PAUL WELLER concert revue

Paul Weller is presently touring Europe and my wife and I on Sunday 10th of November went to see him perform at E-Werk in Köln.

 

The support for the night was “Me and Cassity” who performed a two-piece acoustic guitar act. “Me and Cassity” have a new album   "HOPE, WITH A PAIN CHASER" the album and studio work is well produced and seams destined to grace your CD collection, all be it to gather dust soon after it’s arrival. “Me and Cassity” should be better than they are, the lyrics are clever and witty “Number one single” and  “Won't die for you” all get your foot tapping and ”To be a girl” may even enjoy a little UK chart success given the right exposure. The problem with the band is that they come across as too clever leaving you feeling as if you have missed the “in joke” At first I thought the audience, excluding me, were all involved with their wry smiles and knowing winks after most of their songs? But looking around at the vacant faces, it was obvious that the band was enjoying them selves a little too much and the audience weren’t.  “Me and Cassity” lack attitude and soul, OK they can play their instruments and the singer has real talent, I was left feeling as if I had seen John Denver’s little brother trying to be hip and trendy but falling well short of the mark.

 

You can hear some of “Me and Cassity” stuff here:  

i'd do it again [3:40]
how does it feel to cry? [4:43]
number one single [3:43]
to be a girl [4:06]
slip&slide [4:10]
the queen of 32nd street [2:30]
can't stop the rain [5:10]
have you seen me lately? [3:28]
my life without you [3:58]
won't die for you [4:15]
shortcut to the sun [4:19]
she's in my head [4:53]
we are there [5:50]

Post note: After the concert I spent a bit of time playing the album "HOPE, WITH A PAIN CHASER" By  “Me and Cassity” I have now been totally converted! The album is superb, I can't remember the last time I did a "U-Turn" like this, sorry  “Me and Cassity”, you stank live but the album is the fuckin dogs bollox! Yours Simon Cuerden

Paul Weller

 

Paul Weller fans were in for a treat! The Mod Father with Steve Cradock (Ocean Colour Scene) on Lead guitar and, Damon Minchella (Ocean Colour Scene) on Bass.

 

A two-hour feast of back catalogued Weller belted out by Paul, now 45ish, and showing no sign of slowing down. Paul was once described as “An angry young man” tonight his stage presence showed maturity and honesty. Performing his first song he seamed a little nervous, but came across as human and vulnerable and the crowd warmed to him

 

The crowd was not chocker block with Weller fans, Mods and Scooter boys rather the opposite. The trendy concert goers of Köln were out in full force and in true typical German style their was a real reluctance to “Let them selves go” I don’t know if I was hoping for them all to go mental and start “Pogoing”? But I think the performers would have appreciated a little movment above the waist!

 

We all take Paul Weller for granted now, expecting high quality performances of music that has done so much to keep British music alive and fresh. His album Heliocentric didn’t sell well in Europe and you some times feel as if Paul Weller will not ever be realised from a decade of gum-gnawing geezerness.

 

Perhaps, in order for him to move forward, he has to virtually erase his own past it seems that the far more sensitive Weller is tentatively re-emerging once again.

 

In the early days of The Jam it was tracks such as Carnaby Street, In The City & the anti punk anthem All Around the World that would have audiences on their feet from the very start. Later on it would be the likes of Going Underground, Strange Town and Funeral Pyre this wasn’t the Jam, the Jam is dead……………..long live Weller! A brilliant concert.

 

Simon Cuerden

 

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