Mermaid Avenue

I enjoyed more than I would’ve expected. The songwriting is simple but I found several of the songs touching.

It never sunk in my memory that these were all Woodie Guthrie lyrics. Cool. The album has a refreshingly folksy feel overall, but there is certainly a rock influence that bubbles to the surface on a few. Good stuff. 3.8

It's a good album and Bragg & Wilco go together well. There are a few songs that could be tightened or trimmed, but overall enjoyable. 3.6

kind of a weird album, simultaneously all over the place and sticking to the same vibe. didn’t love it didn’t hate it

Heard Wilco before but not this one with Billy Bragg. Somehow missed this one in the late 90’s. Quite a find for me and cool story behind working with Woody Guthrie’s lyrics.

This album surprised me. It had a little bit of a country twang that I really liked. It’s a 3.5, but I’ll round up.

This is an interesting album. I'm not saying its a good album, but I can at least see why it might make a list of albums that everyone should hear. Why not just put some Woody Guthrie albums on this list instead, though? Anyway, its not bad, but its not good either. I love Woody Guthrie, but this doesnt capture any of the feelings from his lyrics here. 2/5

I used to discuss music with a co-worker of mine and one day he gave me a flash drive full of albums so I could listen and choose which ones I wanted to keep. One of the albums I chose was this one. This is a really great album and I didn't even know they were Woody Guthrie songs until I had listened to the album a few times. There are two (ish) other versions of Billy Bragg and Wilco collaborating on Woody Guthrie music, but this is the best one. At My Window Sad and Lonely, California Stars, Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key and Christ for President are all great songs. I knew very little about Woody Guthrie and Billy Bragg prior to this album, but this is a fun collab album that doesn't feel as old as the lyrics really are.

You cannot escape the notion that the Bill Bailey parody is spot on.

Billy Bragg & Wilco together initially made me want to vomit. But this was actually much better than I thought it would be, so I'm choosing to credit Woody Guthrie's lyrics for this instead. Favorite track: Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key

I liked the songs with Natalie Merchant best. Jesus Christ for President was also great. 4/5

5/5 - actually really pleasant. Good day-indoors type music

A brilliant reimagining by the perfect heir to Woody’s aesthetic. This album remains current, vibrant and fun.

This is amazing: Woody Guthrie, Billy Bragg, Wilco. Natalie Merchant guests for a couple songs. I had never heard this before. They created a beautiful nest for Guthrie's poetry to soar from. This is co-creation across generations, and a truly inspiring project.

Cool concept, a smidge forgettable but I liked the vibe

love wilco never really got into billy bragg but this seems like a very good pairing.

There was a song I really liked, but I won't say which song.

Not for me

An enjoyable listen which I could listen to again.

Quite chill and enjoyable, though it felt slightly too long

YEEHAAAWWW

Pretty much the best case scenario for creating a new Americana style of music while still being yourself.

Is it folk? Country? Blue Grass? Indie Rock? I'm confused that this was a product of 1998! California Stars is nice, dreamy, lyrically driven with a slow, two-stepping melody. Good honky-tonk staple. Birds and Ships, with the always lovely Natalie Merchant, feels like the last song of the night at an Irish pub somewhere. Then it abruptly shifts to rockabilly and then to a 60's beach rock sound. Overall, not bad.

This is a weird release with singing duties divided between Bragg and Tweedy (and occasionally some female singers). Evidently, these songs are all set to lyrics originally penned by the legend Woody Guthrie. I found myself drawn more to the Wilco/Tweedy tunes.

Großartige Songs. Klasse Album und für mich wieder eine hörenswerte Entdeckung!

So refreshing to hear this album after the torturous week we've had with Leonard Cohen and others It's tough to not rate the backstory of how this came together along with the music. A great mix of Americana sounds and classic country/Americana. This has been one of the best discoveries of this daily album project yet. Great lyrics from an American hero brought to life years later to fresh sounds with a whole new interpretation. This feels like a mix of Ryan Adams meets Neil Young. Thank you Nora Guthrie for spearheading this project.

I expected to dislike this album. yet here I am giving it a solid 4 stars. Bragg and Wilco managed to capture the vibe of a live bar band at their best. It’s honest and perfectly accompanies the wonderful lyrics left behind by Woody Guthrie.

idk who billy bragg is and im not the biggest fan of yankee hotel foxtrot so i was pleasantly surprised by this album. its inconsistent but cozy and the peaks are great. 7/10

nothing happens so stfu about your house

Нет. Не ужасно, но даже второй раз переслушивать не хочется.

Blues del bueno y rico. Siempre bienvenida esas armónicas.

Mér finnst ég kannast voðalega mikið við þetta nafn en ég hef bara aldrei hlustað á hann og er alveg pottþétt að rugla einhverjum nöfnum saman. Þetta var nú samt bara prýðilegasta tónlist en það situr samt ekki mikið eftir. Ég sem sagt gæti alveg hlustað á hana aftur en ég mun líklegast ekki muna eftir plötunni og þar af leiðandi ekki setja hana á sjálfur.

This was my first time enjoying something with Jeff Tweedy, Billy Bragg was great too. I’ve never heard of him before this

Ik ga dit met m'n ongetrainde oor toch weer gewoon country noemen. Folky country. Eigenlijk hoef ik alleen maar een slide gitaar te horen en dan is het voor mij country. Qua muziek is het oké, qua zang is het een klein beetje vervelend. Dit soort muziek is toch een beetje de smartlap uit het land van de mogelijkheden, inclusief de geforceerde snik in de stem. In tegenstelling tot moderne country overigens, dat is 'hiphop for people who are afraid of black people', aldus Steve Earle. Ik heb hem als achtergrond muziek aangehad tijdens het werk, dan gaat het wel en kan ik een 3 geven. Ik zou dit alleen niet gauw aanzetten om lekker actief te gaan luisteren. Een vergeetbare 3. Afstrepen en niet meer naar omkijken.

Modern folk music is still just that - folk music. Not for me, thanks.

Another day, another dull album. Surely there are at least 1001 better albums than this.

2/5

Favourite song Birds and Ships & One by One

Unexpected mix, but I like both artists individually so it sounded promising (not sure how I've managed to miss this collaboration over the past 25 years?) It feels a bit disjointed though, doesn't hang together very well, and consequently feels more like a compilation. Awarding 3 stars for what it might have been...

