Billy Bragg is back !!!

Billy is back….well he never really went away. He wrote a novel after all and also has worked on fund-raising for the Jail Guitar Doors project and toured as always.

I’m thrilled to learn Billy Bragg is going to be releasing a new album in 2008. It’s been far too long and I can’t wait to hear it. A couple of tracks are available online so I will scribble a review this week.

Billy launches his new album, Mr Love & Justice (released on 3 March 2008), with a gig at the Roundhouse in Camden Town, London, on 4 March 2008 He is also heading dan sarf (down South if you are not Cockney) to Australia and N.Z. in Jan/Feb so hopefully he will be over here in the Spring/Summer. In fact I would guarantee it – it’s an election year and he should be ready to help kick over the statues following the 8 year farce we’ve all endured.

Cheers

Tim

Billy Bragg in Canada – Mick Jones coming to the States !!

Although the recent scope of North American dates by Billy Bragg was somewhat limited I’ve read a number of impressive comments. reviews and blog entries.

Seems the nearly 50 year old Billy (I can’t believe he is 50 in December…how did that happen?) is still mixing the banter and brilliant back catalogue to amazing effect. It’s also great to read that he has included 4 or 5 new songs on the mini-tour which apparently will see a new year release. My main reason to write was to direct Bragg fans to a great audio recording of a recent show by CBC. About seven songs are available online and the sound quality is really first class. Tracks include really radical reworkings of “A New England”, “Valentine’s Day Is Over”, “Sexuality” and the almost 80% reworded “Great Leap Forwards” my favourite line being “I don’t believe you can defeat no axis of evil by putting smart bombs in the hands of stupid people”.

Anyway – check out the link to the songs, the article is good also.

In other news I was very excited to read Carbon Silicon (Mick Jones of the Clash-B.A.D & Tony James of Gen X) are going to be playing their first ever dates in the U.S.

Concerts have been announced for Los Angeles Dec 3rd and New York Dec 5th. I really hope to get to the Los Angeles concert and will write more afterwards. Hopefully it’s a test the water situation to gauge the interest in the States as their debut album ‘The Last Post’ (after working together for 2.5 years) has just been released). If you are in L.A. or NYC try and get to the shows as these two are legends who need no introduction – not to mention that the new stuff sounds pretty good. One idea Mick…..the CSi band tee-shirts will have people in America thinking that you watch too much primetime TV – not that you are following an iconic band from London !!

Cheers for now

Billy Bragg / Jail Guitar Doors project

One of the more worthy & interesting projects I’ve heard about recently was founded by Billy Bragg. The Jail Guitar Doors project provide instruments (guitars of course) for use by gents/ladies staying at “Her Majesty’s Request” or as you might say in the States – inmates/prisoners.

Far more worthy then a counselling session or sitting in front of TV the plan is to provide inmates with custom made guitars. The instruments were designed by Bragg and feature famous lyrics by The Clash. The goal being helping to find a positive source of release for inmates. The project has been drawing plaudits throughout the UK and it would be great to see an artist doing something similar here.

In addition philosophy football are offering shirts with The Clash logos and limited edition sets of postcards. The ‘Riot Of My Own’ set contain some of the same images that appear on their range of T shirts which also benefit Jail Guitar Doors: Hate and War, Garageland, English Civil War and London Calling designs. Plus International Brigade banner, Rock against Racism and Hope not Hate.

To get your free postcards, send your name name address to admin@philosophyfootball.com – ask nicely and they will send them to the US !!

Lastly, Billy’s gig at this year’s Labour Party Conference saw £3,500 raised by raffling one of the Jail Guitar Doors-decorated acoustic guitars. Money from the raffle was supplemented by donations from the GMB, the National Union of Mineworkers, Thompsons Solicitors, and, in a welcome show of support for our initiative, the Prison Officers Association, who donated £500 to the cause.

Cheers

Coming to America….Billy Bragg

I was excited to read that Billy Bragg had confirmed some US tour dates, then my heart sank when I noted that none of the scheduled shows were to be away from the East Coast. Billy hasn’t been out West for many years – please join me in contacting Billy to insist/request/beg that he considers some dates in the Southwest.

If you’ve never seen Billy Bragg live it’s a show you would never forget. Billy walks the talk and whether you agree with his politics or not he is firm to his beliefs. Actually even if you are Right wing in your views I guarantee you will laugh your arse off at his between song banter. Billy has some new material and as ever is extremely active with causes such as the Jail Guitar Doors program. He also has written a book ‘The Progressive Patriot’ which examines what being British means in the new multi-cultural UK.

Lastly, if you’re not a fan yet – try starting with “Don’t try this at home” or even splash out on one of the two box sets he released recently. Each studio album contains a bonus disc of rarities and demo tracks.

http://www.billybragg.co.uk/