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Completing (for the time being) my journey across the output of The Bard Of Barking... Compilation Albums I wouldn't normally include compilation albums, but Billy's done some interestingly different things over the years with them so I've picked out some highlights from the ones listed on his Wikipedia discography Back To Basics (1987) This is more of a combination than a compilation - it's Life's A Riot , Brewing Up and The Between The Wars EP, which was released in '85 and got to #15 in the singles chart. And it's really rather good, so let's give it a track breakdown 1. Between The Wars This is possibly his best political track - it was inspired by the miner's strike, but it's wider than that considering the role of the state in a working man's life. I like it a lot because of its simple tune and great lyrics - "Theirs is a land of hope and glory - m ine is the green field and the factory floor.  Theirs are the skies all dark with b...

Continuing my journey across the output of The Bard Of Barking... Live Albums Well, there's quite the combination of offerings here - I suspect there are plenty other less official versions out there, but I've just attempted to listen to the ones listed on his Wikipedia discography Billy Bragg and The Red Stars Live Bootleg (1993) This was recorded at the Phoenix festival and  The Red Stars seem to be a random bunch of his mates including, of course, Cara Tivey and Wiggy. The album  covers material up to Don't Try This At Home , including a few tracks that I don't recognise (he mentions one is a cover and I suspect the others were b-sides - remember them?). It's not a proper bootleg because the recording quality is decent - all in all, I'd say it gives you a good feel for the Bragg live experience with his inter-song banter and adapted lyrics. It is, however, not available on streaming services and is sold out on his website - I listened to it on YouTube. Mermai...

Continuing my journey across the output of The Bard Of Barking... The Million Things That Never Happened (2021) This is one I've definitely listened to - I remember quite liking most of it. I also went to one of the shows on the tour and there were some nice stories attached to some of then - he sounded older, wiser and more mellow. I guess it had to happen sometime... 1. Should Have Seen It Coming Yeah, he's definitely older, wiser and more mellow on this one. It's a decent track without being great. 2. Mid-Century Modern He's definitely sounding older here but still trying to keep up - " the kids who pulled the statues down - they challenged me to see, t he gap between the man I am and the man I want to be". It's all got a nice folky-blues sound to it. 3. Lonesome Ocean A nicely mellow and melancholic track. 4. Good Days And Bad Days "Boring old normal - how attractive it seems" - I seem to remember from the gig that this was a post-lockdown...

Continuing my journey across the output of The Bard Of Barking... Tooth & Nail (2013) After the uptick in quality for the last album, we come to one I don't think I've ever heard, although I must heard some of the tracks live at some point, mustn't I? 1. January Song This is a bit close to that old Mermaid Avenue sound for me - I've no idea why he tries to sing high on some songs because it just doesn't end well for anyone. 2 .No One Knows Nothing Anymore This one's OK, but not a classic - he's sounds tired on it and close to giving up, which isn't the Billy we know! It does have some nice pedal steel guitar on it though. 3. Handyman Blues This is almost Bill being funny! 4. I Ain't Got No Home This is another slow one, but I actually quite like this one - he's still sounding beaten, but there's an argument it works for the song. Wikipedia tells me this is (yet another) Woody Guthrie song. 5. Swallow My Pride Another slow one - fine, but ...

Continuing my journey across the output of The Bard Of Barking... Mr Love & Justice (2008) And we're back - after a hefty six year break. I did listen to this back in the day and I remember thinking it was OK, but I don't think I ever went there again - although I have heard him play the odd track live over the years. I'm looking forward to revisiting it, not least because it's got to be better than his last one, hasn't it? 1. I  Keep Faith Oh yes, an immediate improvement. A simple enough tune with some plaintive yet uplifting lyrics - it's all along the lines of "even if you don't believe in yourself, I believe in you because you believe in me" which is kinda heartwarming. 2. I Almost Killed You This is OK, but unnecessarily complicated with loads of pointless clapping on it - I just have a suspicion that The Blokes are not helping matters here. 3. M for Me "Take the M from me and the Y from you out of FAMILY and it all falls through...

Continuing my journey across the output of The Bard Of Barking... England, Half English (2002) These are my wilderness years re Mr Bragg - the Mermaid Avenue stuff had completely scared me off, so I don't think I've ever listened to this. I'm expecting some pointed political comment from the album title though. 1. St. Monday Hmmm - it sounds a bit like Billy, but it's also quite close to Chas & Dave or Squeeze. I don't hate it, but I can't say I love it. 2. Jane Allen Nope - don't like this one at all. I've no idea what he was thinking trying to sing in that style, but it doesn't work - and don't even get me started on the sitar-based noodling.  3. Distant Shore This is more like it - reaching back to his traditional folk roots with plaintive lyrics. 4. English, Half English Whereas this is more ska-based - it's quite Ian Duryesque. It's a bit unfortunate he references Morrissey in a song about the benefits of immigration, but hindsig...

Continuing my journey across the output of The Bard Of Barking... Mermaid Avenue Vol. II (with Wilco) (2000) The last one was received well enough (by others, but not so much by me), so why not do it again? I'm expecting a mixed bag - and hopefully not too boring and stompy. 1. Airline to Heaven This is boring, stompy and sounds like Bob Dylan - which means that some people will love it, but not me. 2. My Flying Saucer This isn't a million miles off a normal up-beat Billy Bragg tragg - it's nothing special mind, but I didn't hate it. 3. Feed of Man Yeah, I guess this is fine - one of the better Wilco numbers, but I'd not cross the road for it. 4. Hot Rod Hotel I assume this is a Billy number, but it doesn't really sound like him. 5. I Was Born Natalie Merchant is back from the previous album - I like this one because it's nicely quirky. 6. Secret of the Sea I quite liked this one but it didn't really feel like it fitted in - it was more like a Big Star t...