09.07.1998
UK, London, Yalding House, Studio 4
John Peel Session
exc. FM Broadcast

01. Chatter [0:48]
02. My Flying Saucer [1:39]
03. Chatter [4:15]
04. Another Mans Done Gone [2:02]
05. Chatter [4:18]
06. Chatter [1:00]
07. Black Wind Blowing [2:51]
08. Chatter [1:04]
09. Psalm [2:07]
10. Chatter [0:15]
11. Chatter [0:21]
12. A Song About Law & Order [2:53]
13. Chatter [2:26]
14. All You Fascists Bound To Lose [2:27]
15. Chatter [0:15]
16. Chatter [1:58]
17. Ingrid Bergman [1:48]
18. Chatter [0:18]
19. Let's Have Christ For President [1:49]
20. Chatter [0:15]

Total Running Time: [34:58]

Source: FM > cassette Ist gen > CDR > WAV > trader's little helper > FLAC

Notes:
This session is Billy Bragg in the studio with John Peel playing a selection of Woody Guthrie songs that he, Jeff Tweedy and Jay Bennett (the latter two from Wilco) wrote tunes for at the request of Nora Guthrie, Woody's daughter. A selection of these tunes were recorded and released as the two Mermaid Avenue albums.

As Billy explains, the songs he plays on the session were ones that didn't make the (first) album (some more of them made it on to the second one). But these versions are all live in a Billy-and-his-guitar format.

I have left in the extensive chatter between Billy and John Peel as it offers a great insight into the project and the relationship between the two (obviously great friends since the "Biryani incident"). Even though it isn't directly relevant, I've left in a discussion about Lonnie Donegan as it adds to the understanding of where Billy was drawing his muse from (sort of - I also thinks parts of it are very funny).

To be honest, I don't think it is as wonderful as the sessions avaialbel on the Peel Sessions cd - there is less venom and I miss hearing Billy's own songs (I'm more of a fan of Billy Bragg than Woody Guthrie). But it is still very good and bears repeated listening.

And if you like it, why not buy the Mermaid Avenue albums. And go and see Billy live, wherever and whenever you can - if you never have, you don't know what you're missing and if you have already, you'll know why you need to go again (and again).

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