Wednesday 28 January 2015

BBC Radio 6 Music - Don Letts, ‘Crucial Vinyl: The Jam - All Mod Cons’


Don selects the Jam's 1978 classic All Mod Cons as his Crucial Vinyl this week.  

Don admits that he came late to this album, as, back in the punk days, the band, in their mod suits, were considered outsiders. 

Don says, "Now I discovered this album late - way late. It was only after I was asked to make a film about the making of the Jam's All Mod Cons that I realised what a great British record I'd missed. Still, better late than never... 

All Mod Cons was the trio's third album. It was released in November 1978, just eighteen months after their debut. Now you can't deny the obvious 60's British invasion pop influences, but that was only part of its strength. What was familiar territory to my ears was also invigorated by the punk energy of the late 70s. Along with anthemic tunes such as A-bomb in Wardour Street and Down in the Tube Station at Midnight, were emotive cuts like English Rose, all of which testify to Paul Weller's writing skills. 

At the time of All Mod Cons' release, I was pre-occupied with the likes of the Clash, so I missed out on what is without doubt a great record. In fact it was only in 2005, some 35 years after its release, that I really got into it - talk about standing the test of time!" 

As ever, the Don's other selections cross time, space and genre. 

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