This was Deep House music clean and linear yet soulful and emotive. You could forget the guitars too – there was nary a jazz chord or fuzzed-up Isley Brothers cop off within earshot. Blissed-out love replaced anger and fury. Weller’s seeming faux pas was to offer up in 1989 a 6th Style Council album that was unlike anything he’d recorded previously.

When Young presented David Geffen with the limp rockabilly of Everybody’s Rockin’ just 12 months later (how’s that for a change in direction?!), his label boss famously sued him for offering up an album that was “ deliberately uncommercial and unrepresentative of Neil Young.” On the Kratftwerk-inspired Trans he adopted analogue synths over guitars, a concept album of sorts that highlighted the day to day issues experienced by his disabled son. And both have fallen foul of their record company when they’ve taken an unexpected turn in the road and delivered an album like none before it. Both stubbornly plough their own musical furrow and fans follow on or fall by the wayside as a result. Both have defied the critics to release solo albums that are the equal of and better than the material in their supposed golden years. Both left successful bands twice before going it alone. There are a lot of parallels to be drawn between the careers of Neil Young and Paul Weller. For every bizarre collaboration with Lenny Henry there’s a Gil Evans Blue Note arrangement to sate yourself with, and despite the Parisian pretentions, Marriott moustaches and C&A catalogue poses, there’s a strong body of work to be (re)discovered. Indeed, if all he’d been known for was the music he recorded with the Style Council, Weller would these days be something of a cult hero.

Time and hindsight has been far kinder on his second band than you’d have believed back in 1985 though, and you can’t argue with the stellar run of singles they released during their 5 albums in 5 years lifespan. Splitting The Jam at the height of their success for the political, pastel posturing of the Style Council ruffled more than a few feathercuts. They've been one of the musical highlights of my (very difficult) year.Paul Weller gives nary a thought to what others think of him and his music. So now I've paid to see them for themselves, bought the album (on vinyl and CD) and would very happily do so again, as would my friends. Liked them from when I first saw them in Delamere in June. When so many acts are faux and/or afraid to reference their influences you've got to love a band who give credit where its due and know just who they are, where they are and what they are trying to do: make you smile, dance and forget your woes.

So refreshing to experience a band of real talent, genuine cohesion and who not only look like they are enjoying themselves but actually are. They're a veritable cocktail of so many sounds and styles its tempting to think they are not their own band. Tuneful, soulful, musical, lyrical, and very danceable (even runnable, if that's your thing!) In a world of divides and conflict, Stone Foundation are the perfect antidote. Overall a great night, a few too many beers but what a band, get on it people. You couldn’t meet a more down to earth nice set of lads. The venue is great as it’s quite small and intimate and afterwards they open the Ska Bar and the band came up to meet and chat which was a bonus. I cannot believe this band are not bigger (well I can actually it’s because of s**t like X Factor) if you haven’t listened to them I implore you to do so as you will be hooked, I have encouraged several of my friends and a couple were with me on Friday. The addition of 2 backing singers adds a lot to the overall sound and I cannot state how good a gig this was, I had a smile on my face throughout. Brilliant venue for a brilliant band, they started with Beverley which is an old song but a classic then moved onto the last 2 albums, they are a really good band live and this is the 3rd time I have seen them.Ī really tight set of musicians who are very talented the string section really adds some strength and the bass is ever present to provide the backing with a very good guitarist and singer add it all together and its a perfect mix.

Paul weller tour dates 2016