Gabriel confirms covers LP release date

Peter Gabriel has confirmed that he will release his album of orchestral cover versions in the US on February 15.

The record, entitled Scratch My Back, includes material originally recorded by acts including David Bowie, Paul Simon, Neil Young, Radiohead and Arcade Fire.

All the artists whose songs feature on Scratch My Back will reportedly return the favour by reworking Gabriel's songs on a future album called I'll Scratch Yours.

Speaking about the project, Gabriel said on his website: "I explored a few different ideas for arrangements using only homemade instruments and choral groups.

"But in the meantime, [I] was introduced to a wonderful arranger, John Metcalfe, who was doing some great work with Real World. I really liked his scores, which seemed original, soulful and fresh.

"When we met, I felt we also had enough of an overlap of taste around such composers as Steve Reich, Arvo Part, Stravinsky, etc. I asked John to keep the arrangements simple, stark but always emotional, so the songs could be really heard and felt."

Gabriel released his last studio album Ip in September 2002, which peaked at number nine in the US and number 11 in the UK.