[video=youtube;gFbjXr5YTEk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFbjXr5YTEk&playnext=1&list=PLCC74E9CD9E5D8BAF&index=41[/video]
(From the 'Live Wood' album of 1994- a must have for any collection!)
Ah, nice to hear Weller again. Used to play it non-stop when I first discovered it. One of the best live albums of all time for me. Theres no other period in Weller's career than matches up to his early 90s output prior to his success with 'Stanley Road' album. During this time, he was a free spirit and was almost like starting a new career considering NOBODY wanted to sign him in the late 80s after SC broke up.
Many artists would crumble at the prospect of this but Weller really set a example by reinventing himself, first partially with his self titled 1992 solo debut, but more importantly with his seminal 1993 'Wild Wood' album. The difference between the first two albums was that his debut was more of a fusion of Style Council left-overs and a sort of half merge into his Wild Wood sound. Whereas, the 'Wild Wood' album itself was a case of stop feeling sorry for yourself, pick up your guitar and write some of the most introspective tunes of your career and see where it goes- a much more stripped down feel to the album. My uncle once 'famously' commented that the album sounded as though Weller was sitting in your front room with a guitar playing to you, it was that intimate a record.
His father, the late John Weller was instrumental in encouraging him and supporting him throughout this period and does not get recognition of his efforts. It's worth noting that throughout this period Weller was just discovering guys like Neil Young for the first time and even dabbling in artists such as Public Enemy so its clear he was opening up musically, which is always a good thing!
I think this 'golden period' lasted until about 1995 shortly after 'Stanley Road' was released. I love that album as well but I think it was around this time that he got his confidence/ego back and with the rise of Britpop and it's championing of him made him return to a more rock-based less introspective format and his music, whilst still enjoyable has been a different story since. I hate to say this but sometimes in an artists life when they are going through a really hard time it can be the most productive and they can write some of the most beautiful music ever known to man. One particular song called 'Country' from the Wild Wood album which wasn't a single is one of the most incredibly sincere, moving and beautiful tracks I've ever heard in my life. Also, the title track 'Wild Wood' is a very self-conscious song & lyrically like a self commentary of sorts- like he is sending himself a message via his own music whilst offering a solution to other people at the same time.
[video=youtube;XmDK6i3H6og]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmDK6i3H6og[/video]
To conclude, I think that once the Britpop explosion happened and he was made hip once again, he kind of got a bit too big headed and I think his music suffered as a result. While I'm a fan of all his material, I think the only album that has come close (in parts) to regaining the atmosphere and mood of the Wild Wood album. I was really excited when it came out as I thought he was on the verge of another marathon of amazing albums but wasn't a fan of his subsequent release.
Wow, I just posted a whole rant about Weller! Back to the subject matter; the live album 'Live Wood' mostly recorded at Civic Hall, Wolverhampton and Royal Albert Hall, London is the definitive live album of Weller's for me and if you haven't heard it or the Wild Wood record itself, I recommend you obtain a copy now. There is some rare outings for songs such as 'Bull Rush' from his debut album and many others which do not feature in his live set these days. Since the release and huge success of the 'Stanley Road' album a lot of his earlier songs were surpassed by the hits from that album which is a shame. Don't miss out.
Close with another beautiful track from the 'Wild Wood' album. Bit more beefed up live but captures his raw mood at the time.
[video=youtube;WrkNF1gAFw8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrkNF1gAFw8[/video]
(From the 'Live Wood' album of 1994- a must have for any collection!)
Ah, nice to hear Weller again. Used to play it non-stop when I first discovered it. One of the best live albums of all time for me. Theres no other period in Weller's career than matches up to his early 90s output prior to his success with 'Stanley Road' album. During this time, he was a free spirit and was almost like starting a new career considering NOBODY wanted to sign him in the late 80s after SC broke up.
Many artists would crumble at the prospect of this but Weller really set a example by reinventing himself, first partially with his self titled 1992 solo debut, but more importantly with his seminal 1993 'Wild Wood' album. The difference between the first two albums was that his debut was more of a fusion of Style Council left-overs and a sort of half merge into his Wild Wood sound. Whereas, the 'Wild Wood' album itself was a case of stop feeling sorry for yourself, pick up your guitar and write some of the most introspective tunes of your career and see where it goes- a much more stripped down feel to the album. My uncle once 'famously' commented that the album sounded as though Weller was sitting in your front room with a guitar playing to you, it was that intimate a record.
His father, the late John Weller was instrumental in encouraging him and supporting him throughout this period and does not get recognition of his efforts. It's worth noting that throughout this period Weller was just discovering guys like Neil Young for the first time and even dabbling in artists such as Public Enemy so its clear he was opening up musically, which is always a good thing!
I think this 'golden period' lasted until about 1995 shortly after 'Stanley Road' was released. I love that album as well but I think it was around this time that he got his confidence/ego back and with the rise of Britpop and it's championing of him made him return to a more rock-based less introspective format and his music, whilst still enjoyable has been a different story since. I hate to say this but sometimes in an artists life when they are going through a really hard time it can be the most productive and they can write some of the most beautiful music ever known to man. One particular song called 'Country' from the Wild Wood album which wasn't a single is one of the most incredibly sincere, moving and beautiful tracks I've ever heard in my life. Also, the title track 'Wild Wood' is a very self-conscious song & lyrically like a self commentary of sorts- like he is sending himself a message via his own music whilst offering a solution to other people at the same time.
[video=youtube;XmDK6i3H6og]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmDK6i3H6og[/video]
To conclude, I think that once the Britpop explosion happened and he was made hip once again, he kind of got a bit too big headed and I think his music suffered as a result. While I'm a fan of all his material, I think the only album that has come close (in parts) to regaining the atmosphere and mood of the Wild Wood album. I was really excited when it came out as I thought he was on the verge of another marathon of amazing albums but wasn't a fan of his subsequent release.
Wow, I just posted a whole rant about Weller! Back to the subject matter; the live album 'Live Wood' mostly recorded at Civic Hall, Wolverhampton and Royal Albert Hall, London is the definitive live album of Weller's for me and if you haven't heard it or the Wild Wood record itself, I recommend you obtain a copy now. There is some rare outings for songs such as 'Bull Rush' from his debut album and many others which do not feature in his live set these days. Since the release and huge success of the 'Stanley Road' album a lot of his earlier songs were surpassed by the hits from that album which is a shame. Don't miss out.
Close with another beautiful track from the 'Wild Wood' album. Bit more beefed up live but captures his raw mood at the time.
[video=youtube;WrkNF1gAFw8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrkNF1gAFw8[/video]