I like this a lot, definitely going into my music rotation.

I love this album. California Stars is one of my favorite songs ever.

Not listened yet

Ein angenehmes abwechslungsreiches Album mit einem herausragenden Song "California Stars".

Amazing album, highly recommended

3.7. Can’t go wrong with Billy Bragg

4.7 The rating of the album might be boosted by my familiarity with it but its one of my favorites. I have never really gotten into BB but with wilco it is the perfect mesh. Top marks!

really good tribute to blues/folk

California Stars and Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key are two of the best contributions to the alt-country cannon and At My Window Sad and Lonely, Hesitating Beauty, and One by One are just a tier below. The arrangements and performances really sparkle, in different ways they're all sing-along songs with a poignant sense of missing out on a better life going on elsewhere without you, accompanied by a woozy slide guitar. The rest doesn't hit nearly the same level though - competant mid tempo acoustic rock that just chugs along unobtrusively. The idea of turning Woody Guthrie's old lyrics notebooks into 20th century songs is a cool project and this is a very logical pairing to carry out, but I can't help thinking I'd like it more if it was just a Wilco project. The Jeff Tweedy sung songs are the strongest, his voice conveying the tender lonely country feeling works much better than Bragg's more rigid delivery of the propaganda songs.

I'm not really a Wilco fan (see my other reviews) so I wasn't really looking forward to this. It was until halfway that I decided to look up more info about this album and learnt it was Woody Guthrie stuff (is he even on this list? if not he should be 100%) that was mildly interesting. Nonetheless it's a mild curiosity. That's about it for me.

It's not as bland as I expected considering a lot of the other British albums I heard for the first time. I definitely did not expect an Alt Country/Folk experience lol. It was an enjoyable and decent listen while I was walking my dog.

I’m a Wilco fan but not necessarily a Bragg fan. But can see the influences and similarities. Mid way ranked.

I liked the first 4 songs a lot. Then it got a little repetitive

Terrific lyrics. Maybe a little repetitive on the delivery. But solid musicianship behind that.

Not terrible. Lulled me in as it went along.

Do not know this album but found it to be pretty entertaining. However I did listen while doing dishes so it was a chill time with chill music.

Bleh

Riesco a capire dalle canzoni che sono di qualità per il loro genere folk, ma a me questo tipo di musica proprio non dà niente purtroppo, non mi piace. Alla fine riconosco che è un album fatto bene.

It's fine, not my thing at all - subjected to too much BB as a younger music fan, and amount of Wilco magic can take that away

When I first encountered “Mermaid Avenue,” I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. However, as the music enveloped me, I found myself pleasantly surprised. The artists did an exceptional job of weaving Woody Guthrie’s poignant lyrics into beautiful songs. It’s more than just an album; it’s a heartfelt homage to a folk legend. The album boasts a captivating mix of musical styles throughout. From soulful ballads to foot-tapping tunes, each track carries its weight. Listening to “Mermaid Avenue” feels like embarking on a musical journey—one that deserves a spot on this list.

This was such a strange collection of folk songs. The album was all over the place. Odd choice to kickstart with "Walt Whitman's Niece", which is a truly annoying song to consume. However, they quickly offer up "California Stars", which made carrying on with this album feel worthwhile. "Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key" sounds *exactly* like a 90s Newfoundland folk song. Plenty of Newfie bands sound like this. It reminded me of home. "Hoodoo Voodoo" is another annoyance. Not good. But, once again, they follow with a pretty tune, "She Came Along To Me", and all is forgiven. The two closing tracks - "Another Man's Done Gone" and "The Unwelcome Guest" - are just beautiful. Easily my favourite Billy Bragg & Wilco songs. It took a while, but ending on such a high slapped a goofy grin across my stupid face. Not every tune hits and this doesn't feel like a coherent album. Nevertheless, there are some lovely songs that warrant a recommendation (with a disclaimer). 👍👍

Ok album. I liked the lyrics better than the music but the music wasn’t terrible. Since they were using Woody Guthrie’s lyrics, it sounded like they were paying homage to his music as well. Simple and straightforward melodies with uncomplicated chords and harmonies. Listenable but not too often repeatable.

I am a sucker for harmonization, and softness in music. This album has quite a range - I enjoyed the first few songs the most (Walt Whitman's Niece, California Stars, Way Over Yonder, Birds and Ships), but still appreciated the rest of the album.

This album starts off good (I won't say how gooooood) But towards the end it slows down, and has a few songs I don't like (I'll not tell which sooooongs)

Trash. I’m sorry to the artists but I hated everything about this. Boring, Christian, nothingness. Get this tape out of my face.

Maybe if you repeated the choruses just a couple more dozen times then you would have achieved your goal of putting me to sleep.

meh

Not for me

Good music - matched to found lyrics/poems of Woody Guthrie, who never put this stuff to music on his own. Folksy, but good.

Interesting

Bland. I guess I'm not a fan of Wilco... 2nd album I've gotten with them & just not feeling it.

California Stars.

I like the first two songs a lot. Didn’t care much for the rest of it.

Woody!

Awesome album. Each song sounded different from the others. Really cool album.

This was brand new to me. I like it! Enough to add it to my streaming library. If I can find the record at a resonable price, I'd add it my vinyl collection . Felt like what you'd get if you took Bob Dylan and added better musicians and an actual singer to the mix.

Dit is de Gordon van Amerika. 0 points.

Niks voor mij, ik zie mezelf wel op een porch zitten met een schommelstoel en spugen in een metalen vaas achtig, waarbij ik dan lekker mondharmonica speel

country blijft niet mijn ding California Stars wel ok nee dank u

Solid album with a unique history. I can see myself returning to this. Enjoyed the variety of voices heard on the record. 4/5

I really enjoyed that. Hope it ends up on my daily mix.

