Weller’s hits and misses

Paul Weller,

Wolverhampton Civic

Blazer, slacks, brogues and a medallion; it’s the type of outfit Paul Calf would wear to a job interview.

But somehow, Paul Weller still looks immaculate.

For just under two hours last night, he thrilled and frustrated his army of loyal fans in equal measure with a set list that regularly scaled the heights but wandered off into mediocrity in between.

Thirty minutes in, The Jam’s Thick as Thieves lit the touch paper after a stop-start opening.

But the formerly angry young men were soon back in their seats as he slowed things down to a pace more befitting a 48-year-old.

Then, just as things sagged again, Weller threw in 1982’s Running on the Spot to an ecstatic reception.

To be fair, there was enough quality solo material to blow away any British songwriter around, with Changing Man and Wildwood outstanding highlights.

And he was on fine form; joking, dancing and even indulging in the odd bit of audience participation.

But the four-piece band’s solo forays tested the patience at times and the sublime-to-ridiculous-to-sublime encore summed things up as the insipid I Wanna Make it Alright followed a storming C’mon/ Let’s Go.

Typically, closer Town Called Malice then nearly blew the roof off. Now Paul, that’s entertainment.

By Keith Harrison