Geffen Records releases Peter Gabriel’s soundtrack to the movie Birdy. Many of the album’s tracks are instrumentals inspired by songs from Gabriel’s existing solo albums. 
Since this movie soundtrack is constructed out of instrumental versions of material from the third Peter Gabriel album and Security, it may seem like a redundant purchase, but there are several new tracks, and even the familiar tunes are interesting to hear without the words (especially – go ahead and yawn here if you like – an instrumental version of “Rhythm Of The Heat”). Probably the best track here is “Birdy’s Flight”, which is essentially a long, somber intro and then the pulse-pounding ending from the song “Not One Of Us”, and let me tell you, it’s quite a rush. Whew.
- At Night (2:38)
- Floating Dogs (2:55)
- Quiet and Alone (2:30)
- Close Up – derived from “Family Snapshot” (0:58)
- Slow Water (2:51)
- Dressing the Wound (4:06)
- Birdy’s Flight – derived from “Not One Of Us” (2:58)
- Slow Marimbas (3:21)
- The Heat – derived from “Rhythm of the Heat” (4:41)
- Sketchpad with Trumpet and Voice (3:05)
- Under Lock and Key – derived from “Wallflower” (2:28)
- Powerhouse at the Foot of the Mountain – derived from “San Jacinto” (2:19)
Released by: Geffen
Release date: 1985
Total running time: 35:39
1997 music review by Earl Green