1990 was a year that The Wedding Present spent mostly on the road. There was a substantial tour of North America from 10-29 June, with shows in Hoboken, Philadelphia, Washington DC, New York City, Boston, Providence, Montreal, Toronto, Detroit, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Long Beach and San Diego.
There was a three-day gap between the Chicago and San Francisco shows, during which time the band went into the Chicago Recording Studio to meet up again with Steve Albini, the fruits of which were issued on a new single, which came out on 17 September.
The 3 Songs EP was issued on 7″, 12″ and cassette, along with a limited edition 10″ which actually had four tracks on it and was given the very tongue-in-cheek title of All The Songs Sound The Same.
As I’ve only the 12″ in the collection, you will just have to make do with the 3 Songs from which the EP takes its name (which means you miss out on a live rendition of Take Me!, a track that had been originally issued on Bizarro).
mp3 : The Wedding Present – Corduroy
mp3 : The Wedding Present – Crawl
mp3 : The Wedding Present – Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)
Two originals and a cover of a #1 single for Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel back in 1975. The two new TWP songs are outstanding efforts. There are many fans who have Crawl high up on their lists of all-time favourites, while I’ve always had a real love for Corduroy (both this, the original version, and the one which was re-recorded for the next album).
The cover song on this occasion also went down well with one particular Radio 1 DJ whose airing of it so regularly on his drive time show led many to think that it was the lead track.
The EP did chart, reaching #25 which was one place lower than previous single Brassneck.
The band were totally enamoured with the way Albini was working with them, and plans were made to work with him on the next album, which was scheduled for recording and release in 1991.
*apologies for the initial error with the files, and thanks to those of you who brought it to my attention. Sorted now!!
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 
I think I saw TWP in New York on that tour…. there for work, and amazingly so were a lot of mates so we all went along.
‘Fraid to say that you’ve got 2 Coudroys there rather than “come up and see me”. Which I have anyway.
Long time reader, first time commentator. Love the blog, but here to say the link to “Come Up and See Me” actually takes you to the “Corduroy” MP3. Thanks so much for the treasure trove of musical lore.
Count me in as part of the “Crawl” fan club. Was delighted when they played it on the “Seamonsters” tour – always felt it belonged with the album. Was also delighted when they palyed “Come up and See Me” in Gloucester last year. A false ending to rival any WP original! DAM
Corduroy has to be my favorite all time Wedding Present song.
I saw that tour in NYC, too. I went with my sister, who was underwhelmed. I didn’t know what to think if I’m honest as I was used to more rock star behavior from bands, which you didn’t get with the Weddoes. But it was a fun night and they still had only solid gold songs to play.
I think this is the tour where the Hoboken show features on one of the self-released ‘bootleg’ tapes – where as Gedge does his customary ‘We dont do encores” patter and an audience member decides to argue with him and claim they did.
Matt
I’m one of those Crawl folks. One of their best songs. Just shows how hot they were that something that good was relegated to a b-side.
Another Crawl fan here. After more internal debate than is healthy, I concluded a few years ago that for myself it is the best Weddoes song. I’d sooner have seen that, or indeed Corduroy (imagine that), on the TOTP appearance.
Strangeways
I only wore corduroy pants until my 50th birthday, but I didn’t know this song until just now. What a powerful beauty! [sk]
The top of the pops performance of the Weddoes playing Come Up and See,Me is a thing of chaotic beauty. The camera cuts away from the band when the music stops playing and goes back to the host (Simon mayo I think) who clearly thinks the song hsd finished and then you hear Gedge start singing again. Cue camera back on the band and Gedge grinning away. Splendid. I’ll find a link.
Swc.