WEDDING PRESENT frontman David Gedge has dropped a video for his cover of “We Have All The Time In The World”, which crowns the album the Not From Where I’m Standing, a collection of Bond themes and songs covered by current and former members of The Wedding Present.
The Wedding Present have never been shy of taking on a cover – they’re absolute masters; from their slamtastic version of Orange Juice’s “Felicity” in the early days, through their take on Pavement’s “Box Elder” on the flipside of “Brassneck” – which pretty much introduced the band to most of the country; and not forgetting “It’s Not Unusual”, “Pleasant Valley Sunday”, et al; what’s your favourite? A double album of Bond theme covers; that’s just superb fun.
David’s take on “We Have All The Time In The World” is delicate, and comes underpinned with a mournful and faithful piano arrangement from former Weddoes guitarist Danielle Wadey.
David says of the cover: “I always found the Louis Armstrong version of ‘We Have All The Time In The World’ to be kind of inappropriately chirpy, given that it comes after a particularly (and memorably) sad bit of the film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
“For my version, I stripped it down to just vocal and a piano (beautiful arrangement by Danielle Wadey, by the way) and slowed it down in order to make it sound more melancholy.”
The album also features such intriguing prospects as late-Eighties Wedding Present and later Popguns’ guitarist Shaun Charman taking on the theme from that same film; The Ukrainians adding their unique twist to “Die Another Day”; Cinerama getting cinematic on “Diamonds Are Forever”, and Jetstream Pony giving some indiepop to “The Man With The Golden Gun” among its 20 tracks.
The album’s out now via the Leeds label Come Play With Me digitally, on CD and double LP, and all the profits will go to the charity Campaign Against Living Miserably’ (CALM).
CALM is leading a movement against suicide by offering life-saving services, provoking national conversation, and bringing people together to empower everyone to reject living miserably and stand together against suicide.
If you’re struggling, CALM’s helpline and webchat are open from 5pm until midnight. Call the helpline on 0800 58 58 58, or chat to their trained helpline staff online. For more information, visit thecalmzone.net.
The album’s release was commemorated with an exclusive launch event on Monday, December (00)7th, featuring a conversation between journalist Abi Whistance and David Gedge about the inspiration behind the album; an appearance from Simon Gunning, CEO of CALM, and some of the other contributing artists. You can watch that interview with David here.
Come Play With Me CIC supports people in Yorkshire who are attempting a sustainable career in music. It’s best known as a 7” singles club and music magazine, but also runs events to create and signpost opportunities within music. The label’s founder and director, Tony Ereira, was a trustee of CALM from 2012 to 2017.
Not From Where I’m Standing is out now and can be ordered here.
You can follow The Wedding Present at their website, on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; and Come Play With Me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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