Customer Reviews

Studio 150

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have been a fan of Paul Weller's since 1982, when I first got into the Jam. Being a Weller fan in the US has never been easy, with little or no radio play, NO US TV coverage (hello, MTV?!) and years in between tours (if you can call 6 cities a tour). Things have gotten better in recent years with his newer cd's and even dvd's being available here. Which brings us to Studio 150; this is an amazing cd! We all know of Weller's habit of cover versions as B-Sides, but an entire cd worth is heaven! I for one am glad he didn't do the "obvious" covers (Beatles, Who, Kinks, etc.). This collection shows just how diverse his musical tastes are, and kind of explains alot of his song choices from the whole of his career. The Jam were a paradox,with raw power-driven songs like "Eaton Rifles", "Down in the Tube Station at Midnight" and "Going Underground" being balanced out by beautiful ballads such as "English Rose" and the pre-Style Council cafe' jazz of "Shopping". Then of course, the Style Council had R&B, soul and jazz influences galore. Weller's solo career found him returning to his guitar, but also keeping a tight grip on his R&B influences. (Weller has one of the most soulful voices of ANY singer - EVER!) The songs on Studio 150 are an intermission until the next studio album per se.Alot of interesting song choices here, with songs made famous by the Carpenter's, and Neil Young. Many obscure songs that I for one had never heard before. The highlight of the cd for me is definitely his version of Gordon Lightfoot's "Early Morning Rain". There have been many versions of this song over the years, including one by Elvis. Weller's version puts them all to shame. The sparse arrangement and soulful vocals are a spine-tingling combination that brought tears to my eyes the first time I heard it. Simply amazing! Do yourself a favor, and buy this cd; it is testimony of Weller's amazing talent and incredible voice, nearly 30 years on. Keep on, Paul! Jeff Koger

I had never heard of The Jam or Paul Weller until recently, so decided to give this a go. Now I'm going to buy everything else he's ever done. I cannot stop playing this album.

I never listen to Style Council before. It was guts that pushed me to get Paul Weller's "Studio 150", after I saw Paul Weller's Live In Hyde Park DVD (Wonderful DVD, im recommending it to everybody...) Man..this cd is great. My personnal favorites: "Black is the colour", "early morning rain", "all alone in the watchtower" and "birds". Suprisingly, "close to You" came out great. My least choice is "If only I could Be sure". But hell, its still a great album...destined to be classic.

I agree with the previous reviewer and disagree as well. I think Paul Weller's albums never seemed to fall short (except for Heliocentric -- what was that one about?). Wild Wood, Stanley Road, and Illumination are absolute staples of my CD collection. Anyway...

This new album of covers, Studio 150, blows my socks off. You know when you get a CD, you put it in, and you just get a sense of magic as it plays? Like the music couldn't have come to you at a better time than NOW. This will be my album of autumn 2004.
Every track is dynamite, and I love how our Royal Modness puts his own spin on every track. "One Way Road" sounds ten times better than the original Oasis track. "Birds" is another example, Paul's voice suits the song extremely well and makes it his own. If you ever felt that Neil Young doesn't have the vocal prowess to fully punctuate the greatness of his tunes (i'm sure we've all felt this way), Paul's version of "Birds" is an answer to your wish.

Also! I purchased my copy at Tower Records. It was shrink-wrapped with a 6-track bonus CD that included all the b-sides and a couple outtakes. What a deal! 18 tracks for $11.99. Reason alone to get the bonus disc is for "Let It Be Me". My father is a huge Everly Brothers fan, and he was stunned at how beautifully done Mr. Weller's version is. True and respectable to the original, but Wellerized to include that signature Modfather sound.

This CD will surely be at home with fans of Paul Weller's solo work. A lot of fans who loved the smoothness and funkiness of his debut album, but since have slowly lost interest, will particularly Studio 150 because Paul goes back to a lot of his R&B and soul roots with this masterpiece.

5 whole-hearted stars. Buy this album!

wellers first virgin records release is a solid covers album that has some fine moments. Fans may be suprised to find no who-small faces or kinks covers but hes done that already. The modfathers highlights on studio 150 include the traditonal Black is the color that is arranged and sung like a lighter Nick cave-great violin arrangement- dylans all along the watchtower is slowed down with some gospel backing and some jamming hammond organ that works rather well- bacharachs -close to you is also class stuff but the true highlight is thinking of you which comes off like an early solo weller or style council number- better than the nile rodgers original. Overall there is some similairity to Stanley Road in both recording and vocals- lots of piano and strings galore. Other tracks are all solid if not typical Weller- no real artistic walls broken here-just good solid homage to some of his favorite tunes. Gordon lightfoot is a suprise with a nice rendering of early morning rain. For me this is just a precursor for the next regular weller record- this comes across effortless-sometimes too effortless with occassinal lacklustre vocals but the musicanship is flowing and the us album cover is pure class all the way! Longtime fans wont be suprised but they wont be disappointed either.

I could attempt to disect every song on this cd and relate their importance, but I'll skip all of that to say this: put it on and just let it play for days. Paul Weller has chosen some really great songs to cover and gives all of them the justice they're due. Probably his most consistent work in some time. The voice is there: clear, concise, and smooth. He surrounded himself with some really good backing musicians also. But the color layout of the insert makes it difficult to determine who are the contributing artists. A minor discrepancy that is tolerable.

How many do better than the original? At least, one does. Believe it or not, Paul just does it. If you get a chance to listen to Fellin' Alright, you'll be even more convinced. I've seen the guy a dozen times on stage. He really overdoes them all.

I've read some dismissive reviews of this record, and I can't understand them (unless the authors just plain don't like Paul). It's excellent, whether or not you're a Weller fan (as I am). His voice is superb, and there is a sincerity and excitement to his renditions (Close to You never sounded less sappy!). The musicianship is first rate. It's true that I'd rather listen to a Weller original than a cover album, but it's still a fine effort!

Paul Weller's self titled first solo album is, no doubt, one of the finest albums I own. I played it throughout college and gave it as a gift on countless occasions. Subsequent releases by this mod master always seeemd to fall short. Now comes "Studio 150" and Paul Weller's return to greatness. Perhaps U.S. audiences will stop listening to crap and get a load of this CD. A crafty blend of funky grooves, slick jazz fills, and acoustic ballads portrays Weller as his best. Add to this the peerless drumming of Steve White and you have a masterpiece. If you can keep your seat during "The Bottle" I suggest you see a doctor. "Thinking of You" is so sweet that any guy should rush home and play it for his wife or girlfriend. Paul Weller plays Nile Rodgers! How good can you get. So often "cover" albums fail to live up to expectations. . .this one does not so go ahead and buy it now.

As a big fan of all things Paul Weller I awaited the arrival of this CD with great anticipation. I was not disappointed, another wonderful album, Paul never fails to delight. Even though it is a cover album his version of Black Is The Colour is fantastic as is Wishing on a Star. Original Paul is still what we all love, but this is the next best thing. A must for any true Weller fan, and a great album for anyone's collection.