In this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I’m delighted to be joined by Phil Veacock – best-known as the main arranger, musical director and tenor saxophonist of Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.
Phil has multiple connections and credits with Paul Weller with arrangements and performances on every Weller album since 2017’s A Kind Revolution, right through to 2021’s number one LP, Fat Pop (Volume 1).
They’d actually played together before then with Paul’s multiple appearances on Jools Holland’s TV Shows – Later… and Hootenanny. Plus in 2012, in honour of Sir Paul McCartney turning 70, Paul covered ‘Birthday’ by The Beatles and made it available to download for one day only – as you’ll hear in our chat Phil played on that version of the song.
And we shouldn’t forget the stunning cover of September in the Rain for a Jools Holland album in the same year, for which Phil led on arrangements working closely with Paul Weller throughout.
A huge fan of soul music – Phil has worked with THE greatest names in the genre. Legends like: Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Smokey Robinson, Al Green, Pops & Mavis Staples, Booker T, Candi Staton, Chaka Khan, George Benson, Solomon Burke, Barry White, Sam Moore, Edwin Starr and Eddie Floyd.
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EP95 – Phil Veacock – Brass Arranger & Sax Player… ”When I hear that sound, it goes to my heart, straight to my soul…”! – Paul Weller Fan Podcast : Desperately Seeking Paul
April 2012 – September in the Rain – Jools Holland with Paul Weller
I also thought it would be good to add a link for Lynn Hope – the American jazz and blues tenor saxophonist that Phil mentions Paul referencing regarding the arrangement of this song. Also known as El Hajj Abdullah Rasheed Ahmad he passed away in 1993.
18th June 2012 – Paul Weller – Birthday
2017 – A Kind Revolution – Paul Weller
- Nova – Saxophone
- Hopper – Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone
2018 – True Meanings – Paul Weller
Phil is credited with brass arrangements on three tracks, which he also performs on.
- Mayfly – Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Horns [Arrangement]
- Movin On – Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Horns [Arrangement]
- White Horses – Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Horns [Arrangement]
2018 – Other Aspects – Paul Weller
Recorded London’s Royal Festival Hall in October 2018, Phil is credited with all brass arrangements.
He plays as part of the brass section with Jess Holder, Chris Storr and Alistair White.
2020 – On Sunset – Paul Weller
Phil is credited with brass arrangements on Baptiste, On Sunset, Equanimity, Walkin’ and Rockets.
He also plays Tenor Sax on all of those tracks.
You can also hear Chris Storr playing Post Horn on the track Walkin’ – the story behind the Post Horn features on the podcast chat with Phil.
2021 – Fat Pop (Volume 1) – Paul Weller
A complete surprise to Phil!
You can hear him playing Saxophone on the song In Better Times.
A Spotify playlist to accompany Episode 95
NB: Birthday isn’t available on Spotify sadly.