Paul Weller thru the Years

The Style Council was my favorite band during my HS years in Ithaca NY.   This was a phase, from 9th Grade to Senior year, of Herman Hesse pleasure, reading accompanied by a soundtrack from Roxy Music, the Cure, Squeeze, and the Style Council. The Style Council got me through many restless evenings of hormonal flux. Sound too precious for my muy macho public image? Keeps your panties on lads.

Why reminisce about Paul Weller and the Style Council today?  Might it have something to do with the recent celebration of so many of his newbie offspring just celebrated the other day on Durham Cool? Most definitely yes, but something more stirs up memories of Mr. Weller and the timeless songs of the Style Council.   When one makes any effort to explore contemporary music it is no accident that one finds oneself exploring the roots of the current trend, if one is responsible and rooted in a sound journalistic tradition.  .

A very sad and deprived life it is without the beautiful songs of the Style Council.  I could not subject my readers to such a life.

 

 

I could be discontent and chase the rainbows end
I might win much more but lose all that is mine
I could be a lot but I know I’m not
I’m content just with the riches that you bring
I might shoot to win and commit the sin
Of wanting more than I’ve already got
I could runaway but I’d rather stay
In the warmth of your smile lighting up my day
(the one that makes me say, hehe)

‘Cause you’re the best thing that ever happened to me or my world
You’re the best thing that ever happened, so don’t go away

I might be a king and steal my peoples things
But I don’t go for that power crazy way
All that I could rule but I don’t check for fools
All that I need is to be left to live my way
(say listen what I say)

I could chase around for nothing to be found
But why look for something that is never there
I may get it wrong sometimes but I’ll come back in style
For I realize your love means more than anything

 

 

Paul Weller Movement. Live at Brixton Academy. 1991. From my VHS collection.
1) TIN SOLDIER 1:05
2) HEADSTART FOR HAPPINESS 4:31
3) ROUND AND ROUND 7:56
4) KOSMOS 12:54
5) THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT 19:40
6) PICADILLY TRAIL 23:13
7) INTO TOMORROW 26:56
8) UMMM! 30:01
9) LONG HOT SUMMER 35:10
10) HOMEBREAKERS 40:32
11) CARNATION 47:16
12) BITTERNESS RISING 50:42
13) HERE’S A NEW THING/PRECIOUS 53:33
14) TALES FROM THE RIVER BANK 57:20
15) MY EVER CHANGING MOODS 1:05:14
————
BAND:
Lead Guitar/Vocals: PAUL WELLER
Drums: STEVE WHITE
Bass Guitar: HENRY THOMAS
Saxophone/Flute: JACO PEAKE
Trumpet/Flugel Horn: GERRARD PESCENCER
Vibes/Keyboards/Percussion: MAX BEESLEY
Vocals: LINDA DUGGAN & ZEITA MASSIAH
————
Director: Mark Edward Over. Producer: Jeremy Azis. Academy Broadcasting Productions 1991.

  Though he made his greatest impact as an anxious young man leading the mod-influenced Jam, Paul Weller has never stopped exploring the music’s history while pushing forward with touches of jazz, folk, Brit-Pop, and soul. With 22 Dreams, his expansive 2008 collection, Weller celebrates his 50th birthday with a panel of star collaborators, from Blur’s Graham Coxon and Oasis’ Noel Gallagher, to Soft Machine’s Robert Wyatt and Noonday Underground’s Simon Dine (who co-wrote a handful of the tunes). Stylistically, Weller jumps all over the genres, beginning things as a British folksinger with “Light Nights” before breaking out the band for the title track. He hits the piano for the lonely soul ballad “Invisible,” turns jazz singer for the nightclub spaghetti western drama of “One Bright Star,” turns in a number of Curtis Mayfield soul-inspired tunes (“Have You Made Up Your Mind,” “Empty Ring”), tributes jazz pianist Alice Coltrane with the funky swamp-noir instrumental pulse of “Song for Alice,” adds some dance beats for “Echoes Round the Sun,” and recites some mystical spoken word (“God”). Weller’s a genuine renaissance man.         67 Songs, 3 Hours 54 Minutes EDITORS’ NOTES Paul Weller’s solo career after The Jam and The Style Council assured his fans that he was still a legitimate heavyweight in terms of singing and songwriting. Weller’s work with The Jam had proven he was an artist. But after those first blasts of youth subsided and The Jam’s work became slicker and more mannered with their final studio album, The Gift—and then The Style Council took things in an even smoother direction—it wasn’t clear where Weller’s artistry was headed. But when he went solo, fans and critics got a much better idea of the man. “Into Tomorrow” sounded recharged, and the songwriter who gave the world “Going Underground,” “Dreams of Children,” and “That’s Entertainment” sounded like he’d gotten back in touch with himself. (Not that The Style Council didn’t have moments, especially with their early singles.) Hit Parade features all the A-sides Paul Weller released from the start of his career up to the 2007 cut-off date for this release. It leaves off coveted b-sides and album tracks, in order to remain true to its hit-parade mission.