Many of this writer's contemporaries have still never forgiven Paul Weller for splitting THE JAM at the height of their commercial success at the tail end of 1982, but to my mind he was always absolutely correct: THE JAM were the perfect synthesis of intelligence and nostril-flaring aggression and nature never intended them to become old and flabby or become THE ROLLING STONES.
So, if you still care about their legacy (and you've no excuse not to), you'll be delighted to hear that "The Jam At The BBC" is one of the very best of all these Radio 1-sponsored collections doing the rounds out there: quite possibly even better than the limited-edition David Bowie set from 2000 and that's going some.
I presume you'll be able to get hold of it as a 2CD set, but make the effort now and you'll be rewarded with a third CD; a kicking complete concert of THE JAM from the London, Finsbury Park Rainbow (December 1979)at the pinnacle of their "Setting Sons" majesty.
More about that later, but first let's sample the wares on the first 2CDS. Broken down, this comprises 38 tracks, including THE JAM'S three John Peel sessions and two contrasting - but equally great - gigs recorded for wunnerful Radio 1 in 1978 and 1981 respectively.
The first two Peel Sessions capture the first flowering of Weller's youthful, suburban vision and ably demonstrate why most of the punks loathed THE JAM for their proficiency. Indeed, these eight tracks - raw and compelling blueprints of tracks from their first two albums, plus "All Around The World" and B-side "Carnaby Street" - catch the band already on the cusp of greatness. The stinging "All Around The World" ("what's the point of saying destroy? We want a new life for everyone") also showed Weller's dissatisfaction with the confines of punk's ideals by the summer of 1977.
The final Peel outing from October 1979, meanwhile, is a snapshot of THE JAM clawing their way to the very top of the UK tree and features starker, almost desperate versions of "Eton Rifles" (minus organ) and "When You're Young." Both are utterly compelling and find world weariness and experience vying with the band's trademark energy.
If anything, though, both the live sets contained here are more illuminating. The first was recorded at the Paris Theatre, London, in June 1978 and showcases fine, energetic versions of songs like "In The Street Today" and "The Combine" from the much-derided "The Modern World" album, plus previews of both "Billy Hunt" and a (literally) apocalyptic "'A'Bomb In Wardour Street" from the then-impending "All Mod Cons". Obviously the jitters caused by "Modern World" had dissipated: THE JAM sound like world-beaters here.
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Some horrible Smashie & Nicie interludes threaten to destroy the atmosphere of the songs recorded for the long-forgotten Studio B15 programme from 1981, but there's no such problems with the exemplary fan club set turned in by the band at the Golders Green Hippodrome (19.12.81). A terrific, cooking, mixing desk recording, it demonstrates the point Bruce Foxton makes in the liner notes about "Liking a challenge" with the evening's setlist. Here we get killer renditions of soon-come classics like "Town Called Malice" and "Precious" as well as superb, reflective material like "Ghosts" and "Tales From The Riverbank" and readings of less-celebrated gems like "In The Crowd" and "Boy About Town." Dynamite.
Get off the blocks a bit rapid and you'll also snaffle that third CD from the Rainbow. Once again it's excitement a go-go, with the set building up from blinding versions of "Smithers-Jones" (Bruce's most enduring Jam composition to this day), through the potent resignation of "The Butterfly Collector" and the frightening personal collapse scenario in "Private Hell" before "When You're Young" ushers the hits in as we head for the home strait.
One small niggle would be the lack of "Going Underground" and "That's Entertainment," but for fuck's sake, if you win the lottery it's a bit petty to waste time arguing about whether to have a Jag or a Beamer in the drive, ain't it? "The Jam At The BBC" is a must-have, even if you've already got the studio albums and the box set.
It's fire and skill in excelsis.
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