Re-Billy Bragg

I flew down to LA for the show last night. I had some other reasons to be in LA, but I timed them around Billy's show.

I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment. It was the best Billy Bragg show I've ever seen, and one of the 5 best shows I've been to this year.

I've been lucky enough to see Billy about a half-dozen times over the years. He is always witty, vibrant, provocative, and insightful. Having said that, Billy is more relevant and needed now than ever. A no-bullshit, unvarnished voice is exactly what we need to combat the age of Trumpian/Brexit no-nothingism.

Happily, and probably not coincidentally, Billy is at the top of his game. His 4 new songs (counting his reworking of The Times They Are A-Changing as a new song) are all spectacular.

For me the highlight was his new song inspired by Goya: The Sleep Of Reason Produces Monsters. It is chilling and spot-on.

As you say, Billy's voice was pretty trashed last night. But not only did it not matter, I felt like it showcased one of Billy's transcendent messages -- the need to persevere in the face of adversity.

I hope your endorsement helps get Billy a wider audience. We need his voice, now more than ever.

Rob Glaser

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I first saw him in London while writing for Time Out in early 80s.
Buzzed around LA with him on his first visit to the city, free gigs at a couple long gone record stores, including that one on Olympic or Pico ironically close to NARAS.
Last heard him, still sharp, being interviewed by Terry Gross.
http://www.npr.org/2017/07/22/538331831/fresh-air-weekend-billy-bragg-on-skiffle-crime-and-punishment-in-black-america

Brad Auerbach

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The first time I heard Billy Bragg was in 1994, on WLIR, the (underpowered) KROQ of New York. I put in on a mixtape, which I still have, though no cassette player to play it on. At that time, he was positioned as Another New Wave Artist, which did span a lot of genres, but it was clear that even within that broad classification, he was different, then and now. I'm glad that he is still out there, doing it, and relevant!

David Chazen

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This was a great read! I never expected two of my favorite minds to meet.
Billy has been an inspiration to me for a while, and like you said, its his stories that always make me want to be there in the bar with him! But it was the songs that got me there the first time. How did i find them? it was the Woody Guthrie + Wilco record. Thanks to this lot, I want to be a journeymen too.
So glad you took the time and a chance to find him too.
Wonsly

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California Stars. Bragg's work in bringing this Woody Guthrie song to life has to be a part of any conversation about his career. Mermaid Avenue was a great project. Wilco gets credit, too, but the performance was Billy Bragg.

Jim Warren

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Billy Bragg's recent interview with Terri Gross turned me on to what a remarkable presence he is. Thanks for shining a light on an old-fashioned troubadour who is both staunchly political and utterly free of bullshit or pretense. It's a rare combination.

Matt Kohut

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"Walk Away Renee": https://open.spotify.com/track/4IDookpXpwMN2pJEYddpY5?si=OIkZE0Co

Nobody does it better.
Michael E. Colbourn

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Spot on. Billy is everything you said in your email - first time I saw him was at the New Music Seminar when he was signed to CD Presents in the early 80's. I was a college radio music director and he didn't have a formal showcase - he'd rigged himself with a backpack and electric speakers and had his electric guitar plugged into it and I guess a mic too and he was walking around in front of the hotel and through the lobby and trade show just playing his songs - a one man walking band. created his own showcase :). it was awesome.

then, after college I had the good fortune to work for Elektra. at first I was an assistant and when he'd stop into the office he'd take the time to show me the chords to his songs, and later when I was in a marketing role for the label I was able to promote his records, arrange an instore for him at Tower Records in the Village, etc. Some 20 years later when he was in NYC performing at a Woody Guthrie benefit I went backstage to say hello, not sure if he'd remember me - imagine all the people he's met and worked with since - but his arms flew up in the air and he said "Barb!" and gave me a great big hug. He's genuine, true to himself, his passions, his politics, and his hopes. His fans have stuck by him for good reason and he sticks by them.

Thanks for the link, some back:

The Great Leap Forward: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7d6ZwAp28Y

Playing the Clash's English Civil War with the Levellers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrcpxpbgAnc

and if you don't know the record of Woody Guthrie lyrics set to songs that he did with Wilco ("Mermaid Avenue") - the whole thing is brilliant, start to finish:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Lnf0hmj6l0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcxIMvI8qBs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhe9tVARzCk

enjoy!

