27-10-2010, 07:25
(This post was last modified: 27-10-2010, 07:46 by CRAZY-HORSE.)
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DONY TRY THIS AT HOME-BILLY BRAGG
billy was born in barking,london in 1959, he is known as 'the big nosed bard(or bastard) from barking'.
he joined punk band Riff-Raff in 1979,they released several singles but had no radio or sales success, in 1981 he joined the British Army, just prior to the Falklands War he 'bought' himself out of his contract.
billy's biggest influences in music were/are Phil Ochs,Dylan and Woodie Guthrie, these influences can be seen quite clearly in not only his music but also in his lyrics. his first album released in 1981 'lifes a riot with spy v spy' became the biggest selling 'indepentant' album in UK history(at the time). his first three albums were basically him with an electric guitar warbling out protest,political songs infused with social commentry on working class life in UK under the Thatcher regime, he was a staunch advocat against the brutal Thatcher Govt who cared little for the people of England,more on foreign policy. he also was involved in anti-nuclear/war protests and headlined the 'red wedge' left wing tour of the UK between 1983-85 along with Madness and Style Council amongst others. he is still politically active in the UK to this day lending his name to many social causes and political issues,he is called 'left-wing' but i think of him more as an 'internationalist' as he speaks out as much against communism as he does capitalism. in 1996 Nora Guthrie, daughter of Woodie commissioned billy to compose music to her dead fathers lyrics,the album featuring Wilco and Natalie Marchant entitled 'mermaid avenue' was released in 1998, a follow up 'mermaid avenue2' was released in 2000, both to critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic. Billy Bragg is not a great vocalist but he is a great lyricist who uses witt, charm,biting and cryptic lyrics, dare i say it, similar to those of the great Bob Dylan(sorry Ed, i call it as i see it!)
on with the album:
the album is a mix of political and social,bigotry,homophobe,racism,sexism and fascist commentry. the music is a mix of pop, crossover country,folk and loose punkish material. 'you woke up my neighbourhood' includes backing vocals and instruments by several members of REM
, 'sexuality' was co-written with Johnny Marr,of Smiths fame. 'cindy of a thousand lives' is dedicated to photographer Cindy Sherman, 'gods footballer' to ex-Wolves footballer Peter Knowles who quit football at the height of his career in 1970 to become a Jehovahs Witness, 'tank park salute' is dedicated to his father who passed when billy was 13yrs old.album reached #8 in UK, three singles:'sexuality' #27, 'you woke up my neighbourhood' #54, and 'accident waiting to happen'#33. there are not chart entries on Billboard for this album or singles.
i was surprised when i worked out my 'rating' that this album didnt get a higher score.
I LIKE THIS ALBUM
worst track-dolphins
best track-the few
tracks:
1...accident waiting to happen(2.5) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18bVR0qhOKw
2...moving the goalposts(2.5)
3...everywhere(2.0)
4...cindy of a tousand lives(1.5)
5...you woke up my neighbourhood(2.5) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08Y5r-TypcY
6...trust(1.0)
7...gods footballer(2.0)
8...the few(3.0) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSG6C29Q-qc
9...sexuality(3.0) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e04XNoXw0RM&feature=fvst
10..mother of the bride(3.0)
11..tank park salute(2.0) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5heTJ65bdhU&NR=1
12..dolphins(1.0)
13..north sea bubble(2.5) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvbqG8EbxW0
14..rumours of war(1.5)
15..wish you were her(1.5)
16..body of water(1.0)
3's-3
2.5s-4
2.0s-3
1.5s-4
1.0s-2
rating 2.0 or 6.5/10
DONY TRY THIS AT HOME-BILLY BRAGG
billy was born in barking,london in 1959, he is known as 'the big nosed bard(or bastard) from barking'.
he joined punk band Riff-Raff in 1979,they released several singles but had no radio or sales success, in 1981 he joined the British Army, just prior to the Falklands War he 'bought' himself out of his contract.
billy's biggest influences in music were/are Phil Ochs,Dylan and Woodie Guthrie, these influences can be seen quite clearly in not only his music but also in his lyrics. his first album released in 1981 'lifes a riot with spy v spy' became the biggest selling 'indepentant' album in UK history(at the time). his first three albums were basically him with an electric guitar warbling out protest,political songs infused with social commentry on working class life in UK under the Thatcher regime, he was a staunch advocat against the brutal Thatcher Govt who cared little for the people of England,more on foreign policy. he also was involved in anti-nuclear/war protests and headlined the 'red wedge' left wing tour of the UK between 1983-85 along with Madness and Style Council amongst others. he is still politically active in the UK to this day lending his name to many social causes and political issues,he is called 'left-wing' but i think of him more as an 'internationalist' as he speaks out as much against communism as he does capitalism. in 1996 Nora Guthrie, daughter of Woodie commissioned billy to compose music to her dead fathers lyrics,the album featuring Wilco and Natalie Marchant entitled 'mermaid avenue' was released in 1998, a follow up 'mermaid avenue2' was released in 2000, both to critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic. Billy Bragg is not a great vocalist but he is a great lyricist who uses witt, charm,biting and cryptic lyrics, dare i say it, similar to those of the great Bob Dylan(sorry Ed, i call it as i see it!)
on with the album:
the album is a mix of political and social,bigotry,homophobe,racism,sexism and fascist commentry. the music is a mix of pop, crossover country,folk and loose punkish material. 'you woke up my neighbourhood' includes backing vocals and instruments by several members of REM
, 'sexuality' was co-written with Johnny Marr,of Smiths fame. 'cindy of a thousand lives' is dedicated to photographer Cindy Sherman, 'gods footballer' to ex-Wolves footballer Peter Knowles who quit football at the height of his career in 1970 to become a Jehovahs Witness, 'tank park salute' is dedicated to his father who passed when billy was 13yrs old.album reached #8 in UK, three singles:'sexuality' #27, 'you woke up my neighbourhood' #54, and 'accident waiting to happen'#33. there are not chart entries on Billboard for this album or singles.
i was surprised when i worked out my 'rating' that this album didnt get a higher score.
I LIKE THIS ALBUM
worst track-dolphins
best track-the few
tracks:
1...accident waiting to happen(2.5) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18bVR0qhOKw
2...moving the goalposts(2.5)
3...everywhere(2.0)
4...cindy of a tousand lives(1.5)
5...you woke up my neighbourhood(2.5) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08Y5r-TypcY
6...trust(1.0)
7...gods footballer(2.0)
8...the few(3.0) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSG6C29Q-qc
9...sexuality(3.0) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e04XNoXw0RM&feature=fvst
10..mother of the bride(3.0)
11..tank park salute(2.0) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5heTJ65bdhU&NR=1
12..dolphins(1.0)
13..north sea bubble(2.5) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvbqG8EbxW0
14..rumours of war(1.5)
15..wish you were her(1.5)
16..body of water(1.0)
3's-3
2.5s-4
2.0s-3
1.5s-4
1.0s-2
rating 2.0 or 6.5/10
"BTO....Bachman,Turner,Overweight
They were big in the 70s....for five minutes,on a Saturday,after lunch..." - Me 2014.
They were big in the 70s....for five minutes,on a Saturday,after lunch..." - Me 2014.