The Gift

considered a disappointment by many (including Paul Weller) The Gift for me is a solid work. The let down if any, may be the fact that times were once again changing and new approaches would be required for Weller. He was moving in directions The Jam couldn't entertain, hence the creation of The style Council and the next phase of creativity. This is what fans and (how I loathe the term) critics often fail to understand. Creative activity cannot stand still. Your bands can't reproduce your initial experience forever. Sometimes,they have to move on because they are not here for us, whether we but their work and feel we own them. They are here to follow their own muse, wherever it leads. You have the option of going along or staying behind. None of you will be wrong.

What is it about Paul Weller that his record company can't be bothered to ever get things quite right? With previous reissues, there's always been something slightly wrong with the final package. The Jam's Direction Reaction Creation substituted singles or 12" versions of some tracks where album versions would have been expected; The Complete Adventures of The Style Council followed the same template. The reissued Style Council catalog in 2000 was remastered more for volume than anything else--and the mysterious "USA remix" of "Shout to the Top" replaced the original version on Our Favourite Shop. (Nobody's bothered to explain where this so-called "USA remix" came from; I owned a copy of the Internationalists LP, since the Our Favourite Shop CD wasn't released right away, and the mix of "Shout to the Top" was the same as on the UK single.) Liner notes of Jam and Style Council compilations tend to have sloppy punctuation, spelling errors, and/or mis-labelled tracks.It should come as no surprise that this new Deluxe Edition of The Jam's swan song, The Gift, ends up suffering the same fate. At first glance, the track listing suggests that Universal have got it right. On the first disc, they've come close, appending the album proper with the 12" version of "Precious", the non-LP single "The Bitterest Pill", and their associated B-sides. Why they didn't include the "Beat Surrender" EP on that first disc as well is something of a mystery, seeing as how, with the disc running at just under 50 minutes in length, there was certainly enough room for the five songs contained on the 12" version.The second disc appears to lead off with the "Beat Surrender" EP. It does--sort of. The first three songs are the ones we've long been familiar with. The last two, however, are *not* the versions found on the original EP; rather, they're either demos or alternate versions (since they're not identified as such, and the liner notes don't say anything, there's no way to know for sure which they are). "Stoned Out of My Mind" has a different mix, and Paul Weller sings in a falsetto (on the originally released version, he wisely sings in an octave better suited to his voice); "War" is also a different version to the original EP release. Fortunately, these versions appear to have been previously unavailable.The rest of the disc is mixed. "Skirt" is an odd version of "Start"; neither the liner notes nor the track listing give any sort of context as to why it's here. The remaining tracks are mainly demos, ending with what is apparently Weller's original demo of "A Solid Bond in Your Heart"--an odd one, really, with the guitar coming and going in the mix.So, in typical fashion, Paul Weller gets the Deluxe Edition treatment, but with a few flaws. Add the "Beat Surrender" EP to disc one, keep the demos and alternates on disc two, and maybe add a couple of live versions, and it would be much better. Of course, Universal are probably hoping folks will shell out the extra cash for the way more expensive Super Deluxe edition, which contains the album, the 10 singles and b-sides leading up to the split, a disc containing 15 demos, and a live disc, plus a DVD, and a book. If you're not a hardcore Jam completist, this Deluxe Edition will probably suffice.

I was in college when The Jam were making their best records. Although I had them all on vinyl at one point, my favorites began with All Mod Cons, when their Beatles / 60's Psychedelia influences began to merge with the punk to create a fresh brand of New Wave rivaled by none (save XTC).Every album improved on the previous: Setting Sons, Sound Affects and then The Gift (the same year I saw them in concert). By this one the Motown influence was getting the upper hand. In fact, The Jam taught me to like Motown, which up till '82 I thought I had outgrown...But actually, this album is quite diverse in moods, measures and subject matter, and a delightful listen - perfect for a carefree spring/summer weekend. And this 2 disk edition also includes all the singles and EP materials also released at that time (and a handful of demos which are moderately interesting).Only one (big) disappointment: Considering all the material included, for some reason they missed the excellent song Absolute Beginners (though there is a demo of it called Skirt).

A very underrated goodbye from one of the greatest bands that England ever produced.

Fab album

Why doesn't every household in the world own this album? It's a mystery to me. The infectious soul-pop-rhythm-and-blues that sing from this album go not quiet into the night. Hit play and then repeat.

Nice extra CD and remastered .

quickly delivery. The Jam were the best!

I am a huge Jam fan. Following on from the majestic Sound Affects I never really got The Gift. It seemed fractured and virtually unlistenable at the time. Plus it was very bleak lyrically, perhaps rather pompous.I love the Deluxe version. All the very good Paul Weller solo albums show The Gift in a very different light. It's eclecticism is now its strength. Plus some knowledge of Northern Soul music helps a lot.The punchy re-master sounds gorgeous and the album is a great play from start to finish. Plus the Bitterest Pill and Beat Surrender tracks and associated B-sides make a lot more sense than they did at the time.Highest compliment is that it sounds contemporary whereas, say, Setting Sons does sound a bit dated.Give it a listen and you won't be disappointed.

Very poor production ,sounds like they're singing in the upstairs bathroom ,and no where near the microphone,Not their best effort ,Regret buying this one ,,,,great band average songs ,this album only ,

Not The Jam's best album, but how do you criticise it, when the bar is so high!! Great having this on vinyl, at a great price. Originally had this on official cassette back in the day and then on CD. Some absolutely blinding tunes, a great swan song from one of the greatest bands this country has everseen and heard.

I have the complete Jam box which really wasn't;t so I bought this because I can't get enough of the Jam. From when I first bought Snap in college to now, I am a completist but I'm not complaining

A good album gets the deluxe edition treatment. I remember buying this album in Clapham, as a young kid I strutted through the high street with the album clad in its lilac and white candy striped bag, singing 'A Town Called Malice' - those were the days. Never a classic album in my mind though, but one that helped shape my youth. My point in writing this review is this, in comparision to the remastered single version from 1997 this sounds a little less punchy and less vibrant. I'm slightly disappointed with the sound quality. However, the various demo's on the second disc make this a good purchase though - an early version of 'Absolute Beginners' ('Skirt')is very good as is the demo for 'A Solid Bond In Your Heart'.