I've seen Billy lotsa times on stage and never had a bad nigh but not since he opened for the Pogues back in 2008. My loss I fear but one we can all make up for if we catch him at the Town Hall, Saturday, April 26th at the Town Hall.
Bragg is an enormously great songwriter, except when he buddies up with Wilco on Woody Guthrie songs which leave me awful awful cold. It could be me. Lotsa people loved it -even people whose opinions I respect. But still, the music to Guthrie's lyrics never quite sounded good enough to me. With a new album, Tooth And Nail, out in March it will be his first new material in five years.
Here is what his PR states about the newbie:
"Those familiar with the passionate, charismatic Bragg know the English alternative rock musician's music blends elements of folk music, punk rock and protest songs, and his lyrics range from the personal to the political. His new album due out March 18, 2013 will launch a tour complete with a backup band, playing songs from the new album as well as his impressive back catalogue of hits.
"Tooth & Nail" draws on personal rather than political themes, and was recorded over a whirlwind five-day session with Grammy Award winning producer Joe Henry. Joe took Billy out of his comfort zone (all vocals were recorded live without retakes or overdubs) and the spontaneous results are, according to Billy, "a return to the rootsy sound of 1998’s 'Mermaid Avenue' sessions" he recorded with Wilco – drawing on soul, country and folk music influences to explore the ups and downs of relationships that have stood the test of time.
In his own words: "In 2011, I took a hard, long look at who I am and what I do. This album is the result."
Permanently active beyond music and consistently playing to audiences around the world, this period also saw Billy establish the Jail Guitar Doors initiative and lend support to numerous causes including the anti-fascist campaign Hope Not Hate and the Occupy Movement. In 2010, he began to curate the Left Field at Glastonbury Festival, with the aim of highlighting new political artists. He recently delivered the 2012 John Peel Lecture.
See Billy Bragg—one night only
Saturday, April 27, 2013 at The Town Hall.
Ticket $55, 50 & 45"
I was 26 years old when I first hear Billy Bragg. I'm 56 now but I won't be for long….
I've seen Billy lotsa times on stage and never had a bad nigh but not since he opened for the Pogues back in 2008. My loss I fear but one we can all make up for if we catch him at the Town Hall, Saturday, April 26th at the Town Hall.