Rating: 
Summary: One of the best rock showmen ever
Review: Visually speaking, there exists no official video/DVD document of
Peter Gabriel's legendary live performances before the "So" era (candidates for release include the Genesis '73 Oxford show, the one-hour Rockpalast performance from '78 and several worthy
documents of the '82/3 tour, all of which are
extraordinary). Fortunately, "POV" and "Secret World Live" were amazing, and now comes "Growing Up", featuring a Gabriel so old that he no longer need wear the old man mask that he used to close out "The Musical Box" with, but in great form nonetheless."Up" was a good album, vastly overlooked, although the tour did sell tickets and gave millions throughout the world good exposure to some of the darkest, artiest material in his entire career. "The Barry Williams Show" might still make one wince (the singer seeming a little out-out-touch with a trend that peaked years before this song was finally released), but the rest is soulfully performed. Even "Sledgehammer", which has become a bit of a mill around his neck, still sounds fairly fresh and comes at the right point in the show. The highlights include an elegant "Mercy Street", a ferocious "Digging In The Dirt", an intense "Signal To Noise" and the naked piano renditions of "Here Comes The Flood" and "Father, Son". There is some overlap between this and "Secret World Live" (5 or 6 songs total), although the performances and visual dramatics are different enough to warrant inclusion. All the visual tricks--
the upside-down walk, Zorb ball, bicycle ride, etc. look good on screen although the whole show was much more powerful when experienced live (esp with good seats, as I had at his Anaheim
performance). Still, this is a must-purchase if you are a Gabriel fan and not a bad intro to his later work (the show concentrating almost exlusively on songs from 1986 and after; one small disappointment being that absolutely nothing from "PG III" or "Security" was performed). As said by many here, the picture and sound is top-notch, although there could be more bonus features. And I didn't mind the orange guys at all.
Rating:
Summary: Yes, I have Grown Up With Peter Gabriel and Glad of It
Review: Being unable to see very few of these great Acts live (Living in Australia causes this to be little expensive) makes the availability of such DVD's extremely important. This I believe is one of the finest I have had the privilege to see. Having listened to Genesis initially in 1971 and finding this music captivating I have always been drawn to Peter Gabriel, (I still stridently believe the Gabriel years were the best of Genesis and look forward to the Lamb 5.1) this concert has all the attributes of a Genius at work, the performance of the musicians (aahhh Tony Levin) with Peter also makes this one great magic moment, some might think the production is a little over the top but this is quality entertainment with brilliant sound and vision, to show the Technicians was at first odd but they are a major factor in the production, and to have them as part of the visual increases the reality factor. As much as I enjoy The Secret World, I think they are separate concepts (needless to say in time also) I am very careful not to compare directly. Having recently had the privilege to see YES in concert with all that goes with a live show, it is so difficult to capture a live production with all the energy and ambiance that go with that, but I think this DVD is near as close as you can get to being there. The song selection gives us a history of this brilliant Person and lets those who may not have seen the development over the last 35-40 years see what the music is about, from a conceptual point of view, if you are willing to take the time to understand. I still prefer to sit and just listen to Peter and Genesis, for that matter all my music, but to have a visual version does give that extended dimension that can excite, and send the "old shiver down the spine". This is certainly worth viewing even if you have not had the pre-"Growing Up" Knowlege of Peter Gabriel. Jim
Rating:
Summary: IT'S THE SOUND, MAN!
Review: Peter Gabriel has always embraced technology as it has emerged. This disc has a fantastic DTS presentation. If you like Peter Gabriel, and have a system that you can turn up, you will especially enjoy Sledgehammer. Sounds great, looks great!
Rating: 
Summary: Noone love PG more then me but..one starr less for audio
Review: First - there is a lot of emotion here for me. PG cancelled the Atlanta BIG show because we didn't have the capacity to handle the equipment. So I flew to Chicago for the first performance. AMAZING. I was on the floor and the sound was as awesome as the show. Then I flew again to Arizona for one of the last. AMAZING again. This time from the first row of the upper level - to get a different perspective. Great again. So when he finally came here to Atlanta - Chastain Park for the "mini show" under the stars I not only went but took my kids (8 & 6) too. And much to my joy, he brought the ball out even on the small stage - when he starts bouncing to Growing Up, so did I. I wanted to be in there with him.
This is a terrific DVD - video wise. But did any of the reviewers try out the DTS5CH - 5.1 surround modes? I had heard the sound was a bit odd and I have to admit this impulse buy because I just couldn't resist. As I play it now, what I find is that this was obviously recorded from the sound board and overproduced. I figure this because there is complete separation between PG's voice and the band. Further, because it was recorded from the sound board, you only hear the "plugged in" instruments. PG's voice is one of them, Melanie's isn't. Neither are the drums. Also, they put odd things in the rear surround channel. Sounds waiver, its not rich and full, bold with strong base. It IS amazing how I hear his voice so clearly, he is in your living room. But as much as I love his voice, I love his music and arrangements. Melanie's voice isn't as strong as his backups from the past but I would bring my daughter on tour too, I forgive him. The problem here is that on one of their most beautiful performances - one my 8 year old daughter and I sang together at the concert in Atlanta, Mercy Street - it's all Peter, I could barely hear Melanie. So I put it on regular Dolby stereo and it sounded much better. The band joined in and it sounded more realistic. I have adjusted the sound levels, done all I can. I just don't get it. To be honest - I can remember the sound being unrealistic and over produced on the first VHS tape I got, Secret world was better. I almost wanted to take the amazing visual experience this DVD brings and record studio songs over it. The behind the scenes, look into the orange men (if you saw the concert you would appreciate them more) and the blooming of the ball. Get it for the video and forgo your surrond sound system for good old sterio.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome Classical Performance
Review: Up is a GREAT dvd which shows PG at his best. The quality of the release is great, very clear. The band is so tight after years of playing together, singing well too. PG likes to put alot of creativity in his shows (as any fan would know), and the dvd gives you all the angles in a comfortable way. PG's daughter sings with him and it is really a joy to listen to them. I sensed she might be his daughter by her appearance and the sound of her voice. I noticed one reviewer who didn't like the techs in the shots, but I like the feeling of showing everything behind the making of his shows. GREAT SHOW PG!
