Page 2 (Paul Weller)

One of the strongest tracks on the album is Paul's Rendition of Gordon Lightfoot's ''Early Morning Rain". The track is performed almost solo apart from some very complimentary violin from Eliza Carthy. Paul's vocal is at its most soulful and emotive. Gordon Lightfoot is yet another classic singer songwriter to emerge in the 60's although he never achieved mainstream success until the early 70's. Gordon has had a long and fruitful career he has produced 21 albums including last years 'Harmony'. "Early Morning Rain" has become a ''folk'' standard recorded by a wide variety of artists including Bob Dylan; Elvis Presley; Peter, Paul & Mary; Ian & Sylvia; Jerry Lee Lewis; Ronnie Hawkins; Tommy Makem, Judy Collins & The Clancy Brothers and many more. This Canadian artist is much loved internationally but particularly in his home country where was recently inaugurated in to the Canadian Hall of Fame.

Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watch Tower" ( originally recorded for his John Wesley Harding album 1967) is another roots song carefully selected by Weller, the penultimate track on the album. It's one that many people associate with Jimi Hendrix and his 1968 version on the ' Electric lady land' album. Paul's version is slower and heavily reliant on a Hammond accompaniment and backing vocals from Carleen Anderson, Sam Brown and Claudia Fontaine. This track has been covered to great effect by the following artists The Grateful Dead (1996), Richie Havens (1987), U2 (1988), Bobby Womack (1973) , Neil Young (1993). Do visit the reason to rock website (there's a link below) this has an indepth analysis of the song.

"Birds" - By Neil Young is a fitting finale to the album, also hailing from Canada like is compatriot Gordon Lightfoot. Young is renowned for writing some of the rockiest roots music and also some of the quietest. Birds is on the quieter side, it appeared initially on his "After The Gold Rush" album of 1970. Paul does the track justice featuring Piano, hammond, soulful vocals from Carleen Anderson, Sam Brown and Claudia Fontaine along with lovely violin from Eliza Carthy. It sounds similar to 'Wings of Speed', from Paul's Stanley Road album which is no bad thing.

Some Useful Links & Credits

Thanks to Mike Hobbo

http://www.reasontorock.com/tracks/watchtower.html

Thanks to Rod Smith

www.traditionalmusic.co.uk

Thanks to Wayne Francis

www.lightfoot.ca

www.paulweller.com

<<<Page1