Hit Parade - Paul Weller

...The tracklisting

Hit Parade is a collection of the singles so unfortunately, you won't find any album tracks or B-sides present. However, the idea behind 'Hit Parade' was to create a comprehensive greatest hits package, so I can't criticise the lack of Jam B-sides or album tracks. In any case, there have already been two comprehensive Jam and Style Council boxsets including the rarities.

The tracklistings for the CDs ...
...hot summer', but every other hit released by the Council from 1983 - 1989 is present. CD 2 is essentially a replication of the 'Greatest Hits' compilation released several years ago - the same tracklisting, the same edits.

Thankfully the original version of 'Long hot summer' is present - I have an inferior style council compilation bought for less than £3 a few years ago with the 1989 remix on, which was not a patch on the original.
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Released for the christmas market in 2006 and because Paul also won the BRIT award for outstanding contribution to British music that year, a comprehensive greates hits, including songs from the Jam and Style Council days, as well as Paul's solo career was needed. After all, the man Weller had managed a 30 year career!

Universal released a single CD and a twin DVD (both also called 'Hit Parade') but in my opinion, the 4cd boxset "Hit Parade," which I am reviewing is the most superior.

Firstly - if you like to be a comprehensive music fan - go for the 4 cd boxset. It is well worth the price. If you shop around, you can get hold of it for the same price as the solo CD (I did) and logic dictates, the 4 cd set is going to be more comprehensive than a single CD. The single CD is good but it contains 23 tracks, this 4 CD boxset has 64. Furthermore, the single CD version is sorely lacking in Jam singles - a mere 7 out of the 21 (including both sides of the 3 double 'A' sides) are present but rest assured, this 4 Cd boxset has all 21.

Now, my review of the boxset itself:

Packaging - the sleak, black packaging for this boxset is probably the best I have seen for a CD boxset. It is nice and compact, about the width and size of a paperback novel. This is welcome because most CD boxsets are too big to store on a standard CD rack and thus have to go on bookshelves or in my case, inside a wardrobe! Overall - 10/10 for the packaging.

The linernotes/sleevenotes - very detailed, but for a boxset, this is to be expected. Adrian Thrills is a former NME journalist and has interviewed Paul many times throughout his career, so it was fitting for him to write the notes. Adrian has written a gripping overview of Paul's career, full of anecdotes about Paul's days on tour and naturally about his infamous songs, interspersed with comments made by Paul himself from previous interviews etc. The notes are complete with many photographs of Paul during his 30 year career. The only thing I would like to have seen is a rundown of how each song fared on the British charts AND of course, the lyrics. However, it is a growing trend for the sleevenotes to not include lyrics these days. A real shame, but nevermind. 8/10 for the linernotes.

The tracklisting

Hit Parade is a collection of the singles so unfortunately, you won't find any album tracks or B-sides present. However, the idea behind 'Hit Parade' was to create a comprehensive greatest hits package, so I can't criticise the lack of Jam B-sides or album tracks. In any case, there have already been two comprehensive Jam and Style Council boxsets including the rarities.

The tracklistings for the CDs are listed below on the main Ciao page about this boxset, so to save space, I won't repeat them in my review.

CD 1 - The Jam era. All 21 singles from January 1977 to December 1982 (when they disbanded) are ALL HERE, including the forgetten double A-side hits to the more popular flip-side, which have been missing from various 'best ofs' recently - 'Precious' (double A-side with 'Town called malice') 'Dreams of children' ( 'Going underground') and ' 'A' Bomb in wardour street' (double A-side with 'David Watts.' )

CD 1 also includes the singles 'Strange Town,' 'When you're young' and 'The Bitterest Pill,' all of which made the top 20, but have been notably missing from several other compilations. In just under 6 years, the Jam scored 6 number 1 singles (including both sides of 2 double A-sides 'Town Called Malice/Precious,' 'Going Underground/Dreams of children' ) and the classic 'Start' which are probably to the casual fan, their most well-known hits.

A lot of people don't like Punk but CD 1 will surprise. Undoubtedly, 'Town called malice' (famously used on the Billy Elliott soundtrack) is one of the Jam's more accessible moments - heavy bassline similar to 'You can't hurry love,' which can really be described as an uplifting, almost soulful anthem whereas 'Going underground' epitomises the energy of post-Punk/new wave releases, to me at least!

