Customer Reviews

Paul Weller: Under the Influence

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From looking at the cover of this CD, you'd think it was a Paul Weller album. It's not. What we have here is Weller's choice of 16 tracks by artists who have influenced him. Confusing matters further is that Weller is apparently working on a covers album at the moment (according to paulweller.com).

Not that this is a bad record--far from it. The mix of rock 'n' roll, soul, funk, reggae, and jazz shows how far-reaching Weller's influences are. His liner notes are clever and informative (he mentions that he deliberately left out the Beatles and the Small Faces, since those influences are obvious in his music). And like all great compilations, this one leaves the listener wanting to hear more from these artists.

He just should have titled it more clearly (e.g., "Paul Weller presents..." or "Chosen by Paul Weller"?).

I love albums like this. Just like listening to the collection of songs that Tricky selected on "Back to Mine", listening to this album gives you insight into what makes Weller's own music sound like it does. This album combines tunes by various musicians who have influenced Weller from generes such as jazz, funk and rock (and more) which makes sense because they all come out in Weller's own tunes.

If you are like me, and have all the diverse tastes as your own, you will really appreciate this compilation both as an insight into Paul Weller and also as a really cool mix CD on its own.

I know no one who appreciates this man's music more than myself.
From the early days of the enraging Jam to the sophisticated eletronic-pop-soulful-bossa nova Style Council to, finally, his latter solo carrer..I like it all. This record, however, does not live up to its expectations. I agree that the selection is one of good taste, but that's all there is to it. The title is misleading, since he does perform any of the songs here, and some of them are a bit difficult to live with. Let's wait on another brillant record from Paul. He deserves it and we do too..