While I've never hid my admiration for Paul Weller's career with The Jam and The Style Council, I've really struggled to like all that much of his solo output. I tried hard with the much acclaimed Stanley Road but couldn't help but think it was Ocean Colour Scene with a different vocalist.So by and large, I've kept away from what he's produced over the past 20 years. If I hear anything it tends to be by accident. I listened the other day to a self-made compilation by another blogger - and very good it was for the most part. But included was a cover version that was released a few years back:-
mp3 : Paul Weller - Close To You
It really is appalling. Pure pish as we might say round these parts. Middle-aged music personified. Like a wedding band's take on the song when they try to put a bit of zip into it.
Now folk might say Morrissey isnt the force he was when with The Smiths. But at least he tries to do something vaguely fresh now and again. If this is what Weller believes is the modern world, the god help us all.
Incidentally, its not the song choice that I find so offensive. Yesterday's posting highlighted I can take a good cover of a Carpenters song with the rest of them. And I do quite like this:-
mp3 : The Cranberries - Close To You
Watch this and weep:-
Oh and I know Weller himself doesn't give a fuck about what I think......he's happy enough with what he's doing. But the case for the prosecution rests......
Who is prepared to mount a defence?
22 comments:
I'm a big Bacharach fan and this song is wonderful but Weller has managed to do a version with the emotion ripped right out of it.Truly appalling.He should have listened to Terry Halls version to get an idea of how it should be performed.
Phil
Tel Aviv
Just like his haircut, he hasn't improved with age.
No argument from me, 99% of the stuff he puts out is pish. His cover of thinking of you was truly appalling.
here goes jc everyman deserves a defence whilst it wasn't his best it was nowhere near the banal rendition your post suggests it was. in fact i was entertained you compare it to a wedding band version well i applaud it i really enjoy cover versions especially versions i dont anticipate so fair play to him
you also mention morrissey as attempting to do something fresh i take it you dont mean his cover of redondo beach which i seem to remember you roundly slated which by the way i thourghly enjoy also.
maybe weller has lost his relevence now but he deserves enormous credit for his continual reinvention to keep him cool for has long as he has until now
after long hot summer perhaps the greatest pop song ever he can be forgiven anything
son of the rock
Unfortunately I find this version very bad. I just can't stand it. The Jam was a good band, but what Paul Weller is doing is terrible.
It happens very often : see Johnny Marr, see Morrissey (except Viva Hate), see Stephen Malkmus...
Yeah it's rubbish. Yet the same sessions that produced this dirge gave us his version of Rose Royce's Wishing On A Star which is Weller at his very, very best. IMHO ;-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFNVphdH1Ds
The Carpenters version is the definitive recording, even Bacharach's own instrumental recording takes second place to this. In all fairness, anyone who's ever had a pop falls short, even the mighty Issac Hayes. For what is such a beauty of a tune, it's incredible how many rotten remakes are available.
Word veri = rotter. You couldn't make it up could you..
oh - that is terrible. Is this really what the man that gave us "Shout to the Top" is reduced to?
It really is as bad as his haircut. And i saw the video of "Going Underground" on the tv the other day - contrast is not favourable.
Still, twas ever thus with musicians (Roddy Frame ..I rest my case)
Just so fucking wrong. You don't need to say anything else!
Oh, lay off the modfather. He squeaks out an okay song now and again. Think of how great Elvis Costello's first 8 lp's were and look at the garbage he's made over the past, um, 20 years? Let's just be thankful for all the great and timeless tunes and turn the other way when this new...material is performed. As for his haircut, that's just his way of making Frodo and the rest of the fellowship comfortable at Rivendell. Can't fault a guy for that.
I like his haircut- still cutting it at 50 plus. His album from this year is chock full of tunes and noise that would shame bands half his age. Stanley Road was boring mind.
i agree with swiss adam actually - wake up the nation is a fine album, his most consistent in a long time and indeed weller's solo back catalogue has a lot of great moments, i think he lacks quality control at times (or someone big enough to say "no Paul, that's pish...")but it's too easy to dismiss him. he still makes interesting albums and appears increasingly willing to experiment and i'd like to think that he's again discovered the fire and drive that made his output with the jam so vital.
as ever a great blog JC. ta
jc forgot to say excellent formula throw in some criticsm of a british icon sit back and wait superb comment total for the day.
son of the rock
word veri = phish
Ever the diplomat (you feckers!) I can see both sides of this. (I'd be hopeless on a jury).
Have you reached a verdict upon which you are all agreed? Yup, he's bang to rights for this song -and many many others. 'Take him down'.
The Cost Of Loving album by TSC, 25piggin yrs ago, was a lemon the size of a prize-winning pumpkin.
However, Your Honour, anyone who's been in the same career for decades has dropped some sizeable bollocks along the way. I know I have. He's a pretty prolific song writer, so there's bound to be wrong turnings and dark cul de sacs. Unlike someone like, say, Elton John!!
Whether Weller is a twat or not is summat that's been well documented in these fine pages (and that of our discerning colleagues).
Were I a multi multi millionnaire like Paul, I'd like think that I would care deeply about the opinions of my fans. (Whether I actually would or not, I dont know).
His golden legacy far outweighs the rusty old iron. Listen again to All Mod Cons or Setting Sons - and I think we have sufficient mitigation to forgive the almighty rickets.
Punishment enough to hide his shampoo, put tramlines down his trousers and call him a bit of a cunt.
To be fair, he's always been aware of his limitations.
Cue his song ... 'It Just Came To Pieces In My Hands'.
He can blow hot and cold -I dn't think that those first two Jam albums are that strong, particualrly This Is The modern World.
But there have been some good songs from the solo era 'Wild Wood' 'You Do Something To me' 'Written In The Stars.' 'Peacock Suit' was pish, tho'.
But nothing can compete with what he did with the jam, which has inspired today's posting over at 17 seconds...
http://17seconds.co.uk/blog/2010/10/19/whatever-paul-weller-does/
I love the latest album, it's a cracking little thrill ride through some great tunes, with decent lyrics for once. Weller's lyrics have suffered during the solo years I think, and that's what's made me not own most of his solo works. I can cope with an OK tune if it is matched with great lyrics.
Hang on rf.....not sure I'm with you re Roddy. It might not be High Land Hard Rain, but Roddy is still producing superb music. And doing it without the comedy sideshow.
Stevie, I think rf is on the wind up in no way can Frame's solo work be similarly compared to Weller's pish.
I know what you mean about Weller. Some his music is too dull for words. However I though some of the covers on studio 150 were alright especially 'wishing on a star'. The only album where he caught some of his old fire back as 'as is now'. I though stuff like 'out of the sinking' was boring, especially as I was a big fan of The Jam and Style Council.
Don't get me started on Morrisey. Clever lyric writer, can't write a song to save his life. Johnny Marr was THE genius in The Smiths. End of
Guilty, m'lud, guilty as fucking sin. I blame the wooden beads.
Thoroughly agree with dickvandyke and Simon on this one. Over 30 years in the business and 25 albums has got to produce a few stinkers. But both 22 Dreams and Wake Up The Nation have, on the whole, been fine efforts (both lyrically and musically) that would be harsh to call dull. Give the man a break.
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