CD 1 is my personal favourite - it is full of the energy and social commentary about Britain in quite an unsettled era but yet still inspiring songs that boom out of the car radio. The Jam were one of the best Punk acts on stage and listening to these recordings truly represents what fine musicians they were collectively.

CD 1 will take you on a rollercoaster - the short, snappy energy of Punk present on hits like 'In the city' and 'all around the world' to the haunting 'Down in the tube station at midnight', back to the highs of 'Start' and then to the final year of Jam releases where Paul's change in direction to a more soulful sound was encapsulated on three of the Jam's biggest hits - 'Beat surrender' 'the bitterest pill' and 'Town called malice.'

A lot of people forget how different each Jam song can be and I would not be in the least bit surprised that many don't realise that the quite soppy, acoustic love song currently used on the EnjoyEngland.com TV advert - "English Rose" - is none other than a Jam album track. In any event, check out 'Bitterest pill' and 'down in the tube station at midnight' for a true taste of the diversity of the Jam sound. These are two often overlooked Jam classics, both unique and two worlds apart from each other, yet nevertheless they capture the songwriting genius that is Paul Weller.

The caveat

The one qualm I have about CD 1 is that unfortunately, the original version of 'That's Entertainment' regarded by some as Paul's finest moment, is not present. This is becoming quite common with Jam compilations - the recent 'Snap' re-release has a 'demo' version and the 'Sound of the Jam' compilation has the same alternative take of 'That's entertainment' present on this boxset.

In my opinion, they messed up here! The more well-known single release is far superior to any other version and is the version most people know. Adidas didn't use the alternative or demo versions a few years ago for their TV campaign - they used the original single version. Why it was decided to put this inferior version on the boxset I don't know.

The original version of 'That's entertainment' can be found on the Jam boxset 'Direction, Reaction, Creation,' the original album 'sound effects' and the other singles compilation 'the very best of the Jam,' in case anybody is struggling to find it.

CD 1 - 9/10 overall. Would be 10/10 if the original version of "That's entertainment" were present.

CD 2 - The Style Council era. Fairly comprehensive, though it doesn't include 'Paris Match' the double A-side to 'Long hot summer', but every other hit released by the Council from 1983 - 1989 is present. CD 2 is essentially a replication of the 'Greatest Hits' compilation released several years ago - the same tracklisting, the same edits.

Thankfully the original version of 'Long hot summer' is present - I have an inferior style council compilation bought for less than £3 a few years ago with the 1989 remix on, which was not a patch on the original.

The Style Council was a different concept to the Jam, only the songwriting genius of Weller remained the same. If you listen to some of the Jam's later material (Beat Surrender, The Bitterest Pill) from Disc 1, it was easy to hear the change in direction Paul was taking. many ways, 'Speak like a child' (Style Council's first hit) would not sound out of place next to 'beat surrender' (The Jam's last.)

The Style Council's major hits 'Speak like a child,' 'Long hot summer,' 'shout to the top,' the ballad 'you're the best thing,' 'walls come tumbling down' and 'my ever changing moods' are all here, as well as the funky 'money go round,' 'solid bond in your hand' and the no. 9 hit from 1987 'it didn't matter.' "Speak like a child" and "shout to the top" are pure uplifting 80s pop songs but yet more sophisticated than some of the Mozzerella about at that time and moments such as "you're the best thing" and "long hot summer" are sheer relaxing bliss - perfect for quiet nights in or sitting on some tropical island.

The Style Council's stuff is probably the most accessible - very pop, very soulful. Paul wrote some great material during this era - a lot of it is very fun and lighthearted compared to some of the Jam's material, but the 1980s was a different time to the late 70s musically. I find the Style Council's later releases after 'shout to the top' quite hit and miss, but undoubtedly, a lot of people would disagree. I very often find myself skipping tracks just to get back to "Speak like a child."

Overall, I give disc 2 8/10.

Disc 3 - Paul's solo career (pt. 1)

Largely replicating the earlier compilation 'Modern classics,' this disc is indeed full of 'modern classics' - all of the hits from the era 1991 - 1998. To quite a few people, Paul became disappointing during the 1980s - a lot of Jam fans didn't like The Style Council (including the band Tears For Fears, who famously said 'kick out the Style, bring back the Jam' on their 1989 classic 'sowing the seeds.')

