Broken Stones

Further to my earlier posts on Danny Baker's autobiography Going to Sea in a Sieve and The Jam's That's Entertainment, a few years ago my better half and I saw Paul Weller at the Nottingham Arena. After some close things timing-wise for previous gigs (like the time we got half way there and asked each other "have you got the tickets?"), we were early. Scanning the slowly filling seats, she said "He's not going to fill this place is he?" (The capacity is 10,000). "Yes, he will, he's The Modfather" I said. Indeed he did. And a good gig too.

In Baker's book  he recounts seeing the Jam play in Hamburg to an audience a thousand times smaller - exactly 10 people, he and bass player Bruce Foxton counted them. Afterwards Weller gave Baker an impromptu exclusive interview, saying "Start your tape, Danny, I've got loads to say". He spoke about his frustration with the Jam's musical style and direction and mooted calling it a day.  When Baker got back to the NME offices, all he could hear on the tape was the club PA and some muffled conversation. He wrote the article from memory, realising it didn't do the interview any justice and it didn't make a big splash. When they next met Weller asked him what all the rubbish was Baker had quoted him as saying and Baker explained what had happened. Weller said it was just as well, as he'd had second thoughts and the Jam would continue. Which of course it might not have done if the interview had been published as given. The Jam to that point had scored lots of hits, but none in the top 10. Shortly afterwards, their run of huge hits started with Eton Rifles followed by many more including four number ones: Going Underground, Start, A Town Called Malice and Beat Surrender. So history wasn't altered, though before long Weller did break up The Jam and went on to have further success with a wide range of musical styles (pun intended). I particularly like his Marvin Gaye tribute Broken Stones which also has a great lyric: "Like pebbles on a beach, kicked around, displaced by feet...".  Displaced is another word I can't remember hearing in another lyric.