Billy Bragg

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Billy Bragg

Billy Bragg Nicknames Himself The "Sherpa Of Heartbreak" on His Quieter New Album

May 6, 2013 - Produced by Grammy award winning producer, Joe Henry, Bragg draws heavily on inspiration from his collaboration with Wilco on "Mermaid Avenue," a collection of Woody Guthrie songs brought to life by their collaboration, and includes a Woody Guthrie cover.

Bragg is best known for bashing out songs alone on his electric guitar, using his platform as a singer-songwriter to spread his message on love and politics. His pieces blend folk, punk rock, and protest songs, with lyrics focused primarily on political and romantic ideas. With a career spanning over 30 years, he has continued to spread his message far and wide. Yet Tooth & Nail, which came out March 19, is a quieter, more introspective effort of Bragg.

Today he tells us how working on the Mermaid Avenue project with Woody Guthrie’s lyrics affected it. He also performs one of his best known songs, "Greetings To The New Brunette," that he wrote when he was a callow lad of 26.

This show originally aired on March 19, 2013.

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Session Set List
NO ONE KNOWS NOTHING ANYMORE
I AIN'T GOT NO HOME IN THIS WORLD
HANDYMAN BLUES
GREETINGS TO THE NEW BRUNETTE

Recent Release: Tooth & Nail
Release Date: March 19, 2013
Label: Essential Music

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