The band break straight in with White Sky, confidence oozing from each of the band.īack for these dates Andy Crofts deliveries bass lines with assured soul, devastating rhythm section is completed by powerhouse drummer Steve Pilgrim and Ben Gordelier, the latter looking like a dancing member of Kraftwerk, molding some sense out of 1000 gadgets at this disposal. With a packed crowd assembled, lights dim and on strides Weller as resplendent as ever. Support band The Stroppies sound like a mixture between The Orielles, Madness and The Pixies. Younger new breeds adorn themselves in what the Woking Wonder is currently parading Monkey Boots with yellow laces, sharp above ankle trousers, top half comes complete with Sunspel polo and Baracuta Harrington. The die hards who have been there from the word go, having gracefully reached middle age resplendent in Fred Perry. Witnessing the Modfather in real time can be an exalted fashion ritual for Weller’s tribes. John Coltrane, Dr John and Bowie, you never quite know which musical corner Weller will turn up on next, tonight is no exception as a body of admirers congregate in Leicester’s grand De Montford Hall.

Just like some greats that have gone before him i.e. Entering his 64 th year he is as indispensable, cutting edge and electrifying as he’s ever been, his presence is even more appreciated in current climates of political misdemeanors and war ridden lands. Weller has now had 50 top 40 albums across The Jam, The Style Counciland his solo releases, including seven number ones-the latest, Fat Pop, was released in May 2021.Presently reams of choral also rans rant and rave without intensity, eloquence, or direction, with an appetite to cash in on lukewarm squalid humdrum material, there can be little doubt regarding the longevity, ingenuity and razor-sharp inventiveness of Mr Paul Weller. Today, Paul Weller remains a true British icon, with a career in music spanning six decades. Both reissues were cut at London’s Metropolis Studios. Illumination is housed in a gatefold jacket, printed inner sleeve and a 16-page booklet. The double album Days of Speed has a gatefold jacket, printed inner sleeves and a one-page insert. These 2021 reissues feature faithful original packaging replication. What a surprise-just when you thought Weller would never do it again, he goes and does it.” The Guardian on Illumination: “The trinity that opens his sixth solo album is his best work in ages, by turns love-besotted, politically outraged and burning with spite. With soul taking center stage and displaying effortless production and songwriting, Illumination includes the hit singles “It’s Written in the Stars” and “Leafy Mysteries” and features guest performances from Carleen Anderson, Jocelyn Brown, Kelly Jones and Noel Gallagher. Originally released in September 2002 on Independiente, Illumination was Weller’s sixth solo studio albumand his second solo number one. The album attracted considerable praise, with the NME describing it as “Live acoustic brilliance from the master songsmith.” Here he sounds intimate and alive, as if he were performing his favourite songs in your front room. The tracklisting features old classics which sit beautifully with Paul’s later catalogue and include The Jam’s “That’s Entertainment,” The Style Council’s “Headstart for Happiness” and solo hits “You Do Something to Me” and “Wild Wood.” This is Weller presenting his songs unplugged and in the raw.

Originally released on the Independiente imprint in 2001, Days of Speed is an acoustic, double live album featuring songs which were performed solo and acoustic at various venues around Europe. Craft Recordings are finally and faithfully re-releasing both albums in beautifully packaged 180-gram black vinyl sets. The original vinyl versions of these fan favorites have been much sought after over the years. The long-awaited vinyl reissues of Paul Weller’s early ’00s long-players Days of Speed and Illumination will be released on October 15, 2021.

Paul weller tour dates 2016