Billy Bragg Still Proving that Protest Music Didn't Die

Protest music generally makes it way to the forefront during times of strife and trouble. Judging from the American music scene you would think that it's been smooth sailing since the end of the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Oh sure, there have been punks making statements and rappers blaming cops for every one of society's ills, but where is the modern day Woody Guthrie, Phil Ochs or Bob Dylan? Sad to say, in American the closest thing we've had is Bruce Springsteen, a man so ill-suited to the job that one of his most famous songs was easily misinterpreted and turned into a Republican theme song in the 1984 election.

There is one man who has, quite literally, taken up the mantle of Woody Guthrie in speaking out musically against creeping fascism. His name is Billy Bragg and, rather sadly, he is the most authentic folk critic of American politics today.

One of Billy Bragg's most recent songs is the wonderful "Bush War Blues." That title should tell you all you need to know about this iconoclastic musician. If not, however, consider the titles of some other great songs available from him: "Help Save the Youth of America" "There is a Power in a Union" and "All You Fascists (Are Born to Lose)." The latter is a cover version of a Woody Guthrie song; Bragg was given the honor of recording several unrecorded Guthrie songs by Guthrie's daughter.

Billy Bragg's career goes back to the late 70s/early 80s when he was one of those guys you see in the London tube with a guitar and an open guitar case filled with shiny…farthings, ha'pennies, or whatever the heck it is those limeys use as coinage. In fact, Bragg still sings some of his best songs with nothing more than a guitar accompaniment. For those who were raised thinking that Bruce Springsteen and Camp John Mellon Cougar are exemplars of stripped-down, homespun political speechifying on records, listening to Billy Bragg is a real ear-opener.