Billy Bragg - Workers Playtime

Even as a very young man, Billy Bragg tempered his socialist politics with songs about affairs of the heart, a combination that's served him well. But no matter how lovey-dovey he may croon, Bragg can't help but rail at oppression in its many manifestations. On Worker's Playtime, producer Joe Boyd (Fairport Convention, Nick Drake) frames Bragg's ragged voice with sympathetic folk-rock arrangements. But the real strength of this 1988 collection lies in Bragg's songwriting. The album may boast the pedantic "Capitalism Is Killing Music," but Bragg's sense of humor is in evidence throughout. "Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards" mixes Mao with Mott the Hoople, while the heart-stopping sincerity of "The Short Answer" suffers not a whit for bringing up Karl Marx. --Rob O'Connor Amazon.com

If I were stranded on an island

This is unquestionably one of my picks for being stranded on the proverbial desert island with. The musical arrangements, the absolutely lush songwriting, the staggeringly strong poetry. Workers Playtime came out almost 20 years ago, but I don't hear its age. It stands up to time very well. I have four Billy Bragg albums, and I love them all, but this is my favorite. "Must I Paint You a Picture" is beautiful, as is "The Price I Pay." If this were the only music he ever put out, I would still consider him a songwriting genius. He has an amazing ear for rich composition. And a great sense of humor! August 1, 2007

elektra

My favorite thing about this album was that they sent out a "Capitalism is Killing Music" promotional coffee mug to the music director at my college radio station...I would kill for that mug today. January 27, 2006

Billy Bragg at his best

I would never have thought politics and love could go so well together. On this album, every song is political, yet every song is a love song, and the politics and love seem completely inseperable. The words are always great--Billy Bragg's best--and the music always serves to make the words even more powerful. You can hate Billy Bragg's politics, but if you've ever been in love or wanted to be, you still find something for yourself here. "Worker's Playtime" was recorded in the 1980s, yet it still sounds fresh and timeless. It's better than anything Billy Bragg's done in the last ten years (though that's not saying that much) and possibly better than any of his other albums.
"She's Got A New Spell" rocks out jangling, with citar, even. "Must I Paint You A Picture?" uses a female vocalist to tell about a decaying relationship, and then declares, "This would never happen, if we lived by the sea." "The Price I Pay" is one of the best piano love songs ever, full of regret and sad hope. And "Waiting For The Great Leap Forwards" is about as good as songs get, building into an anthem, a collectivist anthem embraceable by anyone who's ever hoped for change. "Here comes the future / And you can't run from it / If you've got a blacklist / I want to be on it!"
This is a great album. It will always remind me of my older brother who first introduced me to (good) popular music, and it will always remind me of what Billy Bragg is capable of. (Now if someone would just remind Billy....) October 12, 2005

When Billy Was Great.

What to say about Workers Playtime? Listening to it is like going back to college and reliving your youth. I'm sure Mr. Bragg feels the same way about it. It's only 11 songs long but it's impossible to think that the music could be much better.

On this album, the master of urban folk created melodies concerning politics and love that are as outstanding as anything found in his oeuvre. "Waiting For The Great Leap Forward" needs little explanation but the tune includes lyrical nuggets like "the revolution is just a t-shirt away." Honestly, there's not a bad song on the CD even though I didn't like the a cappella, "Tender Comrade," at first. Now it goes down like Chimay Ale.

Even though I bought my copy about 15 years ago, I still sing along to the tracks when they play. Workers Playtime is an inspired mix of rock, folk, and late eighties pop. What a combination. It begins with the earnest joy of "She's got a New Spell," which is the perfect tune with which to introduce friends to Billy Bragg. Its lyrics are original and you cannot sit still while listening to it. "Must I Paint You a Picture" and "The Price I Pay" are both intense and passionate. They also showcase his complexity as a lyricist. Personally, I spent years laughing about the line, "I hate the a--hole I become when I'm with you," in "Life with the Lions." The sentiment is quite accurate about many a relationship.

As for the album's zenieth, I would have to say that "The Only One" is right up there with "St. Swithins Day," as Billy's most beautiful love song ever. It'll haunt you for life; just like the rest of this release. June 29, 2005

An album I can't live without ...

Long before I hunkered down in a small Chicago club to hear Billy's cockney crooning "Ingrid Bergman" through a fine Wilco cheesecloth, I was won over by THIS album. (Yeah, they're still albums to me.) It's just ... it's one of 5 I'd take to a deserted island. There's no dross in the mix; it's all shiny. And strong. And witty like Elvis Costello. Romance and politics in an eminently charming salad, fresh from the Garden, good AND good for you. Just try to resist it. June 18, 2005

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