Back to Basics

by Billy Bragg

Back to Basics cover art
  • Type: Compilation
  • Released: June 1987
  • Label: Go! Discs
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Length: 58:16
  • Community rating: 4/5 from 3 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Assembling the British troubadour's first two critically acclaimed mini-albums alongside a pair of rare B-sides, this release provides a comprehensive look at his raw early sound. It perfectly captures his unique synthesis of fiery left-wing political commentary and tender romanticism, delivered purely with an electric guitar and thick Essex accent.

Genres

Descriptors: political, acoustic, conscious, lo-fi, melodic

Tracklist

  1. The Milkman of Human Kindness (2:49)
  2. To Have and to Have Not (2:33)
  3. Richard (2:51)
  4. Lovers Town Revisited (1:17)
  5. A New England (2:13)
  6. The Man in the Iron Mask (2:14)
  7. The Busy Girl Buys Beauty (1:58)
  8. It Says Here (4:15)
  9. Love Gets Dangerous (2:23)
  10. From a Vauxhall Velox (2:31)
  11. The Myth of Trust (2:54)
  12. The Saturday Boy (3:28)
  13. Island of No Return (3:37)
  14. This Guitar Says Sorry (2:31)
  15. Like Soldiers Do (2:39)
  16. St. Swithin's Day (3:50)
  17. Strange Things Happen (2:38)
  18. A Lover Sings (3:51)
  19. Between the Wars (2:27)
  20. The World Turned Upside Down (2:33)
  21. Which Side Are You On (2:34)

Credits

  • Paul Davis - illustration [drawings]
  • Andy Cairns - performer [photo], written-by
  • Graham Hopkins - performer [photo], written-by
  • Martin McCarrick - performer [photo], written-by
  • Michael McKeegan - performer [photo], written-by
  • Billy Bragg - Primary Artist, Adapted By
  • Leon Rosselson - Composed By
  • Florence Reece - Composed By

More from Billy Bragg: full discography