Today's Billy Bragg

[dominion]

Not sure whether to post this under Todays Music, or Todays Movie ??

Just got back from seeing a film called Breaking Rocks, a documentary about Billy Bragg's Jail Guitar Doors initiative to get prisoners playing guitars.
My initial reaction to this was my usual world weary cynical view of "Sod 'em, they're criminals and they don't deserve bread and water, let alone a guitar", but I guess this isn't costing the taxpayer anything and if does make even a small difference to re-offending levels then some good has come from it. Some of the statistics on prison population levels is pretty alarming, and numbers are rising. They didn't go into specifics of what crimes they had committed, but one of them, Leon Walker had been on heroin from the age of 15 - his parents were dealers so he didn't get much of a start in life. The other, Johnny Neesom is an incredibly talented guitarist, using a guitar as much more than just a guitar. After the film there were performance by two of the former inmates featured in the film, and a short set by Billy himself.

There's a few more dates left, mostly down south, if you get the chance to go then I'd recommend it.

[Hanneke]

Ah, good, sounds excellent... You had a nice time then?

[freckle]

Not sure whether to post this under Todays Music, or Todays Movie ??

Just got back from seeing a film called Breaking Rocks, a documentary about Billy Bragg's Jail Guitar Doors initiative to get prisoners playing guitars.
My initial reaction to this was my usual world weary cynical view of "Sod 'em, they're criminals and they don't deserve bread and water, let alone a guitar", but I guess this isn't costing the taxpayer anything and if does make even a small difference to re-offending levels then some good has come from it. Some of the statistics on prison population levels is pretty alarming, and numbers are rising. They didn't go into specifics of what crimes they had committed, but one of them, Leon Walker had been on heroin from the age of 15 - his parents were dealers so he didn't get much of a start in life. The other, Johnny Neesom is an incredibly talented guitarist, using a guitar as much more than just a guitar. After the film there were performance by two of the former inmates featured in the film, and a short set by Billy himself.

There's a few more dates left, mostly down south, if you get the chance to go then I'd recommend it.

I fancied seeing this myself, I think billy was introducing it at the tyneside cinema on friday night but it was sold out, sounds really good

[tinyman]

Billy Bragg is a total hero of mine.

I took my lad to see him down in Wrexham last summer on one of the final dates on his tour to mark the 25th anniversary of the Miners Strike. It's gotta be one of the best gigs I've ever seen in my life and when my son saw the tears rolling down my cheeks with the pride and the passion he finally got the message that politics is important. Thanks for that Billy.

Not seen this film Dominion so thanks for the heads-up. I'll look for a way to get in front of it.

[dominion]

I was looking for Todays Gig thread but it seems to have gone. I'm sure there was one once?? Anyway, this one will do.

Todays Billy Bragg was in Nottingham again. Bought the ticket a few weeks back and then didn't bother to look up what the show was. It was a Billy solo effort - just him, a guitar and lots of stories between the songs. He also seemed to favour the older stuff which is way better anyway.

It also featured (possibly) the best song he's ever done. And (possibly) played on the same guitar as the video from 25 or so years ago.

[dominion]

He's considerably greyer now!

[Antisocial]

Back in the day when not getting wrecked at Meteors and other psychobilly band concerts I was big Billy fan, saw him several times usually with the Redskins. When you are in your 20's spending most of your time pissed and confusing sex with love and vice versa he was great to feel sorry too, bit like a musical Nick Hornby.

Saw him much later at a Clapham common concert when daughter was very young. She was bright and lively and then went tired, sleepy and quiet very quickly. My friend who was a customs officer pointed out that the smoke drifting across to us was not from nearby BBQ's but from a group smoking pot behind us. Stoned at a Billy Bragg concert at 9 months old, I am so proud!

[Mud]

He used to sneak in my house and read my diary.

[Duff]

First saw Billy in the early eighties, just after 'Life's a Riot' came out. Have seen him severals times since, both on his own and with various bands. He had rarely disappointed.
He remains a bit of a hero of mine. Always genuine, honest, and authentic, not always right, but also a bloody nice bloke.

[Truck]

Billy Bragg is a total hero of mine.

:thumbup: