Cinerama
Live at New Roscoe on Wednesday, 3rd July 2002
Who says David Gedge has gone soft in his old age? Since Cinerama rose from the ashes of indie stalwarts The Wedding Present back in 1998, unfair comparisons have been drawn in some quarters between the lush, cinematic feel of their first two albums and the layered guitar-pop of Gedge's former outfit. However, tonight's gritty hometown performance, the first of a ten-date British tour to promote latest album release 'Torino', suggests that Gedge can still mix it with the best of them. In showcasing eight of the new album's 13 tracks, Cinerama underplay the orchestral backing of their previous releases in favour of a guitar-dominated set that demonstrates both the versatility of the band and of the songs themselves. 'Cat Girl Tights', 'Get Up And Go' and new single 'Quick, Before It Melts' offer fine pointers to a new, somewhat darker direction for Cinerama, whilst the band also delight die-hard fans in the crowd by delving into The Wedding Present's back catalogue for stirring renditions of, amongst others, 'Kansas', 'Octopussy' and 'Corduroy'. Gedge has a packed New Roscoe wrapped around his little finger with his ready wit and disarming stage presence, and his personality continues to shine through in his familiar odes to sex, love and relationships. It also says a lot about the nature of the man that he is straight back amongst the crowd after the gig, signing autographs and chatting to fans. Perhaps he is a bit of an old softie after all...