Not really for me

Un album plein de cœur, aux racines folk américaines assumées, bien servies sans tomber dans le cliché

This is a really interesting one, it's a collab between Billy Bragg (a British folk singer that I was not familiar with) and Wilco (an American alt rock band that I'm only somewhat familiar with), singing songs (or lyrics really) written by Woody Guthrie mostly in the '40s to '60s. I guess Guthrie's daughter had a bunch of lyrics that he had written (but no music to go with them), she asked Bragg to make an album with them, and he pulled in Wilco. Honestly, it was a really nice album. Wilco is one of those bands that has been on the periphery of my musical knowledge for a long time; they're in the wheelhouse of music I tend to like, but I've never really listened to them much. It's a bit of an odd place to start with them (and with Bragg for that matter) since it's hard to really attribute this fully to anyone, but it was a really enjoyable listen. No major surprise, but it's mostly fairly low key folk-y music (right up my alley). It does pick up the pace a bit here and there though and there's enough variation (partly driven by the multiple singers) that it stays interesting. "California Stars" is a major highlight, it's a really beautiful song and is definitely going to make its way into my rotation. There's a few songs that didn't really land ("Hoodoo Voodoo", "Christ For President") but they're few and far between and don't overly hurt the flow. It's really solid top to bottom. It seems like most of the reason Guthrie's daughter wanted something like this to happen was to try to make his music relevant to a new generation, and honestly it worked on me. This is making me want to listen to Woody Guthrie music. I don't think this album is quite as political as some of his recorded work, but a bit of it does come through at times. "She Came Along To Me" is an example of one of the more political songs on here, and honestly it lands just as well today as it probably would have when he wrote it. I'll wrap up with a lyric: "And all creeds and kinds and colors / Of us are blending/ Till I suppose ten million years from now / We'll all be just alike / Same color, same size, working together / And maybe we'll have all of the fascists / Out of the way by then / Maybe so" Favorite song: California Stars Other: Walt Whitman's Niece, Way over Yonder in the Minor Key, Birds and Ships, She Came Along to Me, At My Window Sad and Lonely, Ingrid Bergman, I Guess I Planted, One by One, Hesitating Beauty 3/3/24

very rustic

Nog wel leuke americana, klinkt volks

A few tracks I like, a couple I don’t. +1 for Natalie Merchant’s harmony on track 3.

3.33 per track. Enjoyed this. Reminded me of Corb Lund and early Cake at times.

Genre: Folk rock, bluegrass, alternative country 1998 Standouts: Walt Whitman's Niece, California Stars, Birds and Ships, At My Window Sad and Lonely, Took me sometime to start getting into it...but it's very nice. 3.5/5

Really enjoyed. Alot of my favorites sight Billy Bragg as inspiration and it shows why.

Easy listening, good background music for work. And I appreciate the historic musical importance of the project.

Is this just Wilco with a different singer?

Too much folk for me, folks. I think maybe one song caught my ear…for a minute.

A well intended project with Billy Bragg and Wilco taking unheard Woody Guthrie lyrics and composing new contemporary music and performing the songs for this " collaboration" album. The songs were fine, Bragg's songs were in his usual spirit and element and California Stars is one of Wilco's better songs. With that being said, I thought is was a bit underwhelming and not the best performances for both artists. I much prefer their own records, but that's what happens when you record essentially a "cover" album of Woody Guthrie songs. Needless to say, these artists were a good choice to take on this project and for the most part succeeded.

This is the first album on here that I’ve given three stars where it feels like it is a failure of imagination on my part.

This was fine, but I wasn't super into it.

Great

3.5 rating if I could. Very neat album

Pleasant enough but not very compelling. The concept is cool, but that doesn't make it great.

Not really my kind of thing

Mmm, not really anything special. I'll say it does sound a bit dated, but it's not terrible. Overall average.

pathetic american country music, but it's sorta okay...

Really rather enjoyable- the lyrics are , of course, wonderful and the music provided by Billy Bragg excellent. It’s not legendary but it’s very good.

Need to get this average up. Saw both acts in the last year. Probably 2 of the few on this list still touring small venues. Wilco one of the best live bands ever. Billy Bragg always worth your time. You might not agree with everything but he has plenty to say to make you think.

Absolutely beautiful. I love the variety of sounds here, yet the whole album still feels cohesive.

I got scared when I saw Wilco for the 2nd time only 30 albums in as I hated the first album I listened to. This was a pleasant surprise being a reinterpretation of Woody Guthrie songs by Billy Bragg with Wilco as backing band.

I really enjoy Wilco. And the track California Stars has always been really enjoyable, but maybe I'm just having a bad day. A little too 'country', the lyrics failed to snag my attention. 3

I like this fine, but I struggle to see how it ended up on this list. There are better Guthrie, Wilco and Bragg albums, so its inclusion seems a bit odd. That said, it’s a fun listen, there’s a spontaneity to it that works well on songs like California Stars and Way Over Yonder… not a bad album, just not a great one.

Mermaid Avenue Despite being a fan of Wilco and liking BIlly Bragg I’ve never listened to any of the Mermaid Avenue albums. Has a nice barroom, loose feel, a bit like the Basement Tapes, which was probably an influence, and also with the Dylan Guthrie connection. I like the ones with the Woody Guthrie lyrics but a lot of the Jeff Tweedy/Wilco non Guthrie lyric ones are very strong. A couple of the Billy Bragg ones, Birds and Ships in particular, are great too. California Stars, Way Over Yonder, Ingrid Bergman, One by One, Eisler on the Go, Another Man’s Done Gone highlights for me. Sometimes when Billy Bragg is excessively sing/talking like Billy Bragg it gets a bit tiresome, but when he really sings on a couple of these tracks it’s very tender and affecting. Great playing throughout, not sure what the Wilco line up at the time was, presuming it was the Being There era group, but it’s really lovely. I wasn’t entirely sure what I expected from this, I thought it might be good, but maybe not as warm and enjoyable. I’ve listened through twice now and I think it just pushes past 3 into ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I dont think I had ever heard this guy, but I really liked it, listened to it a couple of times.

Wilco (great band) + Billy Bragg (bit of a knob) + Woodie Guthrie lyrics (actually pretty good) = 4 stars (surprisingly solid would happily listen to again)

Una de las mejores colecciones de canciones country realizadas en Estados Unidos, incluso con la colaboración de un británico. Nostálgico y actual al mismo tiempo, Woody Guthrie revive a través de las interpretaciones de Wilco y Bragg. Realmente un indispensable.

