Billy Bragg
 

Any Billy Bragg fans cruising the forums? Im a big fan myself.

Havent heard much, but the song thingie he did with michael stipe of REM was great, a song about a father who lost many sons in the conflict of North-Ireland. Can't remember it's name, it's not on tha computar machene right now.

just because your better than me, doesnt mean im lazy, just because your goin forward, doesnt mean im goin backward

im a fan as well. who cant love irish folk

My Bro got me onto him, decent shit.

i really like the mermaid avenue stuff he did with wilco........

love billy.

Not that it matters much, but Billy Bragg is not Irish.

http://www.billybragg.co.uk/

He's British as fuck and a hero to the masses. His political activism helped rid Britain of the vile dicatatoress that was Margaret Thatcher.

Really. I havent heard any of this stuff. Ive got 'Talking with The Taxman About Poetry', 'Dont try This At Home' and 'Back To basics'. I havent heard much Wilco. Are they any good?
I know Billy redid a whole lot of Woody Guthrie stuff recently, but i havent heard any.

I just bought The Essential Billy Bragg. Its well worth your dollar. Its got 3 cds, and heeps of stuff ive never heard before.
From NPWA
"I lost my job my car my house,
when 10,000 miles away some guy clicked on a mouse"
Classic stuff.

The albums also got some stuff he did with Wilco and The Blokes

"ontario quebec and me" is a great song.

"you don't need my christmas cards you already have my heart."

Ill have to listen out for that track. Dont think ive ever heard of it.

Bragg is a true musician, making music that means something. "Tank Park Salute" is one of the most touching songs ever written. But almost anything he does is great.

Sometimes, not always, his lyrics are up there with Dylan:

<i>I was a miner
I was a docker
I was a railway man
Between the wars
I raised a family
In times of austerity
With sweat at the foundry
Between the wars.

I paid the union and as times got harder
I looked to the government to help the working man
And they brought prosperity down at the armoury
We're arming for peace, me boys
Between the wars.

I kept the faith and I kept voting
Not for the iron fist but for the helping hand
For theirs is a land with a wall around it
And mine is a faith in my fellow man
Theirs is a land of hope and glory
Mine is the green field and the factory floor
Theirs are the skies all dark with bombers
And mine is the peace we knew
Between the wars.

Call up the craftsmen
Bring me the draftsmen
Build me a path from cradle to grave
And I'll give my consent
To any government
That does not deny a man a living wage.

Go find the young men never to fight again
Bring up the banners from the days gone by
Sweet moderation
Heart of this nation
Desert us not, we are
Between the wars.</i>