So basically my main man from the UK is here in NY this week to do some sold out shows at Irving Plaza. I was trying to get tix once I found out about the event. Basically Paul was going to do 3 nights with one of each spanning every musical group he's been in (One night of The Jam, the next night of Style Council, and the last night of his solo stuff.) But the damn tickets sold out within minutes. :grr: That's amazing for someone who hasn't even had an impact on America. And then I tried to look elsewhere (the black market), and you got mofos charging an arm and a leg for these damn tickets.



I was very forunate to catch him at Virgin Megastore for a brief but free performance, however. So I can't be too upset.

From Rolling Stone.com:



Yesterday marked the beginning of what might unofficially be called Paul Weller week here in New York City. The legendary Jam and Style Council frontman (and bona fide personal hero/role model to many) began his three-day invasion of the City via an absurdly anticipated performance last night at Irving Plaza. Outside, tickets were apparently changing hands for $300-$400 and inside a collection of rowdy British expats and thuggish Jerseyites in ill-fitting leather jackets lost their collective minds as Weller played one Jam hit after another. During “That’s Entertainment” we came very close to witnessing a room full of drunk, grown men sobbing.

Tonight Weller will reportedly change the set list to focus more on Style Council material, and Wednesday he will perform rock from his entire career. That final show will most likely reflect the feel of Weller’s new album Hit Parade, which features a well-balanced sampling of the Modfather’s best material. Classic Jam anthems like “Town Called Malice” and “Going Underground” sound as magnificent and brave as ever next to the elegant, clever piano and string pop of Weller’s Style Council years. And then there’s the solo stuff. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the solo inclusions from Hit Parade sound as good as they do. Weller has long been perceived as more than the frontman for one of the most important rock bands ever (as if that weren’t enough) but also as a formidable solo artist and songwriter, and on Hit Parade he reminds us why he’s so worshiped. Tracks like “The Changing Man” and the explosive, confrontational “Come On/Let’s Go,” sound vital and prescient, like he’s a free, wise sage and we’re the lucky disciples.

**looks for copy of 'Snap!' to make the day @ work a bit more pleasant***
[Edited 1/31/07 7:56am]

ON a related note, can anyone recommend a good Style Council compilation?
..and sorry about your hopes and dreams being dashed against the rocks of despair,NWF.




just kidding edit.
[Edited 1/30/07 14:03pm]

unkemptpueblo said:

The best compilation is The Complete Adventures Of TSC, a 5 disc box which contains pretty much everything (apart from a few remixes and officially released live tracks). Alternatively, if you don't want a straightforward "hits" collection then I would recommend either The Style Council Collection or The Sound Of The Style Council. Both of these albums are more of a career overview and include the better known hits plus key b-sides & album tracks.
May I also recommend a good book... Mr Cool's Dream by Iain Munn. A comprehensive TSC biography pretty much in the same vein as "Prince - The Vault". It's a really good book which also includes some of my own photographs of TSC. I provided these pictures exclusively for the book and they are previously unpublished, I even proof read the book! There's dedication for you

pacey68 said:

Thank you! I've got Home and Abroad, and Introducing.. a 5 disc box set sounds a bit out of my league, but the other two sound great. As long as the collection includes "Whole Point of no Return" Im a happy camper.

I love that man. His self-titled solo LP is one of my all-time favorite albums.

He seems like a prick, and i hate "thats entertainment". So annoying.