Fine. I liked the country sounds but won’t remember it

I’m a serious admirer of Wilco, or more specifically Jeff Tweedy and their songwriting style. I may be biased because Jeff said he likes JPEGMAFIA’s music, but it’s also because I do have a lot of respect for him. I had no idea who Billy Bragg was, so I didn’t know what to expect from a collaboration between Wilco and Billy. Turns out it wasn’t anything super out of the norm for the band. It does sound a little bit more country-ish, but that could just be me. The thing that makes this album unique is the actual process of creating it. All of lyrics were written a long time ago, by another artist named Woody Guthrie, and they were given to the band by his daughter. So really this album is preserving musical history in a way, which I can respect. And the actual music is solid, considering Wilco are the ones behind it. My biggest gripe is Billy. I just don’t like his voice all that much. It fits the music, but something about it just doesn’t click in my brain. I obviously love Jeff’s voice. The only songs I really like are the ones he is the main vocalist on. Even though I like the actual music, the other issue I have is that it’s not very memorable. This is one of those albums where I pretty much forgot all of the songs after I was done listening to them. They are a little boring, and very basic, especially since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot came out only 4 years later, so I know the kind of excellence they are capable of creating. It’s too safe and simple for me, so sadly I lost interest pretty quickly. Rating: 5/10

Seems country walt whitmans niece California starsss

I already know I like this album, but I’m not sure if I’ve listened to the whole thing in one sitting, so there’s still something new to hear here. But as a fan of both Wilco and Woody Guthrie, I’m a bit biased.

Enjoyable to listen to Standout songs: Way over yonder in the minor key At my window sad and lonely Another mans done gone

It kinda all sounds the same?

Nice album! I didn’t know it was a collection of Woody Guthrie songs, but that just makes things even better. I wonder how Guthrie would’ve orchestrated some of his own lyrics that he didn’t put to music. 4.6/5 Fav: “Christ for President” Least Fav: None

6/10 - 3/5 Interesting mix of slow introspective songs and yee haw. Bragg is not a great singer. Some touching and fun moments, but nothing wowed.

No me gustó.

One of my top favorite artists and album

This is fantastic folk music. The album was easy to listen to and featured a lot of different sounds throughout. The short songs length made it easy to step away for a minute if you needed to pause. This is an album I will come back to.

Thought it started off strong then kind of lost my interest towards the middle and end. I enjoyed the vocal performance of billy boy

A resounding MEH. “California Stars” is recognizable and I love nearly everything Natalie Merchant does but I was left wondering why on Earth this album was included.

Good! one by one sounds so much like head and the heart. overall i liked this album

I feel like for most matchups, I tend to like british interpretations of what "folk music" is, compared to americans', so there was a part of me like "man what are you doing" at Bragg doing American-style on this

Very interesting concept for an album. I enjoyed it. Not sure I would go back to it as it’s not really my style. Favorite songs were Walt Whitman’s Niece, She Came Along To Me, and I Guess I Planted.

This is the wrong album. But ok.

ok, not my preferred genre

This was pretty great — Billy Bragg and Jeff Tweedy kept the feel of Woody Guthrie tunes while making them sound modern. Highly enjoyable.

Nope. This album is not for me. After a couple songs, I clicked on the reviews (first time doing so on this site), and found that all the lyrics were Woody Guthrie's. This would explain my reaction, as his poetry had always left me cold.

Okay

I'm a bit embarrassed at how recently I've started listening to Billy Bragg. Enjoyed this one.

"A girl took down a book of poems (Not to say which book of poems) And as she read, I laid my head (But I cant tell which head) Down in her lap (And I cant mention which lap)" The songs called "Walt Whitmans NIECE" Fucking puke This is the first song of your album? This is how you want new fans to hear your music? Fucking hell. Old perv singer songwriter country shlock fuck you NOTHING will be lost if this album just vanished from existence. Significant 31/97 Liked 15/97 Added 4/97 No, No, NO NOOOOO

Sing-song-y Woody Guthrie lyrics set to the tune of Billy Bragg and Wilco. The first half or so is good, but the act got a bit tired for me after that. Overall decent folk rock but nothing amazing. Standouts are "California Stars" and "Way over Yonder in the Minor Key".

I didn’t know this project existed and it was a great listen when I popped it on. What a combo of artists!

alkoi erittäin vahvasti.. hyvää politiikkaa kantri mahtava huroppausta, jesus christ for president of united states 2024..... mutta hajosi äkkiä, iso hupertaminen hujentaminen mietin mitä vaihtuko albumi nyt jo vai no ei , ein miettinyt samanlainen sound kuitenkin kuului mutta itse laulut lyrpatukset olivat huomattavasti honompia. sasi kuitenkin stabiloitua ja jatkoi loppualbumin merkeissä jatkui ihan tasaisella tiellä walt whitmans niece

Yea it was interesting

A couple of good songs but wouldn't bother revisiting.

Is it a bad thing when you randomly start singing a completely different song? And I don't mean different lyrics, I mean I was just singing something else over this. Very boring

This album is just like all the women I've been with: Average, not super interesting, a bit whiny and when it was over I was glad I could finally move on with my life

Listened to this while playing Under Falling Skies. I lost. I'm a big fan of Wilco, but had not heard this album before. I really enjoyed this quite a bit. It is not the style of music I normally listen to, but it really gives a nice dusty campfire vibe. At first I wasn't sure how I felt about the vocals, but by the end I was totally feeling it. The last two songs were particularly lovely!

Left me a bit cold. Listened before I read the context and thought it sounded a bit different from the usual Billy Bragg. Still not essential though

I hated that. I don't know Billy Bragg, I don't know Willie Guthrie, but I have zero interested in hearing anything else by them.

One confesses a deep and abiding love for this record, and not just for reasons of time and place. The whole project is beautifully conceived and lovingly executed. It's the best sort of homage, to a fully deserving honoree, with appropriate but original seeming interpretations that amplify the results to major, and even occasionally touching, effect. The Bragg-Wilco combo is extraordinary and Natalie Merchant adds a lot. The loose and fun bits – "Walt Whitman's Niece" and "Hoodoo Voodoo" and "Christ for President" – work exceedingly well and the soulful bits – "Way Over Yonder" and "Another Man's Done Gone" and "The Unwelcome Guest" – are authentically affecting – oh, the melancholy of the elegaic tone for a lost era; oh the futile hoping for a better life for workers. There's a sincerity of intent and genuine earnestness born of love and admiration for WG that fuels the effort. Everything in between is worthwhile, too, with the extraordinary "California Stars" and "She Came Along to Me" and "Ingrid Bergman" each delivering major mid-tempo impact. Scarcely a note wrong on the entire record and the level of excellence is maintained throughout. It meant so much all those years ago, and still does today. What more sign of greatness does one need? (Side plug: Tweedy's memoir of a few years ago is a terrific read.)

