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This Review and 317 Others Like It
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GOODY TWO SHOES
2CD Deluxe Editions (Occasional Threesome), Expanded Reissues and Compilations
All Info From The Discs Themselves
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"...You Do Something To Me..."
Who would have Woking believed it!
Well, most of us surrendered hairlines to start with!
Paul Weller's musical solo career was always going to be rollercoaster ride without a barf bag – and after two superb outings post The Jam and The Style Council – the Modfather hit that stride we all knew was one day a-coming good sir with Door No. 3.
I can still remember going into HMV on Oxford Street on that May 1995 Monday morning (28 years ago now in 2023) to see the huge displays of Peter Blake's iconic photograph montage that graced the LP-Sized Box Set version – our hero's third studio album named after a street the young Weller grew up on in the North West Surrey town of Woking – Stanley Road. Preceded three weeks earlier by the killer Rock-Soul riffage of "The Changingman" EP – we fans were pumped and primed and once the beast got home – it did not disappoint.
Hardly surprising really then that a DELUXE EDITION emerged a mere ten years later and almost to the day. Here are the never jaded George Bests and Wilfred Owens...light the fuse...
UK released 30 May 2005 - "Stanley Road" by PAUL WELLER on Universal Music Catalogue (UMC)/Island 9828401 (Barcode 602498284018) is a 10th Anniversary 3-Disc Deluxe Edition (2CDs and 1DVD) with a Remastered Album, Single B-sides, Previously Unreleased Demos and New DVD Visual Content. It plays out as follows:
CD1 (77:12 minutes):
Original LP
1. The Changingman [Side 1]
2. Porcelain Gods
3. I Walk On Gilded Splinters
4. You Do Something To Me
5. Woodcutter's Son
6. Time Passes...
7. Stanley Road [Side 2]
8. Broken Stones
9. Out Of The Sinking
10. Pink On White Walls
11. Whirlpools' End
12. Wings Of Speed
B-Sides
13. Sexy Sadie
14. I'd Rather Go Blind
15. It's A New Day, Baby
16. I Didn't Mean To Hurt You (Live)
17. My Whole World Is Falling Down (BBC Radio 1, Evening Sessions, First Transmitted 8 May 1995)
18. A Year Late
19. Woodcutter's Son (BBC Radio 1, Evening Sessions, First Transmitted 8 May 1995)
NOTES on CD1:
Tracks 1 to 12 are the album "Stanley Road" – released 15 May 1995 in the UK on Go! Discs 828 629-1 (LP) 828 629-2 (CD Box set) and 828 619-1 (Single CD Non Box Set Version) – Produced by PAUL WELLER and BRENDAN LYNCH – the album peaked at No. 1 on the UK LP charts (it didn't chart in the USA).
Tracks 13 and 14 are cover versions – The Beatles for "Sexy Sadie" and Etta James then Chicken Shack for "I'd Rather Go Blind". "Sexy Sadie" was the Non-LP B-side to "Out of The Sinking" (Oct 1994) while "I'd Rather Go Blind", "It's A New Day, Baby" and "I Didn't Mean To Hurt You (Live)" were all Non-LP B-sides to "The Changingman" EP (April 1995). Track 17 (a cover of a William Bell US Stax 45 from April 1969), Track 18 and 19 are on the "You Do Something To Me" EP (July 1995).
