William Bloke

Personnel: Billy Bragg (vocals, guitar); Ashley Drees (mandolin); Diedre Cooper (cello); Terry Disley (strings, Hammond B-3 organ); Terry Edwards (alto & baritone saxophones); Dave Woodhead (trumpet, flugelhorn); Caroline Hall (trombone); Cara Tivey (piano, organ, keyboards); Chris Morgan, Chucho Merchan (acoustic bass); Fionn O'Lochlainn, Nigel Frydman (bass); J.F.T. Hood (drums, percussion).Principally recorded at Cathouse Studio, London, England.Bragg's fullest-sounding album so far does not cloud the continuing power of his songs. "Upfield" masquerades as a 60s Motown pop song, but study the words and you will find he still has "socialism of the heart." "Everybody Loves You Babe" is stripped bare so that only the lyric hits home. Heaven help the poor girl who is the subject of his wit. Bragg is at his best with guitar only; this is his real stage, from which he educates us with stinging irony in songs such as "Northern Industrial Town." Since Life's A Riot, Bragg has certainly