Probably The Best Band In The World - The Style Council DOCUMENTARY

[@nitedreamer23]

I'm blown away by this. It obviously shows tons of research, writing, and editing. Remarkably well-done. Us TSC fans are like a strange cult who tell everybody about their brilliance while secretly acknowledging their flaws. For your efforts, I wish this had a million views. Many thanks from a dedicated fan.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@thesuncollective1475]

Yes I agree. I just rediscovered them. Paul is up there with Stevie and Prince in the sense that he mixed up genres. Yeah sometimes the experiment didn’t work but oh when it did it was orgasmic 😮

[@Mrshereforethemusic]

I was 16 when I discovered TSC back in 1983. Growing up in East Germany behind the iron curtain TSC quickly became a symbol of the best of Western culture for me. I loved the fashion approach and the brass line ups! Shout to the top was a survival song to me. In 2003 I shared a beer with Mick Talbot backstage after the DMR concert, as DMR was my second 80s Britpop love. Forever grateful for that moment. Today I play My ever changing moods on my piano at least once every day. Thanks for this great research and brilliant narration. Will send the link to my kids. ❤

[@andrewmcguinness83]

This absolutely nails what the band were about and why they are so special.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks!

[@jameshutchins8252]

Why no mention of "You're The Best Thing"? One of the Council's biggest hits, and an iconic song from the 1980s.

[@BestFriendsGang]

The video would be two hours long if I mentioned every song they did. But I think I concentrated more on the political songs since they fit with my narrative of the group being of the times. Were I to revisit this doc I'd probably talk more about the pop stuff. Thanks for watching.

[@edwinreid8355]

That's probably my favourite Style Council song. Such cool vibes.

[@brianhill3850]

My ever changing mood is gold...like driving down the freeway in the summer time with the top down.

[@johanechavarriamoreno3903]

Which version would you like prefer? I'm still completely in love by the album version

[@RichJCW]

Wow, I'm amazed to read so many positive comments from people in the USA about your fantastic video. I've always thought that Paul Weller wasn't all that well known in the US (even though he's a legend over here in the UK). Many people in the UK seem to feel that the Style Council era was his weaker period but it's always been my favourite - I think his work with the Style Council is very underrated.

[@michaelburbank2276]

I'm American and I've loved style council since the 80s

[@serenaym3974]

I'm a Mexican and also have loved TSC since the early 80s

[@drodawig]

Big fan from Iowa, USA. 🇺🇸 Cafe Bleu came out when I was a freshman at university in ‘84. I came to know both bands at the same time. Bought all their records, wore scarves to the clubs. I was impressed, but not oppressed.

[@michaelreddington1234]

Weller, as strictly a lyricist, throughout this period was absolutely incredible

[@BestFriendsGang]

Definitely his best period for songwriting.

[@michaelreddington1234]

@@BestFriendsGang “For Liberty there is a cost, it’s broken skull and leather cosh”

[@Dilydaydream1]

Its 2024 and im off to see Weller in Dublin next week. He has been constantly in my life since i was 8. Now in my 50s.

[@skip728]

This video is incredible. One of the most well thought out music mini docs I’ve ever seen. It should be put in a time capsule along with the entire Weller catalog. Kudos, my dude!

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thank you! Lots of time and effort went into it. Love that band.

[@markmasterson4811]

Long hot summer was the soundtrack to my love affair that year which brought me marriage and joy. I loved Paul weller's work both jam, style council and solo (look out for changing man, it's great) he has kept the principles of his youth and remains a force in music.

[@codzy3532]

played that song on a record player back in the day........didnt know my cousin was listening to it he said to me can you play that again still a brilliant song

[@tlewis84able]

I just saw the Long Hot Summers doc and fell back in love with TSC. Went hunting around KZbin to find more. Thanks for putting this together! Really great job.

[@kaori-himawari]

l am a Japanese and became a new fan of them in 2023. I didn't know about this band till now. My Music life turned brighter than before✨I will listen to their music from now on. Thank you very much from Japan Tokyo🇯🇵

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks for watching!

[@cannyvalley]

Great video, thank you! I feel honored that you screenshotted my (heavenonfire) annotation on the Cost of Loving from the Genius lyrics website. Paul Weller is on my Mt. Rushmore of all time greats, right there next to Brian Wilson and Neil Young. Artists whose work I have great difficulty finding anything not to like.

