Passion was the title for Peter Gabriel's soundtrack album (his second) to Martin Scorsese's 1988 film The Last Temptation of Christ. Unlike the soundtrack to Birdy, which used instrumental re-arrangements of previous Gabriel songs, Passion consists entirely of original compositions, incorporating traditional Middle Eastern instruments, rhythms, and melodies.
This is the ONLY Peter Gabriel album EVER without Tony Levin.
Tracklisting:
- The Feeling Begins
- Gethsemane
- Of These, Hope
- Lazarus Raised
- Of These, Hope - Reprise
- In Doubt
- A Different Drum
- Zaar
- Troubled
- Open
- Before Night Falls
- With This Love
- Sandstorm
- Stigmata
- Passion
- With This Love - Choir
- Wall of Breath
- The Promise of Shadows
- Disturbed
- It Is Accomplished
- Bread and Wine
Peter makes heavy use of the Fairlight CMI and the Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 on this album. Shankar's double violin and his unique vocal style are in evidence. David Rhodes, David Sancious, Manu Katche, Youssou N'Dour and Doudou N'Diaye Rose all make appearances.
PG received a bit of bad press for this album (from people who were bashing the movie anyway), namely for using a children's choir to accompany one of the recordings (supposedly this recording was the background music to Jesus and Mary Magdalene making love).
Much of the local inspiration for this album was released on the album Passion Sources. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan; Shankar's band, the Epidemics; and Hossam Ramzy appear alongside unknown musicians who were recorded on the set in Morocco.
Passion was the first release on RealWorld Records.
It is worthy to note that Amorphous Androgynous (aka the Future Sound of London) were sued by Virgin Recods for using an uncleared sample from "Of These, Hope" in their song "Fat Cat" on Tales of Ephidrina.