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CD
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SCOPITONE 052CD
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2015 release. David Gedge's Cinerama presents its glorious version of the 2012 album Valentina by Gedge's band The Wedding Present (SCOPITONE 037CD). In 1997 David Gedge decided to take a break from The Wedding Present. But he didn't take a break from music. Instead, he elected to take a different musical path and write songs inspired by his love of film scores and classic pop music. Thus, Cinerama was born. Together with his then-girlfriend Sally Murrell and Wedding Present co-writer Simon Cleave, he went on to record three amazing Cinerama albums and celebrate them with multiple live tours until The Wedding Present ultimately returned in 2004. In 2012, The Wedding Present released their ninth studio album, Valentina. But the critical acclaim that followed wasn't quite enough for Gedge. He had long been harboring a dream to record one version of an album as The Wedding Present and another, with reimagined songs, as Cinerama. He chose Valentina for this project. The initial plan was release the two versions simultaneously, but it was soon realized that this was a project that would take years to accomplish. So the releases were staggered to allow time to complete the complex Cinerama arrangements. From the first blast of horns to the last twinkle of piano keys, Cinerama's version of Valentina sparkles. It is a total departure from The Wedding Present's version, of course, which is how it was always meant it to be. Gedge recruited Spanish indie legend Pedro Vigil to assist with arrangements and add some Las Vegas-style swagger. So, yes, David Gedge -- the alt-rock guitar-hero -- absolutely shines in his alternate guise as a chanteur. His carefully crafted lyrics and perfect vocal melodies find a natural home in this part-orchestral, part-big band setting, enabling his pure talent to show through, unfettered by the traditional wall of raging Wedding Present guitars.
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