[@mediasurfer]

This video was made with a lot of love, respect, passion & research. At 17 I already was a huge Council fan back in 1983. There is no other documentary that summarizes the spirit of the band better than this. Thank you for creating such a timeless memorial to the band!

[@BestFriendsGang]

I appreciate the comments. It was certainly a labor of love. Thanks for watching.

[@SeanDadler]

The amount of gratitude I have towards this man cannot be put into words. Before I saw this video I knew of the style council but nothing else besides long hot summer. But when I watched this video for the first time it truly gave me the drive to listen to them. And now they’re probably my favorite band of all time.

[@BestFriendsGang]

That warms my cold, cold heart. What's your favorite song thus far in your journey?

[@SeanDadler]

@@BestFriendsGang at this very moment probably the super early version of the Paris match where paul sings the second part in French. But overall its probably a four way tie between Boy who cried wolf, Walking the night, life at a top people’s health farm, and how she threw it all away. It really truly hard to pick though because the only song the style council has made that I don’t truly enjoy is money go round. Besides that though I’ve enjoyed every song I’ve listened to over the past 6 ish months.

[@SeanDadler]

Oh yeah and home breakers

[@kennethkauzlaric8948]

Growing up in a small town in the Midwest, SC was my savior from mediocrity. I bought "Cafe Bleu" when in came out and never looked back. But I have say, "Confessions" is still my favorite. Also, "Home & Abroad" is a great live album...if you can find it.

[@mathiasjonsson8222]

I bought Home and Abroad on release. Still have it. Im rich 😂

[@sirandrelefaedelinoge]

Agreed- great live album

[@HappyTyke25]

Although "The Jam" was arguably Wellers most successful period or most popular. I much prefer personally, the soulful sound of the Style Council. I still listen to them now, long hot summer takes me straight back to my teens. Love it.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Yeah, I love a lot of The Jam's output, and I think it still holds up. Just got a soft spot for the Council's take on soul. Thanks for watching.

[@alihart]

Great work - some excellent insights and spot on about their strengths and weaknesses

[@bioveraorganics4369]

Awesome job. The Style Council was ahead of their times for sure. Their music still sounds great today, especially the jazz, soulful tunes.

[@codzy3532]

my fav style council songs.......cost of loving, waiting, it didnt matter, long hot summer, angel, walking the night you do something to me frickin brilliant band

[@briankennedy1192]

I was driving along when I was 16 in a car I didn't know unlicensed and Speak Like A Child came on I nearly slid of the road. What a magic tune. Huge Weller fan , Sydney Australia.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks for watching and drive safe.

[@msbear7698]

Thank you for putting into words with sensational sounds and visuals, my last two years during covid when I took a KZbin wormhole with earphones and discovered a reminiscent journey into what I fully believe to be the best band in my life time (x gener)

[@BestFriendsGang]

You're very welcome.

[@LloydGutteridge]

Thank you for this. Having lived in the UK during the Jam's and Style council's heyday in the 1980's, this tribute brought a number of great memories and some not so great memories (mostly the Thatcher Government. The Style Council were never fully appreciated but I remember their support of the Miners' strike of 1984-85. The strike was one of the darkest and socially divisive chapters in post war British history. mr Weller is truly a man full of principle which is needed more than ever today

[@BestFriendsGang]

You're welcome-and thanks for watching.

[@trashj8778]

I've never given much time to Weller outside of The Jam, have added a bunch of Style Council to my playlist, thanks Josh for widening my horizons

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks for watching, friend.

[@darrenleiberman6250]

I'm annoyed that it's taken me 3 years to discover this piece of work. It has at its core a major flaw, it's about an hour too short. Beautifully done mate. I've been a Weller fan since 1978. I was hugely into the Jam and was bereft when Paul called it quits when they were at the top [which was the point of course]. But when Inroducing and then Cafe Bleu came along I understood. I never had a problem with the transition. This is great stuff thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Very sweet of you to say. Thanks for the kind words and for watching this (too short) tribute to the band.

[@glicmathan1771]

The Cost of Loving is an incredible album! Forget all the negativity out there over TSC. And yes, Confessions is incredible! I was so happy when he’d play Deep Sea during early solo gigs. Great min documentary! Cheers!

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks for the view and the comments

[@saputrajudiwidjaja1025]

Great documentary. I love The Style Council since the 80s. Our Favorite Shop is one of my all time favorite album. Greetings from Jakarta.

