Style Council

The Style Council were a British group formed in 1983 by Paul Weller (formerly of The Jam) and Mick Talbot (formerly of Dexy's Midnight Runners and Merton Parkas). The formation of the group allowed Weller to continue to develop the soul-influenced sound which he had begun exploring with The Jam. The Style Council's sound also took in aspects of funk and the pop ballad, augmented by contributions by vocalist D.C. Lee and drummer Steve White. The group enjoyed a string of hits in the UK throughout the 80s, as well as six Top 20 albums, and achieved widespread success in Europe. The group were also renowned for their left-wing political stance expressed in songs such as Money-Go-Round and Walls Come Tumbling Down, and their support for the Labour Party. In 1984 Weller and Talbot formed the Council Collective with like-minded musicians, releasing a single originally intended to raise funds for striking miners. Both were involved in Band Aid and performed at Live Aid. (read more on wikipedia)

Links to Peel
As well as Paul Weller playing with The Jam, Mick Talbot had also recorded a Peel session with Merton Parkas (session rec. 13-08-79, first broadcast 20 August 1979). However, despite his support of both groups Peel seems to have shown little interest in The Style Council's output, perhaps due to their immediate popularity and mainstream success, more suited to early evening and daytime radio. Peel is known to have played The Council Collective's single 'Soul Deep' in early 1985, shortly after its release. Walls Come Tumbling Down was the opening song on a 1985 edition of Top of the Pops, introduced by Peel and Janice Long.

Sessions
(a session was recorded for David Jensen - see Karl's Tape 25 - August 1983 and here)
 * none

Other shows played

 * 27 May 1985 (Andy Kershaw) - Internationalists (LP, Our Favourite Shop)
 * 29 May 1985 (Andy Kershaw)) - Come To Milton Keynes (LP, Our Favourite Shop)
 * 31 December 1985 - Beat Surrender (Jam cover) as part of Live Aid highlights.

Top of the Pops
 * 09 May 1985 (TOTP) - Walls Come Tumbling Down
 * 03 April 1986 (TOTP) - Have You Ever Had It Blue? (play out music)