The Jam — The Gift
Author: tracysigler | Posted: June 7th, 2007 | | Tags: 1982, Jam, mod revival, music, vinyl | 3 Comments »
- Artist: The Jam
- Title: The Gift
- Year: 1982
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 10
- Owner: Tracy, Mary (two copies)
- Acquired: I can’t remember
- Keeper: Yes
“Now for those of you watching in black and white…
This one is in Technicolor.”
Those are the barely audible words spoken by Paul Weller that kick-off this brilliant record. I’ve listened to The Gift, all 32 glorious minutes of it, at least five times in the last 24 hours. That’s probably only half as much as I listened to it when I was 15. I bought it as soon as it was released. This was their last album and their biggest hit, at least in the UK. Some fans and critics didn’t dig it, but whatever, this one is probably my favorite. “Inconsistent”? That’s crazy. Every song is great. After a couple hundred listens you’ll agree, if you don’t already.
I use to blast this in my bedroom using the speakers and wearing my headphones at the same time while playing along on my old Ludwig drum kit. It was like I was swimming in the music. What a great feeling, and this is a perfect album for a drummer, with a lot of fast songs, fills, breaks and bashing cymbals. And drummer Rick Buckler even looks the coolest on the album cover (on the left). The drummer boy in me likes the instrumental “Circus” the best, but as I said before all the songs are great. Other favorites include “Happy Together”, “Ghosts”, Precious”, “Trans-Global Express”, “Town Called Malice”, “The Gift”, and the few I left out. We have two copies and we’re keeping both.
Long live The Jam!
[…] The endless line of King 12 inch singles continues. This one is another version of “Won’t You Hold My Hand Now”, the “Heavy Times Mix.” I’m going to admit that this time I found it less annoying, maybe slightly entertaining. The songs on side two, “Endlessly” and “Never Ending” are probably better. I usually play the record I’m writing about when I post, but right now I’m still spinning the last one, The Gift by The Jam. […]
Miss those days of loud drumming, guitar and piano in the house. We used to feel like we were “swimming” in the music and we were loving it.
So I went to see The Jam two weeks ago at the Birchmere in Alexanria, VA. The lead guitarist and the drummer were back. The were great. I was the youngest (37) in the crowd and only saw 4 or 5 women. But, had a blast. Short, quick hitting hits makes for a good time.