[@roslynellis6322]

Great documentary about one of my all time favourite bands. Well done 😊

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks for watching

[@waynegoucher4503]

Fabulous documentary. Fell under the Weller spell with the Style Council .. my favourite period of his amazing career. Much underrated but absolutely wonderful music to explore. Confessions is a work of Imagination, courage and brilliance and my favourite.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks so much. I appreciate the comments.

[@serenaym3974]

So well said

[@8433alice]

Heartfelt thanks for this portrait of one of my favorite bands of all time. They have always been such a very alive mystery to me. Thank you.

[@BestFriendsGang]

You're welcome-thanks for watching

[@DJNeilyT]

Nice documentary, I listen to Confessions more than any of the other albums as well. There's a great depth to it.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Agreed-it's get my vote for their high water mark

[@nigelfelixcheongde2980]

Confessions - a proper modern classic.

[@days0fspeed]

Great watch - nice work.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks, Marc!

[@JGlassy]

Great documentary! just discovered the documentary late, but every bit of this is relevant in 2024. What a long term impact Weller and this band (and Tracy thorn too) have made. I still go back and re listen to all these timeless gems.

[@speakertreatz]

thanks very much for uploading, I really enjoyed it

[@sterlingmarshel6299]

As an American living in London in the early 80’s I listened to the style council and carried my passion back(and Introducing the style council album) to US. Next month I am fortunate that PW will be playing in my city of Seattle. Can’t wait. Shout out to on sunset another Weller gem

[@blehoo1]

Great band who were far more musically sophisticated than The Jam but I guess that wasn't what The Jam were really all about and it was exactly what The Style Council were. Weller's songwriting longevity and ability to write music across a raft of different genres puts him up there with the best these Isles have had to offer over the last 60 years. For me Our Fav Shop was the high point with the track Man Of Such Great Promise my personal fav.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Absolutely. Man of Great Promise is in my top 3 TSC songs.

[@gmantramp404]

They were different than the Jam That's about it tho 👍 Certainly more boring than the Jam were 🤘🤘👍👍😂😂

[@instantrameng0d36]

Wow I love this band and this documentary. Even at their weakest like "Cost of living" I still liked 7/9 tracks in that. I never realized how much deep politics and meaning were in the songs, They just sounded great to me. Especially the other vocalist they bring here. I think its always important for musicians to make music for what "they think is right" be true to themselves otherwise you'll end up sounding uninspired and not creative. Thats why paul weller is always good, he's forever changing and improving. Lastly, I've tried searching for bands like "The Style Council" but the thing is you really can't. They're just a mix of everything good r&b, jazz, soul, pop. It's few and far between. Nothing ever comes close to their energy. Genius!

[@ccsmith1782]

Probably the best band review in the world

[@jonokoni2964]

Bravo, and Confessions is indeed TSC's masterpiece.

[@sharonsekhon9475]

I was so lucky to be informed by this music when I was a young person. This band with Roddy Frame informed so many of my values and why I fight for the vulnerable.

[@loaffish]

A very well written,researched and narrated Mini Doc, kudos Sir.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks for the positive comments. More docs coming later this year.

[@g2theg]

Absolutely one of the best videos of this type ever! They were an amazing moment in time

[@BestFriendsGang]

Very kind of you to say. Thanks for watching.

[@thesingingaccountant1]

Great video - deserves far more views i hope its a grower. This band should have been huge

[@TheDaysOfGlory]

I stumbled on Paul Weller and the Jam in the Summer of ‘81 on a family vacation. I was hooked. I got my copy of Cafe Bleu during Xmas my senior year in high school. Weller was truly instrumental in my youth. I caught Paul Weller in concert at the SF Warfield in 1993. At the end, girls were lining up to walk onto stage, give him a hug/kiss and be shown directly to the exit door… AMAZING!! Awesome to see the band reform to do “Deep Sea.” Paul Weller is a true living Legend.

[@brianvanvriends]

Excellent band, Weller is a genius.

[@jamien6523]

OMG! Stumbled on this and you spoke every word I have ever thought and felt about the style council. I always thought I was the only one in America who had ever heard of them let alone realized they are the greatest! Shaped my life growing up making me a better person...

[@adc2327]

Lol! No I thought I was the only one in the USA who had heard of them. I found out different in 2006. Paul Weller played 3 nights at Madison Square Garden. Night 1 focus on The Jam. Night 2, The Style Council. Night 3 a mash-up of his career. I live in California. That was one time I wished I was rich, didn't have to worry about work and could fly out for night 2.

