David Sylvian, Ghosts, Interview, The Other Side of Life, Riverside Studios, 20 November 1982

40 years ago today, David Sylvian made this oneoff solo performance for the BBC TV youth culture show Riverside. Heres my restored version of the two broadcasts of that unique and beautiful appearance. Now I find myself alone No, were splitting up, David Sylvian tells Riverside presenter Mike Andrews. Sylvians declaration feels very poignant, after his stark strippeddown 12string accompanied solo performance of Ghosts. Mike Andrews responds, Japan have fought so hard to get to where they are now, which is one of the biggest bands in the country. Despite Japan being on their most extensive tour to date, and finally enjoying commercial and critical success in the UK and abroad, including the March 1982 top 5 hit single Ghosts, the band would indeed imminently split up. They played their last ever concert in Nagoya, Japan on 16 December 1982. Then all that remained for the group to do was complete the Oil on Canvas live album and video. When Oil on Ca