I was a big fan of The Jam at the time, but he turned me right off when he went all 'French' and created The Style Council. I love the fact that he loves soul, but apart from a few songs he did I just couldn't get over the shock of it not being The Jam and eventually ignored him completely.
That was until he reinvented himself with his solo work and all was well again between me and the "modfather".
He's a musical magpie, but who'd dare accuse him of being generic?
Certainly not me, as he's always managed to stamp his own signature over whatever he does. Great songwriter that deserves even more credit than he already gets.

I've been listening to the Jam a lot recently, and I'm fast becoming a fan again. The first three albums are absolute class, and I love Sound Affects too (along with David Bowie's Rebel Rebel, That's Entertainment is basically the song that got me properly into music so to speak).

As for the Style Council, I like a few songs I've heard, but I've never got round to getting an album of theirs.

And I basically got all his solo albums when they were all in the bargain bin at HMV (CD shopping - those were the days!). 22 Dreams, Wild Wood and the debut are my favourites. With the others, there are some brilliant songs on them (some of my all-time favs on Stanley Road), but I've always felt they tail off a little bit. Should probably give them all a good listen again sometime soon; I imagine I'll have another Paul Weller day sometime over the weekend, just like old times.

I have only given 22 dreams a single listen which should be rectified. Stanley Road is usually held up as the pinnacle and quite rightly so. I have to say that i'm not a huge fan of The Jam. I like them but I rarely have a blast although 'News Of The World' and 'Funeral Pyre' are top top tunes. As RT rightly says, he doesn't get the respect he deserves. He's such a great songwriter just never particulary cool enough for younger fans and a little too off mainstream for the middle of the road fans.

On the contrary...he's too cool for younger fans.

**** me man I went to all that trouble just to find there was already another post. :banghead:.....
Also I didnt think people would find it that good as I basically just had a rant for about 10 mins.
Cool man you have taste, dont you like his solo stuff though? I rank it amongst the best stuff hes done. Also the key word is 'variety' when it comes to ranking the Style Council higher than the Jam. Not many artists get better as their careers go on.

Yeah 22 Dreams is definitely a grower but to me the albums that grow on you are the best (IMO). As for him not being 'cool enough' for younger fans. I know quite a few people my age who are into Paul Weller. + Also it shouldnt be to do with how 'cool' he is as his music is immense and thats all that matters (IMO).
Well I dont really think its about how 'cool' he is. If thats the case then they cant be into music in the first place. + He has been around for a while and could win new fans of any age (although I highly doubt my brother will start listning to him anytime soon). I hate how older people say we all listen to ****e/dont know what real music is. I agree to a certain extent there are the clowns who have the happy hardcore blaring out there cars but I aint certainly aint one o them lol. Also sometimes I wish I was older so I could have lived through all the great decades of music but TBH I think I was born in the perfect generation as everything is so accessible now especially with the internet. I wouldnt have been able to get into around 90% of the artists ive gotten into if it wasnt for amazon marketplace and their cheap prices.

ALSO CHECK OUT THIS CRACKING COVER OF NEILS YOUNG'S OHIO LIVE AT HIS COMEBACK GIG AT GLASTONBURY 1994. IF YOUVE HEARD THE ORIGINAL YOU WILL SEE HOW HE HAS MADE IT HIS OWN HERE.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CIvKCvAvCE

My comment was a tongue in cheek reply to jackhammer.
What I was implying, was that his music isn't rated as highly as it shoud be among the younger generation. When I see bands like The Clash and later The Smiths getting a new lease of life, I feel it's unfair that The Jam haven't had the same recognition.
Then again that would only happen if they suddenly become 'retro cool' with the teens...which wouldn't do them justice.

That's because older people have the experience of the moment to reflect on in later years.
Also. you are living in a time of great music already...maybe you haven't realised this yet, I don't know.
Maybe you'll only appreciate whats under your nose in later years.
I know I did with a lot of bands that took me decades to rediscover after only scratching the surface of artists at the time.

I've got a feeling you'll be alright...you seem to have taste and a mind of your own, unlike the happy hardcore sheep you mentioned.

Yeah i did know it was a reply to the other guy. Just that I dont really understand why people only listen to certain bands/artists because its 'cool' which presumably means just because so&so listens to them...

Of course I know there is always great music around everywhere, you just have to look for it. I dont have a totally negative view of new bands/artists. There are some such as Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes,A Place To Bury Strangers whom are all excellent.(there are more but cant rememeber them right now).
Most of the music I discover is from previous decades but partly present as well like you said you come across a band you didnt notice at the time and realise they were great. I tend to steer away from all the new modern Indie bands (of whom 99.9% are **** IMO) only ones I kinda like are The Doves & Starsailor but even then they can just be too bland for me now and Id rather listen to something else. (especially since my venture into Jazz).
Also as I have always said I never let anyone tell me whats good or listen to stuff just because someone else does. I listen to music that I like and that moves me and if someone else doesnt like it or if its not 'cool' then I couldnt give a ****.
Also I believe that music is timeless and although I usually have an obsesssion with which year it was from you can listen to any music from anytime and still be inspired by it as all the passion/energy is captured forever there in that one recording at that time. Thats what the truly great thing about music is (IMO).

Weller for me is the UK's finest songwriter that came after the 60's & 70's