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38 of 39 found the following review helpful:
 That This Is Amazing Is No SecretApr 03, 2001
By Kristin J Currier
This isn't just a concert video. This is a beautifully orchestrated performance that you will watch again and again. Passion is the hallmark here...Gabriel has never been content with just singing songs he's written. He throws his soul into what he does, and the superbly talented musicians he plays with can't help but to shine as well. It's a joyfull show filled with brimming sound and imagery.All of the musicians Gabriel works with past and present are always artists in their own right. Here you will see Singer Paula Cole looking gorgeous and giving Gabriel's dusky vocals a smooth comlement. It's no wonder her career soon skyrocketed. Tony Levin, who has played with Gabriel since his Security album and also has played with King Crimson and others as well as producing his own solo work, lends his commanding stage presence and unbelievable bass playing. David Rhodes gives us his understated but vital guitarwork. Manu Katche is a joy to watch, his percussion style reminding me a bit of a cross between Stewart Copeland (who also has written and played with Gabriel) and Neil Peart. And then there is Shankar, talented Indian double violinist...with his darkly beautiful playing filled with so much emotion. If you are already a Gabriel fan, you are in for a treat here. The imagery his music invokes is here for you, live, and on stage. If you are only familiar with Gabriel's hits, you will be introduced to a musician who is a true artist that has so much more to offer than a hit or two. Seeing this may make you an avid fan.
85 of 95 found the following review helpful:
Disregard negative reviews. Read this, then decide.Dec 07, 2004
By Eric Morris
I taped this concert from TV a decade ago and literally wore out the tape. I almost didn't buy this DVD because of the negative reviews here. (The criticisms were not about the concert but picture/sound quality, transfer to DVD, etc.) I got my DVD from Amazon today and let me tell you it is a beautiful thing. Crisp clear sound and picture, widescreen, Dolby 5.1, DTS, etc. This DVD is the 2003 remaster of the 1994 concert and has LOTS of previously unavailable bonus features. There may have been a substandard disc of this concert in the past, but this isn't it. Buy this item new from Amazon with confidence. I'd avoid used copies of this particular item since there has been problems with this title in the past. There are probably about a dozen killer concert DVD's that no one should be without. This is one of them. Excellent show. Great quality disc.
42 of 45 found the following review helpful:
Unbelievable Performance!May 20, 2000
By Ravi Hayashida
My friends saw this tour live and I didn't realize what I had missed . . . until I saw this video. For those who are tired of bands looking like they're still in the recording studio while performing live, this video is a must! Peter Gabriel, and co., developed an elaborate and visually stunning performance - on two separate stages nonetheless - that can get even video audiences out of their seats and cheering. This is not a concert - it's a theatrical event! For Peter Gabriel Fans, this concert was about 90% new material. Most of that was from the "Us" album. However, the personal nature of the album was mirrored well by the song selection and powerful performances by Peter Gabriel and Paula Cole. These songs include "Blood of Eden", "In Your Eyes", "Don't Give Up" and "Shaking The Tree". Other faves include "Sledgehammer", "Steam" and "Kiss That Frog". "Salisbury Hill" is a welcome entry, and "Across the River" is a moving performance. [There are more songs, but space here is limited.] The band is in top form: Along with Paula Cole are familiar faces like Tony Levin (Bass), David Rhodes (Guitar) and Manu Katche (Drums), with Jean-Claude (Keyboards) and Shankar (violin) rounding out the main band. Words are not enough. You must see it to get a taste of this truly monumental tour. I don't want to spoil anything, but I especially enjoyed the last part of "Secret World" near the end of the concert.
22 of 25 found the following review helpful:
 Great concert...Poor video quality on dvdMar 18, 2003
By David Blond
I was so excited to have this concert come out on dvd. Peter Gabriel is so talented, and this concert is blow-away amazing. Imagine how my heart stopped when I saw the very poor video transfer on this Universal Music dvd. It is in widescreen, but the techs fell asleep on the transfer. My original laserdisc looks 20 times better (thank God I didn't sell it!). Much of the video content appears blurry and there is little detail. I know it is not the camera guy's fault, because the laserdisc version looks clean and detailed (this concert is high-quality all the way). The dvd really looks that bad, and I blame Universal Music. The sound gets five stars, and the extras are very nice, when most concert dvd's lack any. The 'making of' and the preview of the Growing Up tour are great. Get this dvd for the extras and the sound, not for the video. Why did Universal drop the ball on one of my all-time favorite concerts? I feel sick when I watch this dvd version...I'm glad I kept the laserdisc!
10 of 10 found the following review helpful:
a feast for the ears and eyesMay 02, 2003
By Tim
I've been a Peter Gabriel fan for years and have been to several of his shows, but until last week I'd never seen the "Secret World" concert footage before (although I've listened to my "Secret World" CD hundreds of times.) After seeing it, I can't stop smiling. What an amazing show - right up there with Talking Heads' "Stop Making Sense" and U2's "Live in Boston" as my all-time favorite concert movies. I shouldn't be surprised, given Gabriel's gifts as both a musician AND a visual artist. Certain images will forever remained burned into my brain... trapped in a bright red British phone booth during COME TALK TO ME; his "breathing shadow" at the end of SAN JACINTO; rowing down the conveyor belt "river" during SLOW MARIMBAS then happily skipping around the stage while singing SHAKING THE TREE; and ending with a completely exuberant IN YOUR EYES. I'm not going to quibble with video quality (it wasn't apparent to me) or sound synching (very minor... don't worry, this ISN'T Britney Spears lip-synching our National Anthem, for crying out loud!) What I was left with was an immense appreciation for Peter Gabriel's infectious energy and charismatic stage presence. Add to the mix a VERY talented band (Paula Cole is luminous) and one of the most innovative stage shows you'll ever see = an incredibly satisfying way to spend an hour and a half... over and over again! What a feast for the ears and eyes.
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