and quite a departure from the 4 first albums. I tought the content was less dense, deemed 'commercial' and it took me time to get to it... 'Us' felt like just another slip downward...

[@mrjarrgo]

what song is playing in the background at 0:50 ? AMAziNg

[@JohnSkyPatterson]

are they going to release those demo versions????

[@MrRicodoncel]

Ken, it's about quality no quantity.

[@EricPorcher]

So!

[@TheNellamaria]

interesting...

[@paulrecords7872]

What song starts playing at 5:00?

[@IvanOdintsoff]

4 years later: Courage

[@timdowns7937]

A brand new album would be ace.

[@JohnLennon100]

I think you're confusing 2 different things. A must for any artist is to reinvent himself. Otherwise it would be called ART but a repetitive production. Yes, Peter has been able to avoid the ego trip and maintain himself grounded to the earth. But at the same time, his music contribution is another thing and in my opinion So has been his greatest contribution so far, unparalelled with everything else he has released. I also LOVE Shock the Monkey, San Jacinto, Humdrum, Home Sweet Home, Moribund

[@Ken5253]

Amazing to think that in the 25 years since So was released PG has only issued three albums of original material. Lazy fucker!

[@wkpna]

So, as it turns out, it's not bad enough that the 25th Ann. boxset is missing ALL the b-sides and contributions from that time. Now we know that "Sagrada" it's not so much a real unreleased new track, but essentially an "In Your Eyes" demo. Way to go and disappoint most fans. The DNA concept sounds very interesting, no doubt, but "baffling" doesn't even begin to cover the glaring omissions and the weak and frustrating approach of this release.

[@leharra1]

white light love,may the divine feminine flame enfold your energy field,may the universal supply pour its abundance upon u,may the wounds inside of your aches be cured by the faith you are building this moment. you will only go as far as your mind will let you

[@nlgbbbblth]

WHY no b-sides Dickie? Not cool.

[@voidzone]

If only this disc was available for a reasonable price, but of course....PG fans have to pay way too much yet again.

[@COLDMKULTRA]

Did You go mad Peter Gabriel ? ... or are You just (Not Alien) Genius? ... I ... REALLY believe that's not your face, its mine ... its mine ...

[@coppice2778]

Whenever I hear these work in progress recordings, with words that are little more than a place marker, it amazes me how much of the final feeling a singer can put into these fairly meaningless lyrics.

[@Sebastian-lo3hn]

The worst and best 2 performances I have ever seen.

[@SuperMitchell57]

"Product is currently unavailable to my region" I am a Massive Fan This is weak and I will not revisit

[@SuperMitchell57]

Your link lead me back to myself RUBBISH

[@JohnLennon100]

Well ....they're original but Peter was never able to reinvent himself after So. Us, was released 6 long years after So, and there's basically no novelty in it compared to So. Up it's even more lethargic and insipid than Us. They have their moments, but compared to So ....wow ...big difference. So also was an ultra compact album, 8 songs only ....but every single song was a piece of art by itself, self sufficient, rich in textures great grooves and awesome lyrics. And commercially successful!!!!

[@evanjazzista]

Agreed!

[@moragmckay3779]

I found the overtly commercial tracks jarred terribly amongst the more sensitive songs. I can't say any were bad songs, but I have never been able to put So on and just listen to it; I'm in the mood for one type of track or the other and both types are spoiled by the juxtaposition. At the time, I wished one type were put on each side of the album - later to become a lost possibility in the days of CDs. I can just lose myself completely in many of his other albums.

[@richardpennington5445]

Up is my second favourite PG album after 4. It is an intensely emotional album of a man transitioning into the 3rd phase of his life (losing parents etc) and reflecting on life and mortality.

[@Rhythmattica]

Typical engineer that thinks he's a musician........

[@deetgeluid]

So? (Pun intended)

[@sonnioffice6439]

It's so disappointing that one of the most forward thinking artists of a generation is now (well, for the last 20 years anyway) so obsessed with his own nostalgia,

[@robertzanetti6351]

Obsessed? Explain. Fans love this stuff.

[@moragmckay3779]

Since first going online (going into my 60s!) nearly 5 years ago, I've found he has actually been creating some wonderful new music in the past 20 years which I'd heard nothing about. Until Ken Bruce played his new release, Panopticon , recently, the most recent composition I'd heard was from Babe, I believe. A shocking indictmentof music media, not Peter Gabriel.

[@ShadovvV]

Amateurish writing method.

[@intheblink]

ShadowⓋ lol, I’m sure he thinks about that when he checks his bank account and sees the Sledgehammer royalties pouring in 30 years later.