Peter Gabriel-Peter Gabriel I (1977)

Peter Gabriel's first solo album, released three years after his last studio recording with Genesis, "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway", and two years after his final departure from the band, is undoubtedly one of his most accessible and versatile works. For this debut album, Gabriel enlisted the help of a vast array of talented musicians, including guitarists Robert Fripp, Steve Hunter, and Dick Wagner; bassist Tony Levin; drummer Allan Schwartzberg; keyboardists Larry Fast and Jozef Chirowski; and the London Symphony Orchestra. Recorded during the final months of 1976 in various studios in Canada and London, and produced by Bob Ezrin, it showcases a Peter Gabriel far removed from his past work with Genesis, with the exception of the opening track, "Moribund the Burgermeister", which almost sounds like an outtake from "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway". The rest of the album is eclectically crafted, with each track possessing a distinct style. Forays into rock with the powerful “Slowburn”, blues with “Waiting For The Big One”, prog rock with “Down The Dolce Vita”, electronica with “Humdrum”, pop rock with “Solsbury Hill”, and the epic “Here Comes The Flood”. With all of this, Peter Gabriel would demonstrate that he could easily have a life without his former band. Even with the help of some of the great musicians of the 70s, such as Robert Fripp (King Crimson) and synthesizer wizard Larry Fast, Gabriel is the true star of the album. With its powerful and vibrant production and exquisite arrangements, this prodigious debut album is undoubtedly a testament to his greatness as a composer, singer, and musician.