And so there’s a new Cafe Bleu SIX CD boxset out. Gosh. Outstanding though TSC debut is, I’m not sure that anyone needs six CD’s of Cafe Bleu. Sure, one CD is an early TSC live recording; another is made up of BBC sessions. Actually, I might just fork out…
It has the official Weller endorsement as well. 2026 seems like a good time to reflect on 1984, living under Cold War uncertainty and retreating to music to help get you through it all. Not a lot has changed.
Universal has been drip feeding some of the rarities from the Cafe Bleu deluxe over the past few weeks. It’s been more hit than miss, tbh. This was a pleasant surprise though, a Long Version of Paris Match. It’s very much in demo form, but still captures that essential Cafe Bleu cappuccino vibe.
There’s also been a mix up in the pressing of the vinyl and CD’s. It’s one for the obsessives, but The Whole Point from the album is actually now The Whole Point II, which was originally a b-side from 1985.
That Weller golden run from late ‘83 through to around late ‘85 produced so much richness and variety. You go from late Jam sounds that could still be heard on Speak Like a Child, all the way through to tipping his toe in the water of Transatlantic soul with some of the Our Fave Shop extras.
Much like now tbh, with his prolific run of albums every other summer. Quite a legacy he’s building up.