In this episode of the Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I talk to composer and arranger John Mealing, whose work helped define The Style Council’s orchestral and cinematic edge. John shares how he first connected with Paul Weller, starting with ‘Shout To The Top’, and goes into the making of Our Favourite Shop, The Cost of Loving and Confessions of a Pop Group – including strings, horns, live performance and studio experiments.
Along the way, John reflects on his jazz roots, his unlikely journey into arranging, and a parallel career creating some of British television’s most memorable theme tunes. He also offers a warm, revealing portrait of Paul Weller as a collaborator – meticulous, open-eared, and deeply committed to the music – and explains why, decades on, The Style Council’s boldest work is finally getting its due.
Click your preferred podcast platform to listen…
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Amazon Music
Acast
John Mealing – Composer and Arranger – The Style Council – Paul Weller Fan Podcast
Dancing Through the Fire
John Mealing is one of over 250 contributors to my Sunday Times Bestselling book, Paul Weller: Dancing Through the Fire, which is available now.
Click on the image below to grab your copy…
