Billy Bragg
Reaching to the Converted
Label:  Rhino 
Date:  8/31/1999
Length:  0:00
Format:  CD
Genre:  Rock; Punk
  Category:  rock
    Track Listing:
      1.  
      		 Shirley    
      2.  
      		 Sulk    
      3.  
      		 Accident Waiting to Happen    
      4.  
      		 The Boy Done Good    
      5.  
      		 Heart Like a Wheel (McGarrigles)    
      6.  
      		 Bad Penny    
      7.  
      		 Ontario, Quebec and Me    
      8.  
      		 Walk Away Renee (Left Blanke)    
      9.  
      		 Rule nor Reason    
      10.  
      		 Days Like These    
      11.  
      		 Think Again    
      12.  
      		 Scholarship Is the Enemy of Romance    
      13.  
      		 Wishing the Days Away    
      14.  
      		 The Tatler (Ry Cooder)    
      15.  
      		 Jeane    
      16.  
      		 She's Leaving Home (Beatles)    
      17.  
      		 I Don't Need This Pressure Ron    
    Additional info: | top

      Consider this something of a garage sale for Billy Bragg. On the heels of one of his career highs, Mermaid Avenue, the plugged-in folkie has dived into the hodgepodge he hoarded between 1985 and 1997 and compiled a surprisingly beguiling and cohesive collection of B-sides and bonus tracks. With nine selections from the '80s and eight from the '90s, Reaching offers considerable expanse while making a strong case for Bragg as one of the most productive and consistent post-punk performers to come out of Britain. Highlights here include a previously unreleased version of "Shirley," with the Smiths' Johnny Marr providing the instrumental backing, and a slew of savvy covers that includes the McGarrigles' "Heart Like a Wheel," the Left Blanke's "Walk Away Renee," the Beatles' "She's Leaving Home," and Ry Cooder's "Tattler." Reaching to the Converted holds considerable appeal for Bragg partisans, but it's appealing enough to win over nonconverts, too. --Steven Stolder