Workers Playtime

by Billy Bragg

Type: Album
Released: September 1988
Label: Go! Discs
Country: United Kingdom
Length: 41:25
Community rating: 3.89/5 from 4 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Departing from the stark, unaccompanied electric guitar style of his earlier work, this project introduces a broader musical palette with full band arrangements. The lyrical focus shifts slightly from overt political anthems to more personal meditations on love and relationships, though social consciousness remains an underlying thread. The inclusion of piano and strings adds a poignant resonance to the working-class narratives.

Genres

Folk Pop

Descriptors: political, protest, conscious, melodic, war, folk, acoustic, british, storytelling

Tracklist

She's Got A New Spell (3:25)
Must I Paint You A Picture (5:32)
Tender Comrade (2:50)
The Price I Pay (3:34)
Little Time Bomb (2:17)
Rotting On Remand (3:39)
Valentine's Day Is Over (4:53)
Life With The Lions (3:06)
The Only One (3:26)
The Short Answer (4:59)
Waiting For The Great Leap Forwards (4:36)

Credits

Billy Bragg - primary artist, composed by, songwriter [all songs written by], electric guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, electric bass, triangle
Liu Chih-Kuei - illustration [cover]
Bruce Thomas - electric bass
Tony Maronie - percussion
Danny Thompson - double bass
Cara Tivey - piano, electric organ [hammond c3], vocals [additional], piano, backing vocals
Mick Waller - drums
Dave Woodhead - trumpet, flugelhorn
Wiggy - Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, 12-string Electric Guitar [Danelectro Bellzouki 12 String], Slide Guitar, Backing Vocals
BJ Cole - Pedal Steel Guitar
Martin Belmont - Electric Guitar
Barb Jungr - Harmonica
Julia Palmer - Cello
Kenny Jones - Acoustic Guitar [6 String], 12-String Acoustic Guitar [12 String]
Theresa Pamplin - Viola
Camilla Brunt - Violin
Donna Welchman - Violin
Jayne Creamer - Backing Vocals
Kaya Jenner - Backing Vocals
Michelle Shocked - Backing Vocals
Porky - Backing Vocals