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Monday 20 January 2014

Weller


Little piece I've put together on a man who means a lot to us! Kind of like a descriptive gig review, enjoy.

The stage awaits it's master. The atmosphere is rowdy, the army are ready. The pre-gig playlist is a fine selection of Motown, Northern soul with some 60's rarities thrown in the mix. The venue is an array of finely tailored patterns with perfect haircuts, close to head. Some here have followed since 77, some follow from recent times. This man has given them it all, and like myself they worship him for it.
More pints meet their ends, the army are ready. Tweets are sent. The excitement in the room is dense. Pictures are being taken of the stage which awaits it's partner. Darkness. Screams erupt from all around the venue. He's on his way. Shouts spin around the room. "C'mon Weller!" "Let's have ya Paul!" On walks one of the greatest song writers to ever grace this planet. The room knows this and greets him and the band with a rally of applause before he begins the first track. 'Wake up the Nation' begins proceedings and it sends the room into a spiral of appreciation! This man has done it all, seen it all and played it all. Cradock, Lewis and Crofts all look eager and ready along with the rest of the band. There's a focus on Weller, every last person in the crowd looking at him, as he tears through the chords in such a passionate and focused way. He knows his craft well and constantly ups his game each gig! This man could teach many lesser artists a trick or two. A brief pause, 'From the Floorboards up' begins, a personal favourite of mine. Men in their mid 40's jump for joy to this with it's Jam esque chords. This isn't just a gig it's a community and I love it!
Time passes. We arrive at 'My Ever Changing Moods' another absolute classic, many people are dancing now and it's great to see. Paul and co look like they're having a great time too. You often wonder with artists, does their passion ever leave them? Not with this man, it never will music is in his blood. This Style Council gem goes down a treat and the room is in uproar. A few songs on and 'Wild Wood' is played,
superb. Many tear filled eyes sing along to this divine acoustic classic. I look around and see loved ones exchanging kisses, and mates hugging one another. It occurs to me here that this is all more than music. It's life! Paul laughs with you, he cries with you, he helps you through those everyday situations which sometimes seem impossible!
When I hear that sublime yet simple baseline for 'Start' I feel a tear run down my face. I laugh writing this now, but at the time it seemed very appropriate. I've waited the majority of my short life to hear that song played live by it's creator and there I was, with it right in front of me. I look to the right of me and see my best mate and Dad there, both digging it as much as me! I've bonded with many people over music. But nothing compares to the bond I have with my Dad over Weller. He's shown me it all from The Jam right through to the solo years! I honestly don't think I'd be the person I am today without Paul! He's a British institution and a working class hero! All I can say is, long live Weller!

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In loving memory of Denise Pottinger