Real World

Today sees the sixth of the double a-side reciprocal releases on iTunes in the 'Scratch My Back' and 'I'll Scratch Yours' series. David Byrne has recorded a fantastic version of 'I Don't Remember' in return of Peter's version of 'Listening Wind'.

Peter, Bob Ezrin and John Metcalfe talk about the recording of 'Listening Wind' in our video. Unfortunatly we didn't manage to get David Byrne in-front of a camera, although he did send us some thoughts:

Why did you choose to cover Don't Remember?

"I didn't. Peter suggested it. I was aiming for something more obscure, or a lesser known song that I could make unrecognizable or radically rework. That song is a favorite I'm sure, so a lot of fans will be somewhat attached to the original arrangement. But I did have an angle, an approach, and I guess that intrigued Peter."

How did you approach the cover - musically, technically etc etc?

"I realized that the tempo, the groove and the catchy chorus might be perfect for an uplifting clubby treatment- which would give a nice spin on the lyrics. In the original the vibe is quite dark, paranoid even....I thought the falsetto vocal and club groove would make the alienation and amnesia subject pleasant- almost desirable. I thought my version might imply a willing sublime surrender to memory loss."

Do you have any thoughts or response to Peter Gabriel's cover of Listening Wind?

"It's lovely- it brings out the incantation in the song. What a choice at this time politically though! One could get waterboarded for singing that song in the wrong place!"

all the best

David

Midtown

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Apologies for the loss of service, we had a few gremlins in the servers which took us off the air for a few hours. We've had a team of elf fumigators at work and so as the air clears we are gradualy returning to normal service.

The latests Witness newsletter has just arrived in mailboxes. If you're not subscribed you can take a look at the on-line version.

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The "Saddlespan Stage" at WOMAD Charlton Park is to be renamed 'The Charlie Gillett Stage' in memory of the broadcasting legend.

"Charlie Gillett was such a benign godfather to so many artists who have fallen under the name of world music.

"Bumping into Charlie was always one of my regular delights at Womad. There are many artists around the world who owe a good slice of their income to Charlie's enthusiasms.

"His generous and good nature, fired by his passion, was a beacon of light in the music world and a rare and wonderful example to all of us involved." Peter Gabriel

The Charlie Gillett Stage will be opened by eight-piece band Zoo For You who had been brought to the attention of festival organisers by the presenter.

• More on WOMAD Charlton Park

'Bought For A Dollar, Sold For A Dime' "...is as brave and intriguing as anything he has done. Joined by his old Sugar Hill colleagues Doug Wimbish on bass and Keith Leblanc on drums, and with help from singers including Bernard Fowler (of Rolling Stones fame) and reggae star Ken Boothe, he switches from a rambling, powerful treatment of an old Son House song Grinnin' in Your Face to a stomping reworking of Hammer Head, dressed up with dub effects, or an edgy blend of harmony gospel singing and blues lament on Another Friend Gone. This is a compelling reminder that McDonald is a master of the contemporary blues."

• read in full at The Guardian
• More on ''Bought For A Dollar, Sold For A Dime'

Peter and Elbow scratch each other's backs in May's Full Moon release on iTunes.

Peter Gabriel, Guy Garvey, John Metcalfe and Bob Ezrin talk about the recording of Mirrorball and Elbows reciprocal version of Mercy Street.

Mirrorball

"Dawn gives me a shadow I know to be taller / All down to you, dear." It's abundantly clear why this song, one of the highwater marks of Elbow's Mercury Prize-bagging The Seldom Seen Kid, holds such appeal for Peter. With Guy Garvey's poetic pen producing swooning lines like "We kissed like we invented it", John Metcalfe's surging strings are the equal, giving Mirrorball the big-screen sheen it truly deserves.

"...It's one of my favourite arrangements and has references to Stravinsky's 'Rites of Spring'. Often orchestral arrangements of rock songs are used to 'sweeten'. I think these arrangements have a real integrity to them. They are not a decorated background for a rock band, but use all the colours of the orchestra to provide the heart, passion, intensity and groove. " Peter Gabriel

Mercy Street

"We chose to cover Mercy Street because it's such an amazing song, It's my favourite from SO. Also because there's a real tenderness and understanding in the lyrics. Before I knew anything about Anne Sexton or her poetry - the song is about and dedicated to her- I just knew that there was a real comfort to the song" Guy Garvey

"you never know quite what people are going to do with your tracks. With this one they've been fantastic people to work with, very easy, open and straight forward, and the music is stunning." Peter Gabriel

• buy on iTunes

Help WITNESS raise $105K by helping them reach their $35K Challenge by June 18th and two generous donors will match all donations dollar for dollar! For every $1 donated = $3! These funds will support WITNESS' work to strategically use video to advance and protect human rights all over the world. Every contribution, no matter its size, makes a difference.

• www.witness.org/spring2010

We can now reveal full details of the 'Scratch My Back' Collector's Edition Box Set. It's taken a little while to pull together, but we hope you'll agree it's been worth the wait.

• The 'Scratch My Back' Collector's Edition Box Set

The current inhabitants of The Big Room have been enjoying a panoramic view of spring. A couple of distracting new additions have been visiting the pond.

Number 4 in the 'Scratch My Back...and I'll Scratch Yours' series of iTunes digital 45's is released today. Peter's version of 'The Power of The Heart' and Lou Reed's reciprocal version of 'Solsbury Hill'

"Peter's version of my song is overwhelmingly beautiful and I thank him for including me on this soulful journey through the heart. He has never sung more beautifully. This is a landmark album." Lou Reed

• more on the release