66

by Paul Weller

Overview

The 66 of the title refers not to the hallowed pop year of 1966 -- a time that saw the release of Revolver, Aftermath, Face to Face, and A Quick One, among other classics -- but the age Paul Weller will be shortly after the release of his 17th solo album. Clearly, mortality is on Weller's mind, introspection inspired as much by the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic as it is the turning of a calendar page. During that lockdown time, Weller co-wrote tunes with such old friends as Noel Gallagher and Bobby Gillespie, then cut them at his home studio Black Barn with a familiar crew once again anchored by guitarist Steve Cradock. Despite the rock pedigree, 66 bears no hard edges; it's soft and supple, almost Baroquely orchestral at times. The gentleness suits a suite of songs that linger and float, songs where Weller isn't reckoning with the end so much as musing at what's passed before his eyes. He's not looking back ruefully, he's remembering with fondness, even bemusement, emotions that are reflected in the subdued swing of "Sleepy Hollow" and the lush waltz of "My Best Friend's Coat," not to mention the polished punch of "Jumble Queen." This sensibility -- reflective, yet outward-looking -- differs from the somber nature of True Meanings, another late-period record where he takes stock of love and loss. A few years older now, inching closer to 70, Weller sounds looser and lighter on 66 than he did in the recent past, a shift that adds warmth and playfulness to his wisdom. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	05/24/2024
Label:	Capitol
UPC:	0602458884296

Tracks

1. Ship of Fools
2. Flying Fish
3. Jumble Queen
4. Nothing
5. My Best Friend's Coat
6. Rise Up Singing
7. I Woke Up
8. A Glimpse of You
9. Sleepy Hollow
10. In Full Flight
11. Soul Wandering
12. Burn Out

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Paul Weller   Primary Artist,Organ,Piano,Vocals,Celeste,Mellotron,Percussion,Synthesizer,Slide Guitar,Fender Rhodes,Guitar (Bass),Organ (Hammond),Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Le SuperHomard   Stylophone,Tambourine,Harpsichord,Synthesizer,Guitar (Bass),Organ (Hammond),Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background),Vibraphone,Organ,Piano,Celeste,Keyboards,Percussion
Anthony Gaylard   Sax (Tenor)
Dave Boraston   Piccolo,Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Say She She   Vocals (Background)
Steve Brown   Moog Bass
Tom Heel   Organ (Hammond),Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background),Guitar (Electric Tenor)
Jacko Peake   Flute,Saxophone,Sax (Tenor),Sax (Baritone)
Charles Rees   Synthesizer
Richard Hawley   Lap Steel Guitar
Steve Pilgrim   Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)
Marco Rees   Guitar (Electric)
Paul Speare   Sax (Baritone)
Dr. Robert   Vocals (Background)
Steve Cradock   Guitar (Electric)
Tom Doyle   Strings,Saxophone,Wurlitzer,Synthesizer,Glockenspiel,Organ (Hammond),Guitar (Electric)
Louise Marshall   Vocals (Background)
Andy Crofts   Guitar (Bass)
Britten Sinfonia   Orchestra
Sumudu Jayatilaka   Vocals (Background)
Andy Gilliams   Trombone
Steve Trigg   Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Erland Cooper   Vocals (Background)
Jake Fletcher   Guitar (Bass),Vocals (Background)
Max Beesley   Vibraphone
Steve Brookes   Guitar (Acoustic)
Ben Gordelier   Drums,Percussion
Leah Weller   Vocals (Background)
Josh McClorey   Guitar (Bass),Guitar (Electric)

Technical Credits

Tom Ashpitel   Assistant Engineer
Bobby Gillespie   Composer
Charles Rees   Mixing,Engineer,Drum Programming,Additional Production
Noel Gallagher   Composer
Paul Weller   Composer,Producer
Suggs   Composer
Dr. Robert   Composer
Tom Doyle   Composer,Drum Programming
Andrew Chalk   Composer
Graham "Suggs" McPherson   Composer
Miles Copeland   Composer
Anthony Brown   Composer
Christopher Parker   Engineer
Matt Colton   Mastering
Hannah Peel   String Arrangements
Christophe Vaillant   Composer,Producer
John Barrett   Engineer
Steve Trigg   Horn Arrangements
Erland Cooper   Composer