Pinnacle (label)
12 June 2006 (released)
20 June 2006
This latest live double album kicks off with Weller classic 'The Weaver' showcasing the legend's gruff voice and timeless guitar to its all-time best.
Weller is one of those true artists that manages to cross both generations and genres. His talent for songwriting, poetry of lyric and natural passion for his instrument never fail to please and this is no exception.
His voice doesn't falter ' it's as brusquely powerful and full of depth as you would expect and hope for.
You know what you're getting when you go to see Paul Weller live and anyone buying this album in a bid to take a little piece of that home will not be disappointed.
His solo on 'Paper Smile' is subtly knocked back but still does everything you need. 'Floorboards' is reminiscent of an almost bluesy return to the Jam before hitting epitomal solo Weller with 'The Changingman' on track 7.
This is where he starts to play around a bit ' not straying from the track we all know and love, but just improv'ing enough on certain notes held and the pace of the recorded version to add a bit of variety. I imagine he might have got a bit ' dare I say it - bored of this one just as it is, and has added a few little intermittent mini solos and innovative vocal arrangements to keep it fresh.
'Savages' he introduces, although he clearly understands that so few of his tracks need any introduction at all. 'Going Places' is softly acoustic in parts for a slight change of pace.
Disc Two smashes in with 'In The Crowd' and the nine-minute track includes a killer drum solo that does his percussionist proud.
'Up In Suze's Room' gives a mid section little near a cappella sequence giving a little audience interaction.
The collection includes such classic Jam as 'That's Entertainment' and 'A Town Called Malice' and his favourite covers 'Wishing on a Star' and 'Shout it to the Top' that have become so associated with the man himself they could not really be absent. But ultimately this is all about Paul Weller and proving once again his solo expertise and deserved superstardom.
To put it succinctly ' if it's not too late for that ' I could wax lyrical about Paul Weller all night long. We all know what he is and what he can do. Catch Flame! is a little piece of him in a takeaway live format. I wish I'd been there.
