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Rick Pearson's rating
Paul Weller has the dads on their feet
By
Rick Pearson
23 Mar 2009
Whoever said rock ’n’ roll was a young man’s game forgot to tell Paul Weller. At 50, The Modfather is enjoying one of the most successful spells of his career.
He recently won the Best British Male award at the BRITS on the back of 22 Dreams, an audacious 21-song album in which he tackled everything from Krautrock to the spoken word.
While a cursory glance at the O2 crowd revealed a demographic that still remembers him best as the frontman in Seventies punk band The Jam, this was more than an exercise in dusting off the old classics.
Indeed, the new material provided many of the night’s highlights. The spiky Wake Up The Nation saw Weller in political mood, while All I Want To Do (Is Be With You) was romantic, blue-eyed soul. Elsewhere, One Bright Star was introduced as “a kind of psychedelic tango number” — a shot in the arm to those who claim his music is merely “dadrock”.
There was plenty for the dads, too, though. Shout To The Top, the joyous hit from Weller’s days in The Style Council, made use of the 10-piece string section; Eton Rifles, from his time in The Jam, was as ferocious as ever.
Moving to the piano, Weller dedicated You Do Something To Me “to lovers everywhere”. The soulful ballad, from Weller’s classic 1995 album Stanley Road, was augmented by the guitar work of the outstanding Steve Craddock, who played everything from mandolins to keyboards.
Weller saved the best for the encore: a triumphant version of Broken Stones, which had the crowd on their feet. On another night, the omission of Going Underground would have seemed folly; on Saturday, when closures to the Jubilee line forced many to get boats, buses and cars to the venue, it was probably for the best.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (10)
The total longevity and musical diversity of this great man cannot be matched - that's what his critics hate - Paul's enormous popularity which remains at it's peak some 30+ years on.
The dedicated fan base congregated at the O2 for another outstanding performance which took us all on a journey through many musical directions. Yes, the Eton Rifles and Town Called Malice ripped the roof off and yes, You Do Something To Me and Broken Stones resulted in the resounding choruses from those within, but for me, the sheer passion and power of Echoes Round The Sun and the awesome Whirlpools End were fantastic highlights.
Paul Weller is a British musical legend and there are tens of thousands of us who still wait in anticipation for the next tour, album or single and long may it continue. This was an outstanding gig and whilst the team captain will always lead from the front, the performances from highly talented Steve Craddock and Andy Lewis were outstanding.
- Andy E, Burgess Hill, England, 24/03/2009 21:45
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Everything Emma said!
- Stu, Beckton, 24/03/2009 14:16
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It was a fanatastic night but the moment the whole place really exploded was the final encore - Town Called Malice. As for Going Underground he never plays it, obviously not a regular follower or someone who stayed 'til the end.
- Emma, London, 24/03/2009 12:01
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On what other night have you heard Going Underground ? He has not played this track live for over 25 years.
- Jake Fluckery, Woking, Surrey, 24/03/2009 09:55
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Rock music is no longer just for young people. For the money that you have to fork out for gigs these days, you expect a good show by experienced and respectful musicians. What is great about Weller is that he continues to be creative and doesn't rely too heavily on his back catalogue to please his audience.
When we totally eradicate prejudice against older rock and pop musicians, we might even look further afield and discover more mature musicians, like Seasick Steve for instance, who are making great music with very little support or recognition.
- Toby Burton, London, England, 24/03/2009 09:36
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Paul has not lost the South London attitude, where much of the crowd seemed to be from, including myself. Shame a bit of 'Down in a tube station at midnight' was not played (Political snipe), but 'Butterfly Collector' was awesome, Wake up Britain - munched at the current political morons we are governed by - hopefuly next album will be controversial - about time Punk came back IMHO. All in all a superb gig - even had a bit of fighting in the crowd. Very entertaining. The string section were 8 scantily clad, short skirted, gorgeous ladies - cool. We had got advance warning of travel problems via the fan club website. O2 is shaping up to be such a great venue to get to early for a decent bite to eat first at one of the many restaurants. Final encore song was a new version of Town Called Malice btw. You know what I mean if you were actually there ! JF
- Jam Fan, Croydon, London, UK, 24/03/2009 00:35
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Funny how he's turned into the very kind of artist he used to despise! The sort of act I like, (what he would term Hippy or dad rock)
He now sounds like a poor mans Eric Clapton. But with a worse hair cut.
- Al Stuart, ealing, 23/03/2009 18:32
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My wife and I travelled down from Cumbria for this gig and The Great Man was on blistering form. Top bloke, top venue, top gig. Shame the Thames Clippers didn't get their act together!
- Mike Pollard, Cleator Moor, Cumbria, 23/03/2009 17:44
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Paul is probably the best front man of any band.
When he takes to the stage everybody takes note,This was Paul at his best
from a fan for 31 Years
- Rod Aspinall, Hythe, 23/03/2009 15:44
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Brilliant evening, took my two eldest lads to their first Weller gig. It was so good I didnt even mind paying £4.30 a pint!
- Warren Beazley, Sidcup, Kent, 23/03/2009 11:57
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