@JohnDinges Nothing, I just don't like it when people with talent piss it away or selling out their artistic soul for ''making it big man'' on the top of the charts...dude....
Understandably, Paul might not have the same energy or rawness that he had with the Replacements, but he's still Paul. One hell of a songwriter with the most touching voice ever.
He's a different kind of artist now than he was 20 years ago. Bob Dylan said it best when he said he couldn't write something like "Maggie's Farm" or "With God On Our Side" at his age now, but that he can write other kinds of songs that he couldn't back then. Paul's the same way. This song breaks my heart, but in a different way than "Here Comes A Regular" or "Answering Machine". Most songwriters still can't touch this guy.
Comparing Dylan with Westerberg? Tha's a stretch. Maybe when Mr. Westerberg was writing great songs on "Tim" or "Let it Be". His musical direction since "Don't tell a soul" has been lack luster due to him "trying to make it big" on A.M. radio. I read once Mr. Westerberg tried to compare his new musical focus was very similar to Tom Petty. Big difference Tom Petty stayed true to his music while Paul sacrificed his art for ''teen beat'' success.
Not really sure what songs you mean by "teen beat" success, since even his 'radio friendly' stuff (Achin To Be, Love Untold) still sounds different and gutsier than most of his peers. The point is that you can't write the same songs when you're 50 and sober as when you did when you were 25 and, well, not so sober. But that doesn't mean you can't write good songs. I love the Stereo / Mono double disc. Brilliant writing, period.
Well if you think "Achin To Be, Love Untold" were 'gutsier' than Nirvana, Smashing Pumkins, SOundgarden,Pearl Jam, or all them other "Grunge" wanker bands at the time then I assume you are not a fan of 'hardcore' or more heavier sounds. It's ironic Westerberg gave up on a style of music he helped create that became popular in the 90s. Instead he sought ,in his own words, " fortune and fame" at the expense of his talent. Bubblegum music has never been an option for me.
First of all, I said "most". You also seem to dismiss him as bubblegum as if there's no difference between him and the Backstreet Boys. Ok, so he mellowed. Big deal. He grew up and got tired of being wasted (and probably didn't wanna end up like Bob Stinson). That doesn't mean this music is without merit.
And I love Nirvana and Pearl Jam. But even Pearl Jam stopped making grunge years ago. Speaking of heavier sounds, seriously, listen to Mono. He rocks out pretty good on that disc.
Funny you should bring up Mr Stinson considering I always felt The Replacements were never the same without him. Maybe he was a factor in The Replacements guts and 'raw energy'. Actually "Stereo" was the last C.D. I will ever purchase by P.W. "Let's not belong", "Silent Film Star", " Footsteps" are total rubbish. It sounds like he doesn't have any creativity left in him anymore.The songs most closest to The Mats are "Even here we are",Runaway Wind, or even "1st glimmer". Good writing.
The Mats were of a time and place. You can't expect PW to recreate that 25 years on, and he's not trying to. The best I can recommend is to listen to Stereo / Mono with fresh ears. Underneath the gruffness of the production and shabby drumming (and without the weight of being expected to write another Let It Be), there's still some great writing, this song included.
@wovokanarchy no purchase of"folker"? "Silent Film Star is one of his best songs,Ol Boy.."Dangerous Boys?..His last work? The whole 49 (minutes of your life"?
Most great artists have a period where everything they write or touch is golden. Then it fades. Just enjoy what he wrote in that period and appreciate the few gems that he can conjure now.
I have to completely disagree. I think he's still absolutely amazing. He can still write in many different styles. And you can tell he's the guy from the Replacements all grown up. It's quite poetic...
Well if "grown up" means old and boring I agree. My parents are in their 60s and I imagine they are not the same people they were in the 60s. If growing old means losing the spark that originally inspired a person to do what they do great then Mr. Westerboard fits the bill. oh by the way.. a lot of old timers still got the 'jam, look at Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Paul Weller, Billy Bragg.. they can still take the piss.
Paul is hardly old and boring. Have you listened to any of the Mono record. Really rocking. And 49:00 is one of the best records of the last 2 years!!!! I think you just need to listen to more. BTW Billy Bragg and Weller are still amazing. Went to see Billy Bragg in Philadelphia lastyear. Great show!
Paul's "Got me down" ever since he stopped writing killer tunes on albums like Pleased or Tim
wovokanarchy 6 months ago
@wovokanarchy Whats wrong with you?
JohnDinges 5 months ago
@JohnDinges Nothing, I just don't like it when people with talent piss it away or selling out their artistic soul for ''making it big man'' on the top of the charts...dude....
wovokanarchy 5 months ago
Comment removed
cdubninetythree 1 year ago
This man can floor me with a sentence and quite frankly I'd take that over some sludging guitar effect. I think the tuning is open A
owenfandango 1 year ago 3
what the fuck are you people talking about? I'd like to hear you come up with something worthy of this song to wipe it's butt on
GGhostglen 1 year ago 3
Any guitar nerds out there that know what tuning he's in,trying to cover it.
79HAYES 1 year ago
@79HAYES I'd go with Open A. He uses it on Answering Machine, Alex Chilton, Left of the Dial among others. from 6 to 1: E A E A #C E.
