Paul Weller were do you rate him (British Talent)

Not as highly as he rates himself

Never got it. I don't understand his artistic longevity.

Absolutely loved The Jam. I'm listening to Eton Rifles as i type. But after that his head seemed to disappear further and further up his own arse. Shame.

Ah well i was expecting some favourable replies

We are seeing him on the 11th - almost 30 years to the day since I first saw the Jam (London Rainbow)

I agree he is awesome live - one of the best on the circuit right now

I'm a fan and really rate him - some downs in his career - but some massive, influential highs that I never tire of....

Not long after getting back in to vinyl I managed to get hold of Sound Affects - what a great LP that was. I have tried some of his solo/other project stuff over the years and some has been OK. I saw him live in Belgium early-mid 80s with the Style Council and loved Walls Come Tumbling Down (also liked the track from Absolute Beginners Have You Ever Had it Blue?). Enjoyed the odd solo effort but after buying Stanley Road years back I probably only played it perhaps once.

I have to admit I have got a thing about people going solo especially if it involves leaving long-standing friends. I don't find it admirable although individual circumstances are obviously dissimilar. Paul Weller is just about the worst case of that - he's not even spoken to any Jam members since they split. Now that is very odd to me.

Ignoring the personality stuff, musically, the Jam were awesome. He's been OK now and again since then.

Cheers

Andy

I have never had the opportunity to see him live.I have been enjoying his music since the Jam although I must admit that the Style Council wasn't my favorite. He has done some pretty good stuff in his solo years I think. Maybe not everything was brilliant but he has maintained a fairly high standard of work for a long tine now.

Heard on an interview with Jim Kerr of Simple Minds fame. Interviewer asked him to name any musician who's work he admired that had dissapointed when he had met them.
Surprise surprise, without a moments hesitation came the name Paul Weller! Described him as a pretentious tosser who just did'nt like Scots ! Whoops, a friend for life there then.

Not that I'm a fan of Paul Weller, but - Jim Kerr - Isn't he a pretentious tosser himself - Or am I just thinking of his early stage act ?

quote:

Originally posted by FlipTop:
Not that I'm a fan of Paul Weller, but - Jim Kerr - Isn't he a pretentious tosser himself - Or am I just thinking of his early stage act ?

I heard him within the last year on the radio - don't think you need to go that far back... Interesting that some really big stars years after the height of their fame become very reflective; thoughtful and even somewhat humble. I think some manage to get at least some perspective eventually. Lee Marvin comes to mind and even the likes of Neil Young & Leonard Cohen. Some just don't, ever.

Well, I'm Dutch, but I play English Rose out load (Days of Speed-version).
I own almost all of his (solo)-albums and do not like just everything, but I think most of his work is great.
Comments here are not expected (at least not by me), but I am interested in The Jam and The Style Council-albums, because you seem to know that was Paul at his best.
I think it was 2002 when I saw Paul perform in The Heineken Music Hall and I really enjoyed that. I like him live. Getting older, I just hope his fire will not go out. And to annoying voices: I don't rate him for his singing talent, but all is forgiven by the performance.

I like the Jam and I think Weller has written some great songs since then (Wildwood etc). But he just doesn't really do it for me...I've got Stanley Road and Wildwood Live on lovely vinyl, I dig them out sometimes, but rarely make it to the end of the album.

I'd take Weller over Oasis any old day though.

hi steviekoi


i'm with you. I think he is one of the great British songwriters and admire that whatever idiom or genre he tries he is succesful in while still maintaining an identity that is unique.