[@jamien6523]

@@adc2327 when was this?! I live in California and might have done it. haha

[@adc2327]

@@jamien6523 Way back in the day, 2006, as my comment indicates. There was no way I could have done it back then. I had a job where I had to travel. Unfortunately it was usually a small town.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Wow, very much of the same brain, here. I think some people get too bogged down in the band being described as "socialists" and "progressives" to really take in the overall message of the group. They definitely made me a more considerate and socially aware individual.

[@janpietstempels]

Thank you very much for this great docu, soul brother!

[@manolokonosko2868]

The first song of theirs I ever heard was from a live version of “My Ever Changing Moods” featured on a mix live radio show on a now defunct radio station from Long Island, NY. That show introduced me to a world of new music I still enjoy today. I bought the album and have been a fan of the band since then. It’s a pity they had to end, but better that than to be the KISS or The Rolling Stones of today.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Absolutely. A finite existence is perfectly acceptable, even preferable, in the world of pop music.

[@craigpatchett3508]

I miss the “Dare to be Different” days from that Long Island radio station!

[@gordonkeltie400]

I played cafe bleu till it was worn out. That album takes me to a different place. I loved the Jam but for me TSC and all the different genres they dipped into was brilliant.

[@dasZARATHURSTON]

Had no idea about this band, thanks 4 introducing me to them. Subbed

[@MrMikeTauber]

Great documentary .... that's so cool about Long Hot Summer - ahead of their time.

[@silviapini4372]

Loved it, especially the Confessions analysis, and comparison to the Beach Boys work, very interesting 👏🏻

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks!

[@TheTomnom]

BB again!!! They get trotted out as a comparison to every British band 🤮

[@TheTomnom]

They were ludicrously even compared to The Beatles

[@bonbonbonbons]

the our favorite shop montage is well done honestly.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks, I think it's the strongest section of the doc.

[@tonyefc8423]

Paul Weller and the Style Council were producing beautiful music 83-88. The problem was young people lacked musical taste, and chose o buy shite like Wham, Nik Kershaw, Howard Jones, George Michael. I was 20 in 1983. Going home and away supporting Everton, wearing all the latest gear, listening to the Style Council/Jam stuff. Great days. I looked down my nose at Wham fans. To this day, I own everything Paul Weller has recorded, I think. I am lucky enough to be seeing Paul live again, in November in Liverpool. Thank God, before one of us carks it! Well you have to be realistic.

[@thefobbie0034]

Will never forget that December summer of 83 when I first saw the video of their first release "Long Hot Summer!" Was 19 then - it set the tone for what was a great summer! Phenomenal year of music that year!

[@jennenz2112]

Thank you so much for this video! I always thought The Jam was what a new wave/punk band should be, TSC was what a pop band should be, and Paul Weller is a singer/songwriter should be: always looking forward, a true MOD.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Well put! I'm a fan of his work with both groups and a lot of his solo output. To still be relevant as an artist at this point in his career is a testament to Weller's strength as a songwriter.

[@pl3382]

Weller and Wilson, the two musicians that saved my live. You bring them together in this review. For the first time ever, I discover someone sharing my intuition. Thanks !

[@BestFriendsGang]

You're welcome. Glad you dug it.

[@SimonTurner-k8w]

Wow, brilliant work. They are quality through and through. Clothes and music in perfect harmony. Ignore the critics and enjoy, music still fresh even after 40 years.

[@bettiblu6657]

...not only probably ;)) ... and still in love with PW's music 💗

[@oliverwittofficial4997]

I love The Cost Of Loving! To me, it is a perfect album, timeless.

[@justinparkerthewildwolf6394]

I found a copy of confessions on vinyl years ago .I really connected with it as a beautiful, sophisticated peice of work .

[@kevinmassey7675]

To think that album was only 11 years on from In The City , proves what a continuously evolving artist Weller is/was

[@maximiliandonelly6292]

Cool take on this group. Loved their deep house stuff.

[@emilio6891]

What a great work you have done! Thank you for this, your love for the band enlightens the whole thing! Thanks!

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks for the comments, and for the watch.

[@jasonm.8174]

I love you for making this tremendous video and like you I came to the Style Council party late but I tend to agree that they probably are the best band in the world.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thank you for the kind words. And I love you for watching.

