Volume 1 [Box set, Original recording remastered]

Billy Bragg | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 7, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 9
• Format: Box set, Original recording remastered
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Yep Roc Records
• ASIN: B000C6NOKA
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #200,490 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Had Woody Guthrie been able to spend his teenage years haunting clubs like CBGB's or Max's Kansas City, he might have ended up sounding something like Billy Bragg: politically and socially aware and armed with a witty, angry acumen that he'd wear as a badge every time he took to the stage. Bragg's unearthing with Wilco of dozens of Guthrie songs may have been his conventional calling card, but since 1983 the British songwriter has spoken to factions of fans through his many solo records. Four of those albums--Life's a Riot with Spy vs. Spy (1983), Brewing Up with Billy Bragg (1984), Talking with the Taxman About Poetry (1986), and The Internationale (1990)--are packaged here, complete with extra tracks, alternative versions, and live recordings. A bonus DVD features a 1985 profile of the artist, as well as a 1986 live performance, where Bragg is always at his best. --Scott Holter

Product Description

"Trying to change the world by singing about it is a dirty business but someone has to do it." --Billy Bragg, 1988

Billy Bragg, once-described as a "one-man Clash," has spent the last two decades writing and performing passionate, witty, socially conscious music. In doing so, he's forged a career that has seen the London Times declare him a "national treasure," while in the States, Woody Guthrie's daughter, Nora, handpicked Bragg to resurrect the spirit of America's own radical dissenter, assigning him the task of bringing Woody's unfinished songs and lyrics to life. The latter's result, Mermaid Avenue, brought him and collaborators Wilco a Grammy nomination. 1983's Life's a Riot with Spy Vs. Spy first introduced the world to Billy's style--roughly strummed electric guitar and stark vocals belying a keen sense of melody and committed, deeply humane lyrics on topics ranging from life and love to social upheaval and the plight of the working class. Yep Roc Records has re-issued Bragg's first four releases singly and as a 9-disc box set that includes 2 bonus DVDs with previously unavailable live footage. The releases include his debut, along with Brewing Up with Billy Bragg, Talking to the Taxman About Poetry, and a disc that combines the The Internationale and Live & Dubious EPs. Each release features the remastered original and a second disc of bonus material, much of it previously unavailable and handpicked by Billy and longtime Bragg cohorts Grant Showbiz and Wiggy--a labor of love indeed.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Only half glad!, April 2, 2006

By 

irishcornboy (Phoenix, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Volume 1 (Audio CD)

Listen Folks, let me preface this short review by saying that I adore Billy Bragg's early catalog. His music was so important to my psyche back in college during the mid to late 80's. I owned the original Vinyl releases. I purchased this box set on the strength of the rarities and the DVD's. Everything sounds fab and there are quite few music eye openers. Great job on compiling the b-sides and rare tracks. But, and I mean a huge but, what is the deal with no liner notes (History, timeline, details on songs more and/or rare photos)? I mean isn't a box set the time for an artist to really shine with background history? You get one very sort blurb from Wiggy in the booklet and a few reproductions of album covers, very few photos and tiny credits for each disc, and lyrics from original Album and EP tracks only. No separate booklet or sleeve notes for any of the 2 disc re-releases. The sound is great and I'm half glad I purchased the box set, but I'd whish they put a little more time and effort into the package as a whole. Billy's core fans deserve more! (Note: The individual 2 disc re-releases are no different than the ones contained in box. The only real bonus is the extra DVD)

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Big Nosed Bard, Boxed, March 16, 2006

By 

SEW (NY, MA, Ireland.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Volume 1 (Audio CD)

I'm a big Billy Bragg fan; I find him one of the most musical songwriters around and a real poet; he's equally gifted at both. This is a full collection of his solo (post Riff Raff) work of the 1980's and very early 1990's, still as fresh and as vital today as on release. Having the whole set of these disks together reminds you of how *consistantly* good he is; particularly when the only weak tune to my ears is a cover (train train). It makes you realize how thin most albums are when they typically can barely contain a couple of good singles (that may or may not stand the test of time); here are 5 (on four discs) strong and complete works together. Oh yeah, and bonus DVD, rarities, outakes and demos are a treat to a fan.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Billy Bragg, Volume 1 box set, January 19, 2011

By 

Mario - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Volume 1 (Audio CD)

I bought this (along with Volume 2) for my wife, who's a big Billy Bragg fan. The set includes 4 studio albums--they each come with an additional CD of demos and outtakes--plus a DVD featuring a 1985 TV special and a 1986 concert. There's also a nice booklet with song lyrics. If you're looking for a quick way to get most of Billy Bragg's material, these two sets might be the way to go.