Billy Bragg

Posted by: Disposable hero on 26 October 2012

Billy Bragg's music seems to split opinion a fair bit. If someone was thinking of exploring his music output from the early to latter material, which albums are the best to start with?

Posted on: 26 October 2012 by winkyincanada
Originally Posted by Disposable hero:

Billy Bragg's music seems to split opinion a fair bit. If someone was thinking of exploring his music output from the early to latter material, which albums are the best to start with?

I have "Talking With the Taxman About Poetry". Love it. Contains one of my all-time favourite lyrics; "With the money from her accident, she bought herself a mobile home". And who could not love; "How can you lie there and think of England when you don't even know who's on the team?"

 

 

Oh, and I also have the collaboration with Wilco; "Mermaid Avenue". Also worth a listen.

 

Posted on: 26 October 2012 by Guido Fawkes
Originally Posted by Disposable hero:

Billy Bragg's music seems to split opinion a fair bit. If someone was thinking of exploring his music output from the early to latter material, which albums are the best to start with?

I wouldn't .... there you said it would split opinion.  

Posted on: 26 October 2012 by Oscar_F

+1 to "Talking with the taxman about poetry" and "Mermaid Avenue". I have been a fan for 20 years, own a dozen of Billy Bragg`s albums and I can also recommend "Workers playtime" (my personal favorite) and "Don´t try this at home".

 

 

Posted on: 26 October 2012 by Steve J

+1 Guy. I never 'got' him.

 

Steve

Posted on: 26 October 2012 by Gale 401

+2 to what Guy and Steve said above.

I only have him on comp albums.

He has got better live when playing with some greats singing other peoples songs though.

I bumped into him on tour many years ago in Holland, Andy Kershaw was his road crew.

Stu.

Posted on: 26 October 2012 by badlyread

'William Bloke' is a little different to most of his output, but there are some fantastic tracks there.

 

Most notably - From Red to Blue, Upfield, A pict Song.

 

Regards

 

Neil

Posted on: 26 October 2012 by Bruce Woodhouse

Hugely underrated in my opinion, perhaps mostly by people who have just heard the political stuff. His more intimate and personal songs are some of the most moving I own, and some of the funniest too.

 

Personally I reckon 'Don't Try This At Home' is the most rounded and consistent album. Whilst last 2 or 3 have dipped a bit there is still stuff to enjoy. I defy anyone to hear 'Levi Stubbs Tears' or 'Tank Park Salute' and not be moved.

 

Favourite lines apart from the 'think of England' quote include the whole of Walk Away Renee which is just hilarious. 'When she first spoke to me my nose began to bleed.....then she cut her hair and I stopped loving her'.

 

New England (with him or Kirsty Maccoll singing) is a desert island disc for me. 

 

 

Bruce

Posted on: 26 October 2012 by hungryhalibut

Billy Bragg is a genuis and all his albums are excellent. Get Life's a Riot (the first one), The Internationale EP, and Brewing up, and go from there. 

Posted on: 26 October 2012 by Jono 13
Originally Posted by Bruce Woodhouse:

Hugely underrated in my opinion, perhaps mostly by people who have just heard the political stuff. His more intimate and personal songs are some of the most moving I own, and some of the funniest too.

 

Personally I reckon 'Don't Try This At Home' is the most rounded and consistent album. Whilst last 2 or 3 have dipped a bit there is still stuff to enjoy. I defy anyone to hear 'Levi Stubbs Tears' or 'Tank Park Salute' and not be moved.

 

Favourite lines apart from the 'think of England' quote include the whole of Walk Away Renee which is just hilarious. 'When she first spoke to me my nose began to bleed.....then she cut her hair and I stopped loving her'.

 

New England (with him or Kirsty Maccoll singing) is a desert island disc for me. 

 

 

Bruce

+1 for Tank Park Salute from Don't Try This at Home and the Between the Wars EP are truly great musical offerings.

 

The politics tends to the left but in a good way mostly.

 

Jono

Posted on: 26 October 2012 by TWP

Billy Bragg should be classed as a National treasure , writes some great songs and is always entertaining on question time .. ,I still prefer his early releases and a good start is this, if not for just New England without the extra verse written for Kirsty Mcoll.

Back to Basics

 

Posted on: 26 October 2012 by Mike Hughes
Start at the beginning and work your way through to Don't Try This At Home. Then, to be honest, stop there. It doesn't get any better. Also, never see him with a band. Only solo.
Posted on: 26 October 2012 by TomK

A few of my best friends were serious fans but I never got him, sadly. I found him too earnest, po faced and frankly boring. And I don't like being lectured to. I confess I've not heard much of his stuff for many years though.

He's a big Phil Ochs fan so that's a huge plus for him as far as I'm concerned.

Posted on: 27 October 2012 by Mike Hughes
I can see that perspective Tom of you've listened to a small amount or never seen him live. Po faced is the last thing he is. I would seriously try Don't Try This At Home.
Posted on: 27 October 2012 by Bruce Woodhouse

He does a great version of 'Jerusalem' on the 'Internationale EP' that I find stirring and patriotic.

 

He has serious convictions, but I've never found him po-faced. I like the fact he's consistent and vocal about his politics but so much of his music has nothing to do with those issues.

 

Saw him live and he was a hoot, great raconteur and, unlike so many artists, he actually seemed to enjoy himself as well as entertain his audience.

 

Bruce

Posted on: 29 October 2012 by Disposable hero
Originally Posted by Guido Fawkes:
Originally Posted by Disposable hero:

Billy Bragg's music seems to split opinion a fair bit. If someone was thinking of exploring his music output from the early to latter material, which albums are the best to start with?

I wouldn't .... there you said it would split opinion.  


Yep but on this occasion you are outnumbered, by nearly all of the others  I might have a go with 'Don't Try This At Home' as a starter. There is a cover version of Bragg's "To Have and To Have Not" by Lars Frederikson & The Bastards but I don't know on which of Bragg's albums the original was on.

Posted on: 29 October 2012 by Mike Hughes
The original was on Life's A Riot.