Barb Prisament

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Billy's been doing it his way for many, many years. I first encountered him when he crashed the New Music Seminar (NMS) 'party' in NYC back in '84 or '85. He entered the lobby of the conference hotel with some sort of small PA system strapped to his back. And he sang songs and protested that the voices of artists like him, "New Music", were being shut out. It certainly caught my attention.

It would not surprise me at all if that's when the descerning ears of talent rep extraordinaire Steve Martin heard him too, and signed him to his agency. But I'm sure he could tell you that info.

Cheers from Perth, Australia,
Thom Wolke

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Perfectly encapsulates Billy Bragg, thanks for the link. I remember seeing him on an inside stage at The Big Day Out about four years ago. I was struck by how well he knew his audience, how to communicate with them, what would make them laugh, brilliant.

Matt Johnson

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When it comes to socially-aware, politically-active artists, Billy's the real deal.
You may or not agree with the politics, but you have to respect the dedication and the consistency.
Billy's smart as hell, well-spoken, and he can sure pen a few good songs (try 'Levi Stubbs' Tears').
He was a precursor in the business. He owns his masters and his publishing. He was managed (for a while) by the great Peter Jenner, but as Peter once told me, "you don't manage Billy, he manages himself". He basically made a shake-hand deal with Cooking Vinyl and that has been going on for over 20 years.
I have dealt with Billy on a couple of occasions and I have always been amazed by his willingness to interact with people, and his no frills attitude.
Always an inspiration. And a cool guy to have a beer with too.

Emmanuel Legrand

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Thank you for writing this... brings back memories of me as a youngster in the 80's being introduced to Billy Bragg, and realizing that there was more to music!

Ps- if you haven't already, check out Billy Bragg and Wilco's Mermaid Avenue.... unreleased words of Woody Guthrie

David Dutton

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Hey Bob, been a fan of Bragg since the 80's when I was growing up in Ireland. He made me political as a teenager with his Red Wedge tour supporting the striking miners and denouncing Thatcher.

Saw him at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in SF on Friday and he captivated a large crowd of maybe 10,000 people, the majority of whom were probably only vaguely aware of Bragg.

His skill of connecting the past and present, both musically and politically is a rare gift, delivered by a master craftsman.

Indeed The Times They Are A Changin'...back.

Greg McQuaid

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When I was in college in the '80s, I saw him give a keynote at the music old New Music Seminar in NY. He was passionate and riveting! He was some kind of mix - part Joe Strummer, part Bob Dylan. Afterward I saw him coming out of the building and told him I loved what he had said. He replied, "Good, then get out and do something about it,"
and walked away. I don't remember much of what he said at his keynote, but I still remember that urging to me to do something, and I think it that often.

Jim McGuinn

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I'm glad you got to see him finally. He's really awesome and he always has been. You just motivated me to put on one of my favorite Billy Bragg albums right now.

Nick Miller

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I saw Billy Bragg here in Toronto for my first time- it was an incredible night!

I had his first three albums back in high school and listened to them a lot.
But I kind of dropped him after that as sometimes happens, especially when you go through your jazz years....

Anyway- my bass player and his buddy had an extra ticket for the second night of Billy's 3 night stand at T.O.'s infamous Horseshoe Tavern.
And that happened to be the night he was gonna be playing mostly those first three albums- fantastic!
As you experienced there- an older crowd, everyone approaching middle age, except for those already passed it.
Everyone seemed to know all the words to the songs, and hung on every word of the stories.

It was amazing experience, joyful and entertaining- kind of like a loud kitchen party with 400 friends and host you haven't seen for a few years.

Good to hear you got to enjoy it too.

Greetings from Toronto,

Christian D

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I discovered Billy Bragg a couple years ago and was deeply inspired. There's just something about getting moved to discover a back catalog of an artist. I'm 31, so I was a baby when he was putting out records marketed as a "one man Clash" and had no idea of him or Wilco as a 13 year old when he did the wonderful Guthrie collection.

Glad to see his name pop up here!

Ramon Narvaez

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I look forward to your daily posts. I have no affiliation with the music industry, other than being an avid consumer of music for the last 30 years. Anyway, Billy likely played this at his show, but if not, check out his recent protest gem called 'King Tide and the Sunny Day Flood'. Is it going to change the world or inspire people to make a difference? Probably not. As you've written many times, the culture has changed too much for a song like this to have mass appeal. But it's genuine and authentic, just like Billy. Isn't that what people crave? A little authenticity? Keep up the good work.

https://open.spotify.com/track/2wip4989IWOY6Hd4J38YMw

Michael Scott

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I saw him a few years ago, here in Halifax at a small college venue, with my nephew, who was a huge fan. I was in the front row and had on my Boston Bruin hat and I think he asked me if I was going to a hockey game later. He was humorous, engaging and of course political, a memorable night!!

