Billy Bragg's albums have always contained material with the strong political slant of classic folksingers in the Woody Guthrie/Bob Dylan mold. This release shows him at his most muckrakingly fervent and angry. Only "The Marching Song of the Covert Battalions" has music actually composed by Bragg -- and that selection contains a lengthy quote of the tune "When Johnny Come Marching Home." The rest are covers of songs (some of them pre-20th century) that either overtly or covertly deal with revolution, radical politics, or pacifist sentiments. The arrangements are a real departure for Bragg, and are most unusual and effective. "I Dreamed I Saw Phil Ochs Last Night" and "Nicaragua Nicaraguita" are for unaccompanied voice. "Marching Song of the Covert Battalions" features prominent clarinet and recorder passages supported by organ, accordion, and revival-meeting bass drum/cymbals combination. "Red Flag" is an energetic reel set sparsely for voice, whistles, percussion, and minimal guitar. The title track is given a grand, traditional, all-stops-out treatment, arranged for chorus, large brass ensemble, and percussion. The album's best selection, "My Youngest Son Came Home Today," is a dirgelike antiwar number that is very moving and effective. This album is a committed, deeply felt manifesto well worth a listen. Original pressings of this record came with a wide-ranging and enjoyable promotional 45 containing selections by Bragg, Clea & McLeod, Caroline Trettine, and the Young Fresh Fellows.
This is the most enraged I have been at the powers that be since The Katrina debacle. Riot Squad Police turning on peaceful protesters, firing at and beating people with children. This is America at its classist and racist worst. Immigrants are always the whipping boys for what ails the country. County Health systems may be in disorder because they are over burdened, but I assure you the ha...
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So I received an email from the mogfather, David Hyman, and it had me thinking about the reservations I had before striking. For the record, I was in no way asked to do this.I was a little unsure about the purpose of a the strike, since none of us pay any money to be here, and all information seemed to send me in circles or to Multiply login pages (yeah, I'm a member, but there's plenty of mog...
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This is the most enraged I have been at the powers that be since The Katrina debacle. Riot Squad Police turning on peaceful protesters, firing at and beating people with children. This is America at its classist and racist worst. Immigrants are always the whipping boys for what ails the country. County Health systems may be in disorder because they are over burdened, but I assure you the ha...
More >
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