My latest podcast guest - Camelle Hinds was an Honorary Councillor from January 1985 - playing bass in The Style Council band on tour and on the LPs from Our Favourite Shop through to the final rejected Modernism LP.

We'll hear about special memories of that time - including Live Aid and the famous 3 nights at Wembley, with a 15 piece string section, that was captured on film for the Showbiz video. When Paul Weller returned as a solo artist, Camelle joined the live band - and also contributed to a couple of songs on the first LP with credits on Round & Round and Kosmos (Backing Vocals). He also played on the recording of All Year Round (Live) which was the B-Side to Above the Clouds.

Find out more about Camelle and his career at PaulWellerFanPodcast.comThanks for listening - make sure that you subscribe / follow and leave a review - and if you want to support the podcast financially, you can buy me a virtual coffee (£3) at paulwellerfanpodcast.com/shop

Find podcast show notes and sign up for regular information at PaulWellerFanPodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Derek D Souza started taking photos of Paul Weller over 40 years ago – snapping The Jam at various gigs and soundchecks before the famous shoot at Chiswick House in London.Attending concerts across London, he would smuggle his kit in and take photos at every opportunity, sending the best ones in to their fan club. His photographs, taken with a low-budget, manual camera from the midst of crowds in low-lit venues, caught the attention of Paul Weller. Two years later, Paul’s mum, Ann contacted Derek and he was commissioned to take photos for the band’s 1981 single “Absolute Beginners”. One of Derek’s images from that day has even been added to the National Portrait Gallery’s collection. Take a listen to hear about his love of The Jam and how he captured photographs of the band from the viewpoint of the crowd...And find out more at PaulWellerFanPodcast.comThanks for listening - make sure that you subscribe / follow and leave a review - and if you want to support the podcast financially, you can buy me a virtual coffee (£3) at paulwellerfanpodcast.com/shop

Find podcast show notes and sign up for regular information at PaulWellerFanPodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My latest very special guest is Conor O Brien, otherwise known as the multi-award-winning singer-songwriter behind the band Villagers.

We dig in to a love of Paul's music (and vice-versa) along with collaborations over the years from US tour support to The Black Barn Sessions and writing together for True Meanings - and even their recent performance together at The Roundhouse in London.Villagers latest LP - Fever Dreams - is an amazing piece of work too - well worth checking out.

Find out more with links to the back catalogue, videos with Paul Weller and my blog about Villagers at PaulWellerFanPodcast.com

Thanks for listening - make sure that you subscribe / follow and leave a review - and if you want to support the podcast financially, you can buy me a virtual coffee (£3) at paulwellerfanpodcast.com/shop

Find podcast show notes and sign up for regular information at PaulWellerFanPodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I know... I can't believe it either! Kenny Wheeler has joined The Paul Weller Fan Podcast. What an absolute honour.A man who has been part of the Weller team for over 40 years now. First credited on album sleeve notes with The Jam on the Sound Affects LP (Special thanks to Ken for playing pool) - Kenny has been a constant with Paul from 1978 with The Jam to The Style Council and Weller solo - moving to credits as Tour Manager & PA by Heavy Soul and continuing through to now with 2021's Fat Pop.Kenny has never been interviewed by anyone before - so it's a real honour to be able to feature some of his stories on this podcast series. We chat about the tours, the important of the fans, memorable gigs, travelling the world, the bands, the music business, friendships made, and of course - Paul and John Weller.

Find out more at paulwellerfanpodcast.com

Thanks for listening - make sure that you subscribe / follow and leave a review - and if you want to support the podcast financially, you can buy me a virtual coffee (£3) at paulwellerfanpodcast.com/shop

Find podcast show notes and sign up for regular information at PaulWellerFanPodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My latest special guest is British Soul Singer / Legend - Steve Ellis.

As lead singer with the 1960’s chart-topping Mod-Soul outfit Love Affair, Steve’s vocals had the kind of powerhouse range that made you sit up and notice. We'll hear stories from across his career along with performances with Paul Weller, and their great friendship (Steve talks about Paul being like a Brother to him, Paul says 'He's my mate and I love him dearly") and how they came to create an album together called Boom Bang Twang! Released in 2018 - it was a mix of new songs and covers, recorded at Black Barn (Weller HQ) with guests and long-time friends including Paul (who also produced the album) along for the ride.

The album also has loads of lovely Weller connections - with band-members Andy Crofts, Ben Gordelier, Steve Pilgrim, Steve Cradock and Charles Rees (Black Barn Engineer) all playing on the LP.

Dive in to the podcast to hear all about it - and head to my new website at paulwellerfanpodcast.com to find out more, with links to the songs, videos and album that we talk about in the podcast.

Thanks for listening - make sure that you subscribe / follow and leave a review - and if you want to support the podcast financially, you can buy me a virtual coffee (£3) at paulwellerfanpodcast.com/shop

Find podcast show notes and sign up for regular information at PaulWellerFanPodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My latest guest is the multi-award-winning writer and director, Sonja Phillips.

Based in London and Los Angeles, her work encompasses short drama, documentaries, as well as a variety of commercial and promo films, working on large and small screen, and covering a diverse range of subjects, from the natural world to fashion.

Back in 1995, with Paul Weller back at the top of the charts with the Stanley Road LP, Sonja directed two music videos that would go on to be amongst his most watched - You Do Something To Me and Broken Stones.

