photo: Jessica McMillan
English indie pioneers The Wedding Present have been busy revisiting their back catalog, with new recordings of classic albums like Tommy 30 and George Best. When live shows were cancelled they decided to go back tot basics for yet another trip down to memory lane to lay down the tracks for Locked Down and Stripped Back, with a few surprise tunes thrown in. Louise Wener sings on We Should Be Together, a "lost" track from her band Sleeper (it is now finally available on This Time Tomorrow.
In hindsight it has become patently clear that main man David Gedge wrote timeless songs back in the day. Legendary DJ John Peel went on record stating that "The boy Gedge has written some of the best love songs of the rock'n'roll era – you may dispute this, but I'm right and you're wrong". Even people who have never heard of The Wedding Present will recognize My Favourite Dress and the new version doesn't disappoint. Long time fans will appreciate these revived songs. Songs like You're Just a Habit That I'm Trying to Break and Deer Caught in the Headlights are like great wine - they have aged well.
The Wedding Present:
David Gedge: vocals, guitar
Jon Stewart: guitar, backing vocals, tambourine
Chris Hardwick: drums
Melanie Howard: guitar, keyboards, bass, backing vocals
Guests:
Terry De Castro: guitar, backing vocals
Louise Wener: vocals
Locked Down and Stripped Back is released as on vinyl and cassette via Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records (USA) and the band's own label Scopitones.
Tracks:- A Million Miles
- California
- Starry Eyed
- We Should Be Together
- You Should Always Keep In Tough with Your Friends
- Granadaland
- You're Just a Habit That I'm Trying to Break
- Crawl
- Sports Car
- Deer Caught In the Headlights
- Blonde
- My Favourite Dress
