November 7^th, 1980 – I parked my Lambretta outside Bracknell Sport Centre and made my way inside to witness one of the best gigs I had ever been to – ‘the best band in the fucking world’ live and dangerous. Fast-forward to December 3^rd, 1982, and I’m stood, broken-hearted as I watch the same band take a final bow at Wembley Arena.

Fast-forward again to April 23^rd, 2024, and I’m getting ready, as the cameras roll, to perform two songs from the new Weller album 66 for a select audience as part of the new series of ‘Later with Jools Holland’.

Back track to January 2022, to Black Barn studios where I’d just finished recording the last few horn parts for ‘In A Silent World’ and was just about to pack up when Paul asked us to play a short, simple riff that he wanted to drop into a new song the we hadn’t actually hear. It was just a few chords at that point – it turned out to be ‘Rise Up Singing’ – two album tracks in the bag and we never knew it.

It was a year further on before we were back at Black Barn – February 2023. This time to lay down ‘Gotta Get On’ and ‘Jumble Queen’ (the latter being a Noel Gallagher co-write). Working on a few basic ideas that Paul had hummed to me. I multi-layered saxes and trumpets and even added a bit of piccolo trumpet for good measure. Luckily, my efforts met with the Weller seal of approval, and we celebrated with a nice cup of tea.

Another year on and by now we knew the album was happening and it was sounding amazing. This time we were laying down ‘Soul Wandering’ and ‘Nothing’ - probably my two favourite tracks. Paul at his most mellow and introspective, so I channeled my inner Burt Bacharach and came up with twin flugelhorn parts, courtesy of myself and fellow Stone Foundation brasser, Dave Boraston.

If you’d have told the scrawny little mod peering up in awe at The Jam back in 1980 that one day he’d be helping Paul Weller celebrate his 66^th birthday with what may well be his best, and certainly his most personal set of songs for years I’d have laughed at you. I am honoured, blessed, grateful, disbelieving and just a bit smug. all in equal measure.