A THOUSAND THINGS: Paul Weller

A signed and numbered limited edition book and vinyl boxed set

A THOUSAND THINGS is the visual history of one of Britain s greatest and most-loved songwriters, a landmark tribute to a true British icon, Paul Weller.

Written by Paul, A THOUSAND THINGS features rare photos from the Weller family archive, fliers, posters, badges and the work of Paul s favourite photographers. Many of these images have never been published before. Paul Weller has personally autographed each book and has contributed an exclusive vinyl recording of previously unreleased tracks especially for this boxed set.

More: HERE

Paul Weller: The Changing Man, by Paolo Hewitt

Book details

Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Bantam Press (24 Sep 2007)
Language English
Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.4 x 4 cm

Synopsis
Paolo Hewitt has known Paul Weller since they were both teenagers in the depths of Woking, through his ascent to fame with The Jam, the halcyon years of The Style Council and for all of his critically acclaimed solo career. Hewitt has even been the inspiration for some of Weller's songs - and he has extraordinary in-depth knowledge of the inspiration behind the rest. Once, when Hewitt interviewed Weller for a music magazine, he complained - 'I don't know why people ask me all these questions. All the answers are in my songs.' Largely unnoticed, Weller has used thirty-years of lyrics to explore his personal history and beliefs. Taking as his starting point these lyrics, alongside a lifetime's friendship, Paolo Hewitt shows us the real Paul Weller, the man inside the music.

From: www.amazon.co.uk

An article on the Paolo Hewitt Book: HERE

Suburban 100 - Paul Weller - Suburban 100

On 6th September 2007 Suburban 100 is published by Century. Priced at £17.99.

Synopsis

Weller first burst onto the national music scene in 1977 with his first band, The Jam and 2007 heralds their 30 year anniversary. Their single "In The City" took the band into the UK Top 40 for the first time in May 1977. In 1980 The Jam hit number one for the first time with what many believe to be the definitive Paul Weller song, "Going Underground", which was to become in effect the band's signature tune.By the early 1980s, The Jam had become possibly the biggest band in Britain. They became the only band other than The Beatles to perform two songs ("Town Called Malice" and "Precious") on one edition of Top of the Pops (the feat would later also be equalled by Oasis and Manic Street Preachers) At the beginning of 1983 Weller formed a new group called The Style Council, a band at the vanguard of the jazz/pop revival. Weller successfully joined the 'Britpop' movement that gave rise to such bands as Oasis and Blur. Oasis in particular cited being heavily influenced by The Jam. Fans and critics hail Paul's 1994 album "Wild Wood" as one of his finest. The number one selling 1995 album "Stanley Road" took Paul back to the top of the British charts...

From the Inside Flap
It's been thirty years since Paul Weller and The Jam first burst onto the British music scene, and throughout that time the music and lyrics that have been acclaimed, imitated and loved by so many have revealed to us all, something of the man behind them.

In this the only selection of Weller's lyrics, may be found those songs that span the decades – from the much loved, to the lesser known.Here, the frustration and boredom of suburban life that fuelled Weller’s early writing is palpable and so too is the raging but poignant response to Thatcher's Britain. Alongside this Weller's lyrics, rooted in British culture, tell a story about the love and lives of ordinary people, and offer glimpses into Weller’s own life: his influences and experiences and loves and losses.
From modfather and social commentator to king of Britpop and romantic lyricist, Paul Weller reflects back on his lyrics, revealing what these songs meant to him – both then and now.

Shout to the Top: The Jam and Paul Weller - Book

Synopsis:
This is the inside story of The Jam and The Style Council by the man who oversaw their careers for nearly three decades. This frank account reveals the trials and triumphs of Paul Weller's career, from The Jam's first single in 1977 to the break-up of the Style Council in 1989. This is also a unique insight into Paul Weller's solo career.

More: HERE (amazon.co.uk)

The Jam: Unseen - Book

Foreword by Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler
Photographs by Twink

Book Description:
The Jam were one of Britain's most successful and important bands. Emerging in the era of punk and new wave, they brought a sound and a look to an army of fans who still hold a devoted and unparalleled passion.
In their five-year career, between 1977 and 1982, The Jam had 18 top 40 singles, including four No.1 hits. In 1982, their last studio LP, The Gift, went to the top of the album chart and Town Called Malice and Beat Surrender were No.1 singles.
That same year, 21-year old freelance photographer Twink was commissioned by The Jam to be their official photographer, capturing them not only on stage, but also their life out of the public eye. A quarter of a century on, this volume brings together for the first time more than 200 of his outstanding photographs.

"For me and countless others," says Twink, "The Jam stand head and shoulders above any other three-piece band you care to recall, and most other bands - past, present and future ... They were the spokespeople for a generation, social commentators empathising with dole-queue despair and becoming idols to the country's disillusioned youth."

These stunning images capture The Jam's electrifying live performances as well as their quieter moments - backstage, travelling and relaxing. "When we needed a photographer to come on the road with us - someone who could `access all areas' and take candid fly-on-the-wall shots - we had no doubt that he was our man," write Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler in the foreword to this book.

Twink's pictures of The Jam have already generated huge interest online and in exhibitions. Now, through this special collection, they bring an unforgettable period back to life, and give a unique gift to fans of The Jam.

Synopsis:
The Jam were one of Britain's most successful and important bands. Emerging in the era of punk and new wave, they brought a sound and a look to an army of fans who still hold a devoted and unparalleled passion. In their five-year career, between 1977 and 1982, The Jam had 18 top 40 singles, including four No.1 hits. In 1982, their last studio LP, The Gift, went to the top of the album chart and Town Called Malice and Beat Surrender were No.1 singles. That same year, 21-year old freelance photographer Twink was commissioned by The Jam to be their official photographer, capturing them not only on stage, but also their life out of the public eye. A quarter of a century on, this volume brings together for the first time more than 200 of his outstanding photographs. "For me and countless others," says Twink, "The Jam stand head and shoulders above any other three-piece band you care to recall, and most other bands - past, present and future... They were the spokespeople for a generation, social commentators empathising with dole-queue despair and becoming idols to the country's disillusioned youth." These stunning images capture The Jam's electrifying live performances as well as their quieter moments - backstage, travelling and relaxing. "When we needed a photographer to come on the road with us - someone who could 'access all areas' and take candid fly-on-the-wall shots - we had no doubt that he was our man," write Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler in the foreword to this book. Twink's pictures of The Jam have already generated huge interest online and in exhibitions. Now, through this special collection, they bring an unforgettable period back to life, and give a unique gift to fans of The Jam.

From the Back Cover :
Through more than 200 previously unpublished photographs, The Jam: Unseen is a unique record of one of the most successful, important and enduring of British bands.

A quarter of a century after working as The Jam's official photographer, Twink has collected together his stunning, never-before-seen pictures of a band at the pinnacle of their career. This book is a must-have for all aficionados of The Jam.

"Twink's amazing photographs capture the very essence of the band."
Dennis Munday, The Jam's A&R Manager

"A brilliant photographic anthology ... The real beauty is that they reveal a much more intimate and human aspect of the band."
Drew Hipson, Editor, All Mod Icon

"A gift to Jam fans around the world, defining an era that was special for all of us."
Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler, The Jam

More: HERE (amazon.co.uk)