Published 2025-06-01 06:00
Paul Weller will release a brand new covers album in July, his 2nd following 2004’s "Studio 150". "Find El Dorado" features contributions from Noel Gallagher, Robert Plant, Declan O’Rourke and many more, and will be released on July 25th, 2025, on Parlophone Records.
Weller’s last full set of covers, "Studio 150", included versions of standards such "Wishing On A Star", "All Along The Watchtower" and The Carpenters’ "Close To You". "Find El Dorado", however, dips into more eclectic fare for its source material.
On "Find El Dorado" a take on Christy Moore’s 1975 version of Mountain’s "One Last Cold Kiss" featuring Middlesbrough folk singer Amelia Coburn is included, and Senegalese kora player Seckou Keita joins Weller for a version of Duncan Browne’s 1973 hit "Journey". "White Line Fever", from The Flying Burrito Brothers’ 3rd, post Gram Parsons LP is also featured in the set.
“These are songs I’ve carried with me for years”, Weller says of the selection. “They’ve taken on new shapes over time. And now felt like the moment to share them”.
Former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant features on vocals and harmonica for a version of "Clive’s Song", written by The Incredible String Band’s Clive Palmer, and 1st recorded by Scottish folk singer Hamish Imlach in 1969.
Noel Gallagher, meanwhile, plays acoustic guitar on "El Dorado", originally written by Derry songwriter Eamon Freil for the 1986 film 'The Best Man'.
The Oasis songwriter has contributed to multiple Weller albums over the past 3 decades, and he spoke last year about his friendship and creative partnership with the former Jam leader, "He’s always had that drive to do something new, the jump from 'Eton Rifles' to 'Town Called Malice' is immense, and a few months later you’re into The Style Council", Gallagher said. "He actually gets frustrated with artists who are not as forward thinking as him. He thinks most of us do the same old same old and get away with it. I remember, backstage before one of his shows in the 90's, when someone made the mistake of going, 'Fucking hell, won’t you just do 'Town Called Malice'? And there followed a massive row in the dressing room. He wouldn’t play anything from the past in those days”.