Peter Gabriel: Back to Front Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Peter Gabriel: Back to Front" offers an engaging and vivid visual experience, utilizing an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The Ultra High Definition 4K technology used in filming delivers scenes that are both sharp and stable. Despite the challenging lighting, which includes deep reds and blues, the transfer skillfully avoids common issues such as posterizing and maintains accurate and nicely saturated colors. The black levels are particularly deep and convincing, even during moments when the stage descends into near darkness. Although slight banding is noticeable when cameras capture both the audience and intense stage lighting, it doesn't significantly detract from the overall image quality.

The attention to detail in this presentation is impressive, with copious fine detail visible across facial features, clothing textures, and various stage elements. The film's ability to handle dramatic lighting changes—ranging from near-total darkness to blinding whites—is commendable. This robust transfer navigates these shifts seamlessly, ensuring that the visuals remain free from noise, crush, or significant banding. Additionally, skin tones appear lifelike and natural, never veering into unnaturally red or pallid territories.

Overall, "Back to Front" on Blu-ray provides a top-tier viewing experience that complements its stellar audio quality. From the striking vibrancy of the dark, moody hues to the consistent fine detail throughout, this Blu-ray ensures that viewers can enjoy Peter Gabriel's performance from the comfort of their living room in high fidelity.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Peter Gabriel: Back to Front" offers both a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and an LPCM 2.0 track, presenting an audibly impeccable experience. The 5.1 mix is notably the superior choice, providing a more enriched and bass-heavy soundscape without compromising clarity in the low and midranges. Gabriel's vocals are consistently prominent and crisp, maintaining a clear distinction whether he's performing or engaging the audience. The meticulous balance of the entire mix ensures that each element shines at its designated moment while contributing to a harmonious and dynamic auditory experience. The spatial aspect of the 5.1 mix is particularly noteworthy, creating a directional soundstage that effectively emulates the live setting in an immersive manner.

The audio balances instrumental prominence primarily at the front, with nuanced elements artfully allocated to the rear channels. This arrangement maintains coherence even as the camera shifts perspectives—whether capturing a distant shot of the audience or a close-up of the performers—ensuring an appropriate audio emphasis relative to the visual perspective. Additionally, the mix incorporates Low-Frequency Effects (LFE) judiciously, enhancing bass-heavy sections with added depth without overshadowing other sounds. Even during interstitial interviews, which are part of the film version, the audio remains exceptional, preserving clarity and engagement throughout.

Overall, the Blu-ray provides an auditory experience that fans expect from a technically proficient concert video. The audio tracks live up to the high standards set by Peter Gabriel's live performances and successfully translate the energy and intimacy of the concert into a home-viewing environment.

The extras in the "Peter Gabriel: Back to Front" Blu-ray offer remarkable insights into the concert's production and unique features. "The Visual Approach" gives an in-depth look with Peter Gabriel and director Hamish Hamilton discussing the intricate staging and its importance in delivering a memorable performance. Another standout, "In Your Eyes," creatively compiles various performances of the song throughout the years, capturing its evolution and impact. Additionally, "This is the Picture (Fan Cam)" provides a captivating fan-perspective angle, adding to the concert's immersive experience. For audiophiles and fans, the inclusion of two CDs featuring the entire show and a code for a studio-quality 24-bit download of the concert is a significant bonus.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Visual Approach: Gabriel and director Hamish Hamilton discuss concert staging.
• In Your Eyes: Mashup of various performances of the song.
• This is the Picture (Fan Cam): Fan-perspective footage.
• Two CDs of the Entire Show: Complete audio of the concert.
• Code for 24-bit Download: High-quality audio download code.

"Peter Gabriel: Back to Front" offers a striking and technically impressive concert experience, capturing the essence of Gabriel's influential 1986 album "So" performed live. Filmed over two nights at London’s O2 Stadium, the Blu-ray showcases Gabriel reuniting with original bandmates Tony Levin, David Rhodes, Manu Katché, and David Sancious, creating an evocative career-spanning setlist. The concert is segmented into three parts, starting with an unplugged set that evolves into the full performance of "So", and concluding with a series of his classic hits. Notably, the Blu-ray includes innovative interpretations of "So" tracks, injecting new life into these timeless songs.

The film begins intriguingly with Gabriel discussing the originality of performing an unfinished song, providing a rare glimpse into his creative process. This transparency sets a personal tone before transitioning into the expertly choreographed performance. While his physicality may have changed over the years, Gabriel’s vocal delivery retains its powerful and emotive quality, particularly during tracks like "Shock the Monkey" and "In Your Eyes". However, fans might find some elements overly staged, with occasional excessive visual effects and lighting detracting from the music's raw emotional delivery.

From a technical perspective, the Blu-ray excels with robust video and audio clarity, revealing every intricate detail of the performance. Director Hamish Hamilton’s use of iconic visual motifs and dynamic stage designs brings an immersive viewing experience, although at times these visuals can overshadow the performance itself. The disc features an intuitive menu system allowing viewers to navigate effortlessly between tracks. While the inclusion of interstitial interviews in the theatrical version sacrifices some song integrity, the unfettered full concert on Disc One remains a definitive highlight for Gabriel enthusiasts, offering an authentic live music experience well worth the attention.

"Peter Gabriel: Back to Front" on Blu-ray is a compelling visual and auditory experience that faithfully captures the essence of Gabriel's illustrious career. This release serves as both a career retrospective and a celebration of Gabriel's renowned album, "So." The expertly directed concert film features stunning high-definition visuals and remarkable audio fidelity, ensuring an immersive experience whether you're a long-time aficionado or discovering Gabriel for the first time. The inclusion of a DigiBook and CDs in this Limited Edition further enriches its appeal.

The technical execution of "Back to Front" is exemplary, showcasing pristine sound mixing and sharp, vibrant imagery that brings the live performance to life. Each track is delivered with precision, rendering the emotional and sonic textures of Gabriel’s music vividly. While some may find the production to be overly meticulous or excessively polished, it’s undeniable that the high-quality presentation enhances the overall viewing experience. The concert effectively balances classic hits with deeper cuts, providing a holistic view of Gabriel's oeuvre.

Taken on purely musical terms, Back to Front: Peter Gabriel Live in London is a fantastic career retrospective, capped by an invigorating reading of Gabriel's still resonant "So" album. While the concert and film are immaculately produced, that may be part of the problem—everything seems overly cautious, predictable, and almost Big Hair Band excessive in its production values. This Limited Edition is handsomely produced itself, with an enjoyable DigiBook presentation that also includes CDs. Recommended.