Actively didn’t enjoy some parts but others were tolerable

I really like some other Wilco stuff but this was mostly a miss for me

It was nice

Liked very much.

California Stars was nice. It was okay overall. Woody made the decision years ago not to record these songs.

A great album! I have never heard of Billy Bragg, or Wilco, or even Woody Guthrie, but it all changed today. This might be the first folk record that I genuinely liked and didn't feel forced to listen throughout. Great, diverse vocals, very interesting lyrics and really nice instrumentation made it an excellent experience. It is an easy 4/5, but I will be very happy to listen to it again in the future and revise the rating, if possible.

Just the right mix of fun folk funny and camp. Good times. Nothting truly captured me, but it was a nice listen

Good. Kinda boring

I always feel like i ought to like folk but mostly i just don't.

Halfway between a British Bruce Springsteen and a Country and Western singer. Not bad if you like that kind of thing I suppose.

I like Billy and I like Wilco but that doesn't necessarily mean I like them together. This just feels like bland countryesque rambling. Sorry but it's nothing special.

Not for me but I appreciate the story of collaboration for this album. My cats liked Natalie Merchant’s voice on the song Birds and Ships

I do not care for Wilco, but I am a fan of Bragg, so I wasn't sure how this album would go for me, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

It's fine. 2.9.

I'm not sure whether to give this 2 or 3 stars. I like some of the lyrics (which are not written by billy bragg) and the world view but musically this doesn't really speak to me too much

This is the exact type of music I would throw canned beans and tomatoes at if I ever saw it live. Get outta here, I don't want to listen to your stupid fucking yoinky sploinky country for people who clap when an airplane lands. Billy Bragg is annoying, Wilco is boring, put the two together and I want to rip my ears out. 0/10, find another hobby. Grow some carrots man. Go on a hike man. Learn integration by parts man.

Meh, some good tracks, some bad. The whole thing sounded disjointed.

Geinige singersongwriterfolk, ik lees dat het oude teksten zijn van de legendarische Woodie Guthrie, met nieuwe muziek van de uitvoerenden. Klinkt tijdloos en fris tegelijk, wat wil je nog meer.

En daar hebben we Wilco weer. De samenstellers zouden een max per artiest moeten doorvoeren... Wederom: drie is teveel. Maar als ik moest kiezen tussen die drie, zou ik deze erin houden. De samenwerking is sterk. Het levert wel een heeeeeel erg Amerikaans album op. Voor de country-liefhebber... Tegelijk is het én heel volks én heel degelijk. Totaal niet mijn smaak, maar toch drie sterren voor de kwaliteit.

Verzameling covers van een oude cuntry baas in een 'modern' jasje. Het ene jasje past de nummers beter dan het andere. Ik vermaak me hier toch prima mee.

Billy Bragg, yeah, alright. I mean, honestly, I like him but you can die fine without having heard (of) him. What I really don't get is: Why this album and not "Life's a Riot with Spy vs Spy"? Listen to that instead.

Decent, but a bit forgettable. An interesting concept. The best part about the album is when it ended because it started the best 'related to' playlist on Spotify that I've ever heard.

Had no idea this existed, which is kind of shameful being the Wilco completionist that I am. Unsurprisingly liked it a lot, enjoyed the mix of Woody Guthrie lyrics with the more traditional Wilco songs. Happy to have discovered it. 4/5

it was fine, nothing rly hit for me though

A real feel good record. I've never heard of this artist, I've heard of Wilco, but never listened. This record brought me back to the Maritimes, as there is a prominent Newfie sound to this record. I could sit in a pub drinking a pint while listneing to these guys play live. Some catchy hooks, dancy tunes, great musicianhip. This band come off genuine. Great record.

Couldn’t find any enjoyment in this. It’s just not my thing. Nothing completely offensive though

Boring didn't like it

boring and trash but i can respect they know how to play i guess

Painfully boring

Esquisito mas bom, só que definitivamente não é um dos mil e um álbuns que eu deveria ouvir antes de morrer

Didn’t really think much of the album. Then I read about it and was surprised. I liked the female vocalist but otherwise wasn’t really impressed.

A nice little album that's calming and reminds me of older times that were simpler and less complicated. Saved a few to folk playlists.

California Stars Way over Yonder in the Minor Key

Nice interpretation of a legend

loved it

3.5 Some interesting songs.

Didn’t love it at all. Not that it is bad per we, it’s just not really my bag.

Not sure why I liked this because this stuff doesn’t usually resonate with me, but I did

California Stars.

Not my style

This process is really showing my lack of musical breadth. Billy Bragg is yet another artist I feel I should really have paid more attention to. Having said that, an album of Billy Bragg doing unrecorded songs by Woody Guthrie might not be the best place to start. Despite it being quite Country there is something here I could get into. But it would require more time than I’m prepared to give. That’s my problem.

This album took me by suprise immediately and I was on the verge of giving it a five no doubt. However, I kept listening and the album was still really good but not the best out there. Still added a good amount of songs

Thought a lot of the songs in this albu had great sound to them, creative lyrics, and were put together well. That being said, not my favorite type of sound or lyrics. Didn't appeal to me as a whole very much Personal Favorites: California Stars, Hoodoo voodoo, One by One, At my window sad and lonely,

Pleasant listen

Very middle of the road album for me which surprised me since I like everyone involved and thought I’d really like it. Didn’t bore me but didn’t floor me.

Pretty good

The story behind the album is kinda interesting, but I don't really care about the music. I thought it might be worse, so I guess I'm glad it's only a two. Not the worst country I've heard, but I've also heard better. My favourite song was California Stars.

