Peter Gabriel - Live At Womad 1982

San Jacinto; The Family And The Fishing Net; I Have The Touch; Lay Your Hands On Me; Shock The Monkey; I Go Swimming; The Rhythm Of The Heat; Kiss Of Life; Biko

(Real World)

Available for the first time, Peter Gabriel’s performance at the WOMAD festival in The Showering Pavillon at The Royal Bath and West Showground near Shepton Mallet in July 1982 provides a perfect reminder of what was to become a legendary performance.

Seven years after leaving Genesis and before his big worldwide hit Sledgehammer and the unmistakable video, Gabriel was already exploring the hidden depths of world music.

This live performance ahead of the release of his fourth studio album months later featured all of the record with the exception of Wallflower. Whilst the majority of the new tracks were wrapped up in a dark and brooding atmosphere, they are contrasted with the more buoyant and accessible numbers such as I Have The Touch and Shock The Monkey, the latter coming with the memorable funky guitar riff.

Elsewhere, The Rhythm Of The Heat comes with the bombastic drum accompaniment that is associated with the track before the live set closes with Biko, the anti-apartheid anthem – a track that Gabriel always closes his live gigs with.

Despite the first WOMAD festival bearing a huge financial loss, one which almost bankrupted Gabriel, this live recording from the Friday night of the festival is a good reminder of what for many was one of Gabriel’s outstanding performances.