CD2 (66:25 minutes):
Demos
1. Trident Jam (Take 3, Manor Studio, 4 Jan 1995)
2. Pink On White Walls (Demo 2, Nomis Rehearsal Room, 21 July 1994)
3. Porcelain Gods (8-Track Demo, Nomis Rehearsal Room, 2 Feb 1995)
4. Broken Stones (Demo 1, Manor Studios, 8 Dec 1994)
5. Wings Of Speed (8-Track Demo, Solid Bond Demo Studio, 9 Sep 1994)
6. The Changingman (8-Track Demo, Solid Bond Demo Studio, 8 Sep 1994)
7. Everyone Must Have A Purpose (Manor Studios, 1 Dec 1994)
8. You Do Something To Me (Demo 3, Manor Studios, 1 Feb 1994)
9. A Year Later (Demo 1, Manor Studios, 20 Jul 1994)
10. Whirlpools' End/Stream (Alternative Version – Solid Bond Demo Studios, 25 Jul 1995)
11. Gtr + Moog Jam (Demo, Manor Studios, 7 Jan 1995)
12. Corrina, Corrina (Manor Studios, 7 Jan 1995)
13. Out On The Weekend (Manor Studios, 10 Dec 1994)
14. Time Passes (Demo 2, Manor Studios, 10 Dec 1994)
15. Time Passes (Demo 3, Manor Studios, July 1994)
16. Wings Of Speed (Demo 2, Manor Studios, 10 Dec 1994)
17. Stanley Road (Demo 1, Manor Studios, Dec 1994)
18. Woodcutter's Son (8-Track Demo, Nomis Rehearsal Room, 2 Feb 1995)
19. Porcelain Gods (Instrumental, Manor Studios, 15 Feb 1995)
DVD – Stanley Road Revisited – A Short Film by Simon Halfon
NTSC Region 0 (All Regions), Aspect Ratio 4:3, 5.1 and Stereo Sound
1. Broke 'N' Stoned (Stanley Road Revisited) – 30:12 minutes
2. Out Of The Sing – Promo Video – 3:58 minutes
3. The Changingman – Promo Video – 3:29 minutes
4. You Do Something To Me – Promo Video – 3:33 minutes
5. Broken Stones (Promo Clip) – 3:22 minutes
Far from being a re-hash or tenth anniversary cash-in – you can hear and see that effort was made to make this celebration of his first great solo moment a wee bit of a fan-fest (both Paul Weller and his album-collaborator Brendan Lynch overall producers of the DE). True devotees (or which there are many) would of course have had all the Weller B-sides as they bought the sevens and CD singles on release throughout 1994 and 1995 (Peter Blake of Sgt. Peppers Beatles fame even did the artwork). But the 19 Demos on Disc 2, the 30-Minute Short Film and New Interviews in the 32-page booklet are new and more than worthy of inclusion.
The over-sized 32-page booklet features a superlative overview by long-time Mod Disciple PAULO HEWITT (Spring 2005 in London) who tells it as it was. THE JAM fans are a seriously fanatical bunch (THE SMITHS the same) and after a poll pasting by them for the Cod-Soul vibe of the whole Style Council period (something they tolerated as a sideshow) – Paul Weller’s Solo Career was to heal all and restore the faith. And it did. Armed with fellow conspirators and devotees in Rock-Soul like guitarist Steve Cradock – Weller switched moods on the LP with fabulous effect – Smalls Faces London one moment – English Shires Nick Drake delicacy the next – American Gospel influences on the last track – the amazing "Wings Of Speed". Drugs are discussed, the gorgeous artwork, the sense of event even. Brendan Lynch types some notes on the non-perfection of the Demos – but does quite rightly point out that the running order gives you an eardrop on the recording process (tempo too fast here, one bar short there). You get lyrics, outtake photos from the period, re-issue credits – a very tasty and satisfying read.
GARY MOORE of Universal Soul and Jazz CD Reissues fame handled the Remaster and sure "The Changingman" is chunkier, but I don't know if the album needed any kind of tweaking realistically. The stuff on CD2 feels amplified – like definite uplift has taken place – overall a sweet job done and an impressive overhaul.
The core band features co-producer and musician Brendan Lynch (who had worked with Weller on the September 1992 debut "Paul Weller" and its follow-up in September 1993, "Wild Wood"), Steve Cradock of Ocean Colour Scene on Guitar and Vocals with Bassists Dr. Robert, Mark Nelson and Yolanda Charles and one-time Style Council Drummer Steve White. The guest list impressed too - Vocalist Carleen Anderson (daughter of Soul Legend Vicky Anderson - Carleen's Godfather was James Brown!) sings on "The Changingman" and alongside Dr. Robert (Bruce Howard of The Blow Monkeys) on "Woodcutter's Son". Speaking of the same – both "Woodcutter's Son" and "Pink On White Walls" feature Keyboards from the legendary Steve Winwood of The Spencer David Group, Traffic, Blind Faith and Solo Career fame – the kind of ace 60ts geezer Weller would worship at the feet of (and rightly so). Carleen also contributes vocals on three others - "Broken Stones", "Out Of The Sinking" and "Wings Of Speed".