Find out more about Sonja and her work on my new website at paulwellerfanpodcast.com

Thanks for listening - make sure that you subscribe / follow and leave a review - and if you want to support the podcast financially, you can buy me a virtual coffee (£3) at paulwellerfanpodcast.com/shop

Find podcast show notes and sign up for regular information at PaulWellerFanPodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was a massive thrill to record as I'm joined by Andy Crofts - a who has been part of the Paul Weller band since 2008!. Musician, singer-songwriter, photographer, he's got a weekly radio show, he's a record label boss, heck he's even made music videos for Paul and created an outstanding Weller film-documentary called One.

Andy is also the founding member of the fabulous indie-band The Moons who released their own fabulous album - Pocket Melodies - in 2020 too.

Back in September Andy announced that he would have to stay home this winter to care for his family rather than head out on tour with Paul and co.

MORE INFO

BOOK - Paul Weller: Photographs by Andy Crofts - thisdayinmusicbooks.com/product/paul-weller

PHOTOS - andycroftsphotography.com

COLORAMA RECORDS - www.coloramarecords.com/releases

ONE - PAUL WELLER - Documentary - On YouTube

Thanks for listening - make sure that you subscribe / follow and leave a review - and if you want to support the podcast financially, you can buy me a virtual coffee via the link below (£3)

Buy me a coffee on ko-fi

https://ko-fi.com/paulwellerfanpodcast

Buy our official pin badge here - https://thisisnow.design/products/dsp_01-desperately-seeking-paul-enamel-pin

Find podcast show notes and sign up for regular information at PaulWellerFanPodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 66 hears from the fabulous David Lines - writer and creator of the brilliant book - Modfather - My Life with Paul Weller

When David first heard This is the Modern World by The Jam, it sparked off a love affair that continues to this day.

Paul Weller became the blueprint for David's life, and he followed his music and his style with the fervour of a truly devoted fan - to the bemusement of his long-suffering family.

In this episode, we hear stories behind the book's creation, including the Weller quote on the cover, along with his journey from The Jam to The Style Council to Paul Weller Solo and connections a plenty.

Order the book online here 

You can also discover more about Parasol - By David Lines and David Lawrie at parasolthealbum.com

Thanks for listening - make sure that you subscribe / follow and leave a review - and if you want to support the podcast financially, you can buy me a virtual coffee via the link below (£3)

Buy me a coffee on ko-fi

https://ko-fi.com/paulwellerfanpodcast

Buy our official pin badge here - https://thisisnow.design/products/dsp_01-desperately-seeking-paul-enamel-pin

Find podcast show notes and sign up for regular information at PaulWellerFanPodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My latest guest is Peter Wilson - Record Producer, Recording Engineer, Arranger, Tutor and Lecturer.

Pete has producer credits on plenty of songs towards the end of The Jam's career including Funeral Pyre, Absolute Beginners, Town Called Malice, Beat Surrender and their final album The Gift. He also arranged strings on The Bitterest Pill (I Ever Had To Swallow).

When Paul Weller split the band and created The Style Council , it was Pete who worked with them on the early singles + À Paris EP and the first two albums - Café Bleu and Our Favourite Shop.

Pete has also been responsible for pulling together live albums including Dig the New Breed and Live Jam.

Thanks for listening - make sure that you subscribe / follow and leave a review - and if you want to support the podcast financially, you can buy me a virtual coffee via the link below (£3)

Buy me a coffee on ko-fi

https://ko-fi.com/paulwellerfanpodcast

Find podcast show notes and sign up for regular information at PaulWellerFanPodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest in this episode is the world-class musician, griot (praise singer), composer, djembe master, virtuoso and pioneer -  Seckou Keita - he's a rarity, seated in tradition whilst constantly pushing the boundaries of his art.

A true master of the kora - a 22 stringed West African harp - Seckou, from Southern Senegal, was a childhood prodigy, born of a line of griots and kings.

Seckou has graced the international stage since 1996, earning worldwide acclaim for his kora playing and appearing with a host of fellow artists including Paul Weller, Salif Keita, Damon Alban, Youssou N’Dour, Miriam Makeba and Neil Finn.

It was whilst performing as part of the Africa Express Presents The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians in 2016, that he met Paul for the first time - playing a sensational version of Wild Wood as part of the concerts.

In 2019, he won 'Musician of the Year' at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards - whilst also picking up the award for 'Best Duo/Band' with Catrin Finch.

November 2020 saw the release of the On Sunset Remixes EP - with Seckou's beautiful remix of Rockets featuring as one of the 5 tracks.

Seckou Keita has arguably become the most influential and inspiring Kora player of his generation, an exceptional and charismatic musician - find out more about his amazing music & collaborations at seckoukeita.com

LINKS

Seckou Keita with Paul Weller on Wild Wood - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb9VKNe7o_U&ab_channel=AfricaExpress

Seckou Keita / Paul Weller - Rockets Remix - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yS41iAH2xg&ab_channel=paulwellertv

Find out more about Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita here and dive in to his new album Suba recorded during lockdown with Omar Sosa, one of Cuba's most prolific jazz pianists and the astounding percussionist Gustavo Ovalles.

You can also see Africa in the Lounge featuring Seckou Keita here

Thanks for listening - make sure that you subscribe / follow and leave a review - and if you want to support the podcast financially, you can buy me a virtual coffee via the link below (£3)

Buy me a coffee on ko-fi

https://ko-fi.com/paulwellerfanpodcast

Find podcast show notes and sign up for regular information at PaulWellerFanPodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.