PatheticHero 3 weeks ago
Understandably, Paul might not have the same energy or rawness that he had with the Replacements, but he's still Paul. One hell of a songwriter with the most touching voice ever.
Apanzon 1 year ago
He keeps getting better and better.
And he's always been one of the best.
mikebryson 2 years ago
He's a different kind of artist now than he was 20 years ago. Bob Dylan said it best when he said he couldn't write something like "Maggie's Farm" or "With God On Our Side" at his age now, but that he can write other kinds of songs that he couldn't back then. Paul's the same way. This song breaks my heart, but in a different way than "Here Comes A Regular" or "Answering Machine". Most songwriters still can't touch this guy.
TheShteiner 2 years ago
Comparing Dylan with Westerberg? Tha's a stretch. Maybe when Mr. Westerberg was writing great songs on "Tim" or "Let it Be". His musical direction since "Don't tell a soul" has been lack luster due to him "trying to make it big" on A.M. radio. I read once Mr. Westerberg tried to compare his new musical focus was very similar to Tom Petty. Big difference Tom Petty stayed true to his music while Paul sacrificed his art for ''teen beat'' success.
wovokanarchy 2 years ago
Not really sure what songs you mean by "teen beat" success, since even his 'radio friendly' stuff (Achin To Be, Love Untold) still sounds different and gutsier than most of his peers. The point is that you can't write the same songs when you're 50 and sober as when you did when you were 25 and, well, not so sober. But that doesn't mean you can't write good songs. I love the Stereo / Mono double disc. Brilliant writing, period.
TheShteiner 2 years ago
Well if you think "Achin To Be, Love Untold" were 'gutsier' than Nirvana, Smashing Pumkins, SOundgarden,Pearl Jam, or all them other "Grunge" wanker bands at the time then I assume you are not a fan of 'hardcore' or more heavier sounds. It's ironic Westerberg gave up on a style of music he helped create that became popular in the 90s. Instead he sought ,in his own words, " fortune and fame" at the expense of his talent. Bubblegum music has never been an option for me.
wovokanarchy 2 years ago
First of all, I said "most". You also seem to dismiss him as bubblegum as if there's no difference between him and the Backstreet Boys. Ok, so he mellowed. Big deal. He grew up and got tired of being wasted (and probably didn't wanna end up like Bob Stinson). That doesn't mean this music is without merit.
And I love Nirvana and Pearl Jam. But even Pearl Jam stopped making grunge years ago. Speaking of heavier sounds, seriously, listen to Mono. He rocks out pretty good on that disc.
TheShteiner 2 years ago
Funny you should bring up Mr Stinson considering I always felt The Replacements were never the same without him. Maybe he was a factor in The Replacements guts and 'raw energy'. Actually "Stereo" was the last C.D. I will ever purchase by P.W. "Let's not belong", "Silent Film Star", " Footsteps" are total rubbish. It sounds like he doesn't have any creativity left in him anymore.The songs most closest to The Mats are "Even here we are",Runaway Wind, or even "1st glimmer". Good writing.
wovokanarchy 2 years ago
The Mats were of a time and place. You can't expect PW to recreate that 25 years on, and he's not trying to. The best I can recommend is to listen to Stereo / Mono with fresh ears. Underneath the gruffness of the production and shabby drumming (and without the weight of being expected to write another Let It Be), there's still some great writing, this song included.
TheShteiner 2 years ago
@wovokanarchy no purchase of"folker"? "Silent Film Star is one of his best songs,Ol Boy.."Dangerous Boys?..His last work? The whole 49 (minutes of your life"?
karlohozze 1 year ago
Paul hasn't written one great song since The Replacements. His songs today lack balls and depth.
wovokanarchy 2 years ago
Most great artists have a period where everything they write or touch is golden. Then it fades. Just enjoy what he wrote in that period and appreciate the few gems that he can conjure now.
tristhan1181 2 years ago
I have to completely disagree. I think he's still absolutely amazing. He can still write in many different styles. And you can tell he's the guy from the Replacements all grown up. It's quite poetic...
Mozzer232 2 years ago
Well if "grown up" means old and boring I agree. My parents are in their 60s and I imagine they are not the same people they were in the 60s. If growing old means losing the spark that originally inspired a person to do what they do great then Mr. Westerboard fits the bill. oh by the way.. a lot of old timers still got the 'jam, look at Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Paul Weller, Billy Bragg.. they can still take the piss.
wovokanarchy 2 years ago
Paul is hardly old and boring. Have you listened to any of the Mono record. Really rocking. And 49:00 is one of the best records of the last 2 years!!!! I think you just need to listen to more. BTW Billy Bragg and Weller are still amazing. Went to see Billy Bragg in Philadelphia lastyear. Great show!
Mozzer232 2 years ago
do better then, post something so we can compare. let's some some depth and balls.
hopup35 2 years ago
I think I actually prefer this song acoustic. :)
Apanzon 2 years ago
he has a charming voice :) great songwriter
BobBuckley 2 years ago
Thanks for this, Blasty. Paul is my forever Hero :-)
onewink 3 years ago
Great song - interesting to hear it acoustic. Rock on, Paul
ztasfarasIknow 3 years ago
Just amazing! Do you have more vids from this session?
Thank you! Pretty much my favorite Westy tune!
Mntgoatsfan 3 years ago
Sweet! How many songs did he do for this session?
MacGyver666 3 years ago