Didn't pay full attention, but seemed good, need to listen again for 3 or 4

I liked the general vibe here. Nice almost-country but with a Brit twist. That said, it had some pretty meh filler tracks. So, good potential on the album, but I don't think it hit as high as it could have.

Actually really liked this!!

harmless, gentle back ground music with a folks-country - blue grass vibe, remind me of some good, small groups (Like "Friends of Dean Martinez"); had it on at work as mild background and was nice.

This is a cool project! I listened to it before and I really like California Stars. Way Over Yonder..., Birds And Ships, Hoodoo Voodoo, a lot of catchy songs on here. At My Window Sad And Lonely is also great! I’d say this is a 3.5 - 4. Great songs, great performances.

Great folk music! Especially liked Birds and Ships & Ingrid Bergman

Interesting album. The first track "Walt Whitman's Niece" sounded like they were drunk, and the second track "California Stars" seemed to have the same tune as the first track? After that, the album settles down into a very pleasant folk rock / bluegrass album; I particularly liked "Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key". For me, Billy Bragg's vocals on "She Came Along to Me" sound awful.

this was the first artist i hadn’t heard of. really liked the album. easy to listen to but still made you feel something.

What genre is this? Because I am lost. Folk-country-rock I guess ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ The album is pretty and has some good tracks with especially pleasant harmonies. I do feel like I am missing some key piece of info to 'get it' though. Favorite track was hoodoo voodoo

I like the idea of this album more than the album itself. I’ve never had more than a. Tepid interest in Wilco - guess that won’t change

Enjoyable listen. The overall musical sound was easy to listen to and enjoy.

Don’t like Billy Bragg much, not keen on Wilco but this is somehow amazing. Listened to it while out walking on a cold November night and it brightened my night up!

Fun album but a voice like Cee Lo’s can only be handled in small doses, not over an hour.

Fire

Dos trenzas.

This is not the Billy Bragg I used to enjoy. Far more country than I was used to but not unpleasant

Liked this one a lot. What could have been overly reverential and staid ends up being a really fun, spirited collaboration among three great artists.

Good album with some incredible songs, but lots of skips.

Pretty meh

Enjoyed it! Interesting mix artists.

I think the concept of this album is cool and noble and everything, I just don't particularly care for the music itself. I could barely stand Wilco in their prime, let alone on this album, and I've honestly never listened to Billy Bragg. D for effort, though.

Strong 3

This album was fine. I have to be in the mood for 50 continuous minutes of alternative folk, but I didn't hate it. This would be best enjoyed on a lazy Sunday morning.

Decent album though pretty folksy.

Very good concept, a nice tribute; also if it is true, Bob Dylan’s story is kind of fun (Wikipedia)

having never listened to Billy Bragg or Wilco (or woody guthrie for that matter) I wasnt sure what to expect, but the more I settled in the more I enjoyed it. Deifnitely suited for a particular mood, like taking a long road trip by yourself to somewhere new. I particularly liked California Stars and Ingrid Bergman.

Really enjoyable album! I’m not familiar with Wilco or Billy Bragg but after listening to this I’d like to hear more. Stand out tracks - Way over yonder in the minor key - Birds and Ships - I guess I planted - One by One - Hesitating Beauty

This is AWESOME! What an excellent album. Beautifully crafted melodies and lovely little tunes! Will definitely be coming back to this one!

Gus McRae tells his stories outside a motel 6

The spirit of Woody Guthrie reincarnated as excellent alt-country band. Excellent! 10 Oct 2023

This is a fantastic easy listening album. I have really enjoyed it today working at the office. Billy Bragg reminds me a bit of Tom Petty, mixed with George Harrison, which results in giving a type of Travelling Wilbury's vibe.

My heart sank when I saw it was Billy Bragg. I don’t rate him at all but I was pleasantly surprised. It was certainly a listenable album, not unpleasant although it did start to get a bit monotonous towards the end. 3*

Enjoyed it. Although I think could have lost a few songs..

Solid album.

Calm folksy singer-songwriter type songs

Amazing

Pretty decent folk, a couple good tracks, probably won't come back to.

4.0

Extraordinary in multiple ways. The fit between songwriter and players/collaborators is near perfect, the attitude of the homage is respectful but authentically loose, with more than a little fun, plus tones of soul, exquisite melancholia, and powerful emotion. And for fans of Bragg, Wilco and 10kM's – what could be better? One can scarcely recall a record that felt as much like a museum piece, but was at once so entirely enjoyable (not to mention deeply and personally meaningful back in the day). Haven't listened for years, but it still feels spot-on, rich and lovely and deep.

I initially gave this two stars, but a friend recently suggested that I give it another go. I'm glad I did; I guess I just wasn't in the mood the first time round. It's very reminiscent of Cassadaga by Bright Eyes, which is a record I love. Favourite tracks: Walt Whitman's Niece, California, Way Over Yonder In The Minor Key, Birds And Ships, Hoodoo Voodoo, Ingrid Bergmann, Eisler On The Go.

Listened Before? N What a cool concept! I didn't know Woody Guthrie had so much unfinished work out there that multiple albums could be made from it all. This is the only one I've heard and it was well done. I was extremely thrilled to hear Natalie Merchant on a couple of songs too. She's one of my favorites and always adds a great voice to a song. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key

A little folksy, a little early rock n roll. Reminded me of several different artists throughout the album. One notable one was Elvis Costello. Nice listen

nah doesn't do it for me, smacks of rich kids who squat 1.4

Wikipedia listed this as alternative country, but I really just thought of this as country. I found the whole project interesting especially after reading more about it. Setting Guthrie lyrics to a whole new set of music seems like a daunting task, but this worked for me. Probably the weakest song was "Hoodoo Voodoo" the nonsensical lyrics made it difficult to take seriously. I am not a huge modern country fan, but this set as more "classic" country worked for me. I especially liked the songs with Natalie Merchant. I would have liked more of those works, really. It seems this idea started a lot of other acts doing the same thing, setting music to unreleased Guthrie material. If it's as good as this, I will be interested in hearing it.