Noel Gallagher of Oasis provides Acoustic Guitar on the Dr. John cover "I Walk On Gilded Splinters" aided by Galliano Vocalist Constantine Weir. His old mucker with The Style Council Mick Talbot plays keyboards on "Broken Stones" and the LP finisher "Wings Of Speed". His long-time collaborator and Co-Producer Brendan Lynch (worked with Primal Scream and Ocean Colour Scene too) co-wrote the big anthem "The Changingman" and turns up on lots of tracks playing all manner of instruments – Mini-Moog, Finger Cymbals and a Cyremin. Weller also collaborates with Keyboardist and String Arranger Helen Turner – her arrangement influence all over the record.
The Funking-Soulful-Bluesy-Rock New-Crew-meets-Old-World sound of "Stanley Road" produced four cracking singles the populace of Blighty took to big time – somehow sensing a major released was unfolding (it was Weller's first UK No. 1 album). "Out Of The Sinking" pre-empted the LP (24 October 1994, peaked at No. 20) followed by "The Changingman" EP (24 April 1995, peaked at 7) and then into the ballad "You Do Something To Me" (10 July 1995, peaked at 9) and "Broken Stones" (18 September 1995, peaked at 20) - each with an array of Non-LP B-sides - seven of which are on CD1.
There is an improvement in Audio for the tingling "Porcelain Gods" – the atmosphere lifting and falling with guitars and drums and cymbal crashes – not disappointed when it falls – become shattering when it goes into that guitar crescendo half way through. That guitar lick cleverly sets up the one cover version on an album of originals – the Dr. John debut album masterpiece perfectly suiting Weller in almost every single way – segue into "I Walk On Gilded Splinters". Walk on pins and needles with the king of the Zulus – I have always loved how the grungy guitars pay no heed to audiophile – just riffage raw and pure. Time to mellow and contemplate - "You Do Something To Me" – a great Paul Weller love song beautifully executed. And just when you had settled back to wallow and drink your whiskey deep – Weller slams you with the most fantastic Rock-Funk chugger ever – the cut you down with a glance "Woodcutter's Son". Give this Remaster a bit of welly on the Volume Control and you will be mainlining Steve Marriott and Humble Pie absolutely tearing it up like the great band they were. And then he ends a perfect Side 1 with another genuinely moving Rock-Ballad in "...Time Passes..." – a tune that bears more than a passing resemblance to the Faces circa their 1971 ramshackle masterpiece "A Nod's As Good A Wink To A Blind Horse..." on Warner Brothers before a weird "Tomorrow Never Knows" type backwards tape fade out.
Piano-Funk punches "Stanley Road" into life as we enter Side 2 – another head-shaker with sloppy guitars and dreams of days on the road that went on and on. About as commercial as he gets, "Broken Stones" was always going to be a single at some time – his hurt at the future wrapped up in a jaunty electric-piano plink. Like something out of the guitar rawk sections of "Abbey Road" via "I Want You (She’s So Heavy)" – his London Mod's Love Song "Out Of The Sinking" comes a swaggering and shaping out of your Small Faces speakers with hugely confident riffs and a solo that George Harrison would have declared an economic winner (Carleen Anderson making her vocals heard). And on the album goes to the superb acoustic strum vs. wild electric guitar and Farfisa organ sound of "Whirlpools' End" – surely one of the LPs great unsung-tracks. Weller closes proceedings with a piano ballad that reminds you of Ronnie Lane melodies - "Wings Of Speed" – moving into clever almost church-like girly vocals. And you are left with a feeling – the whole album is good – not just parts – all of it. And that Rocks.
