‘A Strange Hour’ was presented – with Paul Kendall in tow – during 2010 & 2011 in 52 cities across the world, as part of the ‘Selected Events’ tour to celebrate 25 years of the project, signifying the first time Recoil had ever taken to the road. The events were not so much ‘live’ band but more art installation. The music was comprised of stripped down, edited sections from many Recoil remixes and alternative versions, combined so that what resulted was recognisably Recoil but not necessarily what you would hear on the studio versions.
Alan gathered together filmmakers from as far as Russia, via the Czech Republic and Hungary, all the way to Argentina for this purpose, working very fast, and in the modern way, by creating a central server where everybody could upload their work for others to see, react to and feedback on. “This for me typifies the whole essence of what Recoil is all about – a collective but with a focused direction – and a very thrilling process it was too, watching and hearing ’A Strange Hour’ come together from our base in the UK.”
Following his remix of ‘In Chains’ for his old Depeche Mode bandmates in 2011, Recoil returned in 2012 to release the concert film ‘A Strange Hour In Budapest’ on Blu-ray. With 5.1 surround sound, the performance was filmed using the latest high-definition technology in order to capture the event in its full glory. For this, the team from Umatik Entertainment was recruited, headed up by director Attila Herkó. The results were stunning and offered a captivating and exhilarating document of ‘A Strange Hour’.
Also in 2012, we saw Alan Wilder turn up again as Executive Producer & contributor for a new tribute album to Mark Hollis & Talk Talk. Recoil offered two cover versions for the album utilising the vocal talents of Linton Kwesi Johnson, Shara Worden and Paul Marshall. Wilder also mixed a track for Richard Reed Parry from Arcade Fire. ‘Spirit of Talk Talk’ was released in September 2012 on Fierce Panda Records.
Things have been quiet in Recoil’s world since then – with new daughter Clara taking centre stage – but Alan did show up recently to perform on a single by a young and aspiring new artist, Dede, entitled ‘Calling The Clock’. It was released via Smile Records on November 18th 2016.
He met Dede (full name Dédé Davi) when his old mucker from DM days, Daryl Bamonte, got in touch:
“Dédé sent over her demo of ‘Calling The Clock’ after Daryl asked if I would oversee a studio recording and arrange & perform the piano part for the final version. I was happy to oblidge. The simplicity and directness of Dédé’s words along with a strong melody left plenty of room to come up with the arrangement – hopefully one which compliments those things without becoming overbearing, allowing the strength of the song itself to shine through. With limited hours in the studio, an immediate focus was required to get the right piano & vocal performances. For me, a little old-school having got so used to utilising all kinds of digital tools and electronic equipment with my own recorded music. The whole experience was refreshing & rewarding and I wish Dédé all the luck in the world with her career.”
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