Tommy (1985–1987)

Infobox Album | Name = Tommy (1985-1987)
Type = Compilation album
Artist = The Wedding Present


Released = July 1988
Recorded = 1985–1987, England
Genre = indie
Length = 37:46
Producer = Carl Rosamond, The Wedding Present, Chris Allison
Label = Reception Records
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:jbkcu3uhan2k link]
Last album = "George Best"
(1987)
This album = "Tommy (1985–1987)"
(1988)
Next album = "Українські Виступи в Івана Піла"
(1989)

"Tommy (1985–1987)" is a compilation by The Wedding Present gathering their first four singles, their B-sides and selected tracks from two early radio sessions. It was released in July 1988 by their own record company, Reception Records.

About the album

"Tommy" provides an overview of the band's output before its debut album "George Best". The production is relatively lo-fi but the songs are high-energy. All tracks of their first four singles are included except for "You Should Always Keep in Touch with Your Friends", the double A-side with "This Boy Can Wait", as the radio version was deemed superior. Similarly, all tracks of their first John Peel session are included but for the radio version of "This Boy Can Wait", whose single version was considered better.

By the time of their fourth single, "My Favourite Dress", the band had started working with Chris Allison, who went on to produce the band's "George Best" and "Bizarro" albums.

Two of the songs on "Tommy" would make a reappearance on "George Best": "What Becomes of the Broken-Hearted?", re-recorded under its new title of "It's What You Want That Matters", and "My Favourite Dress" with an added new coda.

Track listing

All tracks written by David Gedge except as noted.

ide A

#"Go Out and Get 'Em Boy!" – 4:09
#"(The Moment Before) Everything's Spoiled Again" – 3:19
#"Once More" – 3:14
#"At the Edge of the Sea" – 2:39
#"Living and Learning" "(radio session)" – 2:53
#"This Boy Can Wait" – 4:01

ide B

#"You Should Always Keep in Touch with Your Friends" "(radio session)" – 3:01
#"Felicity (Kirk)" "(radio session)" – 2:18
#"What Becomes of the Broken-Hearted?" "(radio session)" – 3:46
#"Never Said" – 2:37
#"Every Mother's Son" – 1:36
#"My Favourite Dress" "(single version)" – 4:13

People involved

The band

* David Gedge – vocals, guitar
* Peter Solowka – guitar
* Keith Gregory – bass guitar
* Shaun Charman – drums (A2-6, B1-6)

Additional musicians

* Julian Sowa – drums (A1)
* Mike Stout – guitar (B2)

Technical staff

* Carl Rosamond and The Wedding Present – producers (A1-4, A6)
* Clive Gregson – producer (A5)
* Mike Wilcojc – producer (B1-3)
* Chris Allison and The Wedding Present – producer (B4-6)
* Paul Smith – engineer (A5)
* Mike Robinson – engineer (B1-3)