[@juliovera9883]

Thanks for the documentary

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks for watching from Chile

[@aurorabath]

I am sooooo glad that I came across this video oh my gosh, it is taking me back... I loved the style council in real-time. Like we're talking when the albums actually came out! And I was in college, I adored them Can't emphasize that enoug, I felt like I was trying to live My life as a member of TSC. Always wanted to do music like theirs, Because I love the whole pop and r&b influence But with these socially conscious and intelligent lyrics. It's just brilliant, it's so en capsulated my everything at that time. unfortunately, my best friend who I share the love of style council with passed away from AIDS in the. Early 90s very sad, but I'm glad to find other people who still not only remember them but cherish them. Thank you again!❤❤❤

[@stephenrose937]

A brilliant documentary on a brilliant band.... thank you very much, the 3rd time I've watched it, brings back many fantastic memories.... ❤❤❤

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks for the kind words and the three views

[@ianflynn4980]

Great doc. Brought back some great memories. I saw them at Gold Diggers in Chippenham, which from memory was their first concert (DC was in the audience) and subsequently another 13 or 14 times, driving all around the UK with my mate in my dodgy Triumph Spitfire. Just one point, and this is probably a UK thing, The Jam were never a rock band with leather clad rock fans. Jam fans were firmly entrenched in the Mod revival scene. I remember one gig in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, where the car park was full of scooters and hundreds of us mini-mods were clad in boating blazers and parkas :) But it is true to say Weller lost a large portion of Jam fans with The Style Council. Not all of us though. They have him back now, stomping and shouting out his solo stuff.

[@IanSteaman]

Great job. It’s been heartening to see even the most recalcitrant Weller fans finally, in hindsight, give The Style Council their proper and long overdue acknowledgement and credit. I always loved the band including even the unfairly reviled Cost of Loving album so happy to see you give it a fair accounting here.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks for watching. Putting the video together was a labor of love.

[@frederickpando9444]

I had just finished viewing a documentary on The JAM and in the documentary it shows that Paul Weller dissolved The JAM and formed The STYLE COUNCIL. Wow! I'd heard the name of the band but I had never listened to any of their music. The STYLE COUNCIL has a tremendous sound! I can't believe I missed listening to them in the '80s. I will make it a point to check out their albums!

[@samfrito]

This is a beautiful overview, thesis and love letter to me, myself and I, who just happen to believe Paul Weller can do no wrong. Well done, sir. I never knew some of these ideas, but I'm still growing and learning from the best. Thank you.

[@BestFriendsGang]

You're welcome. Thanks for the watch and the words.

[@joevdb]

Well done! Agree they are massively underrated. And that Confessions is a terrific album. Nothing matches the supreme excellence of Our Favorite Shop / Internationalists (US release name). In the US Paul Weller didn't have the baggage of the Jam to weigh down perceptions of TSC, but the social commentary is almost never understood in the states (see "Born in the USA") - we deny we have class distinctions. Still, the cool kids all loved Cafe Bleu and most got off the train after Favorite Shop. TSC wasn't playing by the same rules in the mid-80s, so it was hard to fit them into an MTV category. My fave songs: Homebreakers, Come to Milton Keynes, Lodgers, Paris Match, Changing of the Guard, but at least half their songs are can't-stop-until--hear-the-end-of-this. Tip for another band that didn't fit into categories, but was brilliant over a long extended period: Kid Creole and the Coconuts.

[@williamgo9957]

Gone but not forgotten. I first heard of The Style Council in 1984 in both FM and AM radio, the peak of their popularity in my land is around 1985 to 1987. Because of the multitude of other British bands that also made the 1980s such a goldmine for brilliant pop music, I forgot about TSC for a while and went to work and finished my college. Five years after college thats when the CD became affordable and I finally took my first TSC CD, Singular Adventures. That reawakened my nostalgia and a deep, profound admiration for the group and their music. I obtained the box set (Complete Adventures), two DVD concerts, the TSC on Film DVD, the Paul Weller/Jam 3-disk retrospective, the videography DVD, and three albums. Time is always short for me to play and enjoy these "relics" but I'm glad I took them before these materials go out of print. Style Council is very well-regarded in my land, The Philippines, unfortunate that Weller has not continued the band and its unique sound after the last album was frozen. Could've been so well ahead of their time, or they've lost heart to soldier on when record companies began to signed on nihilist, scumbag acts like Nirvana, etcetera.....

[@DavidLarmour]

An excellent assessment. Well done. I look forward to your thoughts on other bands of the era.