However, Paul moved back to a rockier sound during the 1990s and became embraced as the 'godfather of Britpop,' by bands who had been hugely inspired by the Jam (notably Oasis.) However, Paul's music during the 1990s was to me far away from the Blur, Pulp, Oasis, Levellers etc. sound of the time. Paul was making more mature records in his third decade and really let his always roots in true Rhythm and Blues and inspirations from Otis Redding and others flow and to me, this disc encapsulates these influences.

One thing that has to be said is that Paul's vocals really come into their own on disc 3.

Disc 3 has some true rock anthems on it such as the 1995 classic 'the changingman' - very similar to the ELO hit 10538 overture - which is regarded as a defining moment from this era. The Changingman is many people's favourite - it was released bang in the middle of the Britpop era and became a live classic. It is a definite driving record, crashing guitars, drums and roaring vocals.

The infamous 'Out of the sinking,' with its huge buildup moment, which was used on Sky Sports for many years on a Sunday afternoon is also present. A different song from the 'Changingman' but another live classic, the vocals are more reserved but still distinctly Weller. Both perfect for winding the windows down in the car!

Disc 3 has many mellow moments that do represent Paul's Rhythm & Blues influences, especially on hits such as 'above the clouds,' and 'you do something to me.' 'You do something to me,' (originally from the classic 'Stanley Road' album) is frequently used as an alternative first dance at weddings and is the soundtrack to many couple's lives. It is a truly beautiful song - not a lot to dislike about it, though some will disagree I'm sure.

The acoustic 'wild wood' (which has since been sampled by Gabrielle on her 2007 song 'Why,' which Paul actually contributed to personally) was also a key moment from this era. A nice relaxing song with great, mature vocals, a catchy melody and a warm sound. Perfect for a quiet night in by the fire. Paul's vocals make the song complete, though the quite eerie arrangement obviously has a big part to play.

There are still some soulful overtones on disc 3 leftover from the Council era - notably the earlier material such as 1992's 'uh huh oh yeh' which samples the Supreme's motown classic 'reflections' and complete with its brass section, is very reminiscent to soul classics of the late 60s. 'Uh huh oh yeh' is a fun moment on this CD, as well as the hit 'the weaver,' which has some great lyrics, though even I don't know what he was trying to get at.

My two recommendations for forgotten classics include the hit 'broken stones,' which is probably one of my favourite chill-out tracks - very summery sound and lyrically, faultless - "Like pebbles on a beach, kicked around displaced by feet..." Simple, but made by the excellent vocals. The other one is "above the clouds," which in a way has an almost Fleetwood Mac 'albatross' vibe mixed with soulful guitar licks and bluesy vocals - it is perfect for relaxing and in many ways represents what Paul sings : "summer always goes so quick."

Overall, I give disc 3 10/10.

Disc 4 - the shortest of the three discs. To many, this will be a catch-up disc and I indeed have not yet had a chance to listen to all of Paul's recent material. The disc includes the singles from the 'heliocentric,' 'illumination,' 'studio 150' and 'as is now albums.' Paul has released very good live albums during this era such as 'days of speed' from 2001 (a live, acoustic album with some great versions of 'that's entertainment' and 'town called malice') and 'catch-flame,' but neither of these are represented.

Disc 4 continues with the distinctive Paul Weller solo career sound - a mixture of rock, acoustic, rhythm and blues and soul. The standout tracks on this disc for me are :

the excellent 'it's written in the stars' which is one of the most uplifting songs Paul has written - an almost 60s quality to it with its psychedelic breaks

the classic cover version of Rose Royce's 'wishing on a star' - given the Paul weller acoustic, rhythm & blues treatment - this version has become quite well known in recent years and is probably one of the best recordings of such a great song.

the new interpretation of Sister Sledge's 'thinking of you' - again, a soul classic given an almost 'wild wood' treatment - full of acoustic guitars, the inclusion of violins and paul's mature vocals give this song a whole new outlook.

Sadly the set does not include the single 'wild blue yonder,' which was actually released on the same day as this boxset. Hopefully this will be included on Paul's next album. Hopefully!

Overall, disc 4 has some great moments on it and secures Paul's legendary songwriting and performance into the 21st century. 9/10.

Paul Weller is worth seeing live and hopefully listening to this boxset will inspire you. A living legend, this man's contribution to British music is immense, as encapsulated on these 4 discs.

Worth buying!

Overall - 19/20. 

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