Geffen Records releases Passion, Peter Gabriel’s soundtrack to the movie The Last Temptation Of Christ. Years later, the producers of the Battlestar Galactica remake miniseries “temp track” early edits of their show with tracks from this album, as a stylistic guide for their music composers. 
An entirely instrumental, world music-flavored album of music assembled for the unfathomably controversial film, this is quite different from most of Peter Gabriel’s other fare, though the result is undeniably stamped with his sound. Many of the more rhythmic tracks are well worth a listen, though the best piece on the album is the ethereal “With This Love”. Apparently Peter thought so too, including it in two forms – a contemporary arrangement and an entirely choral rendition which is hauntingly inspirational. But every moment of pleasure on this album is purchased with a moment of chaotic confusion, such as the seemingly random “Gethsemane” track. All in all, your tastes alone will determine whether or not you like this very eclectic soundtrack, though I’d recommend you have a healthy appreciation for instrumental music with an ethnic twist.
- The Feeling Begins (4:00)
- Gethsemane (1:23)
- Of These, Hope (4:05)
- Lazarus Raised (0:36)
- Of These, Hope – reprise (1:06)
- In Doubt (2:07)
- A Different Drum (6:05)
- Zaar (4:44)
- Troubled (2:46)
- Open (3:18)
- Before Night Falls (2:16)
- With This Love (3:36)
- Sandstorm (2:55)
- Stigmata (2:24)
- Passion (7:36)
- With This Love – choir (3:19)
- Wall of Breath (2:25)
- The Promise of Shadows (2:12)
- Disturbed (3:07)
- It Is Accomplished (3:30)
- Bread and Wine (2:23)
Released by: RealWorld
Release date: 1989
Total running time: 65:53
1995 music review by Earl Green