Peter Gabriel - ACROSS THE RIVER - original from '82

Originally released on the WOMAD benefit album 'Music and Rhythm - various artists'

Percussion: Stewart Copeland
Guitar: David Rhodes
Double neck violin: Shankar

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Stewart
• Copeland
• David
• Rhodes
• Shankar

[distantsiren]

I have to agree with a post below. As much as I like the live versions of this track, they just cannot stack up to the original studio version which remains by far the best. In fact, it feels completely different from the live renditions done since this song was released in 1982. By 1982 standards, ATR is years ahead of it's time.

[1Boodyman1]

Absolutely true!

This version is quite intense and moving!

[TheGascap]

It was originally (I think) on the WOMAD double album (World of Music and Dance.) Which is a cool album in and of itself. Like many posters so far, I think this is the best version of the song: David Rhodes - guitar, Stewart Copland - drums, Shankar - double violin, Peter - everything else. I think teh tune was pretty much just a jam session and they fleshed it out with tape rolling. Thankfully! I clearly remember the first time I heard it in '82. About 4:50 slayed me then and still does.

[1Boodyman1]

Oh yes - good old slayer Copeland!!

[jonestimothy15]

Brilliant! The inimitable Peter Gabriel has always been a staunch defender of human rights for all people everywhere. 5 STARS!

Thanks so much for posting this wonderful song and video, 1Boodyman1 - your work is the best!

[cyb004]

Großartig!! Superschön!! Thanks for uploading!

This is the masterpiece of Peter Gabriel and my FAVE!! ;-)

[plaidwar]

I have this LP...this tune is so great....haunting.

[lionstar99]

@cyb004 I LOVE THIS! Thanks 1Boodyman1 for posting this. Lost my copy of the 2 record album in a flood, haven't heard this for 15 years!!!

[kearnzy1988]

I have this Lp and was at the first womad festival in shepton mallet somerset england.

PG played, me being a foolish teenager had to much substance abuse crashed and missed the whole PG gig, i only remember the support acts simple minds and some chinese operatic group. But thanks to Youtube i can still see some of PG that i missed.

alas I lived and learned but have never had chance to see PG live since

[aapostman]

Wasn't this also on the Big Time single? :)

[wrenhour]

@TheGascap The album was called "Music and Rhythm". World of music and dance is what WOMAD stands for.

[wrenhour]

@distantsiren The reason is Stewart Copeland. No one including myself has been able to replicate not only the technical aspects but the feeling in this track. Copeland is indescribably perfect, this song changed my life and made me a life long Gabriel and Police fan

[LongboardBaconMuffin]

The first time I heard this was as a B-side for 'I have the touch'. I still have the single somewhere. I played it to death.

[aerial01]

When I saw him in concert back in 1983 he opened his show with this. It was stunning as he had someone in the audience moving to the intro and everyone turned to look at the performer thinking it was him and then he suddenly appeared on stage.

[aerial01]

When I saw him in concert back in 1983 he opened his show with this.  It was stunning as he had someone in the audience moving to the into and everyone turned to look at the performer thinking it was him and then he suddenly appeared on stage.

[ericamphi]

Nice pic,but as far as rivers go its quite shrimpy.