Peter Gabriel - (1985) Birdy

Usually soundtracks don't work so well as their own. (If they do, they often differ a lot from the actual score heard on the film; Vangelis is a good example.) Gabriel's first film contribution shows Gabriel's talents in creating atmospheres. In film the music is used too sparingly, but as an album it's not for repeated listening. The decision to recycle material from Peter Gabriel albums 3 and 4 is not a bad idea at all; the songs really had this potential. In many cases it's just a fragment, e.g. piano intro of 'Family Snapshot' or outro of 'San Jacinto'. The most powerful track is 'Birdy's Flight' based on ending of 'Not One of Us' - the drumming is deliciously multiplied and the original song really pales in comparison. But as an album per se Birdy has quite little to offer in its shortness and such a cold, lonely, sad atmosphere. The film has a wider palette of emotions. And as a literature lover I must add that Alan Parker's film is not even closely as great as the novel by William Wharton.


Studio Album, released in 1985

Track Listings

1. At Night (2:43)
2. Floating Dogs (3:02)
3. Quiet And Alone (2:36)
4. Close Up (0:56) (from Family Snapshot)
5. Slow Water (2:55)
6. Dressing The Wound (4:12)
7. Birdy's Flight (2:58) (from Not One Of Us)
8. Slow Marimbas (3:29)
9. The Heat (4:46) (from Rhythm Of The Heat)
10­. Sketchpad With Trumpet And Voice (3:09)
11. Under Lock And Key (2:30) (from Wallflower)
12. Powerhouse At The Foot Of The Mountain (2:21) (from San Jacinto)

Total Time: 35:39

Line-up/Musicians

- Peter Gabriel / flute, drums, keyboards, vocals, producer, liner notes
- Larry Fast / keyboards
- Tony Levin / bass
- Jerry Marotta / drums
- Morris Pert / performer
- David Rhodes / guitar
- Jon Hassell / trumpet