Paul Weller was born 25 May 1958. Starting with the Punk/New Wave band The Jam (1972–1982), later Weller went on to branch out musically to a more soulful “cool” style with The Style Council (1983–1989). In 1991 he established himself as a successful solo artist, and continues to remain a respected singer, lyricist and guitarist.
Continue reading May 25: Paul Weller plays Bob Dylan – Happy Birthday Paul Weller!
“I wanted to make a record that sounded like a continous piece”
– Paul Weller
This is in my top three of Paul Weller’s solo albums, all tracks are good to great and it has a really appealing urgency. He sounds eager and inspired on this album. It is a great rock record, with a few mellow bits (and a fantastic funk song).
As Is Now is Weller’s eighth studio album. Released in October 2005, it reached number 4 in the UK charts. The album was recorded over a two-week period in March 2005 at Wheeler End Studios, Buckinghamshire. It was then mixed at Studio 150, Amsterdam.
Paul Weller – Blink and you’ll miss it, fantastic version! (live):
Continue reading October 11: Paul Weller released As Is Now in 2005
Paul Weller and Noel Gallagher gave Jon Wilde in The Guardian 60 seconds to tell them his all-time top 10.
Being given a mere 60 seconds to name one’s 10 Favourite Songs Of All Time would be a daunting enough task at the best of times. Being invited to do so by no-nonsense arbiters of taste Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller is extremely intimidating. Weller’s knowledge of music is zealously encyclopaedic. If Oasis hadn’t worked out, Gallagher could easily have carved out a career as an astute and funny music journalist.
– Jon Wilde (The Guardian, 2007)
I have used the same method on my Paul Weller list with a few differences; first, I decided that I would include equally many songs from his different bands, and , second, I picked two more songs and gave myself two minutes to complete the task.
Two minutes to make up my mind. Imagining Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller over my shoulders. It was fun!
Here is my Top 12 (4 solo, 4 by The Jam and 4 by The Style Council).
I think I like his solo stuff best, but I believe the guy’s range is incredible and I wanted the list to reflect that:
You do something to me – Paul Weller:
Outtake from the Live Wood DVD
Wild Wood (live 2006) – Paul Weller:
Changing Man (Live at Abbey Road Studio) – Paul Weller:
Continue reading Paul Weller top 12 songs – Happy Birthday
We have found four shows by The Jam (2), The Style Council and Paul Weller solo, they are all very, very good! I shouldn’t pick one of them but the greatest revelation is The Style Council’s set at the Roskilde Festival in 1985, it is just so good, they often get a bad rap but this proves that they were a great live band!
A short but sweet set from The Jam in Paris in 1981:
The Jam at Bingley Hall in 1982, an effing great show!
The Style Council – Live Roskilde Festival 1985:
From Paul Weller’s solo career we have chosen a great set from 2010 in Sidney were he mixes old Jam/Style Council stuff with his solo material:
– Hallgeir
Paul Weller was born 25 May 1958. Starting with the Punk/New Wave band The Jam (1972–1982), later Weller went on to branch out musically to a more soulful “cool” style with The Style Council (1983–1989). In 1991 he established himself as a successful solo artist, and continues to remain a respected singer, lyricist and guitarist.
Despite widespread critical recognition, Weller has remained a national rather than an international star, and much of his songwriting is rooted in English culture. That said, he has a devout following in the rest of Europe and abroad. He is also the principal figure of the 1970s and 80s mod revival and is sometimes and respectfully referred to as the Modfather.
Here is a great documentary telling the story of Paul Weller’s musical career, Into tomorrow (BBC):
My favorite Paul Weller album is Stanley Road and it is today’s chosen album:
Other May-25:
Continue reading Today: Paul Weller is 55 – Happy Birthday to The Modfather