A true and sadly under-rated National Treasure. I am currently playing through his music I have on tape - the CDs will come at some other time, probably in about 2006.
The first tape was recorded off my dear friend Andrew T when we were at Uni. At about the same time that I saw Billy opening the Red Wedge concert, three days before the '87 election. It consists of Life's A Riot and Brewing Up, with some additional odds and sods
When I took this tape out of its case, I decided that I would play one track before all the rest. Fortuitously, and showing great foresight on my part, the tape was positioned at exactly the right place to play the anthemic Between The Wars, which, incidentally, is one of my Top Twenty-Two. Belting song for belting out in the crowd. I recall that wonderful feeling at Mayday in Finsbury Park in 1997, when I was with Anna and Tilly, wife and daughter of Andrew (who had gone down the front - we stayed back because Tilly was just a few weeks old). Some of the dreams I held in May 1997 have been dashed, but many many more remain. So, the skies are still dark with bombers, but I'll give my consent
To any government
That does not deny a man a living wage
I was a miner I was a docker I was a railway man Between the wars I raised a family In times of austerity With sweat at the foundry Between the warsI paid the union and as times got harder
I looked to the government to help the working man
And they brought prosperity down at the armoury
We're arming for peace, me boys
Between the warsI kept the faith and I kept voting
Not for the iron fist but for the helping hand
For theirs is a land with a wall around it
And mine is a faith in my fellow man
Theirs is a land of hope and glory
Mine is the green field and the factory floor
Theirs are the skies all dark with bombers
And mine is the peace we know
Between the warsCall up the craftsmen
Bring me the draftsmen
Build me a path from cradle to grave
And I'll give my consent
To any government
That does not deny a man a living wageGo find the young men never to fight again
Bring up the banners from the days gone by
Sweet moderation
Heart of this nation
Desert us not, we are
Between the wars
If there is one artist who, above all, provides the soundtrack to my life, it has to be Billy. Not great music, but compelling. Not a pleasant voice, and that East London accent is not to my taste. And yet, and yet - possibly the greatest poet (Morrissey notwithstanding) of a generation. Not least in his wonderful play on words eg The Milkman of Human Kindness. Or a pinpoint analysis of the degeneracy of the tabloid press:
A great political balladeer, he is at his superb best when singing melancholy personal ditties, with that soulful voice and tuneful guitar.
In fact, I suggest that if you are not au fait with the work of Billy, you click any two or three of these songs and acknowledge the genius.
The second BB tape I have (taped off vinyl) is Talking With The Taxman About Poetry. All songs v.v. good (hmm, somehow, you just can't imagine that vacuous Bridget Jones listening to Billy...); highlights for me 'Ideology' - great words, fab guitar riff; There Is A Power In A Union; Wishing the Days Away; and the Home Front.
Another two years until I reckon I'll get round to playing Billy again? This All The Records By forty project sucks...
