portrait of this blog's author - by Stephen Blackman 2008

Saturday, September 08, 2018


On this day in music history: September 8, 1982 - “Security (aka Peter Gabriel 4)”, the fourth solo album by Peter Gabriel is released. Produced by David Lord and Peter Gabriel, it is recorded at Ashcombe House in Bath, Somerset, UK from Mid 1981 - Mid 1982. Gabriel’s first release for new label Geffen Records, he records the album in his home studio in Bath, and is his first to be recorded and mixed on digital recording equipment (using a Sony mobile recording truck). Gabriel makes extensive use the Fairlight CMI sampling keyboard and Linn LM-1 drum machine on the project. As with his previous work, the songs cover a wide variety of subjects, including personal issues and public concerns dealing with trust, jealousy, fear and human rights. Gabriel also records his vocals for all of the songs in German for release (titled “Deutsches Album”) in those countries. The German language version, also features a different track sequence from the English version. It spins off two singles including his first US top 40 single “Shock The Monkey” (#1 Mainstream Rock, #29 Pop, #64 R&B). To promote the album in the UK, Gabriel appears on “The South Bank Show” with footage detailing the recording sessions. The visually striking music video for “Monkey” directed by Brian Grant (Olivia Newton-John, Tina Turner, Donna Summer), also becomes a favorite on MTV and goes into heavy rotation. The success of the album broadens Gabriel’s fan base beyond his loyal cult following in the US, setting the stage for his next album “So”, which makes him a worldwide pop star. Geffen Records, Gabriel’s American label, gives the album the title “Security”, since like his other three solo releases are technically untitled. The lack of an official title was done intentionally by Peter Gabriel, preferring his albums to be like “volumes of a magazine”. Originally released on CD in 1983, it is remastered and reissued in 2002 and limited edition vinyl LP’s, pressed at 140 and 200 gram weight pressings. In 2010, Classic Records reissues the album in a limited four LP vinyl pressing, mastered at 45 RPM. In 2015, the English and German editions are again reissued on vinyl, as double LP sets mastered at 45 RPM. “Security (aka Peter Gabriel 4)” peaks at number twenty eight on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

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