Billy Bragg

What have I been doing? Well thank you for asking, I have been busy shredding my fingertips to the bone on my brand new Eko guitars. I bought two of them, these fine reproductions of Italian electric 6 strings from the 60s, with tiny orange amps to go along with them. One is treble and one is bass and they are sisters and they sound great together and apart. They are semi gothic, as one is called “the ghost”, as the front of it is covered in textured pale plastic that gives it a white and shiny Casper look, perfect for covering “the monster mash” or other such novelties. The other is halloweenie pumpkin looking, with cut outs in the front that make the hollow body into a jack-o-lantern. I am ready for fall sounds and it’s still summer so I am doing well. When the leaves turn, I will be ready to rock.

I have been spending days woodshedding – which is in musician terms – practicing intensely all alone in a woodshed. This I picked up from Jon Brion, who has spent a lifetime woodshedding and he knows those who have come from the shed and those who haven’t by their sound. I have been playing for a long time now without getting better, but since my woodshed (actually my Atlanta apartment) isn’t occupied during the day, I can play all I please without offending others.

My main focus has been playing Billy Bragg songs. Up now are “A New England” and “Saturday Boy”. “St Swithin’s Day” is up next. I have been going to see Billy Bragg since 1985 – many gigs in San Francisco, both solo affairs that he is best known for and with backing bands such as the Red Star Army. Later he would go on to much renown with the amazing Wilco – oh how I adore Jeff Tweedy – but the songs I long to play are his earliest, when it’s just him, his estuary accent, his longing heart and progressive politics and his absolutely brilliant playing.

Mostly what billy bragg fans go on about is his lyricism, his poetic genius, which is true and pure and simple. We also marvel at his attention to the world at hand, looking to make it all better, for everyone. I know that when I was in London last year, he was spending lots of time at Occupy LSX – entertaining the people gathered to fight the establishment in the bitter cold of English fall. He’s rallied for the miners, made songs to mobilize the union, and sang as only a lover can.

I spent a good deal of my youth thinking that I would marry Billy Bragg, but I ended up married to another and it’s all turned out well anyway.

And I can finally play his songs, at least my own baby version, anyway.

5 thoughts on “Billy Bragg

  1. I love Billy’s oldest songs best, too! And I started seeing him in 1985 all the time as well, every time he was in New York and then DC. Apparently you and I were both planning our marriages to the bloke on separate coasts, but neither of us managed to snag him.

    What a lovely combination, Margaret Cho and Billy Bragg. I love finding this out about you.

  2. I’ve loved Billy’s music since I first heard him in the ’80s, and have only come to admire him more and more. A man of his word and strong principles– he continues to walk the walk, and be a voice of utmost reason when and where such a voice needs to be heard. One of the few musical big names, for example, who not only broadcast through his social networks the non-democratic shenanigans that were unfolding in Wisconsin last year– he also appeared at the demonstrations. Plus, yeah, he’s way adorable. Good taste all around, Ms. Cho!

  3. I now know who my OFFICIAL favorite guitarist is!! Keep practicing your Billy Bragg and can’t wait to hear you rock my world! xo~Mara

    ps: your rig sounds righteous

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