Good but uneven album. Woody Guthrie's lyrics are pretty darn good, because of course they would be. Sometimes funny or cheeky (Walt Whitman's Niece), sometimes full of emotion (At My Window Sad and Lonely, Another Man's Done Gone), and sometimes real deep (Christ for President). But it's both Billy Bragg's and Wilco's compositions and delivery that were at times boring or so-so. The songs I thought were really well done were Walt Whitman's Niece (actually felt like a collaboration in harmony), Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key (heard it before and always liked it), Birds and Ships (because man oh man is Natalie Merchant's voice beautiful), and Hoodoo Voodoo (fun and energetic).

Meh

Decent country songs, but probably not gonna listen again

Interesting choice. I liked it, but I don’t know that I’ll ever come back to it

Nice idea I guess, and the music is alright. Some nice - if not already well established - ideas in there. I think I’d probably go a mark higher if they tracks were half as long, wrapped up in 2mins and moved along. Simple folk ditties don’t need dragging out over 5 minutes. I do get the feeling that Billy might be a bit of an insufferable, proto-woke hypocrite though. If you go so far to the left, can you actually end up doing a full loop and end up at the far right? “I will not tolerate intolerance”

I don't really understand the Billy Bragg and Wilco parir up. Did they ever rcord at the same time? I don't think I ever hear Billy and Jeff singing together on the same song, except for the last song Unwelcome Guest which is an album hilight. Regardless this is a fine album with some absolutely gorgeous songs. The Woody Guthrie lyrics are beautiful and the arrangements are tight and always in service to the lyric. I enjoy the juxtaposition of Bragg's traditional folky sensibility and Tweedy's modern indie rock take. Not everything works but most of it is a home run. 4 stars

I'd forgotten about this album. Hits the Guthrie vibe well. Wilco and Bragg complement each other nicely.

Pretty inoffensive all round

one or two were good

Woody's words are still relevant. Kudos to a non-American for capturing his essence and translating it to a modern sound while still maintaining that raw Woody sound. 4.5/5

Vallan käypää nyky-countrya, tai siis vanhoja tekstejähän nämä vissiin ovat, eli ei sittenkään niin nyky ja ehkä siksi toimii. Jotenkin kunnioitus musiikkia ja jotain juuria kohtaan välittyy ilman taustatietojakin, pidän siitä.

Antaa kasvot epäilyttävälle väitteelle siitä, että parhaat biisi-ideat syntyvät tyhjästä ja nopeasti - ainakin jos sanat löytyvät jostain vanhasta kellarista. En minä ainakaan olisi uskonut, että kumpikaan artisteista/bändeistä pystyisi tähän, tai edes että heidän roots-fanituksensa olisi kovin perusteltua. Woodyn paras levy?

solid singer-songwriter record, pretty enjoyable throughout. First half is better than the second Rating- 6.5 Favs - Walt Whitman's Niece - California Stars - One By One

I’m sure it would have been excellent if Woody himself had performed it. This is extremely dull with too clean of production for my tastes.

I thought I would hate this but really didn’t. I was a big early adopter fan of Bragg but drifted away as he lost his knack for song and lyrics. This is the folk Americana album that Guthrie deserved for his poetry/lyrics.

Songs were kinda wack

It was good. I like “Talking with the Taxman about Poetry” better though

Honestly too slow and boring for my tastes. Just not my kind of music.

Quite a pleasent listen Stand out songs: - California Stars - Another Man's Done Gone

I had no idea that this Bragg/Wilco collaboration even existed! Their interpretations of Woody Guthrie's writings are powerful, and the previously unheard lyrics captivating. Ultimately though, this feels more of an anthology than an actual album. A special shout out to 'Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key' - what a wonderful tune.

Who knew what wonders could come out of a collaboration between Bragg and Wilco? Their interpretations of Woody Guthrie’s lyrics are magnificent and his writing is powerful in itself. The early highlight “Way Over Yonder In the Minor Key” almost has me in tears and the album never quite reaches that high again. But this and its successor are not to be missed.

Upon hearing the first track I wasn't sure what I'd think about this record. However, I soon found myself quite enjoying this. It suited my day quite well, on a morning bus to London to spend a weekend as a transient. The songs suited the travels quite well, and I was happy to relax and watch the world go by to this. I don't know if all of this album would fit so well on other, more normal days, but it worked today. Moving and soulful. Favourite: Way over Yonder in the Minor Key

Sometimes I read other people's reviews and wonder if they were listening to the same album as me. I guess different people have different tastes, which is fine; nothing wrong with that. This was fifty minutes of turgid and depressing dullness, truly awful from start to finish. There were no stand out tracks, apart from maybe Hoodoo Voodoo, which was a definite low point and where I would have normally given up listening if I hadn't promised myself to endure to the bitter end. It didn't get any better and if anything it actually got worse.

Really fun, folksy music. Right up my alley.

This is just not my preferred style. It's fine background music.

Fine for background music I guess

Pleasant but dull

This was a decent folk album with some really enjoyable songs and some somewhat annoying songs. Overall having Wilco as a part of this made the folky parts a bit mellowed out and felt more alternative. This was a good casual album to listen to. Bragg and Wilco meld together to make a simple yet enjoyable album. 6.5/10

I really liked the two Wilco albums on the list, and this project of putting lyrics by anti-fascist folk singer, Woody Guthrie, to music sounds really interesting. Although I only know Billy Bragg as a socialist folk guy and the Glastonbury 1999 'toiletgate' agitator, I have high hopes that I will enjoy this album. Having listened, I wasn't disappointed. This is a great album, and feels like a real three-way team effort. Woody Guthrie's striking and on-point lyrics are to the fore, and the songs are cleverly split between Wilco and Bragg lead vocals, with Billy taking the more overtly political songs. Sad, folky, interesting, excellent. Rating: 4.5/5 Playlist track: California Stars Date listened: 13/07/23

Amazing. Just perfect.

Quite palatable for a Billy Bragg album. The Waco influence, how do I say this, brought a nice country vibe . Who am I?

This was a lovely listen. I think I liked Wilco's efforts more than Billy's... they sound like a new version of The Band.

