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We thought it was time for a new image for Peter on Facebook and Twitter.

Visit the Facebook gallery to 'Like' you favourite shot and comment - the most popular will become Peter's profile picture.

These were shot by Andy Fallon for an article in Mojo magazine

The festive season (or is it the numbing cold?) has got to us and we've put together a collection of heartwarming musical offers and made dozens of new and old digital albums available in our shop.

Peter Gabriel's entire back-catalogue, from 'Peter Gabriel 1 (Car)', to his orchestral covers on 'Scratch My Back', is now available digitally in WOMAD Shop.

We've put together an amazing musical offer for the holiday period. 12 great albums over 12 days, each available to download at amazing prices from our store starting on December 25th. Each of the albums on offer will also feature a selection of 4 full tracks for you to listen to for free. We've got some of the best recent releases on Real World Records with gems from the Peter Gabriel back catalogue. Check back each day at womadshop.com/12days/ to download some of our best music at incredible prices.

There's 20% off all Peter Gabriel and Real World Records digital albums in our store, so it's a good time to discover some new sounds at special rates to brighten your day.

Peter was awarded the Music Industry Trusts Award in 2004 and this selection of tracks was specially selected by him to mark the occasion. Previously only available to guests at the award ceremony, this compilation 'Uscita' is now available as a high quality MP3 or an Apple Lossless download exclusively at WOMAD Shop.

Peter updates us on the 'New Blood' recordings, a trip to the Witness benefit in New York - where amongst others Peter met up with representatives of Licadho - The Cambodian League For The Promotion and Defence of Human Rights and Emmanuel Jal's song, video and campaign 'We Want Peace'.

This month's video also provides an exclusive opportunity to see Peter performing 'Wallflower' in the studio with pianist Tom Cawley - the piece was recorded at the end of November as part of a personal message of support from Peter to Mary Robinson in support of her work at Realizing Rights - The Ethical Globalisation Initiative.

We're thankful Jerome has the kitchen up to temperature with 'Spiced Carrot Soup' and 'Goats Cheese Parcels with Braised Red Cabbage and Apple' on offer to keep us going.

Remmy Ongala passed away at his home in Dar es Salaam on Monday 13th December 2010.

"Working with Remmy was one of the real pleasures. There was a delightful, effortless musicality about everything he did, and once he and his band were fired up, they could take you away into their own unique, mesmerising world.
I loved his voice, and I loved the man. We shall miss him."
(Peter Gabriel)

"Everyone at WOMAD and Real World were deeply saddened to hear of the death of one of Tanzania's, indeed Africa's, most inspirational musicians Remmy Ongala. Remmy performed with WOMAD many times and was a hugely popular and influential artist. His distinctive style of Ubongo music was loved by audiences throughout the world and he will be remembered for his outspoken Swahili lyrics which championed the urban poor. He and his band Super Matimila will continue to touch people through the recordings he made, both with Real World and WOMAD Select. Our thoughts are with his wife and family during this sad time."
(WOMAD & Real World)

Known as the "Doctor", Remmy originally came from Kindu in North Eastern Zaire. He performed in bands from the age of sixteen, learning his craft from his father, who was a well-respected, traditional musician. In 1978 Remmy travelled to Dar es Salaam where he joined Orchestra Super Makassy and later formed his own band, Super Matimila, named after the local businessman who bought and owned their instruments.

His presence was almost majestic and his distinct voice, rich and soulful, soared above the lilting rhythms of the Super Matimila. The rolling melodic drive of Zairean soukous is undeniable, yet there is also the influence of traditional Tanzanian rhythms and hints of Latin and Soul.

In Tanzania, Remmy's popularity was unrivalled; his reputation preceded him even to the remotest parts of the bush. His audience saw his lyrics as allegories, often attacking the country's ruling elite. He never assumed the mantle of spokesman for the masses but did both articulate the concerns of ordinary Tanzanians and initiate debate, with, for example, his song about AIDS, 'Mambo Kwa Soksi'. As he himself previously said, "I am successful in Tanzania because I write songs about serious topics ... my music is known as 'ubongo beat', because in Swahili 'ubongo' means brain and my music is heavy thinking music."

Emmanuel Jal released his music video today, "We Want Peace" (featuring Alicia Keys, George Clooney, Peter Gabriel,Fernando Cardoso, Kofi Annan, Jimmy Carter and Richard Branson) in the run up to the referendum in Sudan. This vote represents a moment in the long history of conflict in Sudan that could lead to peace and prosperity or a return to war where millions of innocents could die.

Photographer Michael Spencer Jones has sent us a few shots of the exhibition currently underway at the.gallery@OXO.

The Exhibition is at Oxo, Oxo Tower, South Bank, London. November 18th 2010 - January 9th 2011, 11am - 6pm daily (4pm Christmas Eve and New Years Eve).

Every day is Human Rights Day but this 10th December, the world goes Barefoot Against Poverty

Richard Branson, Peter Gabriel and Jeff Skoll join campaign to raise awareness for human rights by tackling poverty.

"I'm delighted to support the Barefoot Against Poverty campaign. It's extraordinary and shameful that we allow millions of children to go without food in their bellies or shoes on their feet." Peter Gabriel

We tip our hats to Mr Peter Christopherson.

"Photographer, music video director, musician and former partner at design company Hipgnosis, Peter Christopherson, sadly passed away on Wednesday in his home in Bangkok, Thailand, aged 55..."

Viewers with access to 'Sky Arts' can tune in to 'The Real World of Peter Gabriel' tomorrow at 8pm.

"Peter Gabriel opens the doors to Real World Records, where, for the last 20 years, musicians from all over the world have been joining together to make music."

The Peter Gabriel concert film 'Growing Up Live' follows at 9pm.

"The UK government's plans to abandon net neutrality threaten British business startups and if taken up elsewhere could undermine democracy"

An exhibition featuring hand signed limited edition fine art prints of Peter's 15 album images covering 35 years of recording. Each is signed in pencil by Peter Gabriel and the artists involved opens today at The Gallery at OXO Tower.

The show also includes album art from The Beatles, David Bowie, The Who, Ian Dury, Oasis, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Paul Weller, Sex Pistols and Louis Armstrong. Original signed and authorised works from artists including; Sir Peter Blake, Richard Evans, Storm Thorgerson, Aubrey Powell, Robert Crumb, Michael Spencer Jones, Malcolm Poynter, Julian Grater, David Scheinmann, Nils-Udo, Susan Derges, York Tillyer, Marc Bessant, David Cox and the estates of Robert Mapplethorpe and Trevor Key.

Exhibition information
Dates: 18 November 2010 - 9 January 2011
Opening times: 11am-6pm
Admission: FREE
Venue: gallery@oxo, Oxo Tower Wharf,
South Bank, London SE1 9PH

UK viewers may have seen Saturday night's BBC documentary 'Robert Plant: By Myself' which explored his career following Led Zepplin and it's numerous fascinating musical partnerships.

Along with Phil Collins, a collaborator Peter and Robert have in common is Justin Adams, who has worked extensively with both Real World Records and WOMAD. Justin's also a long standing guitarist and collaborator with Robert. In 2009 at WOMAD Abu Dhabi Justin Adams and Juldeh Camara took to the stage together in an extraordinary joint performance with Robert Plant.

Peter and Salman talk about their collaboration 'Open Your Eyes' in aid of Pakistan flood relief in this CBC podcast.