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Billy Bragg again
Posted on Fri, Jun 4 1999 at 10:12 a.m. PDT
by David T. <[email protected]>
From (anon):

In the latest edition of 'Rip It Up' (New Zealand music mag) there is a brief interview with Billy Bragg in conjunction with his recent concert here.

He was talking at one point about the brief but great careers of 80's bands like The Smiths and The Housemartins and went on to say that 'after the Smiths broke up, Morrissey shouldn't have made any more albums for a few years. But instead he did and made three shit ones in succession.'

I only saw it in a shop and didn't have any cash with me so it may not be the exact words, but it's pretty close.

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Comments / Notes



hm, Billy dear, I don*t really know if "Sexuality" (with the contribution of our friend J.Marr) was THAT MUCH better than Viva Hate and Kill Uncle. Are you? It was not bad, don*t get me wrong, but it never really was your cup of tea to slag off other artists, let alone Morrissey. So why start on it now? No nice behaviour, boy. (On the other hand - the more I think of it, the more reasonable it gets - it was HIM who was getting nasty on others in the first place....so I guess it`s alright and I won*t become one of those `Don*t you insult our hero`-types. I try not to.
Cheers, elsberry

elsberry
- Fri, Jun 04, 1999 at 14:51:30 (PDT)



Well now, Billy's words are a little strong, but let's be honest. There is some material on _Viva Hate_ that's a little dodgy, and _Kill Uncle_ has some really mediocre stuff on it as well. Some stellar things did come out of those early solo sessions, though, and there was a lot of brilliance packed into songs like "Everyday Is Like Sunday." Maybe Billy was just having a bad day.
GSJ <[email protected]>
Very Far From Home - Fri, Jun 04, 1999 at 16:23:14 (PDT)



I will admit that Kill Uncle wasn't the best record ever made but Your Arsenal is brilliant and some of Morrissey's best work to date. We can't all be singing about unemployment.
Johnny Spade <[email protected]>
Vancouver, BC, Canada - Fri, Jun 04, 1999 at 22:47:56 (PDT)



I think the three albums Billy is talking about are 'Viva Hate', 'Bona Drag' and 'Kill Uncle'. I can't really see him thinking ill of a more political and diverse attempt like 'Your Aresenal'
Joseph Nunweek <[email protected]>
- Fri, Jun 04, 1999 at 22:58:38 (PDT)



only one thing:

in my opinion, a record which contaisn a song like "Late Night, Maudlin Street" is a execellent record, only beacuse of this.


juan soler <[email protected]>
A Coruņa (Espaņa) - Sat, Jun 05, 1999 at 08:00:22 (PDT)



The Albums should have been called,

"Kill Billy Bragg"

"Viva Morrissey"

and "Billy has no Bona Drags"

RockinKid
- Sat, Jun 05, 1999 at 17:35:39 (PDT)



The music on "Viva Hate", "Bona Drag" and "Kill Uncle" simply isn't as good as The Smiths recordings. The lyrics are very good though. It takes a few listenings to appreciate the songs. Maybe Billy hasn't listened them enough.
Mikko <[email protected]>
Finland - Mon, Jun 07, 1999 at 00:12:19 (PDT)



I have to agree with Mr.Bragg on Kill Uncle. That time period was very weak for Mozzer. Can anyone listen to "ouija board" without cringing to this day?....much less watch the video?
However, I must add to Mr.Bragg (whom I do respect and admire greatly), his last solo album, "William Bloke", was absolute @#!!! also.
Stick with Johnny Marr on production and try for another "Don't try this at home".
Anyone see him perform "Ask" during the Workers Playtime tour? FANTASTIC!

Mike <[email protected]>
KY - Tue, Jun 08, 1999 at 10:18:21 (PDT)





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