Episode 14: Half Bragg Half Blokes
Mermaid Avenue is a success, but Wilco can’t tour with Billy to promote the album because their own album is running late. Billy tours first with ex-Faces keyboard player Ian McLagan, then with Mac and his Bump Band in the States, before forming an English band - The Blokes - to tour the Mermaid Avenue catalogue.
Eventually, they begin co-writing their own album - England, Half English - after Billy resists the temptation to make his temporary stint as a BBC Radio 2 disc jockey into something more permanent. A decision to write a book on English identity, which becomes The Progressive Patriot, leads to a five-year wait before work begins on another studio album.
Albums featured or referred to in this podcast include Billy Bragg and The Blokes Mermaid Avenue Tour official bootleg, England, Half English, Must I Paint You A Picture: The Essential Billy Bragg, and Billy Bragg Volumes 1 and 2 Boxed Sets. All available in the Billy Bragg Shop
4 Responses to “Episode 14: Half Bragg Half Blokes”
By Martin A. Egan on Jun 14, 2009
Howya Billy, I just want you to know that the Gig below is all your fault. But I love ya for it. Album on the Way sometime next year. Be Good,ha ha.
Press Release
20 Years On:
20 years after he first appeared in Whelan’s Martin Egan returns to the famous Venue for a full on Show in the intimate Upstairs Acoustic Room, with similarly rare appearances by Craig Walker (Power of Dreams) and Fearghal Mc-Kee, Legendary Front Man with Whipping Boy with his new Line-up (SSS) share a Triple Bill on Friday June 19th 2009
Egan whose Songs have been recorded by Christy Moore, Hothouse Flowers, Poppy Gonzalez (Mojave 3) “The Shepherd and his Maiden” with The Black Romatics Collective and writing the Title Track “Every Punch Needs a Kiss” + 3 other Tracks on an Album by Mary O’Regan Nominated for the German Music Award in 1997 achieving Multi- Platinum Record Sales Status Internationally.
Egan will be performing brand new material some of which was written with Eamon Carr of Horslips and Will Merriman of The Harvest Ministers and selected Songs from his unreleased Album “The Tune” which will shortly be available for sale by Download Only from his website http://www.martinaegan.com which is currently under construction. The Title track along with 3 other tracks can be heard on http://www.myspace.com/martinaegan
He is delighted to be sharing the bill with Craig Walker (Power of Dreams) who this year celebrates 20 years in the Business with a New Album “Siamese” recorded in Iceland and due for release on French Label Discograph on August 29TH 2009. A fore taste of “Siamese is available from http://www.myspace.com/craigjohnwalker and of course
Mr Fearghal Mc-Kee who promises an evening of music ranging from late 19th Century Anti-Temperance Songs to current Original material and possibly a couple of George Melly Standards. Echoes of Mark E. Smith abound.
Says Martin Egan: “This promises to be a very Special Occasion. I am thrilled to have with me as Special Guests Mr Mark Kelly (Altan) and Sound Sculpture Artist Mr Brian Conniffe who works closely with Ms Vicky Langan in Female Orpan Asylum. http://www.myspace.com/brianconniffe
For Press Enquiries and Interviews contact: Maeman.com Promotions
087-9428976
Martin Egan
Craig Walker (Power of Dreams)
Fearghal Mc-Kee (SSS)+ Whipping Boy
Whelan’s Upstairs, Wexford Street
Dublin 2
Doors 8.00p.m. Sharp
Tickets: €10.00 on the Door or + Booking Fee from http://www.wavtickets.ie + http://www.ticketmaster.ie
By Bertie Humbug on Jun 29, 2009
Billy Brag was a DJ for Radio 2 for a while? Well that’s not surprising is it - he has the right politics for the BBC.
By Roger Stevens on Nov 14, 2009
I have read this book - ‘The Progressive Patriot’.
A second-rate musician, and now a fouth-rate author. It is a feature of the loud-mouthed and small-brained that they do not realise their own limitations.
This book is waffle and disjointed drivel - much like Bragg’s own bandwagon-jumping ill-conceived politics.
A man without any identity, just a large ego, appears to think he knows about ‘patriotism’ - someone should explain to this left-wing fool that patriotism is not compatible with his left-wing dogma. HAsn’t he ever heard of Internationalism ? His friends in the Socialist Workers Party will help to explain it to him.
An embarassing piece of inconsequential literary tosh which merely confirms my suspicion that it is in fact Bragg who has the identity problem - but then again, that’s what left-wing politics does for your brain.
But …. it will allow him to promote and re-invent himself yet again on more BBC talk shows - won’t they all think he’s SO talented - just like they think Jeremy Clarkson is talented - GOD HELP US ALL.
By Martin A. Egan on Jan 9, 2010
I can’t remember who said it “But “Patriotism is the last refuge of Scoundrels” has always stuck with me having seen what jolly right on right wing (moronic) people have done with “Patriotism” when in positions of Power. Billy Bragg, like everybody else on this Planet is entitled to his Opinion as the above (carefully unreachable) person Mr Steven’s is. The understanding I have of social politics is “The desire for the safety, nurturance and ultimate good of all” something Mr Bragg has covered in detail over the course of a long career, not merely in the Socialist Worker sphere but in the arena of social consciousness, poverty, media manipulation, taking on Myspace and various other Media Interests which consistently surreptitiously stole from vulnerable, naive, and less street-wise Musicians that Mr Bragg, also while on the subject of presenting Music on the BBC. Joining people like Alan Freeman, John Peel,Kid Jensen, Anne Nightingale, Fatboy Slim, Don Letts and numerous other active and inactive members of the Musical Community in presenting a Show on whichever of the now numerous Channels the Beeb is owner and administrator of is not necessarily a bad thing. Presenting Crap Music or gutter raking chat Shows might be a reason to get excited about Mr Bragg’s activities but knowing his track record I can’t really see that happening. Billy contributes to life as it is not as observers (hurlers on the ditch0 feel it ought to or should be. Perhaps Mr Stevens would like to put a piece of his Wok up here for Bily’s Fans to Critique. I like a balanced view myself.