Doug Gillis

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Sure thing Bob - Billy is a journeyman, a rebellious folk and protest singer who can rock and folk with the best of them. I first saw Billy on January 22, 1989 at the Pub Flamingo in Halifax, NS.
The same night as Superbowl XXIII (49'ers beat the Bengals 20-16 - Montana to Taylor with 34 seconds left to win.)

I had all of Billy's albums to date, including Workers Playtime - the one he was touring to support. Me and my college roommate Doug sang along and drank the koolaid. I was mildly disappointed he talked so much as I remember - only because at the end there were so many songs I didn't get to hear, because of his long banter. Every show is like that - the audience doesn't get to write the set list, so you have to be willing to buy into the artist/audience bargain which is, the band curates the show and the audience curates the response. I've spent my whole life going to shows and have always enjoyed the interplay of this relationship.

The Superbowl reference relates the fact that he spent an inordinate amount of time talking about the futility of American football, or "tightpants" as he and his Brits pals called it in the day. Still, me and my buddy Doug left satisfied because we finally got to see our British version of Dylan, with an even harder political edge.

I saw Billy again in 2000 with Wilco on the Mermaid Avenue Tour - another great show. This time I got to interview Billy for a TV show I was working on at the time, so I was pretty thrilled to get that chance to ask him about Tony Blair and "New Labour" in Great Britain, He was so insightful, brutally honest and decidedly socialist that you couldn't help but admire this guy for the courage of his convictions for so long. And for his songs, of which you included none, so I will oblige.

Love your letters Bob, keep on writing!

Billy Bragg: New England

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCfRcgoPxTw

Billy Bragg: Levi Stubbs Tears

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbdJ8OGYtzM

Billy Bragg: Greetings From the New Brunette

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfKcG3gn3F8

Peace
Stephen Antle

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I discovered Billy Bragg's music when I was 18...I am only a young 34 now and been a massive fan since day one.

All the way over here in Sydney, Australia his brand of no frills music and politics (happily mixing the two) always spoke to me somehow, regardless of any such nonsense generational gap or geographical understanding.

He also has beautiful love songs in his repertoire too!

Have gone to seen him play live all over the world and have seen him easily a dozen times or more. Usually one of the youngest in the crowd every time!

I still have to fight back tears singing along to every word at his shows.

It is rare to find an act you will happily go to a live show and be just as happy listening to him rant and rave for 50% of the time, and sing incredibly crafted songs the other 50% of the time. Sometimes I don't even know which I like more.

In the current crazy world we all live in, we need artists like Billy Bragg more than ever.

Well read, well listened, well educated, in tune with whatever country he finds himself in, and certainly never afraid to speak him mind on any topic he feels passionate about.

Glad you enjoyed the show, and even better to be spreading the word too!

Always waiting, for the great leap forwards!

Basil Cook

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Saw him at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass on Fri. He wAa great and "The Times They are a' Changing" brought me to tears. Especially here and now.

Randi Swindel

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Great Leap Foward and New England are superior to any Dylan song simply because they are stripped of any poise or pretense and harmomize truth with dreaming in a way only a working class undersung Brit poet hero could do. Just ask Bono. I bet Billy Bragg was one of the reasons he still tries to write songs anymore in hope of inventing something as pure and powerful.

Paul Koidis

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Just watched Billy's version of "The Times They Are A-Changin." I was literally moved to tears as feelings of both anger and helplessness washed over me. And he accomplished what he set out to do, which was to remind me that I, we, you, can't sit on the sidelines and just bitch about things. We all must weigh-in and stand up for what is right, just and decent!

Thanks for this.
Dan Beckerman

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Been a fan for years. "Milkman of Human Kindness" is an all time favorite song. A hit because it's so catchy.

Saw him for free (with free tacos and free beer) at a SxSw paste mag showcase a couple years ago. We just wandered in. no wrist band needed.

I was ECSTATIC!! I had never seen him live. He is like a sleeper hit movie.

And, THEN, Amanda Fucking Palmer got up on stage with him and I about pushed people over to get to the front of the stage. I was FLOORED!

