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October 16th 2002, and the final show in a two-night Paul Weller stint at Glasgow's Braehead Arena in support of his latest album "Illumination." Over the years Weller's potency as a live solo-act has increased ten-fold, and expectancy amongst Scottish fans had been high for these shows as the news spread that, for the first time in years, Paul was incorporating more acoustic versions of Jam songs into his set.
However, this was Braehead's debut as a live music venue as the first night had been marred by sound difficulties, with Weller's on-stage response to these problems being less than magnanimous, resulting in some controversy amongst both fans and the Scottish media. Therefore, to say the least, there was something of an edge to the atmosphere on this second night. but Paul Weller is never better than when his back's to the wall, and this apparent tension seems to noticeably steel him in his performance - resulting in what is arguably one of the best solo-shows he's ever committed to film.
Drawing on a virtually peerless back catalogue this 30 song set lasts 2 hours, and alongside Style Council material (specifically "Down in the Seine" and "Man of Great Promise" from Our Favorite Shop), and songs from all of his solo albums, Weller gives fans powerful renditions of "In the Crowd," from 1978's All Mod Cons, and both "Man in the Cornershop" and "Pretty Green" from The Jam's fifth studio-album Sound Affects. Towards the end of the show also appeared "Town Called Malice".
Aided by long-time associates Steve White on drums, Damon Minchella on bass, and Steve Cradock on guitar; Live at Braehead captures Weller brimming with excitement and passion and represents a modern master at his absolute best.
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