Quick Hit Album : Billy Bragg & Wilco – Mermaid Avenue

You ever hear something and instantly like it. Hang on a second, not just like it but are moved by it. Well that was the case with Mermaid Avenue. Nora Guthrie came across some of her dad’s lyrics and got Billy Bragg and Wilco to make this fantastic  music with them.

I always liked Bragg and Wilco and this made me like them more. They take Woody’s words and they do a number on them and vice versa. There is some magic happening here. No apologies folks, I just dig what they came up with. Woody was working on them or with them on every song. So many highlights (the whole album is a highlight). The first three cuts, ‘Walt Whitman’s Niece’, ‘California Stars’ , ‘Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key’ let you know what you’re in for. CB is a Woody Guthrie guy and he’s all over this (Of course he is , he wrote the words you dumb shit). Natalie Merchant adds some nice touches.

There are more than a couple songs that are my favorites. I already mentioned ‘California Stars’ (Neil at yeahanotherblogger did a shot on this tune). Another is ‘At My Window Sad and Lonely’, ‘The Unwelcome Guest’ (Can hear The Band all over this one). CB is moved to the core. So enough of me. Give it a listen if you haven’t already and if you have enjoy it again. This is a listening album.

.If I was running out of the house to the old desert island and had time to grab only one album and this was it, I wouldn’t be disappointed. CB loves musical surprises and this was one. It was shithouse luck that I found it. A great collection. It has celebration, respect and love all over it.

(There is a Vol 2 and its a continuation of this great music. And check out the documentary)