But, it all made sense. Though I didn't associate them in my mind, of COURSE they are kindred spirits, of COURSE AFP is a huge BB fan!

I got a selfie with Billy and it still looks like a loving picture with my dad.

He's definitely a musical dad out uncle. Hr had/has so much love to give - not creepy love - I felt totally safe.

What a musician, what a songwriter, what a man!!

-Sarah Fridrich in DC

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What a brilliant man for you to shine a light on. Thank you.

My friends and I discovered him pretty young and he became the backbone of our Sunday listening sessions in our teens, BECAUSE, he had something to say. It wasn't just drivel. It was centered and charged. so, thank you again Bob.

Side note regarding the Housemartins. The bass player was the business driver in that band. The reason you didn't hear more about them is because he left that band in the dust when he had an unexpected number one in the 80s, but he's very much still functioning today. You know him as Fat Boy Slim. ;)

Kevin Spencer

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Billy Bragg is amazing…You're a little late to the game as his biggest album (Life's a Riot with Spy Vs. Spy) came out in 1983.

My friends and I wore out his record Back to Basics in the late 80's. Got to see him in 1990 and I still remember it was an amazing show.

Glad he's still out there making noise.

Best Regards,
Zach Goode

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Thanks for this. I was at the show as well. I live in Denver but saw he was playing the Troubadour so I planned a work trip in LA around it.
I saw Bill in 08 at the El Rey and he told us to vote for Obama and we did.
The next time I saw him was at the Gothic in Denver on a snowy night a few weeks before the election and he warned us not to be complacent and vote for President Obama again and we did.
Sadly he didn't tour before the last election. Clearly we need his voice to remind us of our civic duty.
Glad you saw him live.
Thanks

Kevin Bennett

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Billy's a marvel. Tireless.

Check out his work with Jail Guitar Doors, a foundation he created with the MC5's Wayne Kramer (it's named for a song The Clash wrote about Wayne), that supplies musical instruments to inmates in the U.S. and the U.K.

Billy and Wayne often go to prisons to perform. Interviewing him once, years ago, I said, "Bill, most of these guys are in their 20s. You're 45. Are they familiar with your music?"

"They haven't got a fucking clue, mate," he said, laughing. "I play them some Bob Marley tunes."

John Kendle

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Bob

Billy just performed 3 nights at the H-Shoe Tavern as part of our 70th B-Day concert series. The shows sold out in a millisecond, with each evening focusing on a different era of Billy's musical career

I've been a huge fan since the early 80's, so I'm biased, but Billy has the secret sauce, the right mix of lyrical poetry, anthemic chord changes, and the ability to weave a story, both in stage banter and within each song, in the same musical tradition as a Dylan, Springsteen, Strummer, or Guthrie

Jeff Cohen
Collective Concerts
Legendary H-Shoe Tavern
Toronto

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Hey Bob,

I've been a fan of your writing for years and am so glad you covered Billy Bragg. He is the real fucking deal. This February, I had the opportunity to perform a piece of music before Billy's key note speech at the Folk Alliance Conference (last year the theme was about protest music). My band was asked to create a piece of music to support a poem written by a police officer of color who felt conflicted about what his job asked of him to do. It was a moving piece and as I walked backstage Billy congratulated me, saying that we fired him up. I felt honored as I sat down to watch him speak.

His speech was mesmerizing as he told the stories of the key moments in his life that turned him into the man and artist he is. He spoke of the homophobic work environment as a teenager that made him realize he would not let racism, fascism or homophobia stand. He spoke of the gig when Pete Seeger passed down the baton to him by telling him it was his turn to write the songs for his people.

This line stuck with me the most. He explained, "Music is an amazing vehicle for empathy. Even a pop song, in its simplicity, allows you to feel another persons love or heart break. Our role as artists is to create empathy, and if empathy leads to action, that is called solidarity. Solidarity is what the world needs." Fuck, man, that hit me like a bullet right into my soul. He led us all in an a cappella chant exclaiming, "Solidarity Forever."

As Billy walked off stage and back into the dressing room, I congratulated him and echoed, hey Billy YOU FIRED ME UP! He then looked at me square in the face and said, see, now its your turn its time for you to write the songs for your people. In that exact moment, Nora Guthrie walked backstage. She heard Billy telling me that and chimed in, "Yes, we can't do it anymore. It's your turn, this is what people need to hear."

