Like all great songwriters you could always rely on Paul Weller to come up with a good cover version – whether it was with The Jam (The Kinks’ ‘David Watts’) or in solo mode (Curtis Mayfield’s ‘Move On Up’, Traffic’s ‘Feelin’ Alright’, etc).
For his 10th studio album he’s gone the whole hog and recorded an entire album of covers. Wisely not confining himself to his more obvious mod and pop influences the choice of songs is eclectic and in some cases brave, ranging from rock, soul, folk and disco to what might be regarded by some as easy listening MOR fare.
The one thing they have in common is they’re all great songs and he brings a fresh perspective on chestnuts such as Gordon Lightfoot’s ‘Early Morning Rain’, The Carpenters’ Burt Bacharach-penned ballad ‘Close To You’ and Neil’s Young’s plaintive After The Goldrush track, ‘Birds’
The folk standard ‘Black Is The Colour’ is another surprise and who could have ever imagined Sister Sledge’s disco classic ‘Thinking of You’ receiving the Weller treatment? That and Rose Royce’s great ’70’s slow-burner ‘Wishing On A Star’ underline his broader than average influences. Even Dylan’s over-exposed ‘All Along The Watchtower’ sounds incredibly fresh.
The combination of well-chosen covers and Weller’s passionate delivery make this one of his most refreshingly satisfying albums in a while, and a worthy addition to the Weller cannon.