[@fretfix1]

Headstart for Happiness...

[@amcongenpoa]

Thank you for posting this. You made my day !

[@BestFriendsGang]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@monomediafilms279]

Great video, Joshes. Nice one. Lee ✊✊

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks, Lee. Excited to see all the recent interviews with the group in the new Sky Art doc.

[@richardkolnsberg4418]

The Cost Of Loving is sorely underrated. Just having the title track, It Didn’t Matter, Fairytales and Angel prove that for me. The first time I put the needle to the record, I shivered with excitement for what I was hearing and it still has that effect.

[@ChainNonSmoker]

Good video, well put together. Cheers! PS. Cost of Lovin's a great album

[@adc2327]

OMG. I am even more in love with this group. I own Cafe Bleu and Our Favorite Shop. My roommate brought home Our Favorite Shop from a record store that allowed you to rent out albums back in the day. I heard it and fell in love. After he returned it I spent years looking for it. I then found Cafe Bleu. The problem I had was that Our Favorite Shop was originally released in the USA under the title The Internationalist. What? I wasted time searching under the wrong name! Anyway, I finally found it and almost wore it out. I am going to take a deep dive into the other albums. This was wonderful. Thanks for taking the time to do this video.

[@BestFriendsGang]

You're welcome, and thank you for watching. The US release titled "Internationalists" is how I first heard that album! Be sure and give "Confessions" a few spins. It really grows on you.

[@derekpugh6819]

Thanks for posting this. A great watch😎👍

[@jasongabb1671]

Still got the VHS video from Xmas 83, "What we did on our holidays". My first ever gig, TSC 1987 Hammersmith Odeon.. What a musical education.... I never looked back. Confessions i played to death in my car, when i passed my driving test in 88. Last ever gig, RAH July 89, Dr Robert joining the TSC onstage.... Great memories...

[@herthodgson8619]

Well put together and a really nice enjoyable watch. KTF ✊

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks. Hope to have one or two more completed by the end of 2020.

[@edwardmulholland7912]

Great stuff! I have 2 dear friends who are going to love this.

[@24hourjukebox55]

must be gay...

[@tednorton5150]

When my Mom was dying in 1979 I found myself napping in my uncle's basement and perusing a variety of 1960s artefacts he had stored there. I realized I would always be in love with the 1960s. Thus I was a Style Council fan in waiting.

[@BestFriendsGang]

I lost my mom a few months after having made this doc. She was never in any condition to see or understand it (dementia), but she was a fan... because I was a fan.

[@tednorton5150]

@@BestFriendsGang I'm sorry for your loss and thankful that you had such an interesting project to offset some of the awfulness.

[@robneill5519]

JFC this was good. Thanks. Few (minor) points off for growling about "Didn't Matter" and not mentioning "Health Farm."

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks. Many TSC songs that I love and champion didn't make the cut... a length of time issue. Would've been 3x as long if I'd tried to squeeze em all in... Man of Great Promise Headstart for Happiness Someone's Shoe Spin Drifting etc

[@cefrecords]

Beautiful video. Thank you, from a Style Council fan from Argentina.

[@BestFriendsGang]

You're welcome. Thank you for watching and commenting

[@francispower1418]

I think it was ‘86 or maybe ‘87 and a 25 year old me got asked, as a side gig, to be an extra in the video the Style Council were making for the song The Lodgers. It was shot in what had been a territorial army drill hall in Camberwell, South East London, which was by then unused and designated for demolition/redevelopment. It was impressive to see how professionally everything had been pre prepared and how smoothly the moving parts ran with each other throughout the production process. Obviously a great deal of money was being spent. And of course it was great fun! I think I got paid fifty quid in cash, good enough, although I was only supposed to be there for the day and got asked to stay for the entire shoot, which lasted almost 24 hours. What I remember most is how courteous and charming the band were to all the people working on the production. And that amounted to well over 100 all told. Even me and I was just a face off the street to them. More impressive still, they had just stepped off a plane having returned from a three day promotional tour in Australia and come directly to the shoot. Meaning they can’t have had much sleep for at least five days, first class tickets notwithstanding, and must have been exhausted. You wouldn’t have known it. And I saw no evidence of anybody using anything to help with the fatigue (although I am sure they must have been otherwise how, right?). What I saw was a band that was driven, knew what it wanted to say and was lovely with it. And it didn’t hurt that I had been a Jam fan and was by then already an even bigger Style Council fan, along with Everything But The Girl and all the other so called ‘sophistopop’ acts. Personally I never thought there was anything pretentious about being intelligent and articulate. For all that I do smile when I look back at Paul Weller insisting that he was ‘working class’. Well if you say so Paul… I thought a slightly older contemporary of his said it better, namely the late Ian Dury. You didn’t get much more working class than Ian Dury. Although his wife and the mother of his children was herself from a more middle class background. I think they had met at the Royal College of Art. So asked by his son, upon moving into their first decent home (which was modest enough and paid for out of recording royalties) if this now meant they were longer working class but had become ‘posh’, Dury replied “no son, I’d say more arts and crafts”. Which is what Paul Weller is. Yet he does insist on getting hung up on the whole class thing. I expect he’s mellowed about all that a bit in more recent years. Anyway, I met him once and he was indeed a lovely man.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Love the "arts and crafts" quote. Dury was a treasure. Thank you for sharing your story, and I appreciate your watching the doc.

