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| Weller - walking over Soho |
Last year, not long before I was hospitalised, I was particularly pleased with a playlist I'd put together simply titled 'London'. So much so I sent it hither and I sent it thither. Most people seemed to like it. One of the standout tracks on it, for my money anyway, was Brian Protheroe's (minor) hit Pinball from 1974. I think it's probably one of the best songs about the capital ever written. Paul Weller has obviously got a soft spot for it too. You'll find his take on it contained within his new long player, 'Find El Dorado'. It's also the B-side of his new single (with a rather fetching green Parlophone sleeve; very retro).
Paul Weller - Pinball (2025)
No offence to Mr. W, but I think I prefer the original.
ReplyDeleteI do too.
DeleteI agree with Rol, but perhaps you just can't beat the original, Brian Protheroe has such a superb voice and Paul's vocals here sound a little bit ropey to me. Maybe it would've worked better if he'd recorded a few years back with a stronger voice, but still I can see it is a song that suits him. Love the retro sleeve.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, C. Is it just a box ticking exercise for him? Maybe. But It's still a good song. And, he hasn't totally mullered it; not quite.
DeleteI think I also prefer the original but thanks for sharing. I know C has mentioned the song on her blog but here is the post I wrote about it back in the early days of covid. Like how I have an online record of those days.
ReplyDeletehttps://jukeboxtimemachine.com/2020/04/10/division-extremes-and-pinball-by-brian-protheroe/
I think we're all agreed - BP nailed it first time around. Weller may well bring the song to a new audience (and none the worse for that), but it really does pale in comparison. As forgeries go it's well executed, but a forgery nonetheless.
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