People-

This album was a pretty good compilation of the songs written by Peter Gabriel. There are a few things that bug me about it. There are also a few things I like about it.

I own all of Peter Gabriel's albums, so I know every song of his. When you listen to this album after hearing his songs on the actual album, you will hate it. For the reason is, they butchered almost every song on there. Five songs (Sledgehammer, Mercy Street, Don't Give Up, Games Without Frontiers, Shock The Monkey) had parts in them cut out. It was too evident. The new Genesis album, "Turn It On Again: The Hits," also a greatest hits album, has a few cut-outs, but not to insanity.

Also, where the hell is the song "In Your Eyes." That song is one of his biggest hits, and yet, it is not on his greatest hits album. What the hell is the matter with the Geffen company.

Not everything about this album is bad, however. I love how the new versions of "Shaking The Tree," "Here Comes The Flood," and one of the remixes for "I Have The Touch."

If they had made this album a double CD album, it would be a lot better. First, they wouldn't have to cut everything out. Second, they could fit more songs and remixes. And, third, double albums attract more customers. What us Peter Gabriel fans look for is a double album. We hope for his new album, "Up", to be a double album.

If you do not have any Peter Gabriel albums and are looking for an album filled with hits and hits only, this is the album for you. Otherwise, if you are a huge Peter Gabriel fan and have most or all of his albums, I strongly suggest to stay away from this. Buying this album causes paragraph-long complaints like this one!

- Adam

With the release of the double-CD, 'Hit' (2003), the 16 golden greats has been superceded as THE BEST collection for the passing or casual fan for two reasons:
(1) 'Hit' has 12 tracks that came out in the 1990s and beyond (after 'Shaking the Tree' (1990)), and even the passing fan would be remiss by passing up tunes like "Digging in the Dirt" and "I Grieve".
(2) As for earlier material from the 1970s and 1980s, one of PG's biggest hits - "In Your Eyes" - is included on 'Hit' (U.S. version), but is conspicuosly absent from 'Shaking the Tree'. ('Shaking the Tree' does have four other lesser-known tracks not included on 'Hit', the title track, "Mercy Street" from 'So' (1986), "I Have the Touch" from 'Security' (1982), and "Zaar" from the 'Passion' soundtrack (1989). )

At this point in time (2003), 'Shaking the Tree' is a collectible for die-hard PG fans only because: (1) the studio version of the title track featured only on this compilation; and (2) the remix of "I Have the Touch" that differs from the version on 'Security' (1982).

An effective collection. It's missing a track or two, as compilations inevitably are (especially from such an accomplished artist as Gabriel), but this is, on the whole, a satisfying collection. The big hits and well-known songs are here - Sledgehammer, Shock The Monkey, Big Time, Red Rain, Games Without Frontiers, etc. Also gratefully included are some personal favorites of mine - Mercy Street, Don't Give Up, San Jacinto, and a stunning new version of Here Comes The Flood. All of these are great, sprawling songs of the emotionally impactive variety Gabriel does so well. Also included, of course, is his first single, Solsbury Hill, which addresses his leaving Genesis, and, despite the years, is still my all-time favorite track of his. It's one of those songs that, no matter how many times I hear it, I still love it. Zaar, from his beautiful album Passion, is here as well. Shaking The Tree is a very nice starting place for the casual fan.

Absolutely outstanding! One of my personal top 5 CD's of all time. If you are not a die-hard Peter Garbiel fan, you really should buy this one. A few songs I didn't like on their original mix were greatly improved like, "I Have The Touch". Although the purist might be offended by the alterations, someone who is not a Gabriel fan will become one after hearing so many excelent tracks all on one CD.

Sure..."In Your Eyes" is not on this collection. But "Red Rain", "Mercy Street", and "Don't Give Up" are. Point is - these songs are from the same studio album as "In Your Eyes" (_So_) and are just as good. But most people who casually know the work of Peter Gabriel might have never even heard them. And therefore, this is a successful "Best Of" album because it contains material that casual listeners have heard on the radio ("Sledgehammer", "Big Time", "Solsbury Hill") and other material that they are probably less familar with ("San Jacinto", "Here Comes the Flood", "Family Snapshot", and "I Don't Remember"). This was the first Gabriel album that I picked up and it made me go back and pick up his studio albums. The choices for the 'sixteen greats' are excellent. "Shaking The Tree" makes its first appearance here, as does a piano/vocal-only version of "Here Comes the Flood." If you're thinking of picking up this album because you've liked what you heard of Gabriel on the radio, you really can't go wrong with this collection.