Rating:
Summary: More than this
Review: Mixed Emotions abound for me in trying to write about this disc. So, setting emotion aside... this is a technical marvel. Sound is fantastic. The picture is crystal clear. The packaging is lush with an abundance of photos and careful art design to set the mood. I've owned the Secret World live VHS for years, and from what I've read there is some fuss about the technical quality of that DVD. Anyone looking for a technical showcase need not worry. This DVD is a polished gem. Now, as for my personal response to that gem... I'm a lifelong fan of PG. I saw this concert twice, once in NYC in an arena and the slightly scaled down version in Toronto. That makes me a less than objective reviewer since I have something to compare this DVD to. My hesitance about giving this disc a full on five stars is that it just doesn't captue the vitality of the shows as they came across live. There is a good deal of film editing to try and energize things, but it didn't seem to add anything for me. Secret World live on VHS anyway is hands down the finest concert film I've ever seen, and I've seen several by many artists. While the DVD is flawless technically, and the inclusion of the orange people provides no real distraction despite the comments of some reviewers here, I feel as though this disc doesn't do for this tour what Secret World live did for that tour. Its great, but for those who are fans of the tour and who have seen it, while this DVD makes a good souvenir they will know that there was more than this. *** Update*** Its been a few weeks since I wrote that review, and I have "More than this" to say. This disc has really grown on me. A few thoughts, Gabriel is older, and some of the power of the live show came from the way he has aged with such tremendous grace. There was real power to the fact of him singing so strongly, and behaving so naturally (moments like sledgehammer aside). He was acting his age and performing as someone wise. His contemplative thoughtful strolls around the stage might not have made as much of an impact across repeated viewing on DVD. Then again they might have. Either way, there has clearly been a lot of focus here on the visual... why cut to the orange men? Because orange is an interesting color... and the area under the stage is a secret world. They are visually interesting. Why cut around among the musicians so rapidly? Because this disc was made for fans who could be counted upon to watch the disc repeatedly. The density of images mean there is always something new to appreciate. The concert was the concert. The DVD is the DVD, and it has been made to be taken on its own terms. It works, and works well. That's why I've returned to give this DVD Five Stars. (One last note, you can hear every note of bass playing, but we don't get to see enough Tony Levin. That is a real shame. His agility and energy did a lot to balance Gabriel's reserve in the live show. Suppose they were woried that in close ups Levin might have upstaged Gabriel. Try to catch some glimpses of Tony Levin's stances in the long shots. He gave the live show an extra swagger and edge that really made it incredible. Rumor has it that following his decade out of the spotlight Gabriel has so much material ready that he may have another album out soon. See this group live if you can! Tony Levin is as much of a force of nature as Gabriel is. Amazing live music!)
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: No doubt the best concert film I've seen. It's interesting visually and musically. Everything is in top form, and Peter's voice sounds perfect, unlike other DVD's in which everything is great but the lead voice is off (Bono, Robert Smith..).
The songs from UP take on more strength live, but most enjoyable at least to me is this version of Downside Up sung by Peter and his daughter Melanie (on Ovo some other singer does the lead vocal), it is a very powerful song. IT's also intersting to see Melanie Gabriel, very sweet high pitched voice.
Rating:
Summary: PERHAPS THE BEST CONCERT FILM EVER
Review: Ignore the review from my state's northern area, this is a brilliant concert! Yes, the crew are visible... so what? They are an extremely important part of this show; besides, this isn't the first time the crew has been integrated into a concert (remember the Jawa-like techies on the "Rust Never Sleeps" tour?)
The picture quality is excellent; the sound is fabulous. I only wish there was more behind-the-scenes stuff, like interviews with band members, etc. Obviously, fans are going to want this. Most will love it.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing DVD A must for any Gabriel Fan
Review: This concert dvd is amazing i seen peter on his 2002 growing up u.s. tour and this dvd makes you feel like you are sitting in the front row i think the filming was excellent. If you are a gabriel fan or just want to watch an amazing concert this dvd is for you
Rating: 
Summary: Worst Concert Film Ever!!!
Review: Let me explain, I am reviewing the watchability of the film, not the concert. First of all, the editor must have been one of the crew members, a member who had very little experience editing a film. The edits were too quick, bouncing from person to person, sometimes showing the crew, sometimes showing the crowd, but never really staying focused on one person. Why did we ever need to see the crew. These people are meant to be never seen, as is why in most concerts they wear black. But not here, they are a main focus, wearing orange to stand out. Edits should be at least 5 seconds so that the viewer can see the action. Not here, the edits are quick and often. Between the songs we should have seen Peter talking to the crowd. Not here, the film was focused on what the crew was doing. The sound quality ws nothing to brag about. Don't get me wrong. Secret World is excellent. Whoever the 5th grader was who edited this film would get an F in class. Don't waste your time even renting this film, yet alone buying it. Your money can be spent better almost anywhere else. I bought it and at this very moment it is sitting in the garbage. It is the Worst Concert Film I have ever seen.
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