Watch Peter Gabriel - Classic Album: So

Peter Gabriel - Classic Album: So is an enthralling documentary about the making of one of the most celebrated albums of all time - Peter Gabriel's "So". This film takes us on a journey through the creative craftsmanship of Gabriel's fifth solo album that pushed boundaries and revolutionized music in the 80s. Directed by George Scott, the film features Gabriel himself, his band members and collaborators, including world-renowned producers, engineers, and musicians who contributed to the masterpiece, all providing a unique insight into the creative process of the album.

The movie takes you through the album's making, starting with the birth of its opening track, "Red Rain," and how it was created using creative and innovative recording techniques. The film then moves on to discuss how the song "Sledgehammer" was written and how its iconic music video was made. Through in-depth interviews, we learn about Gabriel's creative process and inspiration behind his distinct voice, lyrics, and melodies.

The documentary also provides an insight into how Gabriel collaborated with various musicians such as Tony Levin, Stewart Copeland and producer Daniel Lanois to produce some of the album's most iconic tracks like "Mercy Street," "In Your Eyes," and "Don't Give Up." From discussing the songwriting process to the technical intricacies of recording to the development of the critically acclaimed music videos that accompany the songs; all the aspects that made the album "So" an iconic piece of work are delved into in great depth.

Throughout the documentary, you get a sense of Gabriel's dedication to his craft, his willingness to experiment, and his unwavering pursuit of musical excellence. It's an interesting insight into the extensive work that goes into producing an album of this magnitude. The documentary also features archival footage from Gabriel's early career and from the making of So, adding depth and context to the story.

One of the highlights of the documentary is undoubtedly the detailed analysis of the making of the song "In Your Eyes," which has become synonymous with Gabriel's name, and the film gives the viewer a glimpse into how this iconic song came to life. The meticulous detail with which Gabriel and his band members discuss the song's production, arrangements and instrumentation is a testament to the creative process behind Gabriel's music.

The documentary also reveals the stories behind the music videos that accompanied the album's most famous tracks. The video for "Sledgehammer" is dissected in detail, revealing how the iconic stop-motion animation was created, as well as the much-speculated gender politics running throughout the video. This kind of detail throughout the film, from the writing process to the video production, makes for a compelling and engaging watch.

Overall, Peter Gabriel - Classic Album: So, is a fantastic tribute to a time when music was still unabashedly creative, innovative and soulful. The filmmakers manage to paint a picture of the artistic and creative atmosphere which brought about this iconic album, and this documentary is a must-see for any Peter Gabriel fans or music lovers in general. The film manages to create a sense of intimacy with the album's creation journey, making it an easy to follow chronicle for anyone looking to know Gabriel's creative process. It's a balance of nostalgia and knowledge awarded to the classics of the music industry is certainly refreshing for lovers of the genre.