Cinerama - Valentina

by Tommy Gunnarsson

published: 5 / 7 / 2015

Label: Scopitones
Format: CD

intro

Fine fourth album from Cinerama, the first since 2002's 'Torino', which finds David Gedge and his bandmates reworking the Wedding Present's latest album with an orchestra

Back in the late 1990s, Wedding Present frontman David Gedge decided to put his now legendary indiepop combo on hold and instead formed Cinerama, which was initially intended to be a kind of solo project for him. While the Wedding Present had become famous for their ”wall of guitars”-sound, Cinerama took on a different approach, and instead went for a more orchestrated and well-arranged sound. Cinerama went on to release three albums, until Gedge realized they were starting to sound more and more like the Wedding Present again. So, for the 2005 album 'Take Fountain', he took up his old band name again, but with a slightly different line-up. From then on, the Wedding Present have continued to released occasional albums every now , including their eighth album, 'Valentina', which came out three years ago. Now Gedge,together with an orchestra and some additional members of the band, has re-recorded this entire Wedding Present album in classic Cinerama style! This is actually a really great idea, and this re-working is excellent. Instead of the guitar-heavy songs on the Wedding Presnent version of 'Valentina', we are now treated to some delightful, laid-back songs, ranging from easy listening to baroque pop. Apart from being a fine album, this is also a great proof of how much David Gedge has evolved as a singer. He had developed from growling on the early Wedding present singles singles to... well... crooning. Impressive! It's hard not to compare the two versions of 'Valentina' to each other, but I think that's unnecessary. Both albums are great stand-alone works, and the re-workings are just an additional treat. And yes, it's nice to have Cinerama back.

Track Listing:-

1 You're Dead
2 You Jane
3 Meet Cute
4 Back A Bit... Stop
5 Stop Thief!
6 The Girl From The DDR
7 Deer Caught In The Headlights
8 524 Fidelio
9 End Credits
10 Mystery Date
11 Cita A Ciegues

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialCinerama

Label Links:-

http://www.scopitones.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/TheWeddingPresentOfficial
https://twitter.com/weddingpresent

interviews

Interview with David Gedge (2002)

Cinerama are back with a new album 'Torino'. In an extensive interview Tommy Gunnarsson takes the opportunity to catch up with frontman David Gedge to talk about it, Ukranian folk music, and his years with the legendary the Wedding Present

Interview (2002)

live reviews

New York Knitting Factory, 21st May 2001

Honestly, I didn’t even want to go to the Cinerama concert. It was the last day of my life as I knew it, and it wasn’t going well. With nine people crammed into our 5-bedroom flat, we’d had to arrange a shower schedule – which meant I woke up at 6:4

digital downloads

Amazon.co.uk Widgets

soundcloud

reviews

John Peel Sessions Season 2 (2003)

Second collection of sessions recorded for Radio 1 DJ John Peel between 2000 and 2001 by former Wedding Present star David Gedge's current band, Cinerama

Lollobrigida (2001)

Disco Volante (2001)