That moment changed my life forever. Our album was already completed, the second work we'd done produced by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos. We'd been dropped by our label, we felt downtrodden and aimless. The album was already written and recorded, containing tories about the immigrant perspective. That day, those stories evolved and blossomed into a battle cry. It shaped and pointed our message and fueled us with the energy we needed to move forward. We self-released it, climbed to #3 on the Billboard Latin Albums chart and hit the ground running sharing our message.

Billy Bragg changed my life. Thanks for sharing.

Enrique Chi

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In addition to being everything you say -- passionate, illuminating, stimulating -- Billy Bragg is also very funny. At least, he was when I saw him. His mixture of music, stories, politics, and humor is very entertaining. And it gives you something to think about at the same time.

Kurt Schroeder

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"Waiting for the Great Leap Forward"!!
Listen to that.

Jeff Loh

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Dear Mr Lefsetz,

Read your post about Billy Bragg. I'd like to share a little anecdote.

I saw Billy Bragg once at a festival in Belgium (I'm from Belgium). Pukkelpop. Today one of Europe's biggest festivals. Not the case in 1990.

https://www.pukkelpop.be/nl/history/1990/

Billy Bragg was on stage. Festival ground surrounded with metallic fences. One audience member needs to pee. He goes to the fence and starts urinating. A little bit lazy, toilets available a few yards further.

Billy sees it. He stops playing and addresses the guy. So like, addressing the guy through the PA in front of several thousands.

Billy: " Excuse me. Why are you doing this ? The toilets are over there."

Every face in the crowd turns left. I wouldn't like to have been that person. Probably would have died from cardiac arrest. Funny though. Nearly wet my pants laughing.

I guess his most famous song was A New England. Yes, I've read your memo. You're not a YouTube fan. Here it goes anyway:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCfRcgoPxTw

Keep up the good work. I've been reading your posts for several years. Not always agree with what you say but always stimulating. It makes me think. Important.

Regards,

Franklin Maes

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I have a story to relate about Billy Bragg...

I am an unlikely reader of your blog--a 3rd generation running the family "schmata"(clothing) business up here in Winnipeg, Canada. Your writing about the music, tech and entertainment industry is equally (more!)relevant to my almost 80 year old business as well.

We make workwear , some still made here in Canada by union workers, and our "Tough Duck" workwear line crosses over from the workers to the skaters, kids, moto riders, etc.

About 5 years ago I get a phone call to come down to reception. "A gentleman named Billy Bragg is here to see you." I am a huge fan, wondering what is going on here?

Turns out my company donated some jackets to a fundraiser for "The Winnipeg Folk Festival" (now that's another story, if you've never heard of this awesome world class event www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca).
Billy Bragg was in town headlining the fundraiser and playing a concert as well. He had actually bid on one of the prize packages at the fundraiser, which was one of our Tough Duck jackets. He wanted the proper size.

In the end, he was one of the most down to earth, real people I have ever met. We ended up outfitting his whole band, and was invited to the show that night. Billy and the band were extremely gracious, polite and a lot of fun to be around. I wish I knew more about British Football, those boys are big fans.

Billy gave a shout out to me and the company on stage that night, and I had the privilege of going backstage after the show. I remember talking to Billy backstage about my all time favorite band, The Clash, and the age old argument of which is the better Clash album--London Calling or Sandinista. I was out of my league talking to one of punk's most talented superstars about music, but he made me feel like I was just enthusiastically taking between two music fans.

Billy sent me signed CD's, his book, and we did some tour jackets for him. Will never forget what a real, authentic person he is despite his stardom and talent.

We proudly display a Billy Bragg signed, framed Tough Duck jacket as you walk into our building.


Just wanted to share Bob, been meaning to reach out for a while. I know you mention Canada from time to time, come up to Banff for some skiing and come this summer to visit us in The Peg.

We've got some great outerwear to keep you warm!


Thanks for all the great inspiration.

Gavin Rich
President

Richlu Manufacturing

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billy bragg is my soul-brother. him and me are the punk fo hippy cult heroes that the world ignores
but we don't care because our tribes are so phenomenal and the shows are so fucking wonderful.
he curates an entire tent every year at glastonbury called Left Field where he basically "teaches"
all week…speaks, plays, curates talks. he's my hero.

if you've never heard his song "the world turned upside-down" (or he didn't play it @ troubadour)
go listen. i do a cover of it on the uke and that's how he found out about me ages ago.

folk lives

Amanda Palmer


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