25 May 2024

Living songsmith legend PAUL WELLER is back from never having been away. He just released his 17th album, baptized 66, referring to his 66th birthday, today 24 May.

The cover of the new record is designed by Sir Peter Blake,
his first for Weller since 1995’s Stanley Road.

Press photo by Nicole Nodland

MOJO: “There’s a sense throughout of Weller, the inveterate seeker, grasping
for something tantalisingly out of reach – and in doing so, creating a record of
recurrent intrigue and frequently sublimity.” Score: 8/10.

TUTV: Yesterday the former angry young The Jam man launched ’66’, today he
celebrates his 66th birthday. And it’s a splendid one. Simply, one of his best in
a long time. His love for Motown Soul, especially for the sensuous side of Marvin
Gaye is still intact (Nothing / A Glimpse Of You / In Full Flight / Rise Up Signing).

His appetite for lettin’ the good times roll now and then with instantly affectionate
grooves is present on Flying Fish, Jumble Queen and Soul Wandering, and again his old(er) man’s crooner instincts are omnipresent (A Glimpse Of You / My Best Friend’s Coat / I Woke Up / Burn Out and on his Motown Soul reveries).

All in all, 12 delightful, subtly constructed, heart-warmingly orchestrated melodies with
a nostalgic, soulful and ear-relaxing feel. That’s entertainment. Happy birthday, Sir Weller.

Singles/clips: Soul Wandering / Rise Up Singing / Nothing

– SOUL WANDERING –

– RISE UP SINGING –

– NOTHING –

ALBUM

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PW: Linktree