Come the B-sides, a strangely deflating "Sexy Sadie" is followed by something far more exciting and suitable to the great man – the Etta James (initial) and (covered by) Chicken Shack classic "I'd Rather Go Blind". Weller gives it a funeral paced Faces-meets-Del Amitri sloppy going over and it feels and sounds fabulous (Christine Perfect/McVie – then with Chicken Shack - would have smiled and Etta would have nodded approval at a kindred spirit). But while the cover versions pleased, little could have prepared Weller fans for the 2:02 minute brilliance of "It's A New Day, Baby" – an album studio recorded outtake plopped onto "The Changingman" EP. Many thought it too good to not be on the album as say a CD or MC Bonus Track. We then get a cool William Bell Stax single cover version (from a well-produced BBC session) followed by a tender-heart acoustic/cellos ballad in the Nick Drake lovely "A Year Late". To finish, we go back to riffage, a fantastically ballsy BBC version where the band just lets it rip. It ends a near-perfect CD1 with a wallop.
CD2 is a process – each track allowing you to see how the LP was built up – dialogue between tracks – the power of a band on stuff like "Porcelain Gods" where he and the boys rock out experimental and unrestrained. Love the Blues Rock Mick Ronson Guitar-riffing simplicity of "Broken Stones" – again his players getting it as Weller sings of broken things and another piece shattered. The very Let It Be piano of "Wings Of Speed" has its loveliness intact in Demo form – his vocal more gravel than ache. You can so hear why the fantastic riffage of "The Changingman" was brought to the fore and the Sci-Fi squeals of the Cyremin mixed in a less-obtrusive way.
We then get a genuine moment of Paul Weller gorgeousness recorded at the Manor Studios in December 1994 – the band suddenly slipping into a Ronnie Lane Slim Chance vs. Mercury Years Rod Stewart vibe with the lilting "Everyone Must Have A Purpose". It may only last 2:37 minutes and have some mutterings at the end – but it is so damn good. That's followed too by a very sweet "You Do Something To Me" – the song already classic in all its keyboards swirls. Beautiful continues with "A New Year" – even in Demo form of acoustic and piano and voice – it feels like eavesdropping on a take of "English Rose" from "All Mod Cons" by The Jam in 1978. In fact I would argue that there is something in this early 4:11 minute take of "A New Year" that is even more touching than the released version – real heartache taped.
And just when you think all the demos are going to descend into an interesting but not-needed flow - you get a fab run of goodies I turn to more than I do my overplayed LP. A mad slightly Psych instrumental variant of "Whirlpools' End/Stream" followed by a seriously great 1:25 minutes of acoustic Gordon Lightfoot guitar goofing where some brilliant melody is trying to fight its way out. Then he does his best Richie Havens on a cover of "Corrina, Corrina" and more slide acoustic with Harmonica lonesomeness on the Neil Young gem "Out On The Weekend". There is a delicate Acoustic version of "Time Passes" first that is followed by a Piano and Band version where the band goes all ramshackle-but-musical Faces circa "Long Player" in 1970.
The DVD film might be short but it covers every base – Co-Producer Brendan Lynch mucks in with Guitarist Steve Cradock and Drummer Steve White while guests Noel Gallagher (witty and self-deprecating) and Weller himself explain that after three-four years honing songwriting skills through the self-titled debut and the follow-up Wild Wood. In short, even though his personal life had horrors, career-wise, everything had slipped into place. They had finished a Phoenix Festival – the band was hot – his tunes were banging and with Cradock and White on board – the public hooked into the album too. Weller decries the Press pigeonholing everything in 1994 and 1995 as Brit-Pop. The video clips are so period it hurts – but they only hammer home the greatness of the record and the time. Very, very cool...
I guess the ultimate accolade is that "Stanley Road" – his third and probably most famous platter - like beloved albums "Revolver" or "Innervisions" or The Strokes and Libertines debuts – is now looked at with the same misty-eyed affection as they are. Is there any of us who would look at "Marquee Moon" or "Hounds Of Love" or even "The Lexicon Of Love" for that matter, and not smile. Not happening, not now, not ever - my scooter crew. And "Stanley Road" achieved that in 1995 and is still doing so to this day...
