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Legendary musician Peter Gabriel is doing a string of covers recently – from his latest studio release “Scratch My Back” which features an orchestral spin on various hits as popularized by classic rock acts like Neil Diamond and David Bowie, and even taking on some material from contemporary bands like Radiohead and Arcade Fire, to a special cover release which will be part of the Voice Project. Gabriel will be laying his voice on a Tom Waits original while playing the piano and the performance will be posted online for charity.

Voice Project is a program co-founded by Gabriel’s daughter Anna along with other socio-civic workers and philanthropists. Its aim is to create or better yet, increase awareness on the turmoil surrounding Central African countries such as Uganda, Sudan, Congo and the Central African Republic so humanitarian efforts such as peace talks and basic necessities such as food, shelter and health aids may be delivered to communities caught in the middle of civil wars in that side of the continent. Voice Project utilizes the language of music to accomplish this objective by seeking the help of various singers for a so-called “musical tag”, after which a video of the recording sessions will be posted on the Voice Project website and also on the websites of other participating non-profit organizations like WITNESS, the HOPE Campaign, Invisible Children, Resolve Uganda, and Oxfam America to bring the message across.

It’s very easy, during this “American Idol” age, to forget how powerful and profound music really can be coming from someone who is a complete master such as Peter Gabriel. The British artist- and Gabriel is one of the very few from the world of pop music where the term “artist” seems completely appropriate- appeared on Friday at the Hollywood Bowl with his orchestral tour. Once again he demonstrated his complete and inspired command of live performance.

Last year, Peter Gabriel sang that it felt unnatural singing your name, as he lent his voice to the cover by Hot Chip of Vampire Weekend’s song “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa.” He seems to have extended that point into the singing of his own songs. He is starting the new decade out with a set of recorded covers, reneging on drums and guitars and going with an orchestra instead arranged by John Metcalfe of The Durutti Column. In fact the ads for the two nights by Gabriel at the O2 state, no drums, no guitars.

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.

In 2010, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is going to be swelling its ranks with new inductees featuring The Hollies, Jimmy Cliff, The Stooges, ABBA and Genesis. A group of non-performers is also going to be inducted. Ahmet Ertegun Award individual recipients include David Geffen, music mogul, as well as songwriters Otis Blackwell, Mort Shuman, Jesse Stone, Jeff Barry, Elle Greenwich, Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann.

Peter Gabriel, who founded Genesis the rock group, and Jose Antonio Abreu, Venezuelan composer, are sharing the Polar Music Prize this year. On Monday the two musicians received 1 million kroner (or $143,000) awards during a ceremony held in Stockholm. They both said they’d love to work together.

Pixar in the past has demonstrated their ability to score with parents and kids alike. However with Wall-E, their next release, it appears it may be their ticket with the aging prog nerd elusive demographic. Cinemablend is reporting that Peter Gabriel, former vocalist for Genesis and multi platinum solo artist, is working on Wall-E’s soundtrack. The report from Cinemablend stated that Gabriel wasn’t very specific in regards to the exact extent of his involvement.

Now that Genesis has their European tour completed, they are gearing up for a new leg in North America for their “Turn It On Again Tour.” It’s been 15 years since the veteran progressive rockers toured North America. On September 7, they will be launching their trek at BMO Field in Toronto. They will be the first band in history to play in the new stadium.

Bono from U2, Eurythmics, Beyonce, Peter Gabriel, and Queen surviving members are some of the acts who will be appearing at an AIDS benefit concert backed by Nelson Mandela. The concert, which has been named “46664,” will take place on November 29 in South Africa. Other performers will include Zola and Zucchero, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Yusif Islam (the former Cat Stevens), Youssou N’Dour, Watershed, The Corrs, Ready D, Paul Oakenfold, Ms Dynamite, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Sipho Mchunu & Johnny Clegg, Jimmy Cliff, Gary Mudbone Cooper, Danny K, Bongo Maffin, Baaba Maal, Angelique Kidjo, Anastacia and Abdel Wright.