The first time I heard Billy Bragg I was pretty young. Just before our house moved to compact discs my dad bought a pile of cheap LPs, one of which was a compilation called New Traditions. It was a fairly random selection of songs by late 80s artists, and Billy’s contribution was a deadpan delivery of the Beatles’ “She’s Leaving Home.” This introduced me to the music of the Beatles for the first time and all that naturally follows from that, but I didn’t really listen to Billy Bragg again until his collaboration with Wilco on the Mermaid Avenue interpretations of Woody Guthrie lyrics (nearly eight years ago).
Fast forward to tonight and I’m standing three feet away from the man himself in the Belfast Empire, having immersed myself in his music over the past year. I was impressed by the warmth of his show, full of self-deprecating humour and amusing introductions. He is well-known for his political beliefs, and they got a full (and appreciative!) airing this evening, but like Martyn Joseph it is his observation of every day relationships that I think is his greatest strength (like the lyrics to this song, and many others).
It’s great to see a performer not going through the motions. He’s probably performed “A New England” at the end of every gig for years but he still launched into it full pelt, egging the crowd along with every word.
His rhythm guitar technique should also be an inspiration to frustrated strummers everywhere, creating a brilliant racket like a a true one-man band. Another great night at the Empire!