What a great listen. Whilst I'd heard some of the singles, the others were a fantastic surprise. Hard to believe that the music was written many years after the lyrics. It's like they were meant for each other. A great album

Enjoyed it much more that I thought I would. 3.5/5

another album that had a cool premise (two bands coming together to record songs that woody guthrie had written but never recorded) but i wish the album as a whole stood out more. even after multiple listens, nothing here gripped me beyond the general nice indie-folk-y vibes and some clever lyrics. favorites: walt whitman's niece, way over yonder in the minor key, ingrid bergman

What a perfect album to get on the Fourth of July. First heard of this back around 2010 and loved seeing this pop up... Woody Guthrie is the man. I absolutely love Billy Bragg's melody for Way Over Yonder In The Minor Key, but man would I love to hear how Guthrie would've sung it. All in all great stuff.

ну было и было алкоальбом: вино грузинское из ардиса

Скучно. Долго. Непонятно.

Knowing the album was comprised of unreleased Woody Guthrie songs made more sense than when I didn’t know that fact. It’s a competent album with a good understanding of its source material.

What an amazing project this was! And how well it was done! I loved this very much.

This was a neat project to hear about. For me the end product was quite nice to listen to.

Warm and cozy. Love this collaboration.

Wow this was a great mixing of the old and the new (at the time, new). I thoroughly enjoyed this.

Not bad but nothing special either

Decent listen. Always have respect for Billy Bragg.

Easy listening but pretty forgettable Rating: 2.8

O:4 M:4.2

I really enjoyed this one! I would absolutely listen again.

Previously unrecorded Woody Guthrie lyrics, performed by alt-country band Wilco and folk rock singer-songwriter Billy Bragg. Together, they bring a modern spin to some old-school lyrics. Bragg and Wilco feel like natural fits for these songs, as they bring so much life to the forefront. Timeless songs, timeless words. Bragg and Tweedy trade singing duties but neither feel like outshining the other. Bragg has more strength to his voice, while Tweedy has more dimension. I can't help but feel this was an album of respect and love

Too long to be memorable

Certaines chansons étaient un peu trop country à mon goût, mais j'ai quand même vraiment aimé le style et les compositions. Ça sonnait vraiment consistant et bien exécuté. Pas le genre d'album que je remettrais régulièrement, mais d'un point de vue objectif j'apprécie vraiment la qualité générale du LP. 8/10

So first reaction before listening: what the fuck? Why do I have this guy again but also yay Wilco. Post listen: I was pretty much validated in my first look but not quite how I thought because this shit was actually pretty good and I think it’s mostly because of Wilco (yay). Braggs hallmarks are still all over it with yet another song about the godly nature of unions and more political lyrics but this one had way better production and the vocals were far less grating. California stars and way over yonder are my favorites.

Easy listening, liked 'Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key'

A little indistinct in my opinion and possibly I feel it's a bit dated. I think my flavour of protest/angst music is a bit different. Standout track: Hoodoo Voodoo

Here’s the stuff of music legend, enough to spawn a feature-length documentary (and it has). In “Mermaid Avenue”, salt-of-the-earth protest singer Billy Bragg and alt-country outfit Wilco come together with a set of fifty-something year old lyrics* by folk hero Woody Guthrie. They take the words and craft a lovely collection of simplistic, catchy folk tunes which manage to sound both timely and timeless. It’s by no means innovative, adventurous or edgy music, but it has no desire to be: the artists’ loyalty to the premise wins through. As much as I loved Wilco’s “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” (which in retrospect leans towards a 5), I preferred Billy Bragg’s contributions to this album. His vocals have a little more gumption to them than Jeff Tweedy’s, and his music leans more towards traditional, evocative folk. “Walt Whitman’s Niece” is a knockabout, ramshackle opener calling to mind the Basement Tapes. “Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key” is melancholic beauty, nicely accented by accordion and Natalie Merchant’s backing vocals. “Ingrid Bergman” is sweet innocence in a tiny bottle, and “I Guess I Planted” is a barroom-style knees up. By contrast, “Hoodoo Voodoo” is the album’s first misstep, Guthrie’s throwaway verses being given a novelty record treatment. “One by One” borders on dreary and dirge-like, not breathing much life into the source material. I must, however. single out “California Stars” and “Hesitating Beauty” as exemplary offerings from Tweedy and Wilco: light, airy and awestruck by the world. “Mermaid Avenue” is a delightful place to spend some time. At its best, it recalls the free sunsoaked spirit of the Travelling Wilburys: artists with nothing to prove, coming together to honour their musical heritage. They don’t need to show off their technique or cram in any convoluted chord progressions, because simplicity is key. The fun they’re having is infectious, the joy etched into the grooves. A heartwarming listen. *Incidentally, thirty-five years previously, in the early 1960’s, Bob Dylan tried to get his hands on these lyrics at Guthrie’s request, and failed on arrival at his house. He relates this in his autobiography “Chronicles”, somewhere between wistful and bitter. Given the career he went onto and the pleasures of “Mermaid Avenue”, I’d posit that it worked out okay for everyone in the end.

I liked this more than I thought I might....

Love Wilco, like Billy B (though sometimes he sounds a bit flat) I find this a bit dreary though. Workmanlike and unmemorable.

Got this album in college and loved it. Still really enjoy it.

Boring and uninspired. Some parts could be interesting, but for the most part, not interested. 3/5

Woody Guthrie had no way of knowing that his ghost would find ways to linger in the scheme of things. Just when it was all said to be over and done with in regards to his discography, two new interpreters not only came along but breathed new life into the legend. An intercontinental affair that boasted two of the finest talents of their respective genres, Mermaid Avenue is an intriguing and ultimately successful album that does Woody's then-unsung lyrics its due diligence and with the utmost respect it required. Do seek this out, it's worthy of your time. Favorites: Walt Whitman's Niece, California Stars, Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key, Birds and Ships, Hoodoo Voodoo, She Came Along to Me, At My Window Sad and Lonely, Christ for President, One by One, Eisler on the Go.

Top 3 Songs: 1 - California Stars (2) 2 - Christ for President (9) 3 - Hoodoo Voodoo (5)

Slow, almost to the point of sleepiness, but mostly a nice vibe. Vocals might not be to everyone's taste but I like the simplicity and gruffness. Contemplative and fittingly old-sounding. Weary more than dreary. Could be a 3 but I'm feeling generous. Best song: California Stars

Only song I'd heard before is California Stars, which fucking sucks. Some of the tracks were alright, especially when more country flecked. Overall just pretty unremarkable, would definitely be one of the 10,001 albums.

Helt ok med diverse guldkorn. Tur att Billy var med.