[@taffytop]

The video for Shout to the Top was also filned in a now demolished hall in camberwell

[@MrStardust50]

You'll be happy to know that I saw 3/4 of The Style Council (plus Weller & DC Lee's daughter, Leah, as support) this evening at Koko (formerly Music Machine) in London. It was a very good gig. They played "Paris Match".

[@rogerramjet5302]

Saw them many times and tbh the Wembley gig was one of the best I've ever been to.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Awesome. Thanks for watching!

[@klaushintler8981]

Thanks for the video, excelllent done. I´ve been a fan of the style council for 30 years now, and never understood how "confession of a pop group" only gets 1* in the allmusicguide, and in general was not received very well at the time of its release. I always loved this album . Maybe it has something to do with his punk roots, that his early fans could not follow, and was not able to reach enough new fans. But from a 2023 perpective, only 4 years later he released his excellent first solo album, which brought him back on the map

[@mentalmoves6032]

Thanks for this nice documentary. I was into the second mods wave in Sweden in the 80's when I started to listen to The Syle Council, since I already was a huge fan of The Jam.

[@BestFriendsGang]

I didn't get into them until the early 90s, but followed the same path from being a Jam fan to a TSC devotee.

[@alexlanning712]

Probably right, never appreciated them at the time(more fool me) but now value their CD's and compilations

[@BestFriendsGang]

They've got some real bops

[@histoiretraduite]

I still play almost every day tsc songs on my guitar.

[@FreddieWard-v3u]

Paul weller is the best singer songwriter I have ever see the jam style council and his solo work is all top draw true creative genius

[@Adam-bp7kw]

Amazing job! Thanks so much!

[@allonhanohof4496]

The mighty weller a one man band at the end of the day ,he is the product ,a really special musician

[@wendylikethewind]

What an entertaining documentary! I've adored the Style Council and Paul Weller since about 1985. I'd have to say that the Style Council is definitely one of the best bands in the world. That's only because I find it hard to narrow down just one best band in the world and I'm sure that as a fellow music lover, Paul would understand.

[@LouisL1963]

Good video; surprised you didn't mention the first 2 UK singles "Speak Like a Child" & "Money Go Round" as they were the band's real beginnings in 1983 in the pop charts. Only ever managed to see then once though ( Brighton Centre 1985). I bought 99% of the output between 1983 & 1988 as I was a big fan of The Style Council, but having heard bits of the final (unreleased at the time) album, I can understand why Polydor called time on things. Weller tried to do something different with the band by tapping into a scene that was happening, but it definitely didn't work. In Hindsight, I think TSC were the nearest thing the UK produced to Steely Dan lyrically and musically (although I expect Weller would class that as a bit of an insult...). Very well thought out songs with an edge, played by very good musicians. The Style Council were a band very much of their time, especially in a country with rising unemployment, and a prime minister determined to break the unions. I think the message that Weller had driven home more directly with The Jam was continued in a more sarcastic (yet subtle) way in TSC.

[@1962losgigantes]

It’s the early 80s, and in College, the TSC had few fans principally because too many were smarting from The Jam’s demise. I became friends with a young College Co-Ed who was Pledging a Greek House the same semester. It seemed like we were the only two in the world not upset with Paul and his new direction.

[@sisterstonerock]

Thank you. Thank you for such an awesome take on Probably The Best Band In The World.

[@BestFriendsGang]

You're very welcome. Thanks for watching!