Peter Gabriel Tours North America on 'Scratch My Back'

This spring Peter Gabriel will be offering fans in select cities of North America a glimpse from “Scratch My Back,” his orchestral covers album.

Gabriel has dates lined up in three cities, kicking things off in Montreal on April 28. On May 2-3 he will have a pair of shows in New York City. The short outing will then close out in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Bowl on May 7.

The run in North America follows March performances in London, Berlin and Paris. The international dates are available on Gabriel’s website.

Gabriel’s new album, “Scratch My Back” is his eighth since leaving Genesis in 1977. It is due out on February 15. The set will feature Gabriel covering songs from other artists including “The Boy in the Bubble” by Paul Simon, “Philadelphia” by Neil Young, “Street Spirit” by Radiohead and “Heroes” by David Bowie. There are plans for a future album to be called “I’ll Scratch Yours.” The same artists will in return cover work of Gabriel’s.

Bob Ezrin (KISS, Pink Floyd) is the producer for the album. The set features the voice of Gabriel’s backed by a full orchestra. John Metcalfe, the composer, wrote new arrangements for the material.

On his website Gabriel said, I really like the scores by Metcalfe. They seem original, fresh and soulful. When we met we have an overlap in taste around composers like Stravinsky, Arvo Part and Steve Reich. I told John I wanted the arrangements to be kept stark and simple, but always emotional. I wanted the songs to be really felt and heard.

Gabriel along with his band mates from Genesis are going to be inducted later this year into the Rock and Roll Hall of Game. However, Gabriel told Rolling Stone recently he isn’t planning to perform with his old group during the induction ceremony.

Gabriel said, I’m not singing. I learned in 1982 with our last reunion that you just can’t get up and sing. You need to rehearse first.