Paul Weller (the A-Side)

Paul Weller talks about 'The Gift', the Jam's final album.Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them.Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes two episodes - the A-side and B-side.In this one (The A side), John Wilson asks Paul about the album in question, and then, in the accompanying B-side, the audience puts the questions.Both editions feature exclusive live performances.30 years after the band's split, Paul discusses 'The Gift' - the last album for The Jam. The band's only No 1 album, it marked a musical departure from the classic Jam sound to a more soul-influenced style, and it ushered in Weller's ideas for the Style Council. It was an album that didn't just focus on the state of society, it also had a lot to say about where music was going in the 1980s - and it included the classic No 1 'Town Called Malice' as well as 'Running On The Spot' and 'Carnation'. Paul also plays exclusive live versions of some of the tracks on the album.Complete versions of the songs performed in the programme (and others) can be heard on the 'Mastertapes' pages on the Radio 4 website, where all the programmes of the series can also be downloaded and other musical goodies accessed.Producers: Paul Kobrak & India RakusenFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2012.