you can’t jump a jet plane like you can a freight train
Fact: I love Billy Bragg so much it hurts. I mean this quite literally — every time I listen to his music I get this unbearable pain my heart that can’t possibly be explained (I know you’ve felt it too). He has written so many of my all-time favourite songs (protest songs + love songs = the way to my heart) and he has one of those voices that so effortlessly welcomes you into his world. So imagine the absolute heartbreak that I experienced when, due to work, I had to miss the Englishman’s in-store performance at Zulu Records a couple weekends back.
This video popped of Billy performing a cover of “Early Morning Rain” made its way online shortly after the set. At first, seeing him against the backdrop of my most-visited local record store only made me insanely jealous that I was unable to attend… but his rendition of this Gordon Lightfoot-penned song is just so perfect that I became powerless and entirely incapable of staying mad. He even takes a moment afterwards to discuss the digitalization of music and thanks those in attendance for supporting stores like Zulu. What a top lad. Frankly, with that charming accent, I could listen to him talk all damn day.
Ugh, such a beautiful song — I’m feeling a little weepy now. Here’s an old fave from 1988’s Workers Playtime. You must, must, MUST buy this album.
mp3: Billy Bragg - Must I Paint You A Picture from Workers Playtime
