billy bragg: "she came along to me"

[RobbyEL]

I love the comment that he's a terrible guitar player. Go see him live when it's just him and a guitar. He's brilliant. I believe this video was recorded at a point when he was still just working through the writing process for Mermaid Avenue. He's still going through the writing process. This man makes me proud to be English in the way Burns should make someone proud to be Scottish.

[rugshort]

Cripes he's a terrible guitar player.

[shaunone]

@rugshort trust me on one thing-when the dust settles on the 20th century your name will be not there. His will.

[rugshort]

@shaunone Who gives a fuck...

[shaunone]

@rugshort this is long shot - but perhaps you do?

[rugshort]

@shaunone I love Mermaid Ave. It happens to be some of my fav music ever. I'm really looking forward to the forthcoming boxset. One flippant comment and some complete stranger tries to insult me. If your ass was any closer I'd kick it.

[shaunone]

@rugshort I'm with RobbyEL -go see him live before you make judgements.

[rugshort]

@shaunone Why would I take advice from a person I loathe?

[joroline64]

he is playing a song written when the nazis were taking over europe and the US wasnt in yet. the best verse goes:

all creeds and kinds and colors of us are blending. till i suppose 10 million years from now we'll all be just alike. same color, same size. working together. and maybe we'll have all if the fascists out of the way by then. maybe so.

whats the problem unless your a nazi.

[gori1084]

And you keep discussing and quarrell and discuss. I wish the lyrics of this song were in Japanese or maybe latin so you'd all relax and enjoy the beauty of this music without all this misplaced talking!

[usmclown420]

any one know the when and where of this video???

[bergiefbaby]

Lets be clear here, these are Woody Guthrie's lyrics, and while he was never an "official" communist party member, he did write a column for the Daily Worker. And lets not forget his guitar had "this machine kills fascists" on the side of it. So that can explain the "leftist" leaning lyrics.

[tismyopinion]

Are you going to bring up J. McCarthy?, now? haven't we moved beyond that?

If a man is a communist, atheist, socialist, etc. his or her writings and opinions are insular to governmental persecution.

[pk1444]

Since when did music become all about arguing over who has the right and wrong views?

Whatever happend to just enjoying music without arguing over what the songs are about?

[HereComesTheIndians]

Yeah tou're so rightg. I feel gths sdm is you dujmb shit

[hefferwiezen]

It is because Bragg is a 'leftist' as you appropriate the label, that his music is as fine as you acknowledge it is. The point is; his passion is protest. It is not a shame he is a 'leftist', its a blessing. You'll find very few singers/artists, very few indeed, have right wing politics. Its the only thing we can really thank capitalism for.

Keep on telling it like it is Billy.

[macdonnnn]

not sure i would fully agree with you . . . . more than likely its just all the really good ones who have a sense of decency

[pacoiec]

The Mermaid Av. albums have a memorable set of tunes in each song and yet so simple

[samwestonpotter]

Love Bragg's voice and songwriting on Mermaid Avenue. Too bad he's a leftist, such a waste.

[jacobehrlich]

If by songwriting, do you mean in terms of music? Because Guthrie was surely a leftist...

[IanDanielsen]

Musical tribute projects are a dime a dozen; there are few that are special. "Mermaid Avenue" is one of those rare gems where the stars converged, not without struggle. But hell, Woodie's life was also defined by struggle. Billy and Jeff Tweedy did it. They did it.

[amyeileen]

IanDanielsen: It was more like a collaboration with Woodie than a tribute. I believe that is one reason it worked so well. Also, those guys are great.

[IanDanielsen]

Yes I take your point. Have you seen the "Man in the Sand" documentary? Billy takes time to visit Woody's old home towns, kind of goes on an Odyssey to really get to Woody, the man. And you can tell that Billy isn't looking for a halo; he finds greatness in Woody, with all of his ups and downs. So I really respect your point, that he organized the project 'with' Woodie, as much as could be done. Thanks.

[johnny2125]

take it easy morrissey

[harryD714]

if woody were around today he wouldn't have rathered anyone else to play his music than billy bragg. You're my hero man

[helen4morrissey]

Socialist feminist, that Billy. If only he were a vegan, too.

[declanmacmanus]

mmm... no. that's just fuck him up.