Chosen By: Dean
Released: May 1983
Comments -
Paul: With just voice and electric guitar in play the lyrics and how they're delivered have to work hard. They do, and successfully too. Bragg brilliantly handles love, politics, relationships, consumerism and the pressure placed on young people across just seven songs. At its heart is the fantastic A New England. (As good as Kirsty MacColl's cover is I can't have it over this.)
The simplicity of the recording and the emotions that are crammed into a little over a quarter of an hour make this a timeless classic. If it isn't taught in schools it should be. Give it a star and put it in a museum. ⭐
(If you want more, I wrote about it in my 80s Album Chart countdown. If you want to listen to his follow-up, Brewing Up with Billy Bragg, I wouldn't put you off.)
Dean: The electric swordsman is someone I admire. He knows where he is and for what he stands.
I've been immersing myself in his music and got out of the bath with wrinkled fingers and toes. A sure sign that I've enjoyed myself too much.
Coming up to that time when we make our cross on a ballot paper I am no longer confident where Billy's cross will sit but his will be an informed choice.I think he has changed the world, just a little, in the best possible way.
Anyone, who is brave enough to stand alone on stage and courageous enough to give us a view of his own political conviction based, as it is, on a concept of a world inspiring diversity and integrity, permitting a pinch of militancy, and offering the encouragement to stand up and be known, will be my hero.
Strangely you all fit that mould 🌟
Ben: Catchy. Clever. Idealistic. Short! What a great album, especially for an enthusiastic lefty young man who sang these songs, especially New England, in the massive cold store at Bejam on Saturday mornings in the early eighties. Unfortunately me and Billy grew apart as his albums began to include other instruments and get longer - they didn’t have the rawness, power and energy of this stunning album. I do admire Billy for maintaining his strong views throughout his life while mine mellowed with age and experience. Good luck to him. This album will always hold a special place in my head and heart. Big ⭐ from me.
Stu: IT’S F***ING AWESOME! I will admit that I don’t own this record BUT I will be straight on DISCOGS to solve that!! Just his voice and a solitary guitar with 6 strings and an amp!! WOW! F***ING WOW! Maybe I ignored him as a lefty whinger?? I saw him play at Battersea Park! Considering I’d only heard various tracks across the radio all those years ago along with the obvious NEW ENGLAND track this has totally caught me out!! I should have been blasting this out between BUNNYMEN LPS!! It’s so stark, almost fragile, delivered with such emotion that it tugs at your heart!! I wager NOT many records such as this exist in our collections!! SHORT, SHARP, WITTY, SINCERE, SPECIAL & SUBLIME! This is an incredible record! Rock up to any band stand or poets corner, plug in and play these tunes! Ear splitting wide eyed commentary on the world we exist in! Even the most callous TORY HEART would melt at some of these lyrics!!! “ just because you are going forward doesn’t mean I’m going backwards” beautiful stuff!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ a revelation to my ears! I’m embarrassed that this isn’t in my collection and that I have it no attention back in the day!! I will be enjoying BILLY BRAGG for ever! He has followed a very honest path and he should be applauded loudly!! F*** ALL THOSE BENT TORIES IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS! It should surely be SIR BILLY BRAGG!! A true political spokesperson with great use of the English language!! MY NEW HERO ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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