There's only one Paul Weller...

Paul Weller at Kool Haus, Toronto Ontario - September 22nd 2005

Well, if you wanted to know where anyone who speaks with even the slighest british accent was in Toronto on Thursday night, I've got your answer: seeing WELL-AHHHHH! Weren't too many people at the show...I'd seen Bob Dylan at Kool Haus last year, and you could barely move for trying...not a problem tonight. Standing off a bit on Cradock's side of the stage as the lights go down, and the band come out, Whitey on drums, Damon still on bass (even though he's quit OCS), some guy on keys, Cradock on guitar...and the man himself, dressed in a long-sleeved beige t-shirt and a long scarf...looking cool as fuck with the mod haircut (Basically Ron Wood with blond/grey hair)...and into Woodcutter's son (!) as an opener...re-arranged somewhat with Paul singing the first verse accompanied only by his guitar, before the band crashes in, with Cradock playing slide. Very different. This is followed by the first of 7 new songs from the forthcoming album (which I haven't heard yet, so these were all new to me...for the most part). Then came a roll of oldies...Out of the sinking (the first weller song I ever heard), and awesome version of amongst butterflies, which had the boys grooving onstage, and a roaring medley of Porcelain Gods and I walk on gilded splinters, which featured some ace back-and-forth soloing between Messrs Cradock and Weller. Then something of a surprise: an electric version of Fly on the wall, which he didn't play when I saw him on the acoustic tour 2 years ago, so that was a nice little treat for me. Then a new song interlude, with paper smile and the new single From the floorboards up, both of which were rocking hard.

Weller then switches over to acoustics for the least exciting portion of the show (him on acoustic, with Cradock still on electric)...Up in Suze's room "which is off Heavy Soul, which apparently was banned in Canada.", Wild wood (meh, classic song, but not my fave), Going Places from Illumination (got a surprisingly loud response) and another new song: Savages.

Weller goes back to electric for the next single Come on/let's go, which he'd played on the Late late show last week. Brilliant tune, this. But then comes one of my biggest highlights of the night: In the crowd. The first real oldie of the night and got the old guard really jumping...it also featured a long jam (replete with requisite Whiteydrumsolo...) Great, great song.

But then the stools come out and everyone's on acoustics now for another new song, to the start of forever. Kind of dull...hope it's good on the album. Another surprise, in that Wishing on a star is the lone survivor from last year's cover album, Studio 150, still in the set. Bigger surprise: it was a highlight. Great solo from Stevie C in the spotlight. Nice job. But then it's singalong time with police cars and screaming sirens, pneumatic drills and ripped up concrete, a baby wailin' a stray dog howlin', the screech of brakes and lamplight blinking...That's entertainment...THAT'S ENTERTAINMENTTAAHHHHHHHHH! Wow.

Off to the piano for the obligatory You do something to me, which is another of the 'modern classics' that's never really done anything to me. Eh. Last of the new songs, with Here's the good news, a rollicking pubhouse rocker...nice enough album tune, I'd say. And back to the electric for an electrifying (groan) 3-song closer, starting with Foot of the mountain, which is always awesome, but when it stretches out over 10 minutes with several long jams...it's even better. Up next is my favourite solo Weller song, The Changingman...which is very well done. But the closer is the shocker of the night: Shout to the top. This one was unreservedly the crowd's highlight, with pogoing, massive singalong, and wild-eyed excitement all around. (Aside: at the acoustic show...I think he only played headstart for happiness from the Council days, and it was the Jam songs that got the crowd going).

Back out after a long encore break, and into Hung up, which I love. And then my personal highlight: Sunflower. I was worried he wouldn't play it, which to the hardened Wellerhead probably sounds stupid, but there'd been a few setlists over the last year or so where it didn't show up...and what a great version it was. Over to the piano..."this one's for the people of New Orleans"...and you know what's coming next..."like pebbles on a beach..." Yup, an awe-inspiring version of Broken Stones, with Damon and Steve (successfully) getting the crowd to clap along, and once the clapalong died down halfway through, Weller gets up, grabs the tambourine and starts another clapalong, which had every person in the club, clapping as one. Emotional moment. And of course, the requisite Town called malice to close the show....my new upset pick for 'show of the year.